NSBE Magazine - Fall 2010 - 23

INtERNAtIoNAl NEWS

Finding work/Life Balance, Abroad
By Erica L. Addison

“I

was still preparing myself mentally to possibly live permanently away from home after college,” says NSBE member Martell Gamble, a native of Dayton, Ohio. “I didn’t imagine that I would be this far away from home.” But, four months into a planned year of research at École Nationale Supérieure d’Arts et Métiers (ENSAM) in Paris, France, he’s almost as far away from home as far can get. Gamble, a master’s student in the University of Dayton’s materials engineering graduate program, planned to spend a year researching in France under the guidance of his thesis advisor, Dr. Lafdi, before returning to UD to continue his graduate work. Working with three organizations — Essilor, Asahi Diamond Industrial Europe, and the Laboratory of Mechanics and Procedures of Fabrication (LAMF) — he is developing an automatic system for surface inspection to improve the polishing quality of ophthalmic lenses. Gamble already has one article about his research scheduled for publication and another that he plans to complete before year’s end. The director of LAMF, who is also an ENSAM professor, was so impressed by the progress of the research that he advised Gamble to pursue a Ph.D. opportunity at the school. Perhaps equally impressed was UD’s minority engineering program, which also inquired with Gamble about upgrading to its doctorate program. Gamble says he is in the process of developing a dual Ph.D. program with the University of Dayton and ENSAM. He will nsBe member be abroad for at least the next five months to complete his Martell Gamble, master’s research but could be in France for at least three master’s degree more years if he enrolls in ENSAM’s Ph.D. program this sumstudent at the mer or fall. University of Dayton, is spending a year in Despite his demanding academic load, Gamble’s time in materials engineerFrance isn’t strictly about the work. He also takes French and ing research at Spanish language courses, plays in a jazz band and particiensaM in Paris, pates in sports with other ENSAM students. To supplement his France. French classes, Gamble has improved his understanding of the language by helping local French families with their English, in exchange for the opportunity to experience some of their French culture. Some of these experiences are shared with others who have connections to ENSAM. Gamble helps Victor, the 14-year-old son of one of his professors, with his English. “Recently, Victor and his mother told me that he is now the best student in his English class,” Gamble says. Victor and his family often help Gamble translate descriptions of Gamble’s family into French. France isn’t Gamble’s first long-term stay outside of Dayton. As an undergrad, he had a co-op with Toyota Motor Manufacturing North America and interned one summer with Science Applications International Corporation (SAIC), opportunities that took him to Canada, West Virginia and Kentucky. “I have had the opportunity to travel all over the U.S. with Toyota and SAIC,” he says “(These companies) convinced me that international experience is both exciting and invaluable.” ■
www.nsbe.org
nsbe magazine • fall

2010 • 23

NSBE Magazine - Fall 2010

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of NSBE Magazine - Fall 2010