This week, in honor of National Intern Day, we’ve been highlighting some of our Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowship (SURF) student interns!
Meet Lincoln Queale, a Mathematics major at Mount St. Mary’s University. Lincoln is researching simulation and statistical modeling of high-cycle metal fatigue data at the Boulder, CO campus.
Q: What is a high-level overview of the work you do at NIST?
I am working in the Statistical Engineering Division to try to evaluate and improve models for high-cycle metal fatigue data. A group in the Materials Measurement Lab at NIST is working to understand the fatigue strength of additively manufactured metals (essentially 3D printing metals) by measuring how many cycles of stress it takes for samples to break at a variety of different stress values. Because of time and material constraints on how this data is collected, there are censored data points and a relatively small number of data points overall. These factors combined make many traditional modeling techniques less effective. I am currently researching which models work best while also improving those models and, as part of that, making effective data simulations to work with. These metals are being increasingly used in critical roles, from aerospace applications to medical devices, where it’s critical to know when these materials are at risk of failure.
Q: What is your favorite thing about NIST/SURF?
I really enjoy the office culture and getting the opportunity to explore Colorado with new friends in my free time.
Q: What advice would you give to students interested in SURF?
Apply early, and more importantly ask your references to write your letters of recommendation early. Also, check your email regularly and try to respond promptly to any follow-up communications you receive. I would also encourage you to be open to different projects. You may or may not get your top project, but that doesn’t mean that it won’t be an interesting learning opportunity.
Interested in the SURF program? Summer 2025 applications go live this fall. Learn more about SURF: nist.gov/surf
#NationalInternDay #Internship #EarlyCareer #Mathematics
Mechanical Engineering Student at the University of Texas at San Antonio
2moLoving this company! So happy to be working with such an amazing team this summer. 🎉