Industrial engineering student invited to present at national conference

UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — Hannah Nolte, an industrial engineering doctoral candidate, was selected to participate in the Great Minds in STEM (GMiS) Early-Career Faculty Symposium. She received a $500 stipend to participate and present her research in the workshop, held July 12-14.

Established in 1989, GMiS is a nonprofit organization aiming to keep the United States technologically strong by promoting science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) careers, especially in underserved communities. As part of the National Science Foundation ASSIST collaborative, GMiS also aims to increase the diversity of faculty at postsecondary institutions.

Nolte was invited to give a lightning talk about her research interests, which are centered on understanding cognition in the engineering design process. She primarily works to examine the effect of practicing mindfulness on improving engineering design through stress reduction. 

“I knew I wanted to study human factors, and that’s what led me to study industrial engineering,” Nolte said. “It’s a wonderful combination of physics and psychological science, topics I was interested in as an undergraduate student. It includes the problem-solving aspect of physics and the topic focus of improving the lives of others from psychology.” 

In addition to her research overview, Nolte also presented results from two studies completed through the Technology and Human Research in Engineering Design Group. One project focused on identifying the sources and intensity of stress engineers and designers experience during the design process, and another tested the effects of a mindfulness practice on students completing brief engineering design tasks.

According to Nolte, the conference also helped her prepare for the future.

“I greatly appreciate being selected to present at this conference and receive a research stipend, because I learned a lot from participating,” she said. “Getting feedback on my research and meeting potential collaborators was invaluable. The conference also gave me the opportunity to network with an incredibly diverse group of people who were passionate about engineering education and willing to share their experiences to help others learn and succeed.”

Nolte is advised by Christopher McComb, adjunct lecturer of engineering design in the School of Engineering, Design, Technology and Professional Programs and an associate professor of mechanical engineering at Carnegie Mellon University.