NOTE TO JOURNALISTS: A photo of Phuc Huynh is available on the
Web at http://www.uh.edu/media/nr/2006/
05may/pmhuynh_photo.html. A high-resolution photo is available
by contacting Lisa Merkl.
PHUC M. HUYNH FIRST FROM
UH TO BECOME GOLDWATER SCHOLAR
Innovations in Electricity, Conserving Oil on Agenda for Student
HOUSTON, May 22, 2006 – With his sights set on making strides
in the areas of electricity and oil conservation, a University of
Houston student only in his junior year already has extensive research
experience that earned him a $7,500 Goldwater Scholarship for the
2006-2007 academic year.
One of the most prestigious awards available to undergraduate students,
the Goldwater Scholarship provides funding to sophomore and junior
students majoring in mathematics, the natural sciences or engineering
who plan to pursue a career in research. It was established by the
U.S. Congress to honor the late Sen. Barry M. Goldwater and chooses
recipients on the basis of academic merit. With only one third of
applicants selected to receive this honor, Phuc M. Huynh, an electrical
engineering major in UH’s Cullen College of Engineering, was
among 323 recipients selected from a pool of 1,081 candidates. He
is the first student from UH to become a Goldwater Scholar.
“The Goldwater Scholarship is one of the most prestigious
scholarships available to undergraduates, and Phuc Huynh received
this award over literally hundreds of applicants,” said Ray
Flumerfelt, dean of the Cullen College of Engineering. “His
commitment and love of research make him a more-than-deserving recipient
who will go on to represent the college well as he pursues his goal
of becoming a professor and researcher.”
Also a recipient of the Provost’s Undergraduate Research Scholarship
this spring, Huynh has an admirable grade point average of 3.89.
Even so, Huynh thought his chance of winning the Goldwater was very
slim because of the stiff national competition. Along with the assistance
he received in perfecting his application from Karen Weber, his
scholarship adviser in the UH Honors College, Huynh credits his
research experience with Ji Chen, assistant professor of electrical
and computer engineering at UH, as two of the primary reasons he
received the scholarship.
Chen and Huynh are modeling an infrared bandpass filter that can
be used to increase the efficiency of converting thermal energy
to electrical energy. This type of filter is designed to transmit
a particular band of electromagnetic frequencies while excluding
those of higher or lower frequencies. In the case of Chen and Huynh’s
study of the filter’s behavior, the highest percentage of
transmission was obtained at infrared frequency. At other frequencies,
this percentage was very low.
“Along with the Rhodes Scholarship and the Marshall Scholarship,
the Goldwater is among the most prestigious awards that an undergraduate
can receive,” said Donald Foss, UH senior vice president for
academic affairs and provost. “I am delighted to add my voice
in congratulating this outstanding student. A faculty member is
usually a key component to a student’s success in such competition,
and I was very pleased to learn of Professor Ji Chen’s role
in Phuc Huynh’s work. Kudos to them both.”
After graduation, Huynh, who emigrated from South Vietnam with his
family, plans to earn a Ph.D. in electrical engineering. He hopes
then to attain a position at a university where he can teach and
conduct research. He is particularly interested in focusing on building
effective hybrid engines to help conserve oil.
“Being a Goldwater Scholar means a lot to me,” Huynh
said. “It brings me one step closer toward my goal and gives
me a better chance to compete for some prestigious graduate fellowships
in the near future.”
About the University of Houston
The University of Houston, Texas’ premier metropolitan research
and teaching institution, is home to more than 40 research centers
and institutes and sponsors more than 300 partnerships with corporate,
civic and governmental entities. UH, the most diverse research university
in the country, stands at the forefront of education, research and
service with more than 35,000 students.
About the Cullen College of Engineering
UH Cullen College of Engineering has produced five U.S. astronauts,
ten members of the National Academy of Engineering, and degree programs
that have ranked in the top ten nationally. With more than 2,600
students, the college offers accredited undergraduate and graduate
degrees in biomedical, chemical, civil and environmental, electrical
and computer, industrial, and mechanical engineering. It also offers
specialized programs in aerospace, materials, petroleum engineering
and telecommunications.
To receive UH science news via e-mail, visit www.uh.edu/admin/media/sciencelist.html.
For more information about UH visit the universitys Newsroom at www.uh.edu/admin/media/newsroom.
|