University of Texas Permian Basin senior mechanical engineering students presented their research at the National Conference of Undergraduate Research in Pittsburgh for the first time in the program’s history.
The eight undergraduates’ senior design projects included golf putter design optimization, coating system bearing, redesigning a shoulder rest for violin and viola, and the iterative design and development of a Formula SAE chassis.
“NCUR provides an excellent platform for them to present their work to a national audience, receive expert feedback, and gain experience in professional research dissemination. Beyond academic exposure, NCUR offers my students a unique opportunity to engage with peers from across the country, allowing them to benchmark their work and skills against others in their field,” said Mechanical Engineering Assistant Professor, Dr. Seyed Ghiaasiaan.
The students curated the projects in their senior design capstone course for mechanical engineering. Throughout the course they have been actively engaged in innovative, hands-on projects that address real-world challenges.
“Participating in this research project showcased what I’ve learned in the past four years. To me, the most impactful part of the project was when we cast our first prototype. It’s one thing to learn about these processes in class, but being able to carry them out in person provides a whole other perspective into the manufacturing side of engineering,” said senior mechanical engineering student, Jose Ruiz.
Attending the conference helped the students to develop essential skills in research communication, networking, and professional development. Engaging in scholarly discussions and building confidence in their presentation abilities fostered critical thinking and prepared them for leadership roles in engineering and manufacturing.
“Participating in research gave purpose to previous semester’s hard work. The point of my degree path slowly came into focus as I aided in writing the research report and presentation for ‘Optimization of the Golf Putter Face via 3D Printed Inserts,’ which towards the end, yielded physical results to prove the effort put into the product’s development,” said senior mechanical engineering student, Leigha Grijalva.
Dr. Ghiaasiaan says he is proud of his student’s hard work and dedication, as they are showcasing the high-quality research and innovation coming from UTPB.
“Their participation reflects the University’s commitment to experiential learning and advancing undergraduate research in engineering,” said Dr. Ghiaasiaan.
