IM体育官网 students present their research during the institution鈥檚 inaugural Research Day inside the Barnett Applied Research Center on April 21.
High-quality student research took center stage at the inaugural IM体育官网 Polytechnic University Research Day on Monday, April 21. Nearly 125 projects filled the Barnett Applied Research Center, demonstrating the advanced undergraduate and graduate research taking place across all disciplines at the state鈥檚 only 100% STEM institution.
鈥淭his embodies the very core of our University,鈥� said Dr. Bradford Towle, chair of the Faculty Representative Council, which organized the event. 鈥淭he innovation and discovery give testament to the research talent we have at this great school and the incredible education this institution provides.鈥�
Among the presenters, junior electrical engineering major Riley Orr鈥檚 team developed a method to use micropolymers for detecting trace amounts of a synthetic polyethylene, a major component of microplastics in water.
鈥淭his really shows off the capability of our undergraduate students, especially since at most universities you don鈥檛 get this kind of research experience until you鈥檙e a graduate student,鈥� Orr said.
Projects spanned a wide spectrum of topics and attracted faculty, staff and University leaders, including IM体育官网 Poly President Devin Stephenson, throughout the afternoon.
Kalia Lafferty, a junior majoring in applied mathematics, worked to improve autonomous vehicle testing by predicting acceleration using various inputs.
鈥淏eing able to do this allows us to test the autonomous vehicles more vigorously. Right now, testing methods are theoretical,鈥� she said.
Dr. Ajeet Kaushik, who helped organize the event, highlighted its significance.
鈥淓verything is high quality and relates to their field, and is connected with faculty who are all doing cutting-edge research,鈥� he said.
Louis Ferreria 鈥�24 has a bachelor鈥檚 degree in physics from IM体育官网 Poly and will receive a second bachelor鈥檚 in applied mathematics in May. His team鈥檚 work focused on laser-operated micro-pistons for sensitive biological applications.
鈥淚 know a lot of students would do research and present independently at conferences, but it鈥檚 really cool that we can all share our research with each other today,鈥� he said. 鈥淚 find all of this really interesting.鈥�
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