The Additive Manufacturing, Performance and Tribology (AMPT) Center at Rice has presented its first Resiliency Awards to five graduate students in AMPT-related fields.
The awards were given to students who have “demonstrated exceptional resilience in research in the face of challenges posed by COVID-19.”
Njideka (Syndi) Nnorom, a PhD student in chemical and biomolecular engineering (ChBE), was among the recipients receiving $1,500. She was nominated by Rafael Verduzco, associate professor of ChBE.
Nnorom led efforts to pivot the department’s graduate recruiting to virtual forms and spearheaded initiatives to advance inclusion and diversity throughout ChBE, with a focus on graduate and faculty recruiting.
The members of the selection committee are:
Carlo De Benardi, additive manufacturing industry lead with ConocoPhillips and chair of the American Petroleum Institute’s 20S Task Force
Sergio Kapusta, professor in the practice of engineering leadership, RCEL; executive director of the Rice Energy and Natural Resources Initiative
Joanna Nathan (BIOE ’11), manager of New Ventures at the Johnson and Johnson Center for Device Innovation; president-elect of Rice Engineering Alumni (REA)
The winners will be formally recognized at the second annual AMPT Symposium on Jan. 22. The awards are supported by AMPT Center corporate member ConocoPhillips and the REA.