UA Engineering Student Receives Study Abroad Fellowship

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. — Michael Sealy, a graduate student in mechanical engineering at The University of Alabama, received an International Research and Education in Engineering Program fellowship through the National Science Foundation to study in China on an international research project this summer.

Sealy, originally from Florence, was one of 30 graduate students chosen nationwide and is the first student chosen from The University of Alabama.

He will receive a $4,000 stipend and allowances for travel, housing, meals and an orientation program. He will study in the Center of Micro/Nano Manufacturing Technology at Tianjin University in Tianjin, China. During his trip, he will also visit other universities with similar research programs.

“Since I study manufacturing, I want to go where manufacturing is predominant. The IREE China Program is an ideal opportunity for me to gain a greater sense of manufacturing and research from an international perspective,” said Sealy.

Sealy works with Dr. Yuebin Guo, professor of mechanical engineering, in the Center for Surface Science and Engineering.

The IREE Program was initiated by the National Science Foundation in 2006 to promote enhancement of global competency of 21^st century engineering professionals, development of collaborations with engineering researchers abroad, and providing student with opportunities to experience the life and culture of another country.

In 1837, The University of Alabama became one of the first five universities in the nation to offer engineering classes. Today, UA’s fully accredited College of Engineering has more than 2,700 students and more than 100 faculty. In the last eight years, students in the College have been named USA Today All-USA College Academic Team members, Goldwater scholars, Hollings scholars and Portz scholars.