Crus Scholar Program for Undergraduate Student Research

Since 2016, the program has provided eligible undergraduate students with a potentially career-enhancing opportunity to work under the guidance of a U of U faculty mentor on a research project of mutual interest. Crus Scholars also receive hourly compensation for their work.

An invitation to apply to become a Crus Scholar is posted three times a year.

Recent Crus Scholars

Joshua Jordan

Effectiveness of Ultra-White Paint in Enhancing Heat Dissipation through Infrared Loading on Side Walls

Mentored by Prof Taylor Sparks

Sophie Morton

Ion Exchange Resins in Stereolithography for Recovery of Rare Earth Elements

Mentored by Prof Chen Wang

Read about Sophie

Sophie is currently pursuing a degree in materials science and engineering. Sophie previously graduated from the University of Utah after studying business and environmental studies but decided to return to school for an engineering degree because of the lifelong learning and hands-on problem solving the field offers. Stemming from her passion for the outdoors, Sophie hopes to pursue a career in sustainable product development with an emphasis in polymer research. Sophie is mentored by Professor Chen Wang, where she is researching ion exchange resins and their performance in stereolithography as a method of recovery for rare earth elements.

Luke Pettit

Applications for Flywheel Energy Storage to Achieve a More Sustainable Energy Future

Mentored by Prof Swomitra Mohanty

Previous Crus Scholars

Jacob Burke

Magnetic Separation of Rare Earth Elements and Critical Elements via Thin Film Device

Mentored by Prof Michael Free

Read about Jacob

TBA

Christian Norman

Flash Joule Heating of Coal for Graphene and Graphite Production

Mentored by Prof Swomitra Mohanty

Read about Christian

Christian is pursuing a degree in metallurgical engineering and will graduate with a B.S. degree in spring of 2025. His ultimate academic goal is to graduate from the U. with a PhD in Met E. A Utah Native instilled with an appreciation of nature from an early age, Christian is concerned with environmental sustainability and hopes to "help save the planet". One of his hobbies is blacksmithing; another is reading science fiction novels.

Kaiyu Hardman

Cost Modeling of New Li-ion Batteries

Mentored by Prof K. S. Ravi Chandran

Read about Kaiyu

TBA

Benjamin Schroeder

Efficient Separation of Rare Earth Metals from Aqueous Solution by Mesoporous Substrates

Mentored by Prof York Smith

Read about Benjamin

TBA

Paul Cardon

Optimizing High-Voltage, High- Capacity Silicon Electrode Lithium-ion Batteries

Mentored by Prof K. S. Ravi Chandran

Read about Paul

TBA

Jeremy Baird

3D Printed Electrocatalytic Reactor for Mitigation of Perfluoroalkyl Substances

Mentored by Prof. Sivaraman Guruswamy and Swomitra Mohanty

Read about Jeremy

My name is Jeremy Baird. I am a senior here at the University of Utah studying Metallurgical Engineering with a focus on Physical Metallurgy. I grew up ranching buffalo in Arizona. My favorite thing to do is spending time with my wife but when I am not doing that, I enjoy making fine jewelry, welding, blacksmithing, and basically anything associated with working metal.