UA College of Engineering

⛏️🌟 Investing in the future of mining education and outreach.

A new $110,000 gift from the Dykers family will help strengthen outreach efforts at the University of Arizona’s San Xavier Underground Mining Laboratory — supporting hands-on learning experiences that connect students, educators and the community to the world of mining and mineral resources.

As one of the nation’s premier underground mining laboratories, San Xavier plays a vital role in workforce development, K-12 engagement and public education around responsible resource development. Gifts like this help expand opportunities for experiential learning and inspire the next generation of mining professionals.

We are deeply grateful to the Dykers family for their continued support of the School and our mission. 👏

📖 Read more: https://bit.ly/4wQguOH

$110,000 Dykers family gift strengthens outreach at the San Xavier Mine $110,000 Dykers family gift strengthens outreach at the San Xavier Mine Today Jason Gelt Support from the Dykers family expands hands-on learning and community engagement at the University of Arizona’s School of Mining Engineering and Mineral Resources. Image (From left) Chris Earnest, San Xavier ...

🏆⛏️ Wildcat alumni still know how to bring home the hardware.

University of Arizona alumni claimed the top spot in the alumni division at the 48th Annual Intercollegiate Mining Games, continuing a proud tradition of excellence at one of mining education’s most iconic competitions.

Hosted at the San Xavier Underground Mining Laboratory, this year’s event brought together more than 250 competitors from five countries—making the Wildcat alumni victory all the more impressive.

More than a competition, Mining Games is a celebration of the skill, camaraderie and lifelong connections that define the mining profession—and our alumni continue to set the standard.

📖 Read more:
https://bit.ly/3R6I1Lv

U of A alumni shine at mining competition U of A alumni shine at mining competition April 23, 2026 Image In the hand steel contest, SMEMR senior Kaitlyn Sutow (right), with the University of Arizona Copper Queens team, chisels a hole into cement during the 48th annual Intercollegiate Mining Games. The University of Arizona’s San Xavier Mi...

🔬⛏️ Unlocking Arizona’s copper potential—one breakthrough at a time.

University of Arizona researcher and School of Mining & Mineral Resources faculty member Isabel Barton is leading cutting-edge work to improve recovery of chalcopyrite, the most abundant copper ore in Arizona and around the world. Her research could help unlock significant new domestic copper supply while making extraction more efficient and sustainable.

As demand for copper rises across electrification, infrastructure and advanced manufacturing, innovations like this will be critical to powering the future. ⚡

We’re proud to see Dr. Barton’s work advancing the science behind one of Arizona’s most important industries—and helping shape the future of responsible mineral development.

📖 Read more:
https://bit.ly/48zLW9E

Isabel Barton unlocks Arizona’s copper potential Isabel Barton unlocks Arizona’s copper potential Today Katy Smith, U of A Office of Research and Partnerships Image Isabel Barton, associate professor in SMEMR, analyzes chalcopyrite, the state’s most common copper ore. Kris Hanning, U of A Office of Research and Partnerships Beneath Arizona cop...

🏆⛏️ Big wins on a global stage.

University of Arizona mining engineering students delivered an outstanding performance at SME MINEXCHANGE 2026—one of the industry’s premier international gatherings.

Our Metallic Student Design team, On the Rocks Consulting, earned 2nd place in the International Metallic Student Design Competition, while our NSSGA team, Tombstone Consulting, advanced to the final round of their competition.

Competing against top programs from around the world, both teams developed comprehensive mine designs—balancing technical, economic and environmental considerations—and presented their work to panels of industry experts.

This is what hands-on, real-world education looks like—and it’s why our students continue to stand out on the global stage. 🌎

👏 Congratulations to our students, faculty advisors and the entire School community for this incredible achievement.

📖 Read more:
https://bit.ly/4vFas2Y

University of Arizona teams excel at SME MINEXCHANGE 2026 University of Arizona teams excel at SME MINEXCHANGE 2026 Today Jason Gelt Image On the Rocks Consulting celebrates winning second place in the Metallic Student Design Competition at the 2026 SME MINEXCHANGE conference in Salt Lake City, Utah. Kray Luxbacher University of Arizona mining engineering....

The College of Engineering took part in Community Service Day in partnership with .

Over 50 students, faculty and staff traded classrooms and labs for hard hats and tool belts, lending their time and technical expertise to support affordable housing efforts in our community. From framing and electrical work to problem-solving on site, Wildcats put engineering principles into action.🛠️👷

We're grateful to announce that U of A alumni Tim and Rhonda Snider have made a $1.5 million gift to University of Arizona School of Mining Engineering and Mineral Resources that will increase opportunities for students and spur faculty research.

The Sniders' gift creates the Timothy and Rhonda Snider Endowment Fund at a time when responsible mining and a secure domestic supply chain are national imperatives. The U of A is strengthening its role as a catalyst for progress in the mining sector.

"This gift reflects a shared vision for the future of mining – one that demands technical excellence, workforce development, and a deep commitment to sustainability," said Tomás Díaz de la Rubia, senior vice president for research and partnerships. "Arizona is uniquely positioned to lead this effort, translating world-class expertise into impact for our state, our nation, and the world."

The gift is an addition to the Sniders' ongoing support of the Lowell Institute for Mineral Resources over the last 17 years, which has totaled $500,000. The couple decided the time was right to expand their contributions to the mining engineering program, which they consider the "best in the world."

Thank you, Tim and Rhonda, for your generous donations to the university.

Read the full story:

Alumni couple's $1.5M gift strengthens U of A mining education when it matters most Alumni couple's $1.5M gift strengthens U of A mining education when it matters most June 30, 2025 Chris Quirk The Snider family endowment bolsters workforce needs. Image The Sniders' gift supports hands-on learning experiences for students, like the San Xavier Mining Laboratory, which is a one-of-a-...

Congratulations to Jennifer Barton, who is part of the National Academy of Inventors' 2025 class of senior members.

Barton is the Thomas R. Brown Distinguished Chair of Biomedical Engineering and director of the university’s BIO5 Institute. Within the College of Engineering, she is also a professor of BME, biosystems engineering and electrical and computer engineering.

NAI senior members are active faculty, scientists, and administrators from member institutions who have advanced technologies offering significant benefits to society. They also have achieved success in patents, licensing, and commercialization while educating and mentoring the next generation of inventors.

Barton holds eight patents, and as the director of BIO5, she helps lead over 350 faculty members to catalyze interdisciplinary research on biological grand challenges.

“I am deeply honored to be recognized as an NAI senior member and to join such an esteemed group of academic innovators,” said Barton. “This distinction reflects not only my work but also the incredible support and collaborative environment fostered by the University of Arizona.”

https://bit.ly/3R8pmM4

National Academy of Inventors elects Jennifer Barton to its 2025 senior member class National Academy of Inventors elects Jennifer Barton to its 2025 senior member class Feb. 27, 2025 Tech Launch Arizona A professor in three Engineering departments, Barton is a standout researcher, inventor and mentor. Image Jennifer Barton (right) works with two high school students from the BIO5 I...

Raytheon, an RTX business, is expanding its University of Arizona support with a $2 million gift commitment for the College of Engineering's Student Design and Innovation Center.

The 100,000-square-foot center, to be called the SDIC, will include collaborative classrooms, an advising center and the Raytheon Student Leadership Suite. Located on East Speedway Boulevard east of North Mountain Avenue, the building also will house makerspaces for designing and constructing projects, in alignment with the college's focus on experiential learning.

The space will serve as home to dozens of student clubs, including the Engineering Ambassadors and Wildcat Robotics. These groups provide opportunities for students to serve communities, create networks and apply classroom learning in national competitions.

"Students begin their professional development in clubs and organizations," said David Hahn, the Craig M. Berge Dean of the college. "And involvement teaches them to lead and to build community, honing the soft skills that foster their futures as leaders and innovators."

Raytheon is excited to help foster the next generation of engineering leaders, said Barbara Borgonovi, president of Naval Power at Raytheon, which produces technology to protect U.S. and allied ships and sailors. Borgonovi is also a member of the College of Engineering Dean's Advisory Board.

"The University of Arizona College of Engineering's Student Design and Innovation Center is a testament to the university's dedication to nurturing future engineers, equipping them with the resources and environment they need to turn concepts into groundbreaking solutions," Borgonovi said.

https://bit.ly/4hu0GZ8

(Photo caption: The Raytheon Student Leadership Suite gives clubs and organizations, such as the Cardinal Design-Build team, a dedicated home. Here (left to right), faculty adviser Dean Papajohn and civil and architectural engineering and mechanics students Lily Trenkamp, Lauren Johnson, Reuel Florendo, Kenadee Brooke Carruthers and Macie Balkan celebrate their national win at the Design-Build Institute of America's competition in November.

Photo credit: Robb McCormick Photography)

We know the fall semester gets a lot of attention with the “first day of school posts,” but we wanted to highlight three new engineering Wildcats who started this spring!

Welcome to (from L to R) Precious Faith Adongo and Jugraj Singh, who plan to study aerospace engineering, and Botirkhon Abdurakhmonov, who plans to study .

Congrats to those beginning their engineering education and to those who are in their final semester. You can do this!

Are you new on campus? New to engineering? Click on the link below to learn more about the organizations and clubs available in the College of Engineering.

https://bit.ly/4h0f2RR

Meet Patrick Lohr, the outstanding graduate student for chemical and environmental engineering. Patrick, who is from Tucson, transferred to U of A as an undergrad, planning to study chemistry. He switched to chemical engineering, eventually earning his Master of Science in the field, following it up with pursuing his PhD.

“Chemical engineering is a natural extension of chemistry, but with more math,” he says. “I credit Professor Paul Blowers for convincing me to enroll in the program.”

He chose to stay at U of A for all three degrees to be close to family and thanks to a “very generous” stipend through the University Fellows program.

Patrick works with professor Adam Printz in the Printz Lab, where he uses computational physics and machine learning to discover new materials for solar energy.

“I primarily study a family of materials known as perovskites—some materials can rival the efficiency of silicon solar cells, while being 100 times thinner,” he says. “I also work with the New Frontiers of Sound NSF center to accelerate the design of nanoscale radio frequency devices using active learning.”

That latter work could lead to vastly improved computing methods, telecommunications and sensing capabilities for fields such as environmental science and medicine. After graduating in May, Patrick hopes to gain a postdoctoral appointment at a Department of Defense or Department of Energy lab.

He notes that the Printz Lab is “always recruiting” undergraduate students for research. Click on the link below to learn more about the lab and what they do.

https://www.printzlab.org/