Jordan Fuse considers engineers not only to be the designers of new technologies, but a powerful force for making the world a better place. And when she looks ahead to her future, she sees herself tackling some of humanity's biggest challenges—from ocean pollution to sustainable energy.

Already in her young career, Fuse is finding ways to walk that talk. In one of her undergraduate courses, for example, she used a class project to conduct research into bee population declines—ultimately enhancing a prototype of a mechanical bee that could be useful to researchers investigating colony collapse disorder.

“Ms. Fuse is already a successful inventor and was awarded funds to continue her research,” said Lecturer Pamela Todoroff. “In my years of teaching at the university level, I have never met as accomplished a student as Ms. Fuse. She has a unique perspective of the application of science.”

Fuse also has made an impact through UM-Dearborn’s Formula SAE Combustion Team, a student-led group that designs and builds formula-style race cars. In fact, she was named team captain after just a month of involvement. It’s an experience, she said, that’s helped her develop a unique philosophy of leadership.

“As a leader, I recognize that my role is collaborative and not authoritative,” she said. “I recognize that I do not know everything, and that makes me willing to learn anything. For me, leadership involves serving and representing others just as much as it involves guiding them.”

Not surprisingly, Fuse is already charting out future career goals—and dreaming big. Ideally, she said she’d like work with NASA, NOAA or SpaceX, so she can “help invent solutions that sustain the Earth and its inhabitants.”