08/31/2026
Hands-On Learning Starts Early! 🔥
Two incoming University of Wisconsin–Milwaukee freshmen, Adriel and Abbigail, recently got an early introduction to materials engineering through the UR@UWM program, gaining hands-on research experience in the UWM Foundry Laboratory.
Working alongside FEF Key Professor Pradeep Rohatgi, graduate students, and undergraduate students, they experienced firsthand how engineering research moves from an initial concept to material processing, testing, and analysis. Their time in the lab included preparing molds, assisting with aluminum alloy casting research, processing metal samples, and learning the fundamentals of metallographic sample preparation.
They also used optical microscopy to examine microstructures and learned how researchers evaluate phases, porosity, reinforcement distribution, and casting defects. Beyond laboratory research, they gained practical experience with the fundamentals of metalcasting, including making a casting using a foundry-in-a-box.
Getting this kind of experience before even starting their first semester gives students an opportunity to explore the field, build technical skills, and see where a career in materials engineering and metalcasting could take them.
We’re especially excited to see that Abbigail plans to continue her research experience in the UWM Foundry this fall as a SURF student! 👏
Experiences like this give students the chance to explore metalcasting beyond the classroom and discover where their interests in engineering and research can take them. We’re excited to see where Adriel and Abbigail’s experiences at UWM lead next!
