Dave Bein receives University of Iowa student employee honors

2014 Apr 11

Dave Bein, a third-year student in mechanical engineering, has received State of Iowa and UI campus student employee of the year honors recognizing exemplary work as a student employee at the University of Iowa.

The Silvis, IL, native was one of seven UI students recognized for reliability, quality of work, initiative, professionalism, and uniqueness of their contributions. The National Student Employment Association establishes criteria for the awards.

Bein has worked with the UI College of Engineering’s Center for Computer Aided Design and the Virtual Soldier Research lab since 2011, parlaying his personal experience as a U.S. Marine into his role as resident military advisor. He helped create more than 100 detailed 3D models of Marine Corps weapons and gear, a key component in the lab’s successful bid for a contract to optimize the equipment loads soldiers carry. He’s since expanded into avatar design, software testing, motion capture, and other elements that go into creating the world’s most advanced virtual soldier, Santos. Bein has traveled to Quantico, Virginia, to meet with software end users and collect date for Marine equipment and procedures. He is liaison to program managers at the Quantico and coordinates much of the communication between the UI team and the base.

Bein and other UI award recipients will be honored during an April 22 luncheon with UI President Sally Mason.