Nanomagnetics Research Utilized for Medical Technology Development
(May 24, 2006) A tabletop system capable of screening tens of thousands of drug candidates in an hour and a tool that can provide a foolproof cancer diagnosis with miniscule quantities of tissue obtained through non-invasive means are just two possible outcomes of nanomagnetics research being conducted by a team of professors with the University of Houston Cullen College of Engineering.The research team, which has received more than $1 million in grants from the National Institutes of Health and the Alliance for NanoHealth, is led by Dmitri Litvinov, associate professor of electrical and computer engineering. Richard Willson, professor of chemical engineering and biochemical and biophysical sciences, and John Wolfe, professor of electrical and computer engineering, serve as co-investigators for the project.

Engineering Golf Team Takes First at University Tournament
(May 24, 2006) A team comprised of four members from the University of Houston Cullen College of Engineering took first place in the university’s 19th Annual Department Challenge Golf Tournament, which was held this year on May 16th at the Wildcat Golf Club in Houston. Associate Dean Stuart Long, Professor Jeff Williams, John Costales, a technician in the Department of Chemical Engineering, and son Daniel, who works in the UH Diesel Vehicle Research and Testing Facility, captured the trophy marking the first time a team from the college won the tournament.

State Grants Engineering Researchers Nearly $500k
(May 22, 2006) Professors at the University of Houston Cullen College of Engineering received grants collectively totaling almost half a million dollars from the state of Texas’ Advanced Research Program. The program, which was founded in 1987, employs a competitive peer-reviewed system to fund the scientific and engineering research projects of faculty members at Texas higher education institutions. Receiving five awards, the college measures up well against other engineering programs in the state, including The University of Texas at Austin and Texas A&M University.

Barrera Honored with Staff Excellence Award
(May 18, 2006) Cullen College of Engineering Business Administrator Dorothy Barrera has been recognized with the 2006 University of Houston Staff Excellence Award. A 20-year employee of UH, Barrera's nomination was supported by several staff members from across the university who applauded her outstanding leadership, professionalism and great sense of humor. In addition to her responsibilities at the college, she serves on the University System Fringe Benefits Committee, the University Compensation Committee and the University Staff Human Resources Advisory Committee.

Engineering Graduate Student Takes First Place in Poster Competition
(May 16, 2006) Liang Xu, a chemical engineering Ph.D. student, took first place in the poster presentation competition at a recent symposium, Frontiers in Materials Research: Applications of Thermal Analysis and Rheology, held in Dallas last month. Xu's poster outlined research into layered silicate nanofillers that are used to strengthen block copolymers, which are nano-scale objects that have multiple applications, ranging from semiconductors to fuel cells. According to Xu, silicate nanofillers could absorb the stress of impact to the easily damaged block copolymers.

Physicians and Engineers Pool Resources to Prevent Stroke
(May 11, 2006) Ralph Metcalfe, professor of mechanical engineering and deputy director of the UH biomedical engineering program, and his graduate student, Aishwarya Mantha, are working on a new tool to improve brain aneurysm treatment. Metcalfe and Mantha are working with physicians and scientists at the Methodist Neurological Institute (NI) to determine which brain aneurysms are at highest risk of rupture and could cause a stroke.

Programs for Women Addressing Shortage of Female Engineers
(May 5, 2006) UH Cullen College of Engineering is addressing the shortage of female engineers through the continued development of a couple of programs aimed to recruit and retain female students to the field of engineering. GRADE (Girls Reaching and Demonstrating Excellence) Camp is specifically designed for high school females entering the 9th through 12 grades in the fall. The college will host four, one-week camps, giving girls the opportunity to learn engineering principles, interact with professionals in the field, and design and construct an autonomous robot. The college also offers a newly designed program for female engineering students called WELCOME (Women in Engineering Learning Community for Maximizing Excellence). The program offers a unique community for female students pursing degrees in engineering, several professional development activities and seminars, and an interactive mentoring program.