Researcher of the Week: Matthew Newcomer

Mon, 25 Feb 2013 09:53:59 -0500

How did you find out that you could do research in your field in the summer?
My neighbor is an employee at the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) and suggested that I apply.

How did you know that research at NIST was what you wanted to do?
All I knew was that NIST would be an incredible place to work.

Did you apply to other places?
No, however I plan on applying to many internships this upcoming February for next summer.

Was the application difficult to do? Did you have help with this?
No, the application was very easy to fill out. I put a good amount of time into my personal statement, but other than that it was quick and easy.

What was your summer research project?
This summer I have been working on military handhelds (smart phones). I have had the opportunity to work on these handhelds, testing them, finding bugs, and reporting back to the developers. The really cool thing about this project is that what I am doing really matters right now. These are being used in the military and have been saving lives.

Who was your mentor for this project?
Dr. Brian A. Weiss in the NIST Engineering Laboratory Manipulation and Mobility Systems Group

How much time do you put into this work?
I do a lot of testing and a lot of writing test plans or scenarios and work 40 hours per week for this 11-week summer program.

Where do you live during the summer research?
They pay for us undergraduate researchers to live in a very nice hotel right up the street from NIST. I have greatly enjoyed living with other undergraduate researchers. Living with people you have so much in common with makes things fun.

What academic background did you have before you started?
I have completed two years in the Mechanical Engineering Program at UMBC.

How did you learn what you needed to know for this project?
My advisor is extremely helpful and patient with his interns. He got me up to speed quickly.

What was the hardest part about your research? What was the most unexpected thing?
The hardest part is getting used to the 9-to-5 style of this job. Sitting in the office and staying focused and on task for that long is a difficult thing to do. I’ve been doing well with it, but I don’t quite think I could handle it for more than a summer. The most unexpected thing is making so many great friends.

What is your advice to other students about getting involved in research?
Be creative. Think of many different ways to contribute to the project. If all you do is what your boss tells you, you will likely complete the task then sit around bored. Instead, if you do what your boss asks of you, then do a handful of things that you think may help too, you will impress your advisor, and not waste time at work.

What are your career goals?
I would like to become a successful Mechanical Engineer working on the latest automotive technology.

Are you a transfer student or did you start at UMBC as a freshman?
I started my first semester at UMBC, then got in to UMD College Park spring semester, and went there. After one semester at UMD I hated everything about it, and I quickly rushed back to UMBC. UMBC is a great school.