Summer interns unearth opportunities and skills across departments

After graduation, many students head into industry to put their degrees to work. This summer, six students from four departments across the College of Engineering are getting a head start by working on interdisciplinary research projects in the Department of Mining and Minerals Engineering. 

A leader in the area of sustainable critical mineral processing, the department's four immersive projects provide student interns with plenty of hands-on lab experience that broadly address the production of critical minerals such as lithium. These minerals are essential in applications such as technology, green energy, and national defense but come with heightened risk for supply chain disruption. 

Specific projects the research interns are working on include the following:

• Laboratory testing and analysis of state-of-the-art processes for rare earth element and critical mineral production
• Economic and business-case evaluation of unconventional critical mineral resources
• Geologic characterization of ores and other resources to support lithium production needed for battery technologies
• Design and construction of advanced separation processes for the minerals and coal industries

As interns, students are using new lab equipment while learning how to structure tests and analyze data comprehensively. Utilizing knowledge they've gained in their respective programs, they are learning new skills from each other. The internship experience exposes them to a holistic problem-solving approach, where solutions often require integration of diverse knowledge and skills. By collaborating with experts from different fields, these students are learning to approach problems from various angles while also bringing their own perspectives and expertise.

The six students involved in interdisciplinary internships are the following:

• Keegan Fischer, chemical engineering
• Evan Grant, geosciences
• Mason Lattimer, industrial and systems engineering
• Jack Leland, mechanical engineering
• Ashwin Srinivasan, chemical engineering
• Evan Willey, chemical engineering

Kristopher Strickland, research associate in mining and minerals engineering, said one major goal is to provide the students more experience in their degree path, but in the context of mining and mineral resources. Strickland graduated from the mining and minerals engineering department in 2011. After a seven-year career in the industry, he returned to the department as a research associate and understands how crucial an interdisciplinary approach is to solving real industrial problems.

“One of the things I love about mining is that it touches so many different engineering disciplines,” Strickland said. “This gives us a great opportunity to collaborate, allowing us to bring in expertise in different areas from other engineering specialties.” 

Collaborating with multiple departments and seeing the different skill sets that other researchers contribute is something that chemical engineering student Evan Willey said has been critical for him gaining relevant industrial experience.

“Engineering is almost always multidisciplinary, so you're always going to be working with other disciplines of engineering,” Willey said. “No matter what industry you're going into, whether it's research or working for large scale companies, you’re constantly going to be collaborating with people. In our internships, we’re not only acquiring technical skills in the lab, but also learning how to engage with other people with different backgrounds effectively.”

In addition to the professional experience they are gaining, students are also exploring mining industry’s operations, processes, and opportunities. Understanding the industry’s dynamics and being able to apply their own knowledge to a different discipline allows them to develop new problem-solving skills and even presents them with potential career paths. 

Aaron Noble, head of the Department of Mining and Minerals Engineering, said the students aren’t the only ones benefiting. The mining industry is also reaping the benefits of the students’ perspectives. 

“Modern mining represents one of the most complex and technically diverse human endeavors,” Noble said. “The challenges we face in the industry are inherently interdisciplinary, and there is a growing demand for talent, not only for mining engineers but for engineers, scientists, and professionals from all disciplines. The students working with us this summer have made notable contributions to our research, and I am thrilled that we are able to provide them opportunities to advance their education and develop their technical skills.”