2010 Dieter S. Jahns Student Practitioner Awardee

Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University graduate student Augusto Espinosa is the first recipient of the Dieter W. Jahns Student Practitioner Award, a new award sponsored by the Foundation for Professional Ergonomics (FPE). The award was created in honor of Dieter Jahns, a life-long advocate of the practice of ergonomics and a leader in ergonomics certification. The award was presented to Espinosa by Dieter's wife Karel at the BCPE networking reception at the 2010 Human Factors and Ergonomics Conference in San Francisco. The award included a $500 cash prize.

Espinosa won the award for his concept design project for a men's public urinal with a built-in hand sanitation system. In Espinosa's own words,

This design proposes a more efficient urinal for fast paced locales such as bars, clubs, and busy restaurants. The new model combines the sink area with the urinal. This better utilizes space and improves hygiene since the person is more likely to wash his hands if the sink is already in front of him.

Encouraging and fostering students in ergonomics is a necessary and rewarding prospect for the field, not to mention all the people they will help in their careers. Any help you can provide is greatly appreciated. Please support the FPE.