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.
Tragan,
ReplyDeleteThanks 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!