Wednesday, November 30, 2022Media Contact: Kristi Wheeler | Manager, Marketing and Communications | 405-744-5831 | kristi.wheeler@okstate.eduOklahoma State University has recognized 11 College of Engineering, Architecture and Technology students as the 2022-2023 Wentz Research Scholars for their outstanding undergraduate research.The Lew Wentz Foundation and the Henry Bellmon Office of Scholar Development and Undergraduate Research provide support for the nationally recognized Wentz Research Scholars program. Approximately 40 undergraduates are awarded one-year, $4,500 Wentz Research Awards each year to conduct independent research with the guidance of a faculty mentor in any field of study. The prestigious scholarship helps prepare these scholars for graduate study or national competitions.“The competitive Wentz Research Scholars Program equips undergraduates with many skills outside the realm of the research they are working on,” said Latasha Wilson Taşcı, program manager for the Office of Scholar Development and Undergraduate Research. “It’s a formative experience to carry out an independent research project as an undergraduate. There is tremendous responsibility involved, the need for efficient time management, and often trials and tribulations.“Being involved in this program has affected many students’ futures and helped them discover their path forward. We are so proud of the accomplishments of the Wentz Research Scholars, and grateful for their mentors that help guide them.”To be eligible for the award, students must be classified as an undergraduate at OSU’s Stillwater or Tulsa campuses, have completed a minimum of 12 credit hours at OSU, and achieved a minimum 3.00 cumulative grade-point-average. Students must also work alongside a faculty member to supervise their research project. CEAT Undergraduate ResearchScholar Development and Undergraduate ResearchOmar AbouzahrMechanical Engineering || Aerospace EngineeringFaculty Mentor: Jamey Jacob“Analyzing and Improving the Frangibility of Various Unmanned Aerial Systems for Urban Operations” Rio BonhamBiosystems Engineering Faculty Mentor: Ali Mirchi“Quantifying Crop Types and Irrigated Area in Upper Red River Basin” Alexander BookerMechanical Engineering || Aerospace Engineering || Computer EngineeringFaculty Mentor: Jamey Jacob“Autonomous Swarm Photogrammetry for Enhanced Terrain Mapping in Disaster Relief Operations” Andrew BuntingIndustrial EngineeringFaculty Mentor: Chenang Liu“Modeling and Simulation to Assist Effective Operation of Amusement Parks during Pandemics” Keaton CarterIndustrial EngineeringFaculty Mentor: Brian Roseman“The Tales of Retail Trading” Caden CombsChemical Engineering Faculty Mentor: Marimuthu Andiappan“α-Fe2O3 Photocatalysts in Continuous Flow Cross Coupling Reactions for the Production of Pharmaceuticals” Hulen HowardArchitecture Faculty Mentor: Jared Macken“Cataloging Everyday Architecture in Stillwater, OK” Steven HowellElectrical Engineering || Computer EngineeringFaculty Mentor: Guoliang Fan“Supporting Activities of Daily Life for Seniors via Ai Assistant” Garrett MartinMechanical Engineering || Aerospace EngineeringFaculty Mentor: Nicoletta Fala“The Impact of Pilot Workload in Abnormal Flight Conditions” Mejalaa Mega JayaseelanChemical EngineeringFaculty Mentor: Heather Fahlenkamp“Determining the Role of Surfactants in Pulmonary Immune Responses” Karley WhiteChemical EngineeringFaculty Mentor: Heathen Fahlenkamp“A Novel Approach to Observe Platelet Activation After Infecting Human Pulmonary Microvascular Endothelial Cells with SARS-CoV-2 Spike Proteins” A full list of scholars can be found here.