MCI students at US elite universities

2023-01-12

Research stays at Harvard, Yale and San Diego State University | Three MCI students receive Marshall Plan scholarships

From left to right: Leena Saurwein (MCI International Relations), Stefanie Leutenegger, Wolfgang Grosek, David Altmann, Werner Stadlmayr (Head of Environmental, Process and Energy Engineering at MCI), Andreas Mehrle (Head of Mechatronics at MCI). ©MCI/Janine Kiechl

Every year, the Marshall Plan Scholarship is awarded to Austrian students with outstanding academic achievements in order to strengthen the scientific exchange between Austria and the USA. This year, three MCI students have the unique opportunity to carry out research for their MCI master's theses at some of the best universities worldwide. The research stays last 6-8 months each. The award is based on a highly selective evaluation process.

David Altmann, Master Mechatronics & Smart Technologies

David Altmann is spending the coming semester at Harvard University in Massachusetts, where he will be working on his master's thesis "Design and fabrication of an electrically actuated aperture". In his research, he explores the development of flexible, electrically controlled apertures for millimeter waveguide device arrays based on dielectric elastomers.

Wolfgang Grosek, Master Mechatronics & Smart Technologies

Wolfgang Grosek will be spending his research stay at Yale University in Connecticut. His master's thesis focuses on the topic of "Digitization of the Physical Performance Test and Training". This involves measuring the movements of the human body with the help of sensors in order to collect continuous and accurate data.

Stefanie Leutenegger, Master Environmental, Process and Energy Engineering

Stefanie Leutenegger will be conducting research at San Diego State University in California. Her master thesis "Evaluation and Optimization of Polyhydroxybutyrate (PHB) Extraction Methods from Microalgae Chlorella Vulgaris" aims to develop an extraction process for bioplastics from algal biomass.

Marshall Plan Stipendium

The renowned Marshall Plan Scholarship is awarded for research stays at prestigious elite universities in the US. MCI students have regularly received the coveted scholarship since 2009.