Sundaresan Receives Distinguished Undergraduate Research Mentor Award
Vishnu Baba Sundaresan, PhD, was honored with a Distinguished Undergraduate Mentor award as part of this year’s 21st Annual Richard J. and Martha D. Denman Undergraduate Research Forum held in the Recreation & Physical Activities Center (RPAC) on March 30, 2016. The awards are designed to recognize and honor individual faculty members who have performed exceptional service as research mentors for undergraduate students.
Sundaresan is an assistant professor in the Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering and his research interests are in the area of ionic active smart materials, material systems and structural composites. He is affiliated with the Smart Vehicle Concepts Center (SVC), the Center for Applied Plant Sciences and the Center for Automotive Research (CAR). The SVC is a National Science Foundation (NSF) Industry/University Cooperative Research Center (I/UCRC), providing industry, government and other organizations the means to leverage research and development (R&D) investments with centers renowned for their innovative research capabilities.
He has directed the thesis of four undergraduate honors students in the 2015-2016 academic year and currently directs research work of six doctoral students and one postdoctoral researcher in mechanical engineering on projects related to additive manufacturing, novel cathodes for metal-air batteries, battery membrane separators, structural composites and scanning electrochemical microscopy.
“We acknowledge that your work as a mentor has taken a great deal of time and dedication above and beyond your regular teaching, scholarship and service activities,” said Dr. Lorraine Wallace, director of the Undergraduate Research Office. “It is clear you have had tremendous influence as a research mentor,” she said.
Sundaresan’s nominators praised his generous contributions to their education and personal growth, including support for exchange program applications, tips and beneficial advice.
“I owe this award to the undergraduate students that have contributed extensively to sponsored research projects through their honors thesis,” Sundaresan said. “I want to also acknowledge the supporting role played by graduate students and postdoctoral researchers and financial support from sponsors – NSF, Honda R&D Americas, HEKA Elektronik GmbH and others for enabling participation of undergraduate students in the research environment.”
“We celebrate Dr. Sundaresan’s achievement in making Ohio State a richer learning environment for our students, said Ahmet Selamet, chair, Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering.”
