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Opportunities in Kent State’s College of Aeronautics and Engineering are giving aerospace engineering junior Stuart Klein a front-row seat to the future of sustainable energy and advanced aerospace systems. From award-winning undergraduate research to an ongoing internship with the Digital Engineering Design Center (DEDC), he is combining classroom knowledge with real-world application.

Last spring, his fuel cell research earned first place at the Kent State Undergraduate Research Symposium. The project compared hydrogen, methanol, and natural gas to evaluate efficiency, cost, safety, and environmental impact. “Fuel cells offer incredible potential for aerospace, transportation, and portable power systems,” Klein said. “I’m proud to contribute to the conversation on sustainable energy solutions.”

Klein conducted this research through Kent State’s Summer Undergraduate Research Experience (SURE), which pairs students with faculty mentors to strengthen research skills and explore career goals. The project showed him how each fuel source carries unique trade-offs and the importance of tailoring solutions to specific applications. “The SURE program gave me my first hands-on experience in applied research,” Klein said. “It sharpened my problem-solving abilities, experimental design, and presentation skills, and helped me realize how much I enjoy tackling real-world engineering problems.”

This summer, Klein began his internship at Kent State’s Digital Engineering Design Center, where students develop advanced skills in digital modeling, systems design, and emerging technologies that will transform the engineering industry. “This opportunity gives me hands-on experience with the digital engineering lifecycle—covering the design, development, testing, and implementation of aerospace systems with integrated cybersecurity,” he said. “I’ll also be working on cutting-edge ‘digital twin’ technology that enhances system development and reduces costs—an approach increasingly used in national defense applications.”

Beyond academics, Klein served as Safety Officer for the High-Power Rocket Team, contributing to propulsion system design and ensuring safe launches, and vice president of Kent State’s club rugby team, where he builds leadership and teamwork skills that complement his engineering pursuits.

“Don’t wait to be an expert, just be curious,” Klein advises other students. “Even if it feels outside your comfort zone, that’s often where the most growth happens.”

Klein’s journey reflects how Kent State students turn opportunity into experiences that shape industries and address global challenges.