Lakshmi Reddi Interim Provost and Chief Academic Officer | nmsu.edu
Lakshmi Reddi Interim Provost and Chief Academic Officer | nmsu.edu
Two Ph.D. students from New Mexico State University have secured the top prize in the Mike Hunt Construction Sprint Bold Idea Challenge, organized by NMSU’s Arrowhead Center. The competition is part of the programs offered by Arrowhead Center's Hunt Center for Entrepreneurship, which aims to support regional entrepreneurship by empowering diverse communities and expanding access to early-stage investment.
The Mike Hunt Construction Sprints are named after the vice chairman of the board of directors for Hunt Companies. They include speaker events, business model workshops, idea-generation programs, networking opportunities, and awards for NMSU students, focusing on innovative construction technologies.
The Bold Idea Challenge encouraged participants from NMSU and the Borderplex region to present their ideas in two categories: industry-agnostic innovation and construction. Z Lab, led by civil engineering students Pouya Almasi and Roshira Premadasa, won first place with their Dual Approach to Smart Civil Infrastructure Inspection. Their project combines unmanned aerial vehicle technology with multifunctional structural components to enhance safety and efficiency while reducing energy usage.
Carlos Murguia, director of the Hunt Center for Entrepreneurship, commented on the event's success: “It’s incredibly inspiring to see the innovative ideas coming from NMSU’s civil engineering students through programs like the Mike Hunt Construction Sprints.” He emphasized the program's role in bridging academic knowledge with real-world applications in construction.
Looking ahead to 2025, the Mike Hunt Construction Sprints will continue to feature events such as a speaker series and hands-on workshops designed to encourage student innovation in construction. These activities aim to provide valuable insights and skills while promoting entrepreneurial growth at NMSU.
For further details about the Hunt Center for Entrepreneurship, contact Carlos Murguia at cmurguia@nmsu.edu or visit https://arrowheadcenter.nmsu.edu/program/the-hunt-center/.
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