From the time she was a first-grader, Karlee Barnhill has wanted to be a veterinarian. She remembers distinctly dressing up as a vet and creating a poster about her dream job for her elementary school’s career day.

Since then, the Indiana Tech senior from Jonesville, Michigan, has answered  that calling by working with animals—primarily her family’s horses (as a barrel racer and with her mom, who was a farrier). She grew up in 4-H, showing livestock, and was a member of Future Farmers of America. Over the last two years, she has worked in the Fort Wayne area for a veterinary hospital and an equine clinic.

Barnhill’s love for animals is so strong she “celebrated” her 21st birthday helping deliver

around-the-clock intensive care to a Belgian foal that was born in distress just hours earlier. The foal survived, thanks in large part to her unwavering dedication.

Ultimately, Barnhill’s passion led her to Indiana Tech to pursue a Bachelor of Science in Biology and prepare for veterinary school (more about that, later).

“From a time before I could even walk, when I used to help my mom shoe horses, I’ve been immersed in caring for animals and understanding the special bond we share with them,” Barnhill said. “Through my experiences, I’ve come to understand the profound impact that they have on our lives and the responsibility we hold to ensure their well-being. This is what drives my passion for animal welfare and advocacy, and why I have never wavered on becoming a veterinarian.”

So, when Barnhill got the opportunity to spearhead a project at the Fort Wayne Children’s Zoo that could affect the comfort, health and well-being of animals, she leapt at the chance.

Barnhill’s project—her senior project—deals with bioacoustics: the study of the production, transmission and reception of animal sounds,  which is used to provide scientists and researchers with insight into species diversity, habitat health and wildlife behavior.

In this case, Barnhill has been studying the calls of the zoo’s two pair-bonded scarlet-faced liocichlas (Jeruk is the male, Kirmizi is the female). These birds (along with 53 others totaling 17 different species) call the zoo’s 8,000-square-foot, rainforest-inspired Asian Trek domed habitat their home. Her sound data was captured by the zoo’s specialized

bioacoustics recording equipment installed within the habitat.

The scarlet-faced liocichla is a stunningly beautiful, medium-sized bird whose natural habitat is roughly 9,000 miles away in the dense hill forests, jungles and swamps of Thailand and Myanmar. Described  as “furtive and shy,” according to birdsoftheworld. org, and commonly found “singly, in pairs or in  small groups of four to five individuals,” the scarlet-faced liocichla is common to its native region. Its  calls are distinct, which is one reason it was chosen for this study.

Last fall, Barnhill began poring over sound data to identify how the birds’ vocalizations differ in response to the various stimuli they encounter within the habitat. Those stimuli include things like food availability, interactions with other species, noise outside of the domed habitat, the presence of humans when the zoo is open and mating season. Her work culminated with a presentation of her findings and recommendations to Fort Wayne Children’s Zoo leadership in April.

“I identified distinct patterns that indicated different emotional states, particularly distinguishing between what appeared to be anger and happiness in the birds. When the scarlet-faced liocichlas exhibited what I interpreted as angry calls, there was often increased agitation and aggression within the dome. On the other hand, when they emitted calls that associate with happiness, I observed more relaxed behaviors and positive social interactions within the dome,” Barnhill said.

She concluded that implementing enriched soundscapes that promote positive emotional states will improve the overall welfare of these and, perhaps, other birds in the habitat. She also recommended that the zoo continue to collect and assess data throughout the 2024 season to gain a more comprehensive understanding of how the presence of zoo visitors affects the emotional states of its scarlet-faced liocichlas.

“Ongoing observation and analysis will provide valuable insights into the effectiveness of any interventions that are implemented. It will also enable the zoo to make informed decisions regarding future management strategies for these birds,” Barnhill said.

Because of her experiences growing up, Barnhill is privy to the cues of a horse or other species of hoofstock in discomfort or experiencing discontent. Identifying those cues from a bird? That’s been more of a challenge that has taught valuable lessons.

“This project has reminded me that just because you think everything is going fine for an animal, you can be very wrong. You cannot rely on appearances and assumptions alone,” Barnhill said. “Animals cannot speak to us, so we need to make use of the tools that are available to us to dig deeper and make sure they are happy and that their needs are being met.”

Barnhill’s senior project is part of an 18-credit hour final semester in the homestretch of her college career. And, as mentioned earlier, she has been trying to get into vet

school. Needless to say, she does not have time to dally. But, determination is something Barnhill has never lacked.

“Growing up, it was almost impossible to think I could do this. I’m a first-generation college student with six siblings, and there just wasn’t a big push for me to go to college,” Barnhill said. “My parents didn’t really know how to support my desire to become a vet, so I’ve had to figure out a lot of things on my own. 

“I don’t have negative feelings toward my parents but at the same time, I want to be the first person in my family who is able to put Dr. in front of their name,” she added. “That has been a big encouragement to me—changing up some of those generational patterns in my family.”

On March 25, becoming a doctor came closer to reality for Barnhill. On that day, she received an acceptance letter from Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine, which is based in St. Kitts and Nevis, West Indies.

“To be honest, I still don’t know how to react to the news,” Barnhill said about her acceptance into Ross. “There are only 32 vet schools in the country with 100 seats each, and interest in animal medicine is growing. Just getting an interview in such a competitive environment was amazing to me. To be accepted? Well, I am just over the moon!”

Barnhill is still awaiting decisions from two other schools; those should come in April. At that time,  she will decide where to pursue her Doctor of Veterinary Medicine.

Karlee’s mentor at Indiana Tech, professor of biology Dr. Julie Good, knows Karlee is ready for the next step  in her educational journey.

“Karlee has approached her academic experience here at Tech with a disciplined focus, tackling challenging coursework head-on to become best prepared for the rigor of veterinary education,” Dr. Good said. “She has a love and respect for animals that was instilled in her early in her life and has an exceptional determination. I have no doubt that Karlee will make an outstanding veterinarian.”

“It’s important for everyone to know that even if you don’t come from a certain background, you can still become what you want to be if you put your mind to it and work for it,” Barnhill said. “Most of my life, I’ve thought, ‘I can’t be a doctor. No one in my family is a doctor.’ And now I’m more than halfway there and getting a step closer every day. It’s amazing.”

For her senior project, Barnhill analyzed  the acoustic data from these birds to assess the welfare of these and other birds living inside the zoo’s rainforest-inspired Asian Trek domed habitat.

Want to see  something sweet? Watch Karlee share her veterinarian school acceptance letter with her fiancé, Landon.

Unless you’re an engineer, architect or builder, you probably don’t spend a lot of time thinking about concrete.

It’s just there, largely under foot or integrated into a larger structure, the whole of which you usually consider far more than its parts.

So you might not know that concrete production and use is one of the leading causes of global CO2 emissions, coming in at about 8 percent worldwide. It contributes far more CO2 globally than aviation fuel (at roughly 2.5 percent). If the concrete industry were a country, it would be the fourth largest emitter in the world, behind only China, India and the United States.

But a team of Indiana Institute of Technology students knows all of this and more. Further, they have ideas about how to address it.

The trio researched this major global problem alongside other world-class scholars aiming to solve thermodynamics challenges during the annual JUMP (Join the discussion, Unveil innovation, Make connections, Promote tech-to-market) into STEM building science competition.

The caliber of fellow competitors was high, including doctoral candidates and other students from engineering powerhouses such as Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University, Purdue University, University of North Carolina at Charlotte and Worcester Polytechnic Institute.

That didn’t stop the Indiana Tech team from securing a solid showing at the Oak Ridge National Laboratory in Oak Ridge, Tennessee. Jacob Ritchie and Lewis Roberts, part of the team tackling the concrete problem, paved a path all the way to the final round of the competition.

They weren’t alone: Senior Samuel Bodley reached the final round with his team’s green roof building solutions. Sam’s team was brainstorming topics when he came across the application of green roofs in Asia, where they’re growing rapidly — literally and figuratively — on new and existing development.

The team liked the idea of making cities green not only numerically, by capturing carbon and moderating the temperature of the building, but also visually, imbuing urban spaces with the hue of the plants and trees that make up a green roof. Their proposed solution includes tax benefits for the construction of green roofs and specialized training for industry professionals.

Sam also took top honors in the Elevator Pitch challenge at the competition.

“It was an outstanding accomplishment for the students,” says Dr. Thomas Tran, Indiana Tech assistant professor of mechanical engineering.

Students participated in the JUMP into STEM competition as a class project in Dr. Tran’s ME 4200 — Thermal Science Investigations course in the fall of 2023. They were tasked with identifying innovative solutions within challenge topics, such as “Keeping it Cool (Or Hot),” focusing on thermal energy storage for buildings to optimize energy utilization, enhance sustainability and increase resilience; or “You and Me, Carbon Free,” reducing carbon emissions from U.S. buildings (residential or commercial, new or existing).

Students’ problem statements were required to address embodied carbon emissions and/or operational carbon emissions. Their response had to lead to significant reductions in carbon emissions and increased affordability for stakeholders.

Overall, Dr. Tran’s class fielded six teams. Senior mechanical engineering students Lewis and Jacob along with Marley Jackson formed the Concrete Evolution team to assess methods of carbon dioxide recycling and injection during concrete manufacturing, reducing carbon emissions while maintaining the integrity of concrete properties.

And Sam worked with fellow senior mechanical engineering students and Eco Skyline team members Tobias Machourek and Nathan Boyleaims to identify ways to grow the number of green roofs (vegetated systems installed on building rooftops) sprouting in major cities to counteract mass carbon emissions.

While all of the students took part in their teams’ research to explore solutions and draft papers on their topics, only those who applied to land a paid summer internship could take part in the JUMP into STEM competition in Tennessee.

Sending two teams to the finals from Indiana Tech becomes even more impressive when you consider that just nine teams are selected from the 60 to 80 who enter nationwide.

This is the second year that Dr. Tran’s students have participated in JUMP into STEM. It’s also the second year that his students have been selected for internships at U.S. Department of Energy national laboratories. Last year, Kennedy Moonin, Lindsey Albrecht, Jacob Frogge and Dante Siracusa, all senior mechanical engineering students, formed the Repurpose EV Batteries team with the aim of upcycling old electric vehicle battery modules for backup power systems, targeting rural communities or communities with uncertain power supplies. They won first place in the It’s Electric challenge.

During the final competition, participants present their JUMP into STEM submissions to a panel of judges, learn about career paths in building science, network with experts in the field, tour the national lab and more.

The chance to test their chops against the top young researchers in the country is no small opportunity for Dr. Tran’s students. “It’s a different kind of knowledge they have right now compared to the graduate students,” he says. Clearly, however, they’re prepared to take the heat in the thermodynamics field.

Sam was surprised by what he learned not only about capturing carbon, but also about himself.  “I think what impacted me most is really learning something about how to benefit the world,” Sam says. “They were showing me a lot of things that I wasn’t really thinking about.

“At first I was thinking mostly about the automotive field, but it opened my eyes to realize that you need to just branch out and look at a lot of different paths before you actually know what you want to do. I really liked that a lot. They’re teaching me a lot about what we learned in our classes and how they actually apply to the real world.”

“It’s just quite a unique experience,” says Lewis of the JUMP into STEM competition. “Not many people get to go to a national lab where loads of research is done and where basically the experts of the field are doing research. Getting to see that whole environment just is quite a unique experience that not many people can get.”

It also expanded his potential avenues for a career. “At first I just didn’t really know which sector I wanted to go in. Obviously, I had topics that I really liked in tech or thermodynamics,” Lewis says. “But then going through this competition, I realized how big of a thing needs to be done to change how we do things now and technologies that we need to reduce CO2 emissions and global warming before its devastating impact around the world. So this has really changed my mind about what I want to do.”

While the Indiana Tech competitors weren’t challenge winners this year, they so impressed the judges that each is being offered the chance to intern at one of the national laboratories. That will certainly cement, so to speak, their network of supporters and colleagues as they venture into the work world.

“The people there — honestly, it was kind of unreal,” Sam says. “Everybody always had a smile on their face. They knew that they were just doing something that helped (the environment) on such a big scale, and the connections were amazing. I already went on LinkedIn and connected with a lot of people there, and a lot of them were saying they could help me with anything I needed if I got in touch.”

“When we got picked to go to the finals, that got my interest piqued,” Lewis says. “Then I did a bit more research about the national lab and what they do. And then while we were there, it was amazing, because we got a tour of some places. The people we met — everyone was so friendly. It was like they were there to support you and make sure you did the best you could. So it was a good experience to have.”

About JUMP into STEM

The JUMP into STEM program is a building sciences competition for undergraduate and graduate students at U.S. colleges and universities. It began as a crowdsourcing community launched by Oak Ridge National Laboratory in 2015 and now aims to attract bright students from a variety of majors to building science via annual challenges. Funded by the Department of Energy, it’s jointly run by the National Renewable Energy Laboratory and Oak Ridge National Laboratory.

Team submissions are evaluated for technical potential, innovation, diversity and applicability. JUMP into STEM awards one winner from each of three challenge topics.

Challenge winners and additional teams are invited to compete in the JUMP into STEM Final Competition. Final competition winners receive a 10-week paid summer internship at the National Renewable Energy Laboratory, Oak Ridge National Laboratory or Pacific Northwest National Laboratory.

Meaning is a complex matter. It incorporates the efforts of both the person trying to convey it and the person receiving it, with all their divergent references, contexts and ways of thinking.

If you ponder it for long, it’s really a wonder that we ever land on shared meaning at all.

Senior Kayra Kargin has spent quite a bit of time thinking about meaning. He’s graduating with a bachelor of science in marketing, but his coursework has included an expansive tour of philosophy and psychology. This served to fan the flames of his natural artistic spark.

And it led him to craft a new way of expression, where complex concepts—such as “details,” “tone,” “curiosity,” “responsibility”—are represented visually, by characters. He refers to this visual expression of meaning as “Keys.”

Under the broader title of “Flementis,” Kayra’s out-of-the-box—and even out-of-the-alphabet—way of thinking unlocks new approaches to the transmission of meaning in applications as diverse as modern art and organizational communications. He’s even writing a book to capture the breadth of his ideas.

But Kayra won’t be the first to tell you about it. Dr.Staci Lugar Brettin, professor of marketing and management and department chair, Marketing and Management at Indiana Tech, uncovered Kayra’s personal passion project in her class.

“He was working on his capstone project for Business Policy and Strategy, and during that time, he took a couple of entrepreneurship courses with me. He was always contributing. He was very engaged, asking intense questions about business models. Kayra was really thoughtful on how we could use business modeling to change the industry,” she says.

“And that’s when I first discovered that he had been working on this project. At that time, the output was not a book. The output was really the process. And so he was trying to figure out, since he was also in my marketing courses, how he could redesign the industry to be so much more innovative.”

A native of Turkey—Kayra came to Indiana Tech as a top student athlete in tennis—he’s found it difficult to secure an internship in advertising, already a competitive field without the challenge of a visa.

“So he wanted to redesign the model of the ad industry where everyone could have an opportunity, almost like open-source design—open source internships,” says Dr. Lugar Brettin. “One of the projects in Entrepreneurial Planning and Growth was that he needed to design some kind of a plan to innovate a business or an industry. So that’s when he coupled his design for this new model with advertising, where everyone learns from everyone else, and they rotate roles. That’s when I really saw him shine.”  

Kayra’s vision for a new communications system builds upon itself. While each character can stand on its own as an idea, characters also can be combined to create theories. Kayra’s “Path Theory” is an example; it includes the concepts of ambition, blinded ego, connections, contentment, humblezation, lost, possibilities, unknown, power and curiosity.

And just as each concept in his language system has a character (or symblem, as Kayra calls them—a blend of symbol and emblem), Kayra also has created, with the help of AI, intricate circular drawings for each theory that incorporate all of the characters in that theory. He’s built a website to share his writing and artwork at flementis.net.

Kayra has a wide-ranging vision for the communication system that he’s constructed, including the book that he plans to self-publish in a few months, artwork and a clothing brand.

And with the support of Dr. Lugar Brettin, he’s identified business applications that are as innovative as his communications system.

For business settings, Kayra has visualized a new organizational dynamic in which carefully chosen “sages and visionaries” interact as symbiotic duos to propel a company in innovative directions. Lest ego or power get in the way of their success, “watchers” are tasked with recording the work of the duos for review and ongoing improvement.

The Harmonic Hierarchy Circuit, as Kayra has titled it, includes a number of his symblems as guiding concepts, including compass, proactive, beginner’s mind, connections, humility, transparency and social harmony.

This system could serve as a brainstorming and dynamic exercise during a corporate retreat designed around mission and vision; or a method of identifying new operational procedures and uncovering efficiencies; or even a radical new way of structuring a company that throws the traditional org chart out the window.

After establishing shared meaning within an organization, Kayra says, the company can share that outward with its market. “I think the symblems help to remember the meaning or what the company truly holds, in a way, and that has to start within the company,” he says.

Since childhood, Kayra writes at flementis.net, he’s felt “discontent with our educational systems, which seemed more intent on molding workers for society’s machinery rather than nurturing creators.”

It’s exciting to consider what else might take root within the rich soil of Kayra’s unconventional environment of thinking. But Kayra doesn’t want to make the conversation about him; rather, he prefers to be the pot from which the plant branches, he says.

Indiana Tech has provided the nurturing that Kayra needed to flourish. “Our athletic recruiting is so powerful at Indiana Tech, and it sets us apart,” says Dr. Lugar Brettin. “A lot of times a student will come for athletics and they’ll find their home at Indiana Tech, where they blossom in all the other areas that exist.

“He came because he had this amazing worldview, and he wanted to play and he got a scholarship. But in the classroom, we have the capacity to transform students in a way that a lot of the larger schools cannot,” Dr. Lugar Brettin continues. “So kind of scrapping what I planned for him in that entrepreneurship class and just saying you know what, you’re on a good path, let’s take that forward…that happens in smaller classes, where you’re focused on one student at a time. We really are a special university.”

When the Fort Wayne Police Department needed assistance with its early-November hostage negotiation training exercise, it reached out to Indiana Tech’s criminal justice program first. The result was a win-win learning experience for participating police officers and nine CJ students.

“By volunteering their time to assist our negotiators and tactical teams in training, it adds a layer of realism that we could not get without them. This really improves our overall effectiveness and makes us better,” said FWPD Public Information Sergeant Jeremy Webb. “The students also benefit from the experience by getting a closeup view of some specialized training conducted by law enforcement, which will aid them in their criminal justice education and potential law enforcement career.”

The training was held in a vacant warehouse in two sessions. The morning session was run at a slower speed, with a focus on team movements and negotiations. The afternoon session was more dynamic with simunition firearms, training flash bangs, hostage scenarios and real-time team movement.

“When our students participate in experiential education opportunities like this, they gain a better understanding of the course material, a broader view of the criminal justice system and an appreciation of the community in which we live,” said Dominic Lombardo, program lead for Indiana Tech’s criminal justice program.

Student Perspective

Out-of-classroom experiences like this allow students to apply their knowledge and see what they are learning, in action, rather than in a notebook. These are rare opportunities to see your career work from a new angle, and something this informative should not be passed up.”

Matthew Frink
CRIMINAL JUSTICE MAJOR
CLASS OF 2024

I found it interesting all the technology they used to rescue us. I have been a part of this scenario more than once, and I have been able to see their technology has advanced over the years.

María Solís
CRIMINAL JUSTICE MAJOR
CLASS OF 2026

The officers were open to any and all questions we had for them, and they let us see their negotiation truck and other vehicles they bring in situations like these. They were very kind and open, which made this experience even better.

Brooklyn Babler
CRIMINAL JUSTICE MAJOR
CLASS OF 2025

It is a deeper calling, however, that motivates him to help others achieve significance and worth—a calling that took hold of him, in earnest, last summer.

“The past year has been huge for me regarding stepping into my purpose. I feel as though my motivation in this world is to impact people’s lives positively through the use of technology,” the Richton Park, Illinois-native said.

Over the summer, Syas interned with the Gary Alumni Pathway to Students (GAPS), a not-for-profit organization that tasks volunteers to share their knowledge, skills, and interests to help Northwest Indiana students learn what career possibilities are available to them and what it takes to be successful. His role was to teach 3rd-, 4th- and 5th-grade students about STEM concepts and related careers.

“It was an experience I will never forget because it taught me how to make a difference for those who will come after me in the STEM field,” Syas said.

“Mr. Syas exhibited dedication and perseverance as he planned each lesson with careful consideration and immense compassion to ensure student success. His commitment and nurturing rapport with his students led to improved student scores,” said Dr. Coni Taslim, executive director of GAPS. “Brennan was an absolute asset to the GAPS STEM Academy and will be such to any organization that has the honor to have him. His future is bright, and I wish him all the best!”

Syas’ experience with GAPS also helped him keep his eye on his ultimate goal of making an impact in the community he grew up in.

“One of these days, I want to build my own recreational center right over the outdated basketball courts that I used to play on when I was a kid,” Syas said. “Until I can do that, I want to enhance those courts so they can be used now.”

Syas put together a wish list: new pavement to fill the holes, new fencing, new nets, regular maintenance and a painted mural that would bring the community together. However, he had no experience with what to do next. Fortunately, he was able to connect with Indiana Tech Academic Camp Director, Caleb Hunter, for support in moving forward.

“Caleb worked with me and gave me his advice on how to pitch my idea to the Richton Park Community Recreational Board, how to get the conversations started and how to handle things the right way when it comes to asking for funding,” Syas said.

Just before returning to Tech for the 2023-24 school year, Syas made a successful presentation to the recreation board. In December, he will learn if his project will earn funding. If so, work will begin on the courts in summer 2024.

“Working with Brennan on his proposal was a privilege—he made use of the encouragement and feedback and delivered a great pitch to his community leaders,” Hunter said. “Brennan is a servant leader with a passion for wanting to help people, especially the youth in his own community. He doesn’t just have the potential to lead the next generation, he already is putting his leadership into action. It’s a blessing to see his strengths and talents in action.”

Brennan says that his desire to give back to his community is a testament to how he was raised. He said that even though he is about to turn 21, his grandmother still asks him “Are you your brother’s keeper?”

“She says this to remind me to help those who need it and not do it half-way, but do it all the way. In this case, I have seen people in my community talk about its problems but not come up with solutions. Even though I am away at school, I am taking the initiative to speak up for those who can’t see this change becoming reality. I know that it will impact the lives of those in the next generation in a positive way. In my eyes, that’s a win in itself.”

Indiana Tech’s sport management degree program is becoming a pipeline to top-level sports teams in all leagues.

In recent years, sport management graduates have ascended to positions with the NFL’s Tennessee Titans, MLS’ FC Cincinnati, MLB’s Baltimore Orioles and the NBA’s Los Angeles Clippers.

Michael Warner is the latest Warrior graduate to get the call to the big leagues. The 2023 graduate and Louisville, Kentucky-native was hired by the NBA’s Atlanta Hawks in June as a membership associate.

“I work in the Hawks’ inside sales ticket department to make sure season ticket holders and businesses in the Atlanta area receive the best game-day experiences possible. Things are going great—I am learning and growing as a business professional at the highest level with the best reps in the NBA,” Warner said.

While at Indiana Tech, Warner said he learned how to maximize his time and gained a good understanding of the different jobs available to him in the sports industry. Interning with the Fort Wayne Mad Ants, the city’s former G-League basketball team, helped immensely. In addition, he received plenty of guidance from connections he made with alumni and current professionals affiliated with Tech.

“I’m very excited and proud of Michael for getting this chance to prove himself with the Atlanta Hawks. He has worked very hard to get this opportunity and I know he will make the most of it,” said Professor Craig Dyer, chair of Indiana Tech’s sport management program. “His college career is a perfect example for how one should approach their college career. He always asked really good questions and he was dedicated to gaining valuable work experience. If you want to be successful in the sport industry, you need work experience along with the degree. Michael not only realized this, but he took advantage of all the opportunities that were available to him.”

At Indiana Tech, we strive to develop graduates who are career-ready—confident in their knowledge base, equipped with a diversified skill set and relevant experience, and able to add immediate value to any organization. One way we accomplish this is by stressing to our students the value of internships and pairing them with real-world, hands-on learning opportunities that put them in an advantageous position when it’s time to enter the job market.

For decades, it has been a winning formula.

Alexandra Forsythe (Electrical Engineering, 2022) earned several impressive internships during her college career at Indiana Tech, including one at NASA’s Langley Research Center. Alexandra is now an SoC (system-on-chip) design engineer for Intel.

Israel Vaides (Sport Management, 2022) interned as a video producer/editor and social media content assistant with the Fort Wayne Komets hockey team while at Indiana Tech. He is now a producer of video content with the National Football League’s Tennessee Titans.

The list of success stories goes on and on, much like the list of outstanding organizations where Indiana Tech students have interned. It includes American Electric Power, Apple, BAE Systems, Brotherhood Mutual Insurance, Fort Wayne Football Club, Fort Wayne Metals, General Motors, Indiana Physical Therapy, Lincoln Financial, Los Alamos National Lab, Parkview Health, Raytheon, Sweetwater, Vera Bradley, WaterFurnace International, Zimmer Biomet. In addition, several municipalities across the country have provided internships for our students, giving them experience in various fields that include law enforcement, city government and planning, and engineering.

This summer, Indiana Tech biology major Nina Penny will be taking advantage of an outstanding internship opportunity. Nina is participating in Northwestern University CURE, a prestigious cancer-focused undergraduate research experience at the Robert H. Lurie Comprehensive Cancer Center in Chicago.

Penny, who was one of 12 students selected from a field of over 1,000, is spending eight weeks working alongside top cancer researchers in state-of-the-art laboratories and helping advance novel research projects in cell and molecular biology, cancer immunology and other focus areas.

“I am very honored to receive this opportunity. It gives me the chance to apply the skills I have learned throughout these past three years to cancer research,” said the Chicago native, who will graduate in 2024. “My experience at Indiana Tech has greatly prepared me for this opportunity; the countless labs and phenomenal professors have trained me to not only work well in a group of researchers, but to also think independently to solve research questions.”

While in the program, Nina will be working in the lab of Dr. Karla Satchell, who leads the Center for Structural Genomics of Infectious Diseases at Northwestern University’s Feinberg Medical School. Dr. Satchell’s lab focuses on diseases caused by Vibrio bacteria and the cell biology applications of bacterial toxins. Nina will work with a group of postdoctoral students to document the effects of the pathogen on infected mice.

“I want to gain more skills involving research so I can further prepare for a career in veterinary medicine, especially since I am not quite sure what field of veterinary medicine I want to pursue,” Nina said. “Additionally, this program provides me the chance to grow as a woman in science in a lab that is dedicated to improving society through infectious disease and cancer research.”

After graduating, Nina plans on attending veterinary school. She is also interested in medical research, surgery and emergency medicine.

“Nina’s success in obtaining this incredible opportunity is a testament to her focused determination,” said Dr. Julie Good, director of Indiana Tech’s biology program. “Her work at Northwestern University’s Feinberg School of Medicine this summer will open doors not only into the research of Dr. Karla Satchell but also into the Robert H. Lurie Comprehensive Cancer Center and the School of Medicine. I am thrilled for all that she will bring back to Tech in the fall!”

As of press time, here are other summer internships Indiana Tech students are participating in:

• Kuldeep Aulakh, College of Business: Hoosier Petroleum Corp
• Samuel Kollar, College of Business: Star Financial Bank
• Allison Hyatt: College of Arts and Sciences,: New Leaf Recreation
• Nicole Gonzalez-Urena, College of Business: Voss Automotive
• Tobias Machourek, Talwar College of Engineering and Computer Sciences: Valbruna Slater Stainless Inc
• Trevor Hummer, Talwar College of Engineering and Computer Sciences: NHA
• Kartikeya Katti, Talwar College of Engineering and Computer Sciences: AAA Virginia Consulting Inc
• Juan Avellaneda, Talwar College of Engineering and Computer Sciences: Valbruna Slater Stainless Inc
• Nikita Ajay, College of Business: Link Star Inc
• Tariq Muhamma Ammar, College of Business: Comfort Inn and Suites
• Thaina Amorim Carvalho, College of Arts and Sciences: Fill-Rite Company
• Sydney Kutzke, College of Arts and Sciences: Midland Police Department
• Lucas Rodrigues Braga, Talwar College of Engineering and Computer Sciences: Barton Coe Vilamaa
• Victoria Goedland, Talwar College of Engineering and Computer Sciences: Praxair Surface Technologies
• Victor Inwang, College of Business: Dyno Nobel
• Lucca Motta, College of Business: Fort Wayne Football Club
• Jerry Walker, Talwar College of Engineering and Computer Sciences: Steel Dynamics

Indiana Tech’s Innovation Challenge competition was developed in 2021 to give all students an opportunity to showcase their innovative ideas and turn them into viable business opportunities or patents. For senior business major Fabian Granqvist, it’s doing just that.

In November 2022, Fabian won the university’s second Innovation Challenge after presenting his business plan for an energy bar he developed in 2020 as a healthy and affordable alternative to processed protein and energy bars.

Since then, it’s been a whirlwind of activity for Fabian, who is also a member of the men’s hockey team.

• Indiana Tech president Karl W. Einolf connected Fabian with Parkhurst Dining, the university’s culinary provider based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Fabian was able to meet Parkhurst’s director of sourcing and sustainability, which helped him improve the consistency and reliability of his bars. From there, Parkhurst representatives inspected where the bars are made and approved Fabian’s baking process. Parkhurst will begin selling Fabian’s bars in the near future.
• Fabian sold 100 bars to the men’s hockey team for use during the ACHA Division I men’s tournament, which was held March 16 through 21 in Boston.
• Fabian has networked with several entrepreneurs since winning the Innovation Challenge, including Giovanni Martinez of the Fortitude Fund, a Fort Wayne-based not-for-profit that supports entrepreneurship in the region. Through the relationship, he was approved to vend at the Fort Wayne Farmer’s Market for the 2023 summer season.

Fabian had been making breakfast bars for a few years, but it wasn’t until the urging of a friend over the summer of 2022 that he considered selling them. Now the Boras, Sweden, native visualizes his bars being “healthy, sustainable and delicious substitutes” to other bars found in grocery stores and gas stations.

He is currently testing his product in the sports nutrition scene.

“I have always been very passionate about health, but never would I have imagined myself winning the Innovation Challenge with an idea so perfectly aligned with my passion,” Fabian said. “I am extremely grateful for this opportunity presented to me by Tech to realize my dream.”

Dr. Staci Lugar Brettin’s Venture Lab class was instrumental in Fabian’s Innovation Challenge victory as many collaborated with him to help him prepare for the event.

“The whole class was willing to listen to my pitch and give me constructive criticism which was incredibly helpful. Wil Campbell was extra helpful; he runs a successful business and gave me advice throughout this whole process that I applied to the marketing and branding of my idea,” Fabian said.

Learn more about Indiana Tech’s Innovation Challenge.

Innovation Challenge second place—Catherine Stafford

The electrical engineering major who will graduate in May won second place with her innovative BraiKey, a Braille keyboard with a refreshable Braille display for those learning to use braille in congruence with a word processor, such as Word or Google Docs.

“I was first introduced to this idea by two of my electrical engineering professors who suggested it as a potential senior project. I was originally drawn to the idea because I knew it would be a challenge for me and would allow me to not only demonstrate the skills that I have gained while at Tech, but also put me in a position to develop in areas that I was lacking in,” Catherine said.

As she dived deeper into the project, Catherine realized her product had the potential to truly help people and allow them greater access to technologies that she took for granted.

“It is easy for me to quickly type content into a document and email it to its intended receiver without batting an eye. That is not true for everyone—partly due to the technology and partly due to the education gaps related to Braille as a language,” Catherine said. “It is my hope, and intent, that BraiKey can be developed in such a way that facilitates young users to embrace Braille more fully as a tool for their success in the wide world.

“I never expected that I would be able to find a project that would inspire me to be brave enough to take it to a competition, let alone an innovation competition,” she added. “This whole experience has been outside much of my wheelhouse and it wouldn’t have been possible without help and encouragement from Dr. Zakariya Al Hamouz (associate professor of electrical engineering) and Dr. Staci Lugar Brettin (professor of marketing and management).

Industry tours show students what is possible

On Thursday, May 4, 2023, a group of Indiana Tech engineering students got a behind-the-scenes look at the motorsports industry with a tour that included kissing the bricks at Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Real-world learning opportunities like this help our students become career-ready graduates.

However, well before it was time for him to research colleges, develop a leadership style or plot out a path for his future, Joshua Schmidt faced stressors that no brother should have to face. His younger brother became gravely ill, sending Joshua and his family on an emotional journey as the younger Schmidt fought for his life. Fortunately, Joshua’s brother received life-saving medical care from Riley Hospital for Children. 

Little did Joshua know this experience would directly influence his future: chiefly, where he would go to college and what he could do when given the freedom to pursue his passion, develop professionally and grow on a deeper personal level.

“When I was considering which college to attend, I was looking for an opportunity to start a program that raises funds and awareness for Riley Hospital for Children. While I discussed this with other universities, Indiana Tech saw that I was involved in a similar program while I was in high school and encouraged me to start the Warriors for Kids student organization and bring my vision to life,” Joshua said. “Indiana Tech helped me form the on-campus connections and provided an advisor and the financial support to get such a program off the ground. They encouraged me to go for it every step of the way.” 

During his time at Tech, Joshua organized 15 Warriors for Kids events and raised nearly $13,000 for Riley Hospital for Children. The highs and lows of this real-world learning experience helped Joshua become proficient at leading and delegating, building relationships, and anticipating and solving problems. He also gained the satisfaction that comes with accomplishing goals and giving back to one’s community. 

“Because of everything I have learned through this experience, I know my decision to attend Indiana Tech was one of the best decisions I have ever made,” Joshua said.

The focal point of the class is a trip to the Stratford Festival in Stratford, Ontario. The Stratford Festival is North America’s largest classical repertory theater company. It presents, from April to October, several classic, contemporary drama and musical productions, with special emphasis on the plays of Shakespeare.

“After my first trip to Stratford about 15 years ago, I realized the potential for our students,” Dr. McGrade said. “The town is largely devoted to the arts, and the rotating list of plays provides ample opportunities for the study of literature. At only six hours away, this town provides a completely immersive experience in the arts, and by removing students from their traditional schedules, their major areas of study, and their home country, they are asked to give themselves over to this experience.”

In September, 17 students joined Dr. McGrade on the trip to the Stratford Festival, where they attended five different plays that included histories, tragedies and comedies. The students also took part in a costume and props warehouse tour and engaged in a Q&A session with the festival’s artistic director and a visiting scholar. Some of the attendees shared some of their perspectives from the trip:

Dr. Susan McGrade

This group of students reminded me of the value of trips such as these; in fact, the students’ reactions, their observations, experiences, and their interpretations, were so powerful that it was as though I was experiencing these things for the first time. I am not exaggerating when I say that I was having adrenaline rushes as I watched our students in Stratford. They were open to new experiences, they were appreciative to the details and nuances of the arts, they were thorough in their analysis of the plays, and they were insightful about the ways these plays comment on the human experience. From what I have gathered, there were intense discussions about the merits and value of individual plays – without my prompting, and after the hours of traditional schooling. I was overjoyed to see their investment in these plays and in these discussions; it was another nice reminder of what happens when we immerse ourselves into the humanities, into unfamiliar experiences, and into the hearts and minds of others.

Sadie Leatherman

Biomedical Engineering Major
Class of 2022

As an engineer, I was especially interested in the materials they used to design props. In engineering school, we learn to consider material properties when making design decisions. Factors pertaining to the performance of a product are affected heavily by materials. For example, the needs of the end user, the functionality of the product, and cost are some factors engineers will consider when choosing materials for their designs. I saw these same principles put into practice in the Costume Warehouse. I totally nerded out over the 3D-printed ray gun that was made from 10 separate custom-designed pieces. I’ve worked with 3D printers at school and in my internship, so I know the amount of time, work and technical acumen that goes into designing functional mating parts in CAD and operating 3D printers.

Art challenges us to think deeper about issues and come to an honest personal resolution. I’m an engineer, and I don’t spend a great deal of my time pondering or appreciating the arts. But during this talk, I found myself reflecting on the place that art has in society. I realized how absolutely dull the world would be if there was no art, and I am learning to appreciate it more and be grateful that I’m privileged enough to be able to experience it.

To be honest, I spent a great deal of time just thinking, pondering, and trying to find deeper meaning to the ideas that were presented to me on this trip. I can’t say that I totally agreed with every opinion and idea I heard. And I can’t say that I will change my mind about the things I believe to be moral or immoral. But I can honestly say that I intentionally listened to the voices of people who think differently than I do about certain topics. And I have a greater appreciation for opportunities to hear different perspectives. As an engineer, I am trained to see things in black and white. But a majority of controversial topics are full of grey, which is why they are difficult to talk about. My experiences in Stratford helped me understand how to navigate that grey area and not shy away from challenging and thought-provoking conversations with people with different backgrounds and experiences as me.

Josh Bailey

Computer Science Major
Class of 2023

Stratford provided the means for a beautiful artistic experience. It was a shift of tone, attitude and passion among a community of artists. I met so many friendly people, and everyone seemed eager to talk. In fact, it was hard to get out of a conversation in Stratford. Stratford has been profoundly shaped by the arts, and I hope that never stops.

This trip was my first time leaving the country. This trip was also my first time seeing a play that wasn’t in a high school done by teenagers. It was an absolute joy to experience both for the first time. Although, I probably could have done without being pulled over at the border. I loved the adventure, and I especially loved walking around town and experiencing the beauty of it. Staying in the rocking chair house is a memory I will look back on and laugh about for years to come.

Noah Smith

Biomedical Engineering Major
Class of 2023

I loved this trip and experience. I believe it gave me a full understanding of the works of literature that we read throughout our class thus far. It made the class a full experience of reading them all and then seeing these professional actors portray the characters you understood as one way, as another! I became closer with other people on the trip that I do not think I ever would have.

I made memories for my senior year that I will never forget. If I am being completely honest, I decided to take this class strictly for the trip to Canada, but after reading these plays and then experiencing them in action, I am so glad I made the decision to come. I feel as though I have grown so much personally through experiencing the themes portrayed in the plays and the conversations about them with others

Cat Stafford

Electrical Engineering Major
Class of 2023

The [highlight] was when [the artistic director and invited speaker] singled our students out and made sure to make us welcome and ask about us. The genuine happiness from both the speakers when it was mentioned that we were a tech school that has this kind of in-depth immersive humanities course was heartwarming.

Kristen Forti

Industrial & Manufacturing Engineering Major
Class of 2023

The Talking Theatre was a wonderful educational component of the entire Stratford experience. Similar to the Costume Walk Through, it provided more information that expanded my appreciation for the performances .

I appreciated [the Artistic Director] Cimolino’s response to my question about the jokes that seemed to be aimed at America. I truly did not realize that America was the big fish in the pond. There was an older woman who I talked to after the session had ended and she shared how much the unrest in America impacted Canada. She said that when the violence in America started four years ago, there was a rise in violence in her town in Canada. Perhaps so much of the world has a distaste for America because we fail to accept the responsibility that rests on our shoulders.

There was an older gentleman in the audience who used to be a monk who shared the beautiful illustration of the Church and Theatre. He said that it used to be if you attend a church service, you should leave as a slightly changed person. That doesn’t happen in most church services around the world today, but it often happens in a well-done performance. He said, “I leave the theatre as a changed person.” and I couldn’t help but feel my appreciation for the arts grow. A big takeaway from the experience was that art has the power to transform people and we must be careful not to abuse such a power.

Lauren Barton

Biomedical Engineering Major
Class of 2024

Also, I did enjoy seeing everyone’s faces when Abbey had said we were from the states, and it felt like we instantly became celebrities as everyone was so happy we made the trip up and were experiencing Shakespeare and it was such a welcoming environment! It was also bittersweet as I realized that the conversations the audience was having with the producer would never be able to happen in the states. I feel as though Americans would not be able to take criticism and be pushed to think outside the box and that the little talks, we had with people would turn into fights more than having an actual conversation. Which made it so much harder to leave Canada! There was also a man that came up to Sammi, Becca, and I after the talk with the producer was over and told us how happy he was that we came, and he wanted us to know that we were going to change the world and that he cannot wait to see what we have in store for him and his wife! He was so nice and genuine, and it almost made me cry!!

I learned that it takes perspective to understand one another when you are having trouble finding middle ground between two opposing sides. I found that you have to be open minded to things you don’t understand because you will never understand if you don’t open up and try! I also learned that what we do in another country does impact other around us whether we like to admit it or not! And finally, I learned that not everything is as it seems, sometimes it does take a deeper look at things to see the big picture! I just wanted to thank you personally for this experience as it has been by far one of the best of my life and I cannot wait until I’m back in the class to go again!

Brendan Mulkey

Class of 2025

I came into this class thinking I would be bored with Shakespeare because I don’t typically go out of my comfort zone that much. I found myself walking a lot more, eating all new kinds of foods, trying different drinks and water, meeting new people, talking to new people, and meeting people from all over the world and experiencing new things.

Something I’ve learned to love about my experience at Indiana Tech is the passion that everyone has to their subjects and their studies. I knew nothing about plays or poetry and I learned a lot about iambic pentameter and other things with Shakespeare and cool facts! Everything about the trip was so much fun and I am so thankful that I was able to experience something that I knew nothing about and now have a passion for!

The discussion we had in class about the trip were cool too and I’m glad I experienced something that was out of my comfort zone. I never thought I would have enjoyed plays and the arts so much.

Jacob Grant

Electrical Engineering Major
Class of 2023

To me this trip was a big deal. I was excited to go on this trip, but it turned out to be more than just a trip. I grew a larger passion for the arts.

This trip had allowed me to talk to people I would probably not talk to on the daily and get to know them on more than a surface level. To my educational experience it was eye opening. Being in Stratford I was around people who appreciated the arts the same way I do and more of them than not appreciate it more than me. Watching all these plays it brought me to a greater appreciation of the arts.

Sam Potters

Biomedical Engineering Major
Class of 2023

Having the opportunity to experience and travel to another country is truly the best experience of my life and I wish more students were able to have this opportunity. I am very grateful and fortunate to be part of such a great group of people and to go to such a school that allows for these types of opportunities. Its trips like these that keep me alive and grateful to still be living.

I wish I could take full credit for that I’m sure I heard it in a movie somewhere. I truly meant it when I said that, and I think that’s why so many people forget about the arts. We become so focused on our everyday lives and what has to be done in order to make a living that we forget how to live and enjoy the life we live and truly feel alive instead of just waking up doing the same mundane things everyday / every year. Going on trips like this one, and on my trip to Ireland have really made me feel so grateful to have had these opportunities to not only see how others live, but to also feel alive myself, and to remind myself to not get caught up in what I have to do to make a living or in school, but to also make sure I’m really living my life and becoming the best person I can be not only for myself but for my future family.

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