By Neil Nachbar
Nine URI Science and Engineering Fellows presented their research projects in the form of posters at the Undergraduate Fellows Celebration on Dec. 12 at the Center for Biotechnology and Life Sciences (CBLS).
The posters, along with 47 others made by Coastal and Environmental Fellows, and Energy Fellow, were judged on overall appearance and content. While the engineering students didn’t place first, second or third, their displays represented months of hard work in a wide range of subjects.
“The Science & Engineering and Coastal & Environmental Fellows worked on their research projects this past summer, and some continued their research into the fall semester,” said Sarah Moseley, Undergraduate Research and Experiential Learning Coordinator for the College of the Environment and Life Sciences.
The students started working on their posters in a fall semester class Moseley taught titled “Communicating Environmental Research and Outreach” (EVS 366).
“During the class, they learned the step-by-step process of creating a scientific/research poster in order to have one created for this final event, which is the last thing they are required to do to successfully complete the fellowship program,” stated Moseley. “It was amazing to see how much the students grew throughout the semester.”
David Delgado, an electrical engineering major from Pawtucket, RI, did his research project on using an application and virtual reality glasses to teach CPR.
“When you put the VR glasses on, you can see a 360 degree view of the beach,” said Delgado. “If you keep looking around, you’ll see a lifeguard performing CPR on someone in need.”
Delgado’s faculty mentor for the project was Professor William Ohley.
“Dr. Ohley was there for me every step of the way,” stated Delgado, who is a junior. “He made sure I always knew what I was doing and broke up the assignments into easy, manageable parts.”
James Baez, a fifth-year biomedical engineering major from Providence, RI, conducted his research on electromyography (EMG) signal processing.
“I obtained EMG signals using a sensor and then applied filters in order to remove unwanted components from the signal,” explained Baez.
Assistant Professor Kunal Mankodiya mentored Baez on the project.
“He providing me with the tools needed to conduct the research,” said Baez. “He also held workshops where we would learn about devices that we could use to advance our research.”
Fatima Issa, also a biomedical engineering major, did her project on bone regeneration.
“The first phase of this project consisted of finding the appropriate ultrasonic condition for testing, that will measure the increase in temperature from various ultrasonic stimulations, and determine which stimulations are safe for drug delivery,” explained the junior from Worcester, Mass. “The second goal was to measure the loss of synthetic grafting material mass after various ultrasonic stimulations and determine which stimulations are appropriate for preserving biomaterial structure using various amplitudes, durations, frequencies and duty cycles.”
Assistant Professor of Biomedical and Chemical Engineering Stephen Kennedy mentored Issa on the project.
“I met with Dr. Kennedy every two weeks,” recalled Issa. “During these meetings, we reviewed the data I had collected and he provided feedback.”
Below is a list of the engineering students who participated in the presentation, along with a link to their poster.
Brandon Antenna, Computer Engineering
Graphical user interface for prosthetical analysis
James Baez, Biomedical Engineering
Electromyography signal processing
Ellio Barros, Mechanical Engineering
Smart textile testing device
David Delgado, Electrical Engineering
Resuscitation with virtual reality
Anya Duroha, Biomedical Engineering
Photoacoustic spectroscopy in the analysis of herbs
Fatima Issa, Biomedical Engineering
Identifying appropriate stimulation conditions for delivering sequences of drugs that can coordinate bone regeneration
Tailynn McCarty, Chemical Engineering
Development of mucus-penetrating nanocomposite micro particles for the treatment of Cystic Fibrosis related infections
Etebom Samuel, Biomedical Engineering
Assisted living house model
Carolynn Silva, Chemical Engineering
Temperature effects on development in Ciona Intestinalis