Maghsoodloo Assistantship awarded to ISE doctoral student
Published: Mar 14, 2024 2:10 PM
By Carla Nelson
Industrial and systems engineering doctoral student Savannah Maples has been awarded the annual Dr. Saeed Maghsoodloo Assistantship. The assistantship acknowledges and rewards the valuable role that graduate teaching assistants (GTA) play in the Auburn University Department of Industrial and Systems Engineering (ISE).
Maples, originally from Tuscaloosa, earned a bachelor’s degree in industrial and systems engineering from Auburn University in 2021 and a master’s degree in 2022. Maples is currently a doctoral student in ISE studying powered ankle exoskeleton biomechanical evaluation, investigating how changes in exoskeleton ankle stiffness can influence muscle activation and gait characteristics.
“The thing I enjoy most about being a student in industrial and systems engineering is the topics that I’m studying,” Maples said. “Occupational safety and ergonomics are practical but also meaningful in a tangible way in the lives and health of workers, and doing research in biomechanics is very hands-on.”
Maples was a GTA for Deterministic Operations Research (INSY 3410) for three semesters, taught by Erin Garcia, ISE lecturer. Maples has also been the instructor of record for Introduction to Industrial Engineering (ENGR 1110) for one semester.
“My favorite thing about being a GTA is working with the students,” Maples said. “Watching a student learn a new concept and seeing the joy when they realize they can work a complicated math problem is a good feeling. Getting to be a part of expanding the educational horizons of the students is very rewarding.”
Garcia described Maples as an exceptional teaching assistant and instructor.
“Savannah’s willingness to be authentic with the undergraduate students has made Savanah the class favorite from the instructional team (instructor and teaching assistants) every semester,” Garcia said. “Savannah holds the students to high academic standards and is willing to work with students when they need some support to reach those standards.”
Garcia added that the students become comfortable with Maples quickly.
“This means students are willing to go to office hours and ask questions when stuck on the content, and this has a dramatic impact on their ability to succeed in the class,” she said.
Maples plans to pursue a career in higher education and is honored to receive this award.
“Having these chances to assist in teaching and to teach a class myself has helped me decide on the career path I want,” Maples said. “I hope this award will help showcase my teaching skills when I interview for teaching positions in the future.”
Media Contact: , carla@auburn.edu, 334-844-1404
Savannah Maples is currently a doctoral student in ISE studying powered ankle exoskeleton biomechanical evaluation.
