Spotlight Interview:
An Interview with Kenton Kirkpatrick about Undergraduate Research and Deciding on a Graduate Degree
22 January 2008
1) How or when did you hear about undergraduate research?
The Engineering Scholars Program contacted me and introduced the idea in their weekly seminars where they talked about undergraduate research possibilities.
In Fall 2005, while I was taking the 1st semester Junior courses, I talked to Kristi Shryock, the AERO UG Advisor, and she gave me a list of faculty and their research areas and suggested I make appointments to talk with them. The first, and only, faculty member I talked to was Dr. Valasek. When he mentioned “morphing air vehicles”, I was hooked.
2) How did you become involved in Dr. Valasek’s research?
He invited me to attend the weekly staff meetings of his research group which included undergraduate and graduate students. He paired me with Chris Haag who was doing an REU project (Research Experience for Undergraduates) which led to my continuing the project when Chris left for an industry job. I began to see how much fun research is.
3) What was the value of working with a faculty member as an undergraduate?
In Spring ’06, with Dr. Valasek’s encouragement, I applied for the USRG program (Undergraduate Summer Research Grants) and was accepted for Summer 2006. I was able to continue this research afterwards. Working during my senior year really expedited my graduate program in that I had an advisor, a research plan and a source of funding as Dr. Valasek had research funding for me. I started working on a project for artificial intelligence reinforcement for shape memory alloys (a basic step to morphing) and learned programming on my own outside of my junior year classes. I had the opportunity to work closely with Darren Hartl, a doctoral graduate student, in the Materials Lab. I saw him in action and envied his ability to spend time on his research rather than just attending classes.
The contacts with a working research team allowed me to try the research environment alongside my regular junior curriculum. Dr. Valasek warned me bluntly that classes take precedence over research until graduation because I had to learn the tools of the trade plus be qualified to attend graduate school. So, depending on course requirements like homework and exams, I was able to do research only a few hours each week but I loved it.
During the spring, we also put together an application to the National Science Foundation hoping to fund my MS program. My research experience made writing the two NSF application essays much easier as one dealt with previous actual research and one asked about future plans. I had the advantage of a professor to advise me on my research plans, too. I received the NSF Fellowship ($30K stipend for 3 yrs.) and plan to graduate with the MS in December 2008 — without student loans to repay.
4) Why graduate school instead of industry?
I found research to be fun and challenging. Some of my industry contacts admitted that although industry does pay well, all the best projects and opportunities for advancement go to the people with advanced degrees.
Besides, I had a chance to go to the California wine country to attend the AIAA Info Tech Conference where I received a “Best Paper in Session” award; and I later learned that my paper was selected to be published in Spring 2008 in an AIAA journal. This is great stuff for an undergraduate! Then, just think, this summer the Guidance, Navigation and Controls Conference will be in Hawaii and many of Dr. Valasek’s students, along with other Dynamics & Controls students, will attend the conference.
5) What are your plans for the future?
I plan to continue and earn a Ph.D. and then go back to Houston and work at NASA. I want to be an astronaut but if that doesn’t work out, I want to do something important and exciting with the space program… and well-paid!
6) What is different about undergraduate and graduate research?
Graduate students are paid more!
Graduate students are actually able to devote real time to research and accomplish so much more. It is almost like being a full time researcher and only a part-time student having to deal with courses. The typical course load is only three courses per semester; there is much less homework (although it can be more challenging) and the course environment is more relaxed. Toward the end of your masters work, after you have finished the formal course work in your degree plan, then you only take research hours and devote full time to doing research and writing the thesis.
7) What advice can you share with current undergraduates?
Don’t do an industry internship until your last summer! Instead, try to do an REU or USRG during your junior year. You’ll get a chance to try research and connect with a faculty advisor and then in your final summer you can still do the industry internship.
Take the initiative to find out what is interesting to you. Volunteer to be part of a faculty member’s research group: ask to attend weekly meetings, learn and observe. Don’t expect to be paid right away. Show up, find a way to participate in research, learn the skills to be part of the team, enjoy the work and eventually the funding will come.
For more information about USRG, see http://essap.tamu.edu/usrg/. For information on the REU program, see http://aero.tamu.edu/research/undergraduate. For more information about the graduate program, see: http://aero.tamu.edu/information-for/prospective-students/graduate, or contact Dr. Walter Haisler (719C H.R. Bright or haisler@tamu.edu).
