Oviedo, Spain summer lab underway for CBE students

Students at Monte Naranco
CBE students and faculty mentor Prof. Karen Haman gather at Monte Naranco, a landmark near Oviedo, Spain

One of the Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering’s (CBE) most unique learning experiences is now in full swing more than 4,000 miles from the ISU campus. The 2018 University of Oviedo, Spain Summer Lab Program is hosting eight Iowa State CBE undergraduates this year. They are joined by fellow students from the University of Wisconsin-Madison in the annual cooperative venture.

The five-week program got underway May 21, and uses the facilities and educators of the University of Oviedo. The intensive course work serves up a unit operations lecture and lab experience that garners each student seven semester credits that cover two chemical engineering courses. Course work is presented in English, with an individual option for Spanish language.

Mahoney and Lentner in Oviedo lab
CBE undergrads Evan Mahoney (near camera) and Matthew Lentner get comfortable with the lab equipment at the University of Oviedo.

Students will conduct and write reports for a total of ten experiments, working with various faculty members from the University of Oviedo, Rafael Chavez from the University of Wisconsin, and Professor Karen Haman of Iowa State CBE. The experience includes manufacturing plant tours at Asturiana de Zinc S.A. (producing zinc and sulfuric acid), a Mahou/San Miguel Brewery, and a Bayer Pharma facility, where nearly 90% of the world’s aspirin is produced. Sightseeing and enjoying the Spanish culture are also on the agenda.

Student participants in this year’s program are Maxsam Donta, Kaylin Kartaly, Matthew Lentner, Evan Mahoney, Sam Miller, Branden Moreau, Jason Peck, Tanner Phelps.

The program will conclude June 22.