Michigan State University researcher Shanelle Foster spends much of her time innovating 3D printing techniques to make motors smaller and lighter.
These more sustainable machines are used in advanced manufacturing to increase efficiency and reduce their impact on the environment.
She’s also an associate professor in the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering in the College of Engineering who invests just as much effort in the education of her students who will go out and build a better world.
“Our mission is to graduate the next leaders and inventors for the future,” says Foster, a recipient of the National Science Foundation’s Faculty Early Career Development Program Award given to faculty who have the potential to serve as academic role models in research and education. “Seeing their eyes open to how they can benefit society — and not just find their career — that’s rewarding.”
Foster is one of several MSU faculty members across the university profiled by MSUToday for the university's "I am a Spartan" project.
For more on Foster, her research, what inspired her to be an engineer and how she established her career at the College of Engineering, check out the MSUToday feature story.
Foster has experience researching energy conversion technologies. She is passionate about reducing negative impacts on the environment and creating ways to help create cost-effective, efficient and reliable electric machines.
Foster was profiled by MSUToday in 2021 for creating innovative and green electric motor designs and was also recognized in 2017 for being named a finalist in the Naval Research Concept Challenge.
Courtesy of MSUToday, Deon Foster, Meredith Mescher, Anthony Siciliano and Garret Morgan.