By JULIE MILLER

Staff Writer

Deborah Wells, Tech alumna and Melbourne, Fla., resident, says engineering is cool. And why would she say otherwise? The corporation she works for, Bionetics, contracts its services out of Melbourne to NASA, the government space agency that many kids dream about working for one day.

The really cool thing about Wells, though, might be that she is the recipient of The Space Coast Outstanding Woman Engineer of the Year Award for 2003.

"I was really honored," Wells said. "My boss, Jerry Moyer, did all the nominations and reference letters, and told me the week before the nominations dinner."

Wells said she was shocked that she was chosen as the winner.

"To be singled out by all the other people - I feel lucky," Wells said. "It's recognition by your peers. Some people like money or kudos. Jerry knew this is what I would appreciate the most."

Wells said she jokingly asked her boss if she got a tiara to go along with the award, but he said no.

Emily Carney, a junior biomedical engineer major, said hearing about this award is exciting because she sees the different opportunities out there for women in engineering, especially Tech graduates.

"Forever, [engineering] was such a male dominated field," Carney said. "But something like this is good because it shows that I can go out and do this, and people do get recognition for things like this."

Carney said Wells is an inspiration to female biomedical engineering majors. Wells graduated from the university in 1987 with a bachelor's degree in biomedical engineering.

When she started college, Wells declared chemistry as her major. However, she changed to biomedical engineering because she said Tech had one of the only few good programs at that time.

Wells said she is a little jealous of students today.

"Every time I go back to Tech, I wish I was back in school," Wells said. "Students should be excited about being there right now, especially in engineering."

Wells currently serves as a director of the university's Engineering and Science Foundation, so she has a chance to come back often.

Stan Napper, professor of biomedical engineering and academic director of biomedical, mechanical and industrial engineering, said he is very excited for Wells.

"She has been a strong supporter of Louisiana Tech, demonstrating that support in many ways," Napper said. "We are very grateful for her service and continued involvement and support of Louisiana Tech."

Her position with Bionetics is manager of laboratory planning and operation. The corporation recently established a $30 million research facility, and Wells worked with the architect and helped with the activation of the facility. She manages the corporation's laboratories, which include chemistry labs, genetics, plant physiology and animal care.

Wells' next challenge will be Engineer's Day. Wells will be the guest speaker April 15 when students from area schools visit Tech.

"It'll be a challenge to keep that many high school kids interested," she said. "But, NASA's pretty cool."