Baraa Al Qawlaq Mechanical Engineering

My name is Baraa AlQawlaq, and I’m a first-year master’s student in Mechanical Engineering at  UCD. This past summer of 2025, I was incredibly fortunate to be awarded the Naughton Fellowship by UCD, which gave me the opportunity to spend ten fast-paced weeks abroad at the University of Notre Dame in South Bend, Indiana, for a summer research experience. 

The experience was nothing short of phenomenal. From the moment I cleared U.S. pre-clearance in Dublin Airport to my very last day in Indiana, every single day brought something memorable -meeting new people, discovering new places, and experiencing those unforgettable “Ah-ha” moments in the lab. It was an adventure that combined learning, growth, and fun in the best possible way.

Starting with the research itself, I had the privilege of working under Professor Robert Landers in the School of Aerospace and Mechanical Engineering at Notre Dame on a fascinating and novel project — 3D Glass Printing. My main goal over the ten weeks was to establish real-time feedback control for the printing process to achieve highly accurate final print dimensions. It was an incredibly hands-on experience: running multiple printing experiments, operating high-value lab equipment, handling molten glass at nearly 1000°C, and performing data and material analysis of printed parts on MATLAB. I also got the chance to design various new mounts and cooling tunnels in SolidWorks and send them off for machining – it was a fantastic balance between theory and practice.

Beyond the research, the program itself offered a lot of valuable insights. We attended talks about pursuing a future in research, building strong academic CVs, and presenting our work effectively. It all wrapped up with a lively research symposium - complete with great conversations, inspiring ideas, and, of course, delicious food (Chick-fil-A was definitely a highlight). 

Outside the lab, the experience only got better. I made so many new friends from fellow researchers and Naughton Fellows to my wonderful housemates. We explored all around - Chicago was just a two-hour train ride away, where we kayaked along the stunning Riverwalk and Lake Michigan.

Even though the program is competitive, I can’t recommend applying enough. It’s a whole new experience to apply what you learn in lectures to real-world problems. I never would have imagined myself conducting world-class research in the U.S., side by side with world-leading researchers. It’s the kind of opportunity that truly opens doors. A moment that perfectly captured this for me was on my final day, when my supervisor called me in and offered me the chance to return for a PhD — an incredibly proud and rewarding moment that showed just how many possibilities this fellowship can open. And beyond the academics, the program gives you time to explore the U.S. before returning home. I used that time to visit New York City and even attended my first-ever stadium event there.

Finally, I want to extend a heartfelt thank you to everyone who made this experience possible— UCD, for their never-ending sea of opportunities; the Naughton family, whose generosity continues to open doors for many students; Professor Landers, for his guidance and mentorship; and my lab partner, soon-to-be Dr Balark Tiwari, for all his patience and help throughout. This summer was truly life-changing, and you’d be very surprised by how much you can learn and contribute in the world of research – even as an undergraduate.