DEPARTMENT HIGHLIGHTS
Varsha Swamy wins Automotive Research Center ’ s Excellence in Research Award
Varsha Swamy , a New Horizon graduate student pursuing a MS . in mechanical engineering , is the recipient of the Excellence in Research Award presented by Automotive Research Center ( ARC ).
As a recipient of the award , Swamy will contribute to a project with ARC . Her proposal to study tire-mud interaction and modeling , part of the award application , will be included in ARC ’ s body of work in the future . She will also receive funding to continue her project .
Swamy is a graduate teaching assistant in the mechanical engineering department , advised by Corina Sandu .
A host of honors for Sandu
Corina Sandu was elected President of the International Society for Terrain-Vehicle Systems ( ISTVS ) in September 2020 . ISTVS is a professional society focused on mobility and performance of all types of vehicles , robots , and machinery , orerating in unprepared terrain conditions . Its Mission is “ to advance the knowledge in terrain-vehicle systems for improvements in engineering practice and for innovation ; in the terrain-vehicle domain , to promote the transfer of advanced knowledge to the user for the benefit of society at large in environmental protection , energy conservation , and sustainable development .” More at istvs . org / officers .
In January 2021 , an interview with Sandu was published by Fédération Internationale des Sociétés d ’ Ingénieurs des Techniques de l ’ Automobile ( FISITA ). More at bit . ly / sandu-fisita .
In September 2020 , Sandu was elected Chair of the Society of Automotive Engineers ( SAE ) Fellow committee . The designation is awarded to an elite group of professionals who have made a significant impact on the mobility industry through leadership , research , publishing , innovation , and volunteering . Election to Fellow is an exceptional professional distinction bestowed to a class of approximately 20 SAE Members each year .
In June 2021 , SAE published an interview with Corina Sandu under DOSSIER in this issue of the SAE Magazine . More at bit . ly / sandu-sae-mag .
54 VIRGINIA TECH MECHANICAL ENGINEERING • ANNUAL REPORT 2020-2021