Members of the UMD Loop team work on their rover in ALEx Garage of the IDEA Factory. (Photo by: Maximilian Franz)
Breathe Life Into Classroom Formulas
Trevor Moore ’25, who leads a team focused on building a fully functional Mars rover for competition as chief mechanical engineer of UMD Loop, says the work he and dozens of others do as part of the club builds on their classroom learning. “UMD Loop helped me realize, ‘Oh yeah, my class has taught me that this equation exists—here’s how I’ll actually apply it.’”
A CAD rendering showing a cross-sectional view of a pressurized fuel cell test facility. (Image courtesy: Bafoday Dainkeh)
Get Hands-On Experience Alongside the Nation's Top Researchers
Bafoday Dainkeh ’26, an A. James Clark Scholar, is one of hundreds of Maryland Engineering undergraduates doing research alongside faculty members. His work with aerospace engineering Professor Chris Cadou has focused on the development of a hybrid solid oxide fuel cell-gas turbine engine that can improve the performance of standard engines and reduce emissions.
As part of that work, Dainkeh has constructed realistic computer-aided design (CAD) models and analyzed simulation data—skills that will translate directly to the workforce.
“When I’ve done interviews with companies, and they ask about the skills I have, I give responses that let people know that I know what I’m talking about,” he says.
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