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Edward P. Fitts Department of Industrial and Systems Engineering

Spencer Lee

Feb 7, 2023

Rockets for seeds

Spencer Lee has always had a knack for building things; perhaps this is because of his childhood growing up on a farm and needing to run equipment daily. “My passion for science, aerospace and engineering probably took real roots when I watched a movie called ‘October Sky,’” he recalls. 

Computerized image of electricity generating windmills. Dark blue background with light blue windmill shapes lined up in a row.

Jan 17, 2023

It’s like a Fitbit, but bigger

Their research focuses on using big data to tune existing digital twins. So, what is a digital twin? “A digital twin is a virtual representation of a physical system, a collection of computationally expensive simulation models based on the physics of the system,” explained Shashaani. “It is a concept gaining increased popularity these days for its potential to revolutionize several fields, such as renewable energy production.”  

Artist rendition of human brain inside of head with Neuralink implant.

Jan 9, 2023

Are we ready for computer chips in our brains?

Recently Elon Musk and his company Neuralink announced that they could be ready for human trials of their wireless brain chip in as little as six months. The thought of machines run by artificial intelligence (AI) implanted in our heads is the stuff of dreams and nightmares. Most concerns about this technology come from our need to understand what it can and can not do. So we sat down with our brain-computer interface expert, Dr. CS Nam, to get to the bottom of this. 

Jenna Butler

Dec 20, 2022

ISE senior scores her degree

Earning a degree in industrial and systems engineering and playing Division I women’s soccer wasn’t easy for senior Jenna Butler, but she would not have approached college without either. 

Ken Stevens, center, with Caldwell Fellows Luke Caplice and Adam McIntosh.

Dec 7, 2022

Working hard to give back

Growing up in Durham, NC, Kenneth A. Stevens, industrial engineering ‘72, developed a strong work ethic from an early age. 

Ashley Williams in NC State women's basketball uniform dribbles against opposing team member.

Dec 6, 2022

ISE alumna returns to women’s basketball program

Alumna Ashley Williams left the NC State women’s basketball program on a high note. Her senior year, the team made it to the second round of the NCAA tournament for the first time in 10 years. She returns as an assistant coach to a team that has won three consecutive Atlantic Coast Conference tournament championships. Williams… 

Summer camp students participate in competition.

Dec 1, 2022

Summer on campus

At 9 a.m. on a July Wednesday, more than 70 middle school students filed into a classroom, waiting to be assigned the real-world problem they’d be solving that day. Clustered together, campers tackled complex problems like how to construct a moving boat or how to stop a viral outbreak. Using cardboard, aluminum foil, balloons and more, these campers were trying to solve some of the fundamental challenges in engineering. 

NC State Belltower

Dec 1, 2022

Inspiring Engineers event series promotes NC State engineering excellence

The College of Engineering (COE) has been the starting point for thousands of careers. Through the Inspiring Engineers event series, the College invites alumni to share their journeys and accomplishments to encourage new generations of engineers. 

Wolf Plaza during fall. Two bronze sculptures of wolves, one head down, the other howling.

Dec 1, 2022

Young alumni board adds 10 new members

Ten College of Engineering (COE) graduates joined the 2022-23 Young Alumni Advisory Board (YAAB), bringing the group to 30 members. Formed in 2018 by the NC State Engineering Foundation, YAAB aims to encourage support from the growing population of COE young alumni. The College defines “young alumni” as students who are 0-15 years post-graduation from their…