Mechanical engineering student picked for National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship Program

Tyler Martin, mechanical engineering ’21, has been awarded a prestigious National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship. The program supports graduate students pursuing important research

across the U.S.

Martin received one of 2,000 fellowships chosen from a pool of approximately 40,000 applicants. The fellowship includes $34,000 for Martin distributed over five years as he works toward a Ph.D. in mechanical engineering.

Martin developed his interest in research during his second year at LU, under the tutelage of faculty in the mechanical engineering department. He quickly developed a fascination with the subject of metal additive manufacturing, a new technology set to revolutionize the field of manufacturing.

“Metal additive manufacturing is sometimes called ‘Industry 4.0,’” explained Martin. “It has the potential to change everything we know about how we manufacture things.”

Martin plans to continue his work in this area, pursuing a Ph.D. by researching how to design stronger materials for extreme conditions, such as in space. “My goal is to eventually work at a national laboratory or NASA research group,” he said.

Martin credits the mentorship of LU faculty for helping to pave the way for his success. “As soon as I arrived, people in the College of Engineering and Reaud Honors College helped me set up a game plan for how to be competitive for these types of programs,” he said. “I had opportunities to participate in research from the beginning of my college career; I had supportive professors who were willing to mentor and sponsor me and write excellent letters of recommendation.”

Martin joins recent College of Engineering alumnus David Quispe, electrical engineering ’19, who also received an NSF Graduate Research Fellowship. They make the fourth and fifth LU engineers to receive the honor since 2000.