Providing Experiences in Research for Undergraduate Students in Engineering (PERUSE)

Katelyn Weiler, a sophomore in civil engineering, posted her profile on the PERUSE website in early October 2008, eager for an opportunity to work as an undergraduate research assistant. In January 2009 she was hired by Dr. Reginald Souleyrette to work in the Center for Transportation Research and Education, located in ISU Research Park. Three months is not a long time in the research world, but it was a very long time to Weiler, who admits to being a little discouraged while waiting for a PERUSE position.

Her advice to PERUSE students is to be patient. Undergraduate research positions can become available at any time of the year as funding and research demands change. Katelyn now works two times a week analyzing vehicular crashes that have occurred in Iowa. The work hours are flexible, ideal for Katelyn’s busy schedule.

Katelyn is using a software program that she learned through a tutorial and by shadowing others. The software allows her to prepare various reports related to Iowa accidents. Her work is supervised by Zachary Hans, a research engineer. The reports Katelyn generates have many different uses, including assisting with road design. By mapping crash sites and preparing reports with such information as what caused the accident, fatality count, level of severity of the accident, and property damage, Katelyn provides information used to analyze accident sites for the purpose of improving the safety of the sites.

Katelyn feels that she is developing new skills and learning much in her undergraduate research position. It is also likely that the reports Katelyn generates help to improve Iowa roads and increase road safety. For example, one report Katelyn prepared for the Iowa Department of Transportation was a compilation of fatal crashes in Iowa over the last five years. In that time period there were 2000 crash-related deaths on Iowa’s highways. Another report Katelyn prepared in response to a request from a law enforcement agency reported the number of alcohol related crashes at one particular intersection.

It is Katelyn’s belief that getting good grades is not enough to assure success as an engineer. She notes that in college applications the grade point was only one question out of many. The other questions were questions about how she applied herself to be successful. Katelyn is convinced that engineering undergraduates must have opportunities to apply their knowledge and to develop skills.

In addition to PERUSE, Katelyn is providing assistance to the Solar Decathlon team and is involved with the American Society of Civil Engineers.

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