CSE student named Fulbright Scholar

Contacts: Gayla Marty, Graduate School, marty001@umn.edu, (612) 626-3314
Ryan Maus, University News Service, maus@umn.edu, (612) 624-1690

MINNEAPOLIS / ST. PAUL (07/19/2010) — A College of Science and Engineering mechanical engineering graduate student is one of 14 University of Minnesota students who have received Fulbright grants for 2010-11 to pursue graduate study or research in a foreign country beginning next year.

Andrew James Carlson, a master’s student in mechanical engineering currently developing a new amphibious robotic platform at the U’s Center for Distributed Robotics within the College of Science and Engineering (CSE), won a scholarship to the Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU). In Norway, he will aid in developing a test bed for optical measuring with use in manufacturing quality control of oil pipe welding. Carlson received a B.S. in mechanical engineering from the University of Minnesota in 2009.

The Fulbright competition for students is administered at the University of Minnesota through the Graduate School and the Office for National Scholarships in the University Honors Program.

An international educational exchange program, the Fulbright Program is sponsored by the U.S. Department of State, Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs. Since its inception, the Fulbright Program has provided approximately 300,000 participants, chosen for their leadership potential, with the opportunity to observe each others’ political, economic, and cultural institutions; exchange ideas; and embark on joint ventures of importance to the general welfare of the world’s inhabitants. The program operates in more than 155 countries worldwide. Recipients of Fulbright awards are selected on the basis of academic or professional achievement as well as on demonstrated leadership potential in their fields.