MARIETTA, Ga. | Dec 7, 2018

Engineering student Danica Roberts to attend academic conference in Taiwan

Kennesaw State University engineering student Danica Roberts has been selected for a competitive National Science Foundation Travel Grant, allowing her to attend the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) Vehicular Networking Conference this week in Taipei, Taiwan.

At the three-day event, which provides a platform for world-leading scholars in the vehicular networking and communication community to showcase their research, Roberts will have the opportunity to interact with industry experts and present her findings in a literature review. The grant will cover the more than $1,600 required to attend the conference, which is held Dec. 5-7.

“This is an excellent opportunity for me to solidify my understanding of what is required to build truly connected vehicles,” said Roberts, who currently holds an electrical engineering internship with global engineering firm WSP. “The technology changes so frequently that it’s often hard to keep up. Through this grant, I’m able to stay ahead of the curve.”

Roberts, who has already received a job offer from automobile giant Daimler Trucks North America, said she originally became intrigued with automated vehicles over the summer when she took a course that required her to program a autonomous racecar out of a mousetrap. Interested in exploring more about how vehicles can communicate with each other, she began a directed research study under Kevin McFall, chair of Kennesaw State’s Department of Mechatronics Engineering and resident autonomous vehicle expert. She previously conducted research alongside Sandip Das, assistant professor of electrical engineering, exploring the various uses of solar cells.

In November, Roberts, who minors in mathematics and computer science, was the lone student from a Georgia university represented at the Tech + Research Workshop hosted by the University of Maryland, in which attendees learned more about computing research and how to complete projects. She has held leadership roles in the KSU section of the Society of Women Engineers, the National Council of Negro Women and the Student Government Association.

– Travis Highfield

Photo by David Caselli

A leader in innovative teaching and learning, Kennesaw State University offers undergraduate, graduate and doctoral degrees to its more than 47,000 students. Kennesaw State is a member of the University System of Georgia with 11 academic colleges. The university’s vibrant campus culture, diverse population, strong global ties and entrepreneurial spirit draw students from throughout the country and the world. Kennesaw State is a Carnegie-designated doctoral research institution (R2), placing it among an elite group of only 7 percent of U.S. colleges and universities with an R1 or R2 status. For more information, visit kennesaw.edu.