Civil engineering student Eugene Hsung has wrapped up a Dean’s Research Award project to make a computer model of a jaw.

Edmonton—An opportunity to conduct leading-edge research has given Eugene Hsung an appreciation for his engineering education and reason to consider an advanced degree.

Having completed a Dean’s Research Award project, Hsung recently presented a report on a technique to produce a computer model of the human jaw, under the supervision of civil engineering professor Marwan El-Rich.

Hsung’s project relates to research El-Rich is conducting to help develop a new anchoring system for dental braces. And as far as El-Rich is concerned, Hsung performed remarkably well.

“He did good—very good,” said El-Rich. “He is a very motivated student and he produced high-quality work.”

The Dean’s Research Award “gave me the opportunity to put what I’ve been learning into practice,” said Hsung.

Hsung added that he put a lot of time and effort into his project but credited the graduate students he worked with for sharing their expertise and offering guidance. Working with the graduate students was an eye-opening experience, he added.

“I had the opportunity to work with a group of people who I wouldn’t have otherwise,” he said. “They were always happy to help. They are a lot more experienced and without them I wouldn’t have been able to do this.”

The project, he said, definitely enhanced his education by giving him some hands-on experience.

“You are learning, but it is in a less formal way. It’s almost like working on a job—you’re learning as you go along.”

While he has career options in structural engineering or in the growing biomedical engineering sector after he graduates this spring, Hsung is now considering another option: graduate studies.

“The people I worked with are a pretty dedicated bunch. They have a different mindset; they are here for a different reason. And I do think I might consider graduate studies in the future because of this.”

The Dean's Research Award program is designed to give undergraduate students the opportunity to get involved with research being conducted in the Faculty of Engineering. The awards are available to all full-time engineering students, beginning in their second year of studies, who have a previous-year minimum GPA of 3.2.