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 Cover Story
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 Solving problems as a team Research is often a team effort. That’s the message that MSE Professor Steve Martin shares with his students. Martin heads a unique research group of undergraduates, graduates, and postdoctoral fellows who share knowledge and mentor each other as they collaborate on a single project. Newcomers to Martin’s glass laboratory, which investigates the use of chalcogenide glass in batteries and fuel cells, are guided by juniors and seniors, who in turn learn from and provide valuable insight to graduate students working on more complex aspects of the problem. Throw in the experience of a postdoctoral fellow and the skillful guidance of a supervisor, and the links of networking in research are complete. Martin sees enormous benefits in the interconnected learning atmosphere he has developed over the years. “By pooling all of our knowledge, we often get new solutions and ideas we might not have had otherwise,” he said. Which is exactly what Jason Saienga, a senior in ceramic engineering, accomplished when the group was stalled on some data. Saienga’s fresh approach saved valuable time and moved the project one step closer to its goal. “It’s a good example of how a group can help you through the rough times,” said Jessica Kness, a sophomore in chemical engineering, reflecting on how Saienga and other members of the team work collaboratively toward common goals. Martin’s research is funded by three external agencies: the National Science Foundation, the Office of Naval Research, and the U.S. Department of Energy. Student research was a critical component of his grant requests, by design. Martin values student participation for several reasons. First, he says, students are extremely capable, and secondly, the opportunity to do research can be a life-changing experience. In particular, undergraduates, who often don’t get much research before beginning their graduate work, find this setting an ideal testing ground to consider an advanced research-based degree. “Overall, I place a high value on my undergraduate researchers,” Martin added. “They’re often able to conduct the first research on a new project while graduate and postdoctoral research staff are being hired.” Students agree that the experience adds another dimension to their engineering studies. “It has made my educational experience more meaningful and certainly more fun,” said Kness. “I’ve worked with people (from other engineering programs) that I most likely would never have met. I’ve participated in conferences, which have definitely prepared me for the future. But most of all, the experience has helped me decide that I definitely want to do research when I graduate.” |
