Assistant Professor of Metallurgical & Materials Engineering David Roberson, Ph.D., has been awarded a Young Investigator Research Program (YIP) grant from the Air Force Office of Scientific Research. Roberson the first UTEP faculty member or researcher to receive this particular grant.
“I am extremely pleased with Dr. David Roberson for his success in securing the prestigious Young Investigator Award from the Air Force Office of Scientific Research,” said Vice President for Research Roberto Osegueda, Ph.D.
He added, “His work on the synthesis of polymer matrix composites and polymer blends for extrusion in 3D printers is very novel. I am also appreciative of Drs. MacDonald, Wicker, Ramana and Murr for the excellent mentoring of Dr. Roberson.”
Roberson joins 41 other scientists and engineers from 32 research institutions whose winning proposals will be sharing approximately $15.5 million in grants from the YIP over a three-year period.
Roberson will use the funding to support research in the area of novel materials development for materials extrusion 3D printing, a.k.a. FDM(r), which he believes is the best way to advance the technology to higher levels of applicability and benefit to society.
The YIP is open to scientists and engineers at research institutions across the United States who received Ph.D. or equivalent degrees in the last five years and who show exceptional ability and promise for conducting basic research. The program fosters creative basic research in science and engineering, enhance early career development of outstanding young investigators, and increase opportunities for the young investigators to recognize the Air Force mission and the related challenges in science and engineering.
Roberson received his Bachelor of Science, Master of Science, and doctoral degrees from UTEP.