Tuesday, July 24, 2012

REU Research Paper


Tragan Knight

Air Dispersion Modeling Research Project Reflect Paper

University of Texas at Arlington Research Experience Undergraduate Internship 2012

July 27, 2012



What is engineering? What are the components of ethics engineering? As a society, how can engineering be improved? Here are a few of many questions that were asked on the first day of orientation at the University of Texas at Arlington (UTA) in the latest gold star engineering building by Dr. Yazdani, who is the Department Head of Civil Engineering at UTA. Each question was thoroughly answered by a series of lectures from several professors of various backgrounds. As the first day of orientation progressed, I began to feel more certain that engineering is the field I want to pursue. In addition to receiving a solid foundation on engineering and engineering ethics, we all were briefed on our individual projects.  My research topic this summer was Air Dispersion Modeling; it was under the leadership of Dr. Melanie Sattler, Dr. Yvette Weatherton, and Ph.D. student Roja Haritha Gangupomu. The research focused on potential radiological scenarios using Air Dispersion Modeling Software called Hospot.2.07.2. The purposes of this study were to model potential radiological dispersion scenarios, evaluate selected radioisotopes behaviors under a variety of meteorological conditions and compare atmospheric stability classes. In the process, I learned more than I could have ever imagined. For example, in the research process I acquired more knowledge on researching techniques and creating a scientific poster.

This experience at the University of Texas at Arlington was very similar to some of my other research opportunities. Last year, I participated in the Big Thicket Summer Research Institute were I studied the behaviors of Beetle Larvae on Myxomycetes using light and scanning electron microscopy. We were required to read background information the topic, compose a research paper, create a scientific poster and present our findings.  In contrast to the Big Thicket Summer Research Institute, in this program we were asked to a create website containing our research information. I felt accomplished when I created www.tjkreu.blogspot.com  because this was something totally new as well as exciting.

The program was actually what the brochure stated along with previous student comments. I found that you can learn tons of information within 6 weeks you can build professional relationship with and created long lasting friendships. Overall, the REU program influenced my decision on attending the University of Texas at Arlington in the fall of 2012 to study Civil Engineering with a concentration on Environmental Engineering. I know what I learned this summer will give me a head start for my upcoming years at UTA.

This summer I learned that field of Environmental Engineering or Engineering in general has no gender or ethnicity group associate to it. Whether an individual is a male or female, Caucasian or African American like me, if engineering is your passion, turn your passion into prosperity by pursuing your desired goal. I also learned the opportunity for minorities are limitless. Being in the REU program has taught me that if you apply yourself that the impossible can be possible.


All in all, my experience here at UTA was GREAT! I really enjoyed learning and seeing myself grow as student and individual. I managed to gain skills and techniques that can be applied towards my undergraduate studies and eventually my graduate studies. Not only have this program inspired me to pursue a graduate degree but become Dr. Tragan Knight one day in the field of Environmental Engineering. I feel prepared and equipped with the tools to start building that path of success towards my graduate degrees. Next summer I looked forward to continue building on the foundation of what I have learned this summer from the REU program. I believe with dedication, perseverance and time anything is possible and it was proven this summer with my research on Air Dispersion Modeling.

1 comment:

  1. Tragan,
    Thanks for updating your blog. I'll let Dr. Y know. Please keep updating it. How is engineering at UTA going this semester? keep up the great effort. This is an excellent blog!

    ReplyDelete