Jarod Weber, GTMI undergraduate researcher, won first place for the poster presentation challenge at the AeroDef Manufacturing 2017 Conference (an SME conference). It was open to undergrads, masters, & PhD students, along with anyone under the age of 35 in industry, with a focus on aerospace/defense manufacturing research.

According to AERODEF, the poster session showcased the next generation of manufacturing researchers, engineers and industry professionals in the following categories:

• Additive Manufacturing/3D Printing
• Composites & Advanced Materials
• Industrial IoT
• Cybersecurity
• Automation, Assembly & Robotics
• Precision Machining & Tooling
• Finishing & Coatings
• Quality, Measurement & Inspection
• Manufacturing Engineering and Engineering Technology
• Manufacturing Engineering Education

Jarod says, "The combination of attending an aerospace/defense conference, and participating in the competition proved both exciting and rewarding. I was able to absorb the direction of funding and industry, while connecting and competing against my peers. It was an excellent experience."

Jarod Weber is a USAF veteran (electronic warfare & integrated avionics systems), and a former robotics/automation field engineer. He is currently working as an undergraduate researcher at Georgia Tech Manufacturing Institute within the fields of advanced composite structural health monitoring of pressure vessel/piping, and aerospace applications, while using his GI Bill to pursue an Electrical Engineering undergraduate degree with a minor in Computer Science at the Southern Polytechnic College of Engineering and Engineering Technology.

GTMI first came to know Jarod through the REVAMP/REU program, which stands for Research Experience for Student Veterans in Advanced Manufacturing and Entrepreneurship (REVAMP) and Research Experience for Undergraduates (REU).