From left, UMass Lowell Provost Joseph Hartman; Professor Jay Weitzen, Chair of the university’s Electrical and Computer Engineering Department; Leigh Sharrock, Brooks Automation Senior Director of Systems Engineering and a 2003 UMass Lowell graduate; and UMass Lowell Chancellor Julie Chen. (PHOTO: Jenni Shelton)
LOWELL – UMass Lowell students have a new place to flex their skills and imagination, thanks to Brooks Automation Inc., which has committed to create a new makerspace at the university.
Chelmsford-based Brooks makes precision vacuum robotics, integrated automation systems and contamination control solutions for equipment manufacturers serving many industries, including semiconductors. On Thursday, company and UMass Lowell leaders, along with the students who will benefit, opened the Brooks Automation LEAP Space, tucked inside Ball Hall on UMass Lowell’s North Campus.
“The Brooks Automation LEAP Space will be a terrific resource for our students, as a focal point for creative exploration and study, and a place where they can hold workshops and events or just connect and relax with each other,” said UMass Lowell Chancellor Julie Chen. “Brooks’ support will also give rise to new student-focused programs and career connected experiences, which are key priorities for the university. We are grateful to Brooks for the company’s belief in our students and a UMass Lowell education.”
The makerspace held its first event last month, when Brooks Automation employees visited campus to lead a resume-writing workshop for students. The session was presented by the UMass Lowell student chapter of Eta Kappa Nu, which is the international honor society of the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers.
“Brooks is looking forward to partnering with the University of Massachusetts Lowell on the establishment of the new Brooks Automation LEAP lab. The initiative strives to transform the space into a dynamic hub for connection, learning, and collaboration and to create an enriching experience for participants, particularly the youth who might otherwise miss the opportunity to explore the university. I’m looking forward to the positive impact it will have on the community and the role it will play in nurturing future talent,” said Brooks Automation CEO, Dave Jarzynka.
The makerspace is just the latest manifestation of Brooks Automation’s commitment to UMass Lowell students, which has flourished for years. Helping to grow the next generation of engineers, the company employs dozens of UMass Lowell alumni, hires students from the university’s Francis College of Engineering for its internship program, and sponsors undergraduates’ capstone projects. In turn, UMass Lowell provides access to its core research facilities to Brooks engineers, providing them with the scientific equipment and expertise needed to innovate solutions to a wide range of challenges.
The relationship has been a win-win for students, including Chloe Chanthompalit, who received her bachelor’s degree in computer engineering last year and will earn her master’s degree in the field next month. A Lowell resident who grew up in the city, she completed a short-term, paid internship at the company last year. She was so successful, the company has kept her on since. As a member of Brooks’ reliability engineering team, she tests robots and automation systems to be sure they are efficient and durable.
“The internship is geared toward making sure I learn what I need to learn to get a good job in the industry and toward learning the broader skill set behind engineering, such as time management,” she said.
She is equally enthused about the LEAP space, which is outfitted with lab bench equipment, soldering irons and other tools students may use to work on class or personal projects.
“It’s a great central hub for (electrical and computer engineering) students,” she said. “For me, I enjoy studying there because I’m surrounded by my friends and classmates, and that sort of camaraderie helps me focus. It’s also cool because there’s usually always someone there, so if someone needs help using this equipment, or just has a question about anything, the makerspace allows people to break that ice, meet people, and bring us closer together.”
A cross-section of leaders from the defense, high-tech, and construction sector – many of them UMass Lowell graduates – also attended the event, signaling UMass Lowell’s wide-ranging support from industry.
