PRAIRIE VIEW, Texas (February 28, 2024) — Against the vibrant backdrop of Washington DC, at the 103rd Transportation Research Board annual meeting, three Prairie View A&M University students were honored as recipients of the esteemed U.S. Department of Transportation Federal Highway Administration Dwight David Eisenhower Transportation Fellowship Program grant.

(L-R) Manuela Angunu Micha Nchama, Trinity Wiley

(L-R) Manuela Angunu Micha Nchama, Trinity Wiley

Embarking on a journey of academic exploration and innovation, the three outstanding students are delving into groundbreaking research under the guidance of their esteemed faculty advisors.

  • Carol Akpan

    Carol Akpan

    Carol Akpan, who is pursuing a bachelor’s degree in chemical engineering under the mentorship of  Lealon Martin, is unraveling the intricacies of sulfur fates in integrated biological and transport systems through a multi-scale, optimization-based approach. Akpan also had the honor of serving as a speaker at the DDETFP Research Showcase’s Lectern Session.

  • In the realm of mechanical engineering, Manuela Angunu Micha Nchama, under the advisement of Seaborn Carter, is addressing challenges and proposing solutions to ensure safe drinking water in the United States.
  • Trinity Wiley, a RISE student in Civil & Environmental Engineering under the mentorship of Dr. Judy Perkins, is focusing on sustainable materials for Texas roadways.

The DDETFP offers financial assistance to students pursuing both undergraduate and graduate degrees in transportation-related disciplines. Akpan, Nchama and Wiley received support of $10,000, $8,500 and $7,000, respectively.

Panthers

Notably, PVAMU President Dr. Tomikia P. LeGrande and Interim Provost and Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs Dr. Michael L. McFrazier, along with Dr. Pamela Obiomon, dean of the Roy G. Perry College of Engineering, and Dr. Perkins, director of the National Center for Infrastructure Transformation, professor of Civil & Environmental Engineering and TAMUS Regents Professor, attended the TRB meeting as well.

The Division of Research and Innovation provides funding support for undergraduate and graduate students through its RISE program.

This story by Joe McGinty originally appeared on pvamu.edu/research.

 -PVAMU-