Fellowship connects students with Pennsylvania companies

by Sara Pecchia

Launched in Spring 2025, the PITA Fellowship program equips students with hands-on research experience and industry connections with Pennsylvania-based companies.

The PITA Fellowship program gives undergraduate students in the College of Engineering an opportunity to conduct cutting-edge research in a lab, while building connections with Pennsylvania-based companies. Launched in spring 2025, eight students were selected for the inaugural cohort and paired with faculty mentors leading research projects supported by the Pennsylvania Infrastructure Technology Alliance (PITA).

To be eligible for the PITA Fellowship program, students must first complete the EMERGE mentorship program during their first year.

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“EMERGE is designed to help first-year students connect with the college community, grow personally, and build professional skills,” explained Lauren Greenwald, community engagement program coordinator at the College of Engineering. “The PITA Fellowship is a natural next step, offering an incredible opportunity for EMERGE alumni to expand their horizons and gain valuable hands-on research experience.”

Programs like the PITA Fellowship play a vital role in bridging the gap between academia and industry, offering students direct connections to Pennsylvania-based companies. Each PITA Student Fellow receives a $2,000 stipend and takes part in monthly professional development events designed to strengthen their skills and industry readiness.

  • A student with a microphone presenting her work
    As part of the PITA Fellowship’s professional development experience, students took the stage in a 3-Minute Thesis competition.
  • A student presenting her work "Process monitoring for wire arc additive manufacturing"
    As part of the PITA Fellowship’s professional development experience, students took the stage in a 3-Minute Thesis competition.

    • “I applied to be a PITA Fellow because one of the biggest questions after graduation is whether to stay in academia or pursue a career in industry,” said Niki Lin, a junior studying electrical and computer engineering. “This experience has given me the chance to explore academic research. It’s also helped me expand my professional network.”

    The inaugural batch of PITA Fellowship projects covered diverse areas, including developing inclusive multimodal noninvasive hemodynamic imaging techniques and data analysis, as well as additive manufacturing focused on process design and optimization.

    Watching students launch meaningful careers is one of the most rewarding parts of my job, and programs like the PITA Fellowship make it possible.

    Gerald Wang, Associate Professor, Civil and Environmental Engineering

    “Opening students’ eyes to the opportunities right here in Pennsylvania is worthwhile,” emphasized Gerald Wang, associate professor of civil and environmental engineering and PITA Fellowship faculty mentor. “I’m proud that the first four Ph.D. students to graduate from my research group all accepted jobs in Western Pennsylvania. Seeing them launch meaningful careers is one of the most rewarding parts of my job, and programs like the PITA Fellowship make it possible.”

    PITA Fellowships are funded by a grant from the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, Department of Community and Economic Development.

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