Embry-Riddle empowers Prescott students to solve real-world aeronautical issues

PRESCOTT — Undergraduate college students may be more successful in their career and academic success if they participate in a research project during school.

That’s according to Anne Boettcher, the assistant dean of undergraduate research at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University.

She said that students who complete a research project build a network of industry professionals and fellow students who can support and help them in their work.

“They’re doing all of the things that they need to do outside of the classroom,” Boettcher told KTAR News 92.3 FM.

“So they’re taking all the skills they learn in the classroom, and they’re applying them to answer questions, figure out troubleshooting problems … and, so, they’re already doing all the things they’re going to need to do in the workforce.”

Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University students shares example

Embry-Riddle has an Undergraduate Research Institute for students who want to do their own projects.

Sofia Prevatt, a senior at Embry-Riddle who is part of the institute, is currently working on a project about melanoma in pilots.

“While they’re flying at those high elevations, we would have them wear UV dosimeters. That would measure the amount of radiation that they’re receiving,” Prevatt said.

“From there, we can then look at partnering with other majors at Embry-Riddle, such as engineers, to take a look at what materials we could use to build into that windshield in order to eliminate that UV (radiation) that’s getting through and causing this melanoma,” she added.

Prevatt started the research during an internship with the University of Arizona’s Skin Cancer Institute and plans to continue working on it after graduation.

She said having the opportunity to dive into this research as a student is preparing her for the future.

“It is really amazing to get to do this at Embry-Riddle, a project that’s so hands-on,” Prevatt said. “Everybody is super helpful allowing you to have access to these student pilots and allowing us to communicate with them and use a completely different major but a group that we have here on campus for this project.”

Funding for this journalism is made possible by the Arizona Local News Foundation.

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