Mark Agoston

Mark Agoston chose to attend the Ira A. Fulton Schools of Engineering at Arizona State University to take advantage of the array of extracurricular opportunities offered. Agoston, who’s graduating with his bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering, discovered a passion for aerospace technology and robotics through the Sun Devil Rocketry and Combat Ready Robotics student clubs.

Part of those extracurricular activities also included conducting research into the environmental impact of reusable water bottles and filling stations versus disposable plastic water bottles for those experiencing homelessness. The work tied into Agoston’s activities in Engineering Projects in Community Service, or EPICS, through which he spent three years working with and eventually leading a team to create a machine that automatically cleans and fills water bottles at a homeless shelter.

“I was motivated to get involved in my EPICS project because I wanted to use my engineering skills to make a tangible positive impact on people’s lives,” he says. “This service-oriented project is one way to start getting involved in that while helping develop my engineering and mechanical design skills.”

Agoston obtained the research opportunity through a stipend offered by the Grand Challenges Scholars Program, which he participated in during his undergraduate degree program. Grand Challenges Scholars aim to tackle one of the 14 Grand Challenges of Engineering as identified by the National Academy of Engineering, focusing on one of five themes. From these, Agoston chose sustainability.

Over the course of his Grand Challenges Scholars Program research stipend project, he found working with his mentor Steven Trimble, a Fulton Schools visiting faculty member in mechanical and aerospace engineering, to be greatly impactful.

“Dr. Trimble gave me great guidance and advice during our meetings, and he has been a great mentor to me throughout my undergraduate experience,” Agoston says. “He has influenced my view on engineering and the importance of a code of ethics in engineering work. I am very grateful for his advice and help to make me a better engineer.”

Eager to explore more research, he participated in opportunities through the U.S. National Science Foundation Research Experiences for Undergraduates and German Academic Exchange Service Research Internships in Science and Engineering programs.

After graduation, Agoston aims to benefit society by creating new aerospace or medical device technology.

“I’d love to use my engineering analysis and design skills to make a real-world impact,” he says.

Read about other exceptional graduates of the Fulton Schools’ spring 2025 class here.