April ’25 ASPIRE Student Section

Welcome to our ASPIRE Student Newsletter!

In this section we highlight students and their research, discuss events and student news, and provide a place for students to have a voice for the center.

Recent Events

SLC Cohort Trip

The 2025 Cohort trip to Raleigh, NC, and Atlanta, GA, provided valuable insights into how companies operate, integrate sustainability, and foster a culture of care. Highlights included visiting Schneider Electric in Raleigh and experiencing its facility, exploring ABB’s continuous innovations in motor technology, and engaging with the FREEDM Center to understand how it sustains itself—offering inspiration for ASPIRE’s own independence. The trip also featured an introduction to Quanta Technology’s creative projects, a chance to connect with a former SLC member now in the industry at Grid Bridge, and an in-depth look at ABB’s warehouse operations, including the copper melting process for electrical products at Southwire, one of the largest wire and cable producers in North America. Visiting Southwire helped us better understand that the challenges of launching a new product are not limited to its engineering but also include potential demand and supply necessities, which enriched our knowledge of the EV market, resulting in better research.

Additionally, meeting at the EV Braintrust—an initiative that keeps EV leaders informed about cutting-edge advancements and challenges in EV models and charging technology— in Atlanta and receiving recognition from Allie Kelly was an unforgettable moment. The journey concluded with industry networking at the Curiosity Lab, where groundbreaking innovations left a lasting impression. Finally, collaborating with fellow SLC members to create a SWOT analysis deepened our understanding of ASPIRE’s mission and reinforced the value of each individual’s unique background. Another highlight was the opportunity to connect with fellow ASPIRE members from different campuses. Listening to them talk about their research was definitely an insightful moment. Special thanks to Melanie and Dr. Wang, whose sharing of their experience in ASPIRE also contributed to an insightful experience.

“The Cohort program pushes me to look beyond the boundaries of my own research and consider the broader industry and market challenges shaping the future of EVs.” -Bruno Cesar Krause Moras

If you would like to get involved, feel free to reach out to Melanie Conrad at melanie.conrad@usu.edu.

Insights above co-authored by: Missel Sanchez and Bruno Cesar Krause Moras

Research on Capitol Hill

(Photo Credit: USU/M. Muffoletto)

On February 20, 2025, Utah State students had the opportunity to present their research at Research on Capitol Hill (ROCH) in Salt Lake City. Will Bouck is an undergraduate student who was able to present his research on gig drivers and their reasoning whether or not to use electric vehicles for their services. Bouck analyzes data in the lab of Patrick Singleton, who works as a USU associate professor and researcher for ASPIRE.

To read more about Bouck’s research click here!

Lucy Peterson is an undergraduate finance student who recently presented at the Utah Conference on Undergraduate Research. She is a member of the ASPIRE Market Intelligence team, working under the guidance of Dr. Janette Goodridge, an assistant professor at USU and a researcher for ASPIRE. Lucy’s research focuses on the economic and financial analysis of heavy and medium-duty EV trucks.

Mental Health Week

The Student Leadership Council hosted Mental Health Week from April 7 to 11, aiming to raise awareness about student well-being and promote a healthy, supportive campus environment.

Activities varied across campuses. To kick off we started with a center-wide burnout information session, which saw strong student participation and successfully highlighted the importance of mental health. Following this, individual campuses embraced the initiative and hosted their own mental health-focused events throughout the week.

Activities included:

• Beverage and Chat sessions to encourage open conversation
• A Positive Message Post-it activity to spread encouragement
• An End The Streak Seminar to address stress and roadway safety with the Texas Department of Transportation
• Games and Grub to have fun and socialize at the EVR
• Industry Tours/Visit for career motivation and perspective
• Various outdoor activities to promote wellness through movement

All events were supported by faculty and the SLC, demonstrating a collective effort to raise mental health awareness and take meaningful steps to support student well-being. Thank you to all who participated!

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Student Highlights