·

CIPTA internship leads UAB student to an engaging engineering career

20230819 164237
Emmanuel Ramogi says collaboration with a diverse team at Evonik during his internship was impactful. Photo courtesy of Emmanuel Ramogi

A transformative internship in the 2024 Corporate Internship Plasma Training (CIPTA) program sponsored annually by the Future Technologies & enabling Plasma Processes (FTPP) grant has directly impacted his current employment, says Emmanuel Ramogi.

CIPTA offers a corporate internship with industry partners throughout Alabama that provides undergraduate and graduate students enrolled at an FTPP partner institution with opportunities with Alabama companies to learn about industrial plasma technology applications and prepares them for a transition into the Alabama workforce.

Applications for the May 27 to Aug. 1, 2025, CIPTA are being accepted now.

FTPP is a $20 million grant from the National Science Foundation (NSF) that supports a collaboration of nine statewide universities and a research organization dedicated to plasma research, commercialization and the establishment of a plasma workforce in Alabama. The project is managed by The University of Alabama in Huntsville.

A University of Alabama at Birmingham master’s graduate in mechanical engineering with a specialization in integrating machine learning with computational methods, Ramogi is employed as a process development engineer in the medical devices research and development division at Evonik Birmingham Laboratories.

“My role involves transitioning customer projects from the development phase to manufacturing, while incorporating computational tools and computer aided design (CAD) software into design processes. The FTPP internship directly influenced my career prospects,” says Ramogi, who first discovered his passion for problem-solving and science in his native Kenya.

“The research I conducted and the professional relationships I built during the program helped me secure my current position at Evonik,” he says. “Without this experience, I would not have had the same level of exposure to cutting-edge research or the opportunity to work at such an esteemed institution.”

impactful

Most impactful for Ramogi during his internship was his collaboration with a diverse team at Evonik.

“Despite being a research intern, I was treated as an integral part of the team, which boosted my confidence and reaffirmed my decision to pursue a career where collaboration and innovation intersect,” he says.

“CIPTA broadened my understanding of the potential applications of science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) in solving real-world challenges. It also reinforced my efficacy as a researcher and engineer by providing me with the tools and confidence to tackle complex problems, such as integrating machine learning with computational methods in engineering projects.”

He was transformed by his CIPTA experience, says Ramogi, who after completing the program successfully defended his master’s thesis, which utilized machine learning to enhance computational fluid dynamics simulations.

“It enhanced my research skills, which were crucial in completing my master’s thesis. The experience also introduced me to the impactful role medical devices play in improving lives, aligning with my passion for engineering solutions that address human needs.”

What Ramogi learned during CIPTA continues to benefit him, he says.

“The FTPP program provided me with hands-on experience, exposing me to industry standards and best practices,” he says. “It also allowed me to interact with industry professionals, whose mentorship gave me insights that continue to guide my career trajectory.”