Six graduate students from the University of Naples Federico II, founded in 1224 in Naples, Italy, are conducting research this summer at the University of Missouri-Rolla as part of a new scholar program between the two universities.

During the next four months, the students will work to complete their thesis in the areas of materials and civil engineering under the advisement of UMR faculty members and with funding from Mapei, a chemical construction company, and the national University Transportation Center at UMR.

The students studying at UMR this summer are:

• Alessandro Borrelli, who is working with Dr. Rajiv Mishra, associate professor of materials science and engineering at UMR;
• Vincenzo Capuano, who is studying “Polymer nano-composites” under the direction of Dr. K. Chandrashekhara, professor of mechanical and aerospace engineering at UMR;
• Rosa Colasanto, who is working with Dr. Michael Van De Mark, associate professor of chemistry and director of the UMR Coatings Institute;
• Antonio De Luca, who is studying “Validation of structural strengthening of concrete members with composite systems by means of in situ load testing” under the direction of Dr. Antonio Nanni, the Vernon and Maralee Jones Professor of Civil Engineering at UMR;
• Rossella Malfalda, who is studying “Mechanical properties of fiber-reinforced cement composites” under the direction of Dr. Richard Brow, Curators’ Professor of materials science and engineering; and
• Carolina Mallardo, who is studying “Characterization of thin polymer gels using various spectroscopic methods” under the direction of Dr. David Henthorn, assistant professor of chemical and biological engineering.

UMR, recognizing the value that a global perspective can give to students and faculty, has partnerships with more than 130 colleges and universities in more than 35 countries.