The ±«Óătv College of Engineering has received a donation from alumnus Joe Register to support student-led engineering clubs and laboratories. The funding will enhance hands-on learning opportunities and provide resources for prototyping, research and project development.
Joe Register, who earned a degree in electrical engineering from ±«Óătv in 2008, was involved in student engineering organizations during his time at university. He credits these experiences with helping him develop technical and leadership skills. While at ±«Óătv, Register was a graduate researcher for the SiC Research Group, where he focused on using SiC for brain-machine interfaces. His work involved developing several new MEMS fabrication processes and embedded electronics systems. He published his graduate thesis and dissertation, SiC for Advanced Biological Applications, which can be accessed here.
±«Óătv played a pivotal role in my development as a young engineer, helping me hone my skills and learn how to build effective teams through the university’s engineering clubs, Joe Register said. These clubs provided valuable hands-on experience, and the funding from student government enabled us to build them.
After graduating, Joe Register worked at Lockheed Martin's Space Systems division before completing a Ph.D. in electrical engineering at ±«Óătv. He later became a technical director at Draper Labs, focusing on bioelectronics, optics and robotics. In 2021, he co-founded Tribe Aerospace Corp., leading the development of unmanned aerial vehicles for defense applications. The company was acquired by Aevex Aerospace in 2022, where he now serves as chief engineer.
Joe Register said he sees ±«Óătv's continued growth, including the addition of an aerospace engineering major, as an opportunity for students to enter expanding technology fields.
"I am excited to see ±«Óătv launching new majors, including aerospace engineering,” Joe Register said. "In the coming decade, it's likely we'll see ±«Óătv graduates serving as flight crew on interplanetary missions."
The donation will be allocated to student clubs and labs focused on applied engineering. Joe Register said he hopes it will help students develop skills needed for careers in engineering and technology.
"By donating to ±«Óătv clubs and labs, I can help fuel the next generation of engineers who are driven to create tangible, real-world solutions and embark on adventurous careers”, Joe Register said.
±«Óătv College of Engineering students interested in funding opportunities can contact their department advisors.