Undergraduate Research Opportunity in Environmental Testing of Structures

The Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering at NMSU is now accepting applications for the Undergraduate Research Program in Environmental Testing of Structures. This program provides students with hands-on experience in structural dynamics research, simulation, manufacturing, and environmental testing—all while earning up to $15,000 per year as a research assistant.

Program Highlights

Selected students will work in teams to:

• Design, acquire, and deploy shaker/fixture/component systems.
• Manufacture dynamical systems in collaboration with Aggie Innovation Space.
• Excite and test assemblies to simulate real-world service environments.
• Perform modeling, simulation, and analysis of environmental testing.
• Present research at biannual symposia attended by LANL and NMSU faculty.
• Publish work in conference proceedings and journals.

Eligibility Requirements

• Open to ME, AE, MET, and MAE majors.
• Preferred GPA: 3.2 or higher.
• Must be a U.S. citizen.
• Students in semesters 4 or 5 are preferred.
• Students in their final BS semester are not eligible.

Application Materials

Submit the following in PDF format:

• NMSU academic transcript (unofficial accepted)
• Short resume Cover letter explaining your interest in the program
• Names and contact information for two references (one must be a faculty member)

Email materials to Dr. Abdu Abdelkefi (abdu@nmsu.edu).

Application Deadline: August 29, 2025

Post-BS Opportunities

This program is an excellent pathway for students considering graduate school, careers at national laboratories (such as LANL), or industry positions. Many participants go on to advanced degrees and research positions, often supported through fellowships or tuition reimbursement programs.

Download the PDF