Zeng and Fredette Awarded Leo Beranek Student Medal for Excellence in Noise Control Studies

Xianpai Zeng, undergraduate student and Luke Fredette, graduate student in the Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering (MAE), were awarded the 2015 Leo Beranek Student Medal for Excellence in the Study of Noise Control by the Institute of Noise Control Engineering of the United States of America (INCE/USA).

The medal was established in 2010 by the Board of Directors of INCE/USA to recognize excellence in the study of noise control by undergraduate and graduate students that have coursework in or related to noise control engineering, including practical applications. Ohio State has received 10 awards since 2011.

Candidates are selected by their academic institution and nominated by a faculty member. Zeng and Fredette were nominated by Professor Rajendra Singh, MAE Faculty Emeritus.

The medal is named for Professor Leo Beranek, an American acoustics expert, former MIT professor and a founder and former president of Bolt, Beranek and Newman who assisted in the creation of DARPAnet, which eventually became today’s internet.

Dr. Beranek turned 100 years old recently and is one of the few scientists to receive the National Medal of Science. “Student contributions to the betterment of techniques for the control of noise in buildings, vehicles and outdoors and of means for reducing noise produced by any loud source is readily sought and now recognized by this student medal,” Beranek said. “I am proud to be the namesake for this important student award.”