Leamer’s research focuses on corrugated web plate girders, which eliminate the need for stiffeners that traditional plate girders use to increase strength and stiffness. The use of a corrugated web allows for less steel and lower fabrication costs. He is researching proposed North American design procedures as well as current code in Europe. Leamer is from Salina, Kansas, and his hobbies include hiking, playing music and off-roading. His favorite food is steak and his bucket list includes visiting each U.S. National Park.

Barretto’s research focuses on extraction of protein from plants and chemically modifying them to increase adhesive strength and other desirable properties. He also develops bio-based composites from grasses that could potentially be transformed into disposable, biodegradable food containers, which can replace plastics in the food industry. Barretto is from Camarines Norte, Philippines, and his hobbies include traveling, long drives, wall climbing, adventure sports and spending quality time with friends. His favorite food is seafood, and his top bucket list item is to visit all the countries in the world and join the Amazing Race.

Evans’ research focuses on developing a technique for the growth of boron suboxide, a wide bandgap semiconductor with applications in neutron detection and nuclear batteries. Evans is from Olathe, Kansas, and his hobbies include 3D modeling, reading fantasy books and playing video games. His favorite food is a good bento box, and his bucket list includes taking a tour around the Greek Islands.

Nafi’s research is broadly in the domain of artificial intelligence and machine learning. Currently, he is working on improving the generalization capability of deep reinforcement learning agents to enable robust decision-making, developing algorithms and neural network architecture for intelligent agents that learn from visual observation and can transfer that learning to make optimal decisions in previously unseen contexts. Nafi is from Bangladesh, and his hobbies include traveling, trekking, photography and spending time with friends and family. His favorite food is spicy beef curry with traditional rice, and his bucket list includes traveling to Europe and summitting a 6,000-meter peak.

Harvey’s research interest focuses on brain computer interface, specifically working with P300 spellers. He is from Olathe, Kansas, and his hobbies include larping, board games, camping and book binding. His favorite food is cheese, and his bucket list includes going to interesting places and meeting interesting people.

Raihan’s research works are mainly focused on synthesis of different types of graphene, characterization, ink development and fabrication of next generation flexible energy storage devices through the inkjet printing method. The goal of his research is to fabricate devices with higher energy density and higher power density at the same time. Raihan is from Bangladesh, and his top hobby is traveling. His favorite food is rice with curry and dal, and his top bucket list item is cross traveling through Europe.

Grote is investigating the dispersion rates of injected tracer gases in a 767 mock-up cabin, simulating natural respiration and dispersion rates of attached viral particles and specifically looking at the percent relative exposure of carbon dioxide at each seat location emanating outwards from the injection (i.e., breathing) source. Grote is from Lansing, Kansas, and his hobbies include Formula One, piano, anime and the Kerbal Space Program. His favorite food is ravioli, and his top bucket list item is to attend the Monaco Grand Prix.