Bonney Lake’s Mathew Hunt, who graduated from Washington State University with a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering in December, was named student intern of the year by the American Society of Engineering Education’s Cooperative and Experiential Education Division.

He’ll receive his award in New Orleans this month at the Conference for Industry and Education Collaboration.

Hunt transferred to WSU from Green River Community College in 2016. There, he began conducting cryogenic hydrogen research, and his work led to his internship with the National Institute for Standards and Technology, where he explored the effects of cryogenic temperatures on high-entropy alloys. He co-authored a research paper on the work.

At WSU, Hunt has been involved in Washington’s Innovation for Sustainable Energy, where he designed and created drawings for a vortex tube for a hydrogen refueling station. He also participated in a student hydrogen design competition, overseeing a 12-person team that designed a power-to-gas project to promote zero-emission technologies.

Hunt is continuing his studies for a master’s degree, where he will be working to develop new cryogenic standards for lifecycle testing of polymeric materials.