TUSCALOOSA, Ala. — The University of Alabama Honors College has named Jesse Park, a mechanical engineering major from Burr Ridge, Ill., as the October 2025 Student of the Month.
Park is a member of the Randall Research Scholars Program and the STEM Path to the MBA. As an undergraduate researcher with The Davami Research Group, he studies the dynamic analysis of additively manufactured tensegrity structures—research that has already earned him his first publication and an opportunity to present at Rice University’s Gulf Coast Undergraduate Research Symposium.
“The Honors College has granted me access to some of the best programs in the nation,” Park said. “As a member of the Randall Research Scholars Program and through Dr. Gray’s excellent mentorship, I have gained a lot of research experience.”
Park’s research includes a range of innovative projects, from testing the mechanical behavior of hybrid tensegrity structures to optimizing energy absorption through material design. His work also involves developing computational simulations using Ansys and testing new methods to safely deliver payloads within tensegrity systems.
Outside the lab, Park’s impact extends to community innovation. As president and 2024 fellow of Tikkun Olam Makers (TOM), he revived the student organization that engineers low-cost, open-source solutions for people with disabilities. Under his leadership, the group has tackled projects such as hand control integration in electric vehicles and recreational wheelchair modifications. Park also personally designed a lightweight prosthetic leg cover for leg emulation that is 10 times cheaper to produce than conventional models.
“Through the STEM Path to the MBA program, I have learned so much about combining STEM and business to create innovative products and market them effectively,” Park said. “That combination helped me and fellow UA students win Innovate Alabama’s Entrepreneurship Hackathon.”
In addition to his research and leadership roles, Park serves as an Honors College Ambassador and an ambassador for the College of Engineering. He has participated in the Big Ideas Competition and is collaborating with the Kennemer Center for the upcoming TOM Pitch-a-thon. Beyond academics, Park is active in the UA Jazz Ensemble, HallyUA and intramural sports.
The Honors College congratulates Jesse Park on being named the October 2025 Student of the Month and celebrates his commitment to innovation, research and service.
