Program Overview

Introduction to the Lürssen Foundation Scholars Program

The Lürssen Foundation was established to create a positive impact in education, innovation, and society, driving responsible change both within the maritime industry and in the broader global community. As part of this mission, the Foundation launched a funded scholarship program designed to empower the next generation of engineers with access to advanced research, industry mentorship, and the skills necessary to shape a more sustainable maritime future.

Program Structure

A central component of the program takes place at the University of Connecticut, where scholars participate in a one-month summer school, starting July 2025, hosted in collaboration with UConn’s Global Training and Development Institute (GTDI) within the Office of Global Affairs and the School of Engineering (SoE). During this intensive residency, participants refine their research, collaborate on guided Research and Development (R&D) projects with faculty and experts to develop solutions tailored to the challenges facing today’s maritime sector.

Program Duration and Locations

Over the course of six months, scholars also gain hands-on experience in Croatia and Germany. The program is designed to cultivate not only technical expertise but also the global perspective needed to lead innovation responsibly.

One-month Summer School at the University of Connecticut

As part of a structured international summer program, students participated in a one-month academic and cultural immersion at the University of Connecticut (UConn). Upon arrival in the U.S., participants were welcomed at the airport by staff from UConn’s Global Training and Development Institute (GTDI) and transported to campus, where they received a comprehensive orientation to help them acclimate to university life.

Academic Activities

Throughout the program, students engaged with UConn faculty and researchers, toured state-of-the-art laboratories, and gained exposure to ongoing academic projects. The experience included guided university tours and visits to leading companies, offering valuable insights into academic and industry practices in the U.S.

Cultural Immersion

In addition to academic activities, the program emphasized cultural immersion. Students explored major U.S. cities and landmarks, providing a broader understanding of American society and lifestyle. This unique combination of academic enrichment and cultural experience fostered both professional development and global awareness.

2025 Student Profiles and Projects

Janik Grafelmann

• Background: Janik Grafelmann is an industrial engineering and management graduate from the University of Bremen. Originally from Bremen, Germany, he completed his Bachelor of Science with a thesis focused on evaluating process models for machine learning projects, using port emission prediction as a case study.
• Industry Experience: Janik has gained industry experience through working student roles at Lürssen, Mercedes-Benz, and the Institute for Materials Engineering, where he contributed to projects in quality management and lean process optimization.
• Research Project:
  • Project Title: Energy Efficient Control of Onboard HVAC Systems using Machine Learning
  • Project Advisor: Ugur Pasaogullari, Mechanical Engineering Department, UConn
  • Project Description: This project aims to evaluate the feasibility of using machine learning techniques to optimize the control of HVAC and related onboard systems with the goal of improving energy efficiency.

Roko Perinic

• Background: Roko Perinic is originally from Opatija, near Rijeka, Croatia. He is currently pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering at TU Graz.
• Industry Experience: Roko gained practical experience as an intern at HyCentA Research GmbH, the Hydrogen Center Austria, where he contributed to hydrogen technology research. He is also working as a student assistant at the Institute of Thermodynamics and Sustainable Propulsion Systems, supporting research in energy efficiency and sustainable propulsion.
• Research Project:
  • Project Title: SRM HT-PEMFC with 6-phase DCDC converter
  • Project Advisor: Jasna Jankovic, Materials Science and Engineering Department, UConn and Ugur Pasaogullari, Mechanical Engineering Department, UConn
  • Project Description: This project aims to model, simulate, and evaluate a High-Temperature Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cell (HT-PEMFC) system integrated with a dedicated 6-phase high-frequency DC/DC boost converter.

Catrien de Vries

• Background: Catrien de Vries is originally from the Netherlands and holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering from Delft University of Technology. She is currently pursuing her Master of Science in Naval Architecture with a specialization in Marine Engineering at the same institution. Her research interests include energy efficiency through waste heat reduction.
• Research Project:
  • Project Title: Thermo-Economic and Energy Density Analysis of Supercritical and Transcritical CO₂ Power Cycles verses Organic Rankine Cycle for Waste Heat Recovery in Marine Propulsion Systems
  • Project Advisor: Ioulia Valla, Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering Department, UConn
  • Project Description: This project aims to enhance fuel efficiency by evaluating compact waste heat recovery systems, focusing on a thermodynamic performance comparison between different cycle types.

Marin Versic

• Background: Marin Versic is originally from Croatia and holds a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Rijeka. He also earned a Master’s degree in Energy Engineering from Aalborg University in Denmark. Marin has industry experience as a student worker at Metal Shark Boats, where he contributed to practical engineering projects.
• Research Project:
  • Project Title: Comparative Study and Development of Reforming Framework of Different Fuel Options for On-Board High Temperature PEM Fuel Cell System
  • Project Advisor: Jasna Jankovic, Materials Science and Engineering Department, UConn
  • Project Description: This project investigates the feasibility of using alternative fuels, specifically methane, methanol, and ammonia, to power a high-temperature proton exchange membrane (HT-PEM) fuel cell system onboard ships.