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The Mason Mechanical Engineer
by Leigh McCue
Interested in George Mason? Interested in becoming a mechanical engineer? Not yet sure what a mechanical engineer does, or what life at Mason would be like? Subscribe to this podcast featuring research, students, outreach, and more!Intro/outro music by PaulYudin via Pixabay.
Episodes
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Intersecting Engineering and The Arts
On this episode of the Mason Mechanical Engineer I’m joined by John von Bergen a sculptor and professor in Mason’s College of Visual and Performing Arts. Prof. von Bergen’s art and teaching leverages technology in unique ways and scale in a manner that would inspire even civil engineers. (Did he...
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Problem solving, communication, and curiosity – key skills and traits for commissioning professionals
What happens when you bring together Eagles, Commanders, and Bears fans, electrical and naval engineers, and communications professionals? A quite lively talk about commissioning! (We somehow avoided talking football, which was probably in the best interests of preserving friendships.)...
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Don’t panic if your career isn’t linear
Stephanie Butron, a Virginia Tech alum and current Mason student, joined me for this episode of the Mason Mechanical Engineer. She is brilliantly combining her passions for aerospace engineering and rhetoric, to dig into how what is written following engineering disasters influences public...
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Capstone Day 2026
The 2026 Department of Mechanical Engineering Capstone Day was held on May 4. As usual, the students' work was incredibly impressive. I would have loved to interview every team, but time limited the interviews to the following four teams: Team VPRT Team OSCAR Patriot Motorsports Team Salus Listen...
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Bachelor's to Accelerated Master's Programs
In a recent episode, Alex Sprintson and I started chatting about the benefits of bachelor's to accelerated master's programs (BAM). With that in mind, Rachel Cameron, Mason’s College of Engineering and Computing graduate recruitment coordinator, joined me on the podcast to talk in more detail…
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Checking in with Electrical and Computer Engineering Department Chair Alex Sprintson
When I learned that Mason's Electrical and Computer Engineering Department Chair Alex Sprintson has a mechanical engineering degree, I had to get him on the podcast! Give it a listen to hear his perspective on multi-disciplinary collaboration and the future of student recruitment and retention...
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Catching up with recent alum Grant Miller
Grant Miller was a student leader during his time on campus, exemplified by his work to grow Patriot Motorsports. After graduation, he landed at RoviSys Building Technologies doing automation and controls work for new construction projects. He’s been back on campus recently to recruit and talk to...
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On the art of reading a room, with Capital Tech Bridge Director and acoustic metal band performer Lauren Hanyok
Lauren Hanyok, former Director of the Capital Tech Bridge came on the podcast to talk about her career trajectory starting as a civilian engineer at the Naval Surface Warfare Center, Carderock Division, her metal band, and her cookbook. Listen on to hear how she connects the dots between work and...
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"Everything is connected to everything else"
Greg Opas from Oceaneering recently joined me on the podcast to talk about model-based systems engineering, digital twins, and the future of naval engineering. If you like what you hear and are interested in pursuing a career at Oceaneering, visit: https://www.oceaneering.com/careers/.
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Kids can do big things!
Mike Briscoe (Ph.D., GMU CEHD, 2024) sat down with me the other day to chat about STEM activities hosted by the American Society of Naval Engineers (ASNE) including the FLEET program, a gamified approach to teaching naval ship design, and the hands-on Promoting Electric Propulsion (PEP)...
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2 cents from Daniel Scott Mitchell
Philip and I particularly enjoy getting to catch up with alums doing great things, and we’d been trying to get Daniel Scott Mitchell on the show for a while. Between stints at Form Labs, Tesla, Rivian, and now launching his own startup, Daniel’s career trajectory is inspirational. He chatted with...
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Transferrable skills - a crossover episode with Rachel Yoho
In this episode, we feature Rachel Yoho from the Stearns Center for Teaching and Learning. She invited Philip and I to be on her podcast, Keystone Concepts in Teaching, and in the process we were fascinated to learn more about her engineering background and how she uses the skills she developed…
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We’re all drinking dinosaur pee, and that’s ok.
In this episode I caught up with Brooke Mayer from Marquette. Water is essential for our survival. Prof. Mayer is doing high impact research on water quality and working closely with industry to make sure that research finds its way into improving access to safe, clean water. In this conversation...
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Interesting people are interested
Phil and I recently had the opportunity to chat with Edwin Wallis from Maritime Academy Charter School in Philadelphia. In this episode he shares some tricks of the trade for recruiting and coaching a rookie SeaGlide underwater robotics team. (Spoiler alert: they did really well!) Listen on to...
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Capstone Day 2025
Capstone Day 2025 was held in conjunction with the Department of Mechanical Engineering's 10th Anniversary Celebration on May 5th. As icing on the cake, the festivities took place in George Mason's brand new Life Sciences and Engineering Building, which is home to numerous instructional...
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Tenacious problem solvers
In this episode, Phil and I chat with Zach Lenkay from Ulliman Schutte Construction to learn about construction of water treatment facilities. You’ve probably seen news coverage of water supplies gone wrong; in this episode we’re shining a light on water treatment done right. Zach shares with us...
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A Mix of Fun and Focus with MTSI
It’s always a great day when we can spotlight a former student on the podcast. For today’s episode we are joined by alum Mohammad Khogiani, who seems to be loving his time at MTSI. To make it all the more special, he brought with him Senior Principal Engineer Nick Francis. Collectively we had a...
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If you can see it, you can build it.
I am so honored to chat in this episode with Farrell Davis, a scientist, engineer, entrepreneur, and fisherman. Listen on to learn a bit about his background and what's led him to his position as a Fisheries Technologist at Coonamessett Farm Foundation, as well as the work he's doing to improve...
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Stay curious
On the day of Mason’s career fair, Phil and I caught up with a favorite alum Dhiambi Otete as she was back on campus recruiting for the Naval Surface Warfare Center, Carderock Division. In our chat we covered everything from job hunting, to life after D1 sports, to how to make the perfect pizza...
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In search of additive manufacturing's Rickover
Philip Wilkerson and I had the opportunity to chat with CAPT Brad Baker, USN (Ret.) about his Navy career, his transition to the private sector at Energetics Technology Center, and building the naval engineering workforce during his service at the United States Naval Academy. Did he train…
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A conversation with the 'Mother of USNA STEM Outreach,' Angela Moran
Angela Moran joined us last week to talk about naval STEM outreach, and we could not contain our enthusiasm, jumping right into conversation before we even got to introductions! Her story is so inspirational, it is no surprise she's been dubbed the 'Mother of USNA STEM Outreach.'
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Stuff You Do Work With
For this episode, RJ Santucci invited me to visit him at the Naval Research Laboratory. Before embarking on a lab tour, we chatted about materials science as an enabler for “stuff you do work with” – whether it’s “sailing from one place to another…or bringing electricity to people.” Listen on to...
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From NASA to naval engineering - an aerospace engineer’s pathway to NSWC Philadelphia Division
Tristan Wolfe, from the Naval Surface Warfare Center, Philadelphia Division, joins us for this episode to talk about biologically inspired design (owls!), plasma flow, and pathways to knowledge from internships into a career of lifelong learning. For more information on the programs he describes,...
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Reflections on the 2023-2024 academic year and looking forward to 2024-2025
Philip Wilkerson, Tim Diggins, and I checked in with each other to reflect on the 2023-2024 academic year, and discuss how both the Department of Mechanical Engineering and Career Services are gearing up to support our students this coming academic year. If you're looking for more information on...
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Capstone Day 2024
In this episode I interview members of four capstone design teams, plus one sponsor, during capstone day 2024. Learn all about the amazing design-build activities of our students to get a glimpse into a day in the life as a Mason Mechanical Engineer. To read about these projects, check out:...
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Look at the realm of possibilities - an interview with Jacqueline Johanas of the USPTO
In this episode of the Mason Mechanical Engineer, Jacqueline Johanas shares insights from leveraging her mechanical engineering background in her career pathway with the US Patent and Trademark Office. To apply for the jobs she describes, visit: https://www.usajobs.gov/.
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Fascinating career path: biosafety laboratory facilities engineer
While the scientists developing cures for disease get much of the publicity, behind the scenes, teams of critical facilities engineers keep the biosafety labs those scientists work in operational. In this conversation with Cecelia Wright Brown and Brian Vickery from the National Institutes of...
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Dr. Andre Marshall, Mason’s Vice President for Research, Innovation and Economic Development, shares his people-centric vision for the technologies of today and tomorrow.
For the 20th episode of The Mason Mechanical Engineer, we are thrilled to share our first video episode, an interview with Dr. Andre Marshall, Mason’s Vice President for Research, Innovation and Economic Development. Listen or watch to learn about Dr. Marshall’s holistic vision for technology in...
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Career search psychology with Zakeyah Frazier
Phil and I sat down with Career Services GOAT (listen in to hear why Phil calls her that) Zakeyah Frazier. She wowed us with her insights tying theory to practice in how she mentors STEM students to find their dream jobs.
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Insights from a New Professional
Podcast co-host Philip Wilkerson bumped into recent alum Jensen Schram recruiting for her employer M.C. Dean at Mason's Fall Career Fair, and a quick conversation led him to conclude we had to have her on the podcast! In this episode Jensen talks us through being on both sides of the recruitment...
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“One lifetime is not enough”: meet Dr. Shweta Kumar, one of the hardest working women in aerospace and defense
We had a fantastic time today chatting with Dr. Shweta Kumar, Managing Member and Technical Director of RGBSI Aerospace and Defense. With Dr. Kumar's depth of technical knowledge and leadership experience, she provides fascinating commentary on the engineering industry in this era of rapid...
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Get Involved: Student Engineering Organizations
Student leaders Kevin and Morgan Rose join me in this episode to talk about how their academic paths have been shaped by involvement in professional societies like the American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME) and the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA). If you're a...
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Physics is physics: A conversation with Brian Fitzpatrick on the present, and future, of naval engineering
Brian Fitzpatrick, Chief Technology Officer of Maritime Applied Physics Corporation, joins us to talk about careers in naval engineering, what the industry looks like today, where it's going, and what he looks for when recruiting new engineers. To learn more about MAPC and see their current...
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Meet Flappy - the blimp-fish hybrid taking on robotics competition
Ningshi Yao and Daigo Shishika came on the show to talk about blimps, lighter than air robots, including the biologically-inspired blimp known as "Flappy" which their students use for what is essentially a robotic version of quidditch. To see Flappy in action, check out their YouTube channel:...
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Engineering for occupational health and safety
Julie Sorensen, Director of the Northeast Center for Occupational Health and Safety in Agriculture, Forestry, and Fishing joins me for this episode to talk about the role of engineers on multidisciplinary teams developing solutions to make farming, logging, and fishing safer. To learn about the...
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AI talent development
In this episode I chat with Kammy Sanghera, Executive Director of Mason's Institute for Digital InnovAtion, and Tolga Soyata, Associate Professor of Electrical and Computer Engineering, to learn about their work supporting high school students eager to learn more about artificial intelligence....
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Semiconductor manufacturing: making the chips that power the digital revolution
They're in your phone, in your car, and in your computer; semiconductors are everywhere. In this episode, Mason's Department of Mechanical Engineering Advisory Board chair Kevin Hicks walks us through a day in the life of a semiconductor manufacturing engineer.
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2023 Capstone Day
Welcome to the Mason Department of Mechanical Engineering's 2023 capstone day! Today I sat down with members of Team Hiss II, Team Buoy, and Green Stack, to learn more about their college experience. To read about their projects and those of their classmates, check out the Department of…
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What’s red and brown and costs the Navy millions? Rust.
In this episode of the Mason Mechanical Engineer, Dr. Maureen Foley shares how she and her team are using composite materials and additive manufacturing to save sailors time and the Navy money on ship maintenance.
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Entering the mechanical engineering workforce
In this episode, I chat with Ann Garner and Philip Wilkerson from Mason's Career Services. Listen in on their tips for students entering the job hunt, as well as for employers looking to recruit mechanical engineers. Links referred to in this episode include: Handshake,...
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2021-2022 AY ONR Lecture by Dr. Knox Millsaps
This episode is a recording of the 2021-2022 Academic Year ONR Lecture at George Mason University by Dr. Knox Millsaps.
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2022 Capstone Design
To learn more about the projects described here and our capstone design program, check out the Department of Mechanical Engineering's Capstone Brochure and Annual Report at: https://mechanical.gmu.edu/connections/senior-design-capstone.
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You are not an atom.
Do you understand what quantum technologies are? Me neither, at least not until I had this conversation with Profs. Pilgyu Kang and Patrick Vora, both members of the leadership team for Mason's Quantum Science and Engineering Center, QSEC. In this episode they give examples of quantum science and...
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Race a submarine; launch a career
In this episode, Kariann Vander Pol and Regan Alex describe how their undergraduate experiences competing at the International Submarine Races, a biennial event in which students design, build, and race human-propelled submarines, led them to careers at the Naval Surface Warfare Center, Carderock...
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Mason ties to the Naval Air Warfare Center Aircraft Division (NAWCAD)
In this episode hear from Jazzmin Robinson, Mason alum and student leader, on her pathway to a Navy civilian career, along with Theresa Shafer for her tips on how to land the job of your dreams with the Navy.
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Summer Faculty Research Programs - Bridges Between Academia and the DoD
In this episode, we discuss DoD Summer Faculty Research Programs with Mehdi Amiri from Mason’s Department of Mechanical Engineering, who spent a recent summer in the Air Force Research Laboratory program with their Materials and Manufacturing Division, and Chi Yang from Mason’s Center for...
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Engineering is a Team Sport
Interested in a sampling of life as a Mason Mechanical Engineering student? Tune in for capstone day interviews with graduating seniors on teams High Rollers, PIT, and Glide Walkers.
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ABOUT THIS SHOW
Interested in George Mason? Interested in becoming a mechanical engineer? Not yet sure what a mechanical engineer does, or what life at Mason would be like? Subscribe to this podcast featuring research, students, outreach, and more!Intro/outro music by PaulYudin via Pixabay.
HOSTED BY
Leigh McCue
CATEGORIES
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Frequently Asked Questions
How many episodes does The Mason Mechanical Engineer have?
The Mason Mechanical Engineer currently has 47 episodes available on PodParley. New episodes are automatically indexed when they're published to the podcast feed.
What is The Mason Mechanical Engineer about?
Interested in George Mason? Interested in becoming a mechanical engineer? Not yet sure what a mechanical engineer does, or what life at Mason would be like? Subscribe to this podcast featuring research, students, outreach, and more!Intro/outro music by PaulYudin via Pixabay.
How often does The Mason Mechanical Engineer release new episodes?
The Mason Mechanical Engineer has 47 episodes. Check the episode list to see recent publication dates and frequency.
Where can I listen to The Mason Mechanical Engineer?
You can listen to The Mason Mechanical Engineer on PodParley by clicking any episode. We provide an embedded audio player for direct listening, and you can also subscribe via your preferred podcast app using the RSS feed.
Who hosts The Mason Mechanical Engineer?
The Mason Mechanical Engineer is created and hosted by Leigh McCue.
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