WARRENDALE, Pa. – Kettering University junior Ana Tomboulian and Kettering University graduate Justin Schnabelrauch are recipients of the SAE International Heinz C. Prechter Award for Automotive Excellence. They are being honored for a collaborative project that focuses on vehicular crash safety with a computer software design and applications component.
 
The award, established in 2003, is funded by the SAE Foundation and recognizes young entrepreneurs in the automotive industry by providing seed funds to enable them to bring their ideas to fruition. The award honors the work, life and memory of Heinz C. Prechter, founder of the American Sunroof Co., now ASC Inc.
 
In addition to supporting the awards, recognition and scholarship programs of SAE International, the SAE Foundation develops and funds programs and incentives that foster student interest in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM).
 
Tomboulian is a member of Kettering Entrepreneur Society. She has two years of experience in Web development, and three years of experience in robotics.
 
Schnabelrauch holds a bachelor of science and master of science degrees in mechanical engineering from Kettering University. He is a founder and volunteer president for The American Farm and Garden, a nonprofit organization dedicated to preserving the history of agricultural technology and innovation. He works to grow the organization’s outreach to serve as an educational resource to demonstrate the development of the American agriculture industry, connecting the past with the present. He also is working on a business venture focused on the metrology industry developing a unique solution to transform the way users interact and relate to their surrounding three-dimensional environment.
 
Both Tomboulian and Schnabelrauch are members of SAE International.