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The University of Texas at Tyler Recognized for Outstanding Achievement in IEEE Robotics Competition

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May 15, 2017

Media Contact:  Hannah Buchanan
Editor/Writer–Strategic Communications & Media Relations
Marketing and Communications
The University of Texas at Tyler
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The University of Texas at Tyler placed among the top 10 in an esteemed robotics competition hosted by the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers, Dr. Michael McGinnis, College of Engineering interim dean, announced.

The IEEE is the primary international professional society for electrical engineers and organizes an annual event for each of its membership regions. The University of Texas at Tyler is in IEEE Region 5, which includes all the major universities in the region encompassing 11 states. Teams of undergraduate students develop and program a robot to complete various tasks in a competitive arena. Thirty-two collegiate teams participated in this year's R5 competition.

The University of Texas at Tyler robotics team members are IEEE student branch secretary Christopher Cortez of White Oak, John Taylor of Whitehouse, Charles Isichei of Longview, Peter Goodwin of Frankston, Eli Hugghins of Jacksonville, David Longar of Bullard, Zachary Tunnell of Canton and Kathryn Stout, Adrian Hood, Chase Ludtke, Jan Zafar and IEEE student branch president Kristin Plucinski, all of Tyler. Professor of electrical engineering Dr. Mukul Shirvaikar serves as the university's IEEE student branch adviser.

"This is the primary and highest national level event for our robotics team with a lot of prestige attached to it," Shirvaikar said. "The team worked very hard and worked non-stop all night on the practice fields tuning the robot."

Robotics team sponsors include the Department of Electrical Engineering, College of Engineering and Office of the Provost.

For more information about The University of Texas at Tyler robotics team, contact Shirvaikar, 903.565.5620 or mshirvaikar@uttyler.edu.

The University of Texas at Tyler Department of Electrical Engineering offers a student-focused, hands-on approach to undergraduate and graduate engineering education, providing excellent preparation for success in today's high tech world. Students may choose to study at the main campus in Tyler or at the Houston Engineering Center. For more information, visit uttyler.edu/ee.

One of the 14 campuses of the UT System, The University of Texas at Tyler features excellence in teaching, research, artistic performance and community service. More than 80 undergraduate and graduate degrees are available at The University of Texas at Tyler, which has an enrollment of almost 10,000 high-ability students. The University of Texas at Tyler offers courses at its campuses in Tyler, Longview and Palestine as well as a location in Houston.