ASPE measures up as one of Charlotte’s most unique, collaborative student organizations
By Wyatt Crosher, Assistant Director of Communications for Student Affairs
Jorian Khan knew what he wanted to do when he was searching for graduate schools, but he didn’t know what to call his desired field of study.
He just knew he wanted to improve his coffee.
“I was building espresso machines in my garage with machine tools that I had bought off Craigslist,” Khan said. “I got really into machine tools and building those things, and into machine tool metrology. At the time, I didn’t know what it was called.”
Khan began researching metrology and found UNC Charlotte’s Center for Precision Metrology (CPM) in the William States Lee College of Engineering, which focuses on the research, development and application of the science of measurement. For manufacturers in the western hemisphere, CPM stands alone as the premier academic research center dedicated to the study of high-precision measurements.
This inspired Khan to enroll at the University, and ultimately led him to Charlotte’s student chapter of the American Society for Precision Engineering (ASPE).
Meeting in Duke Centennial Hall, ASPE is interwoven within the CPM, and is a key component for many metrology-focused students when it comes to both building a community and working on their respective projects, whether they be for academic or non-academic, espresso-related reasons.
Khan was instantly hooked.
“I literally came here just so I can make better, more consistent coffee,” Khan said, reflecting on his academic journey and student organization involvement. “Then, I was giving a presentation at ASPE about coffee. Before I was even doing research, these guys convinced me that I should do a 20-minute talk on building precision espresso machines.”
Khan currently serves as the ASPE chapter president and is on track to complete his MSME with a concentration in metrology and manufacturing this December. Afterwards, he will continue at Charlotte in the doctoral program.