Undergraduate Student Research

Interning at Point Designs

Anonymous — Thu, 17 Oct 2024 01:51:27 +0000

Interning at Point Designs Anonymous (not verified) Wed, 10/16/2024 - 19:51

Hale Burke is an undergraduate student in Mechanical Engineering. She interned at Point Designs during summer 2024.

Hale Burke and fellow intern Zoe Struk

Where did you intern over the summer and what was exciting for you about that opportunity?

I was a Research and Development (R&D) Intern at Point Designs, manufacturing functional, highly durable prosthetic digits for people with partial hand amputations and presentations. This was an incredibly exciting opportunity for me because it gave me the chance to work in the prosthetics industry, a dream I’ve had for several years. I didn’t know much about partial hand prosthetics before this internship. However, now that I have gotten to design a digit myself, I have a deep interest and respect for this field.

What kinds of projects have you had a chance to work on over the summer?

This summer I was working on the design and development of a partial hand immediate post-operative prosthetic (IPOP) terminal device, specifically for a finger. IPOPs are short-term transitional devices that are ideally implemented into treatment within the first 30 days post-amputation. They traditionally feature lightweight sockets with minimally functional terminal devices to help patients adjust to using a prosthetic as soon as possible. They have been shown to reduce rates of prosthetic rejection, assist with the psychological distress of limb loss and greatly improve the lives of patients long-term.

Point Digit partial hand prosthetic image courtesy of Point Designs.

The device I designed is a passive positional prosthetic digit that can attach to a diagnostic socket using a curved interface at the bottom of the metacarpophalangeal joint. Its main purpose is to help patients reach their individual occupational therapy goals within the first few months following surgery.

Was there a particular challenge you encountered that really pushed you to learn something new?

During this internship, I had the opportunity to travel to the Amputation Rehabilitation Medicine & Surgery (ARMS) clinic in New Jersey to observe patient-clinician interactions at various stages post-operation. The main goal for this trip was to learn more about user needs and design considerations for the IPOP device. Working with an interdisciplinary team was super interesting, but presented challenges due to differences in how each group thinks about design. I had to learn how to take what I gathered from my conversations with hand surgeons, prosthetists and occupational therapists and turn them into design requirements for the device even when not provided with exact values to design for (weight, level of functionality, how much force the device can withstand, etc.).

What was it like to work at a startup? Were there any unique challenges or opportunities that came with being part of a new company?

I really enjoyed working at a startup. I had the opportunity to work on my own project and had the resources to prototype several iterations, try out different hardware and physically test my design. Due to the small size of the company, I was able to get regular, in-depth feedback on my work from my co-workers and quickly implement changes. Working at a startup also meant I got to meet and work with teams outside of the R&D space such as production and marketing. I found I was also able to form much deeper relationships with my co-workers than I would have been able to at a larger company because of how closely we worked together. I would love to work at a startup or small company again.

What advice do you have for other students interested in pursuing a similar opportunity?

My advice would be to go for it! Go out of your comfort zone and actively challenge yourself; that's where growth happens. I really enjoyed my experience at a startup because it allowed me to see so many aspects of a professional R&D engineering job. I learned about project management, production/product assembly, manufacturing processes, product development, design, rapid and professional prototyping, computational and numerical optimization, interdisciplinary communication and so much more. Additionally, I made so many meaningful connections with my coworkers because of how interconnected everyone was due to the small size of the company. You get out of this experience what you put in, so be willing to learn, grow and ask for help!

Hale Burke is an undergraduate student in mechanical engineering. She interned at Point Designs during summer 2024.

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Interning at Ezalife

Anonymous — Sat, 21 Sep 2024 20:11:27 +0000

Interning at Ezalife Anonymous (not verified) Sat, 09/21/2024 - 14:11

Pranav Maddali

Pranav Maddalli is an undergraduate student in Mechanical Engineering. He interned at Ezalife during summer 2024.

Pranav Maddali

Where did you intern over the summer and what was exciting for you about that opportunity?

This summer, I interned at Ezalife LLC, a medical device company that specializes in securement devices for gastrostomy buttons. I’ve always been intrigued by the medical device industry and by being able to work with a startup. Working with Ezalife was a great opportunity for me to get my foot in the door and experience what design and manufacturing looks like in the medical device industry.

What kinds of projects have you had a chance to work on over the summer?

My project this summer was to create a new variation of Ezalife’s patented “Button Huggie” securement device. Throughout the summer, I used computer-aided design software (CAD) and 3D printers to develop and prototype Button Huggie ideas to be able to test them for safety and security. Being able to create multiple prototypes allowed me to understand how to properly design and test medical devices to clear them for a clinical setting. That was very important for this device because it directly impacts the safety and well-being of the children and infants that receive it.

What was it like to work at a startup?

Working with a startup was a great experience because it was something completely new to me that I had to adapt to. At first, it was difficult because there were so many new ideas and such a small team to talk about with them. As we moved through the summer, we started using video calls and chat tools more which helped a lot with more efficient and in-depth collaboration. Working with a startup also helped me understand that failure is not looked down upon; it is valued because it promotes growth and fosters new ideas, which are invaluable at a startup company. I’m aiming to use this mindset throughout the rest of my academic career and past it as well.

Button huggie image courtesy of Ezalife

How did what you learned look different than the way you learn engineering in class?

Working with Ezalife has allowed me to get hands-on experience with medical devices. Throughout school, I have mainly learned engineering in a theoretical way whether that be with models or different types of calculations. I haven’t been able to experience hands-on prototype work or experience 3D designs becoming tangible objects. Learning engineering with CAD software, 3D printers and my hands has allowed me to gain a deeper understanding of design, different types of materials and manufacturability. I learned about multiple factors that could influence how medical devices fail and succeed, most of which I would not have been able to learn inside a classroom.

What advice do you have for other students interested in pursuing a similar opportunity?

I have two pieces of advice that I would like to share that really helped me get the most out of this opportunity. The first piece of advice is to ask questions. Asking questions is the best way to fully understand complex concepts, requirements and expectations. As an engineer, there is usually not much room for error, so asking questions to fully understand the problem at hand will allow you to create an efficient and effective solution.

My second piece of advice would be to not be afraid of failure. I’ve learned that failure in prototyping is valuable for engineers because it exposes flaws and limitations early in the design process. Understanding each failure helps lead to more innovation because each setback provides more insight and an effective solution in the end.

Pranav Maddalli is an undergraduate student in Mechanical Engineering. He interned at Ezalife during summer 2024.

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Undergraduate research in the Ferguson Biomechanics and Biomimetics Lab

Anonymous — Sun, 01 Sep 2024 06:00:00 +0000

Undergraduate research in the Ferguson Biomechanics and Biomimetics Lab Anonymous (not verified) Sun, 09/01/2024 - 00:00

Asaiah Gifford

Asaiah Gifford is an undergraduate student in mechanical engineering. She participated in the Summer Program for Undergraduate Research (SPUR) during summer 2024.

Final research presentation.

Where did you work over the summer and what was exciting for you about that opportunity?

This summer, I was an undergraduate researcher in the Ferguson Biomechanics and Biomimetics Lab through the CU SPUR program. I really enjoyed Mechanics of Solids with Professor Ferguson in the spring, which piqued my interest in her lab even though I didn’t have prior research experience. The different projects in the lab primarily involve bone and cartilage tissues and researching their mechanical behavior and properties. It was exciting to utilize concepts and processes we covered in Solids with such a focused application with positive impacts far beyond the lab.

What kinds of projects have you had a chance to work on?

I completed research under Oluwafunmilayo “Funmi” Adedokun, a materials science and engineering PhD student in the lab, assisting with a project focused on understanding the mechanical properties and material composition of murine (mouse) bones.

We had two separate sample groups which we prepared and collected data from: one of mice of four, 12 and 24 months of age, and another from a group of mice with deletion of a gene called α2δ1 (which is responsible for enabling bone cells to sense and respond to mechanical stimuli). We used Raman spectroscopy and nano-indentation to analyze how material composition and mechanical properties differed between the mice of different ages and mice with and without α2δ1.

What was it like to work in a research lab? Has the experience changed your idea of what research means in engineering?

It was satisfying to apply the concepts regarding mechanical properties that we touched on in class while also learning more about how the human body works. It gave me the chance to see why having a high-level understanding of mechanics is so important to do biological research in the Ferguson lab.

One of the most important parts of this opportunity was learning how to develop consistent testing procedures to ensure that the data we collected would be precise and accurate, meaning that every day there were places to apply engineering principles and problem-solving approaches.

What has been the most impactful part of your research experience?

Anterior-lateral portion of mid-diaphysis mouse femure cross-section. Taken using a Keyence Microscope to perform analysis of surface roughness to enable collection of Raman spectra.

Learning how to work efficiently when being faced with an immense learning curve was really important for me. For the project I worked on, I had to do a lot of literature review and training on different instruments in the lab for sample preparation and testing, so it was important to ask questions if I was ever unsure about something I was doing. Funmi was a great mentor and taking advantage of the chain of communication/collaboration among the people in our lab group made sure that questions never went unanswered or unexplored.

What advice do you have for other students interested in pursuing a similar opportunity?

Before the SPUR program, I lacked perspective on how much of what we learn as engineers has direct applications to so many scientific (especially biological) research fields. It’s important to be open minded to all types of lab opportunities, no matter how niche they seem, and I would highly recommend connecting with your (or other) professors about joining their labs for SPUR or DLA!

Asaiah Gifford is an undergraduate student in mechanical engineering. She participated in the Summer Program for Undergraduate Research (SPUR) during summer 2024.

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Undergraduate research in the Laboratory for Advanced Materials and Bioinspiration

Anonymous — Wed, 31 Jul 2024 23:07:44 +0000

Undergraduate research in the Laboratory for Advanced Materials and Bioinspiration Anonymous (not verified) Wed, 07/31/2024 - 17:07

Jack Printup

Jack Printup is an undergraduate student in mechanical engineering. He participated in the Summer Program for Undergraduate Research (SPUR) during summer 2024.

Working in the lab assembling a fin prototype

Where did you work over the summer and what was exciting for you about that opportunity?

Over the summer I had the opportunity to work in the Laboratory for Advanced Materials & Bioinspiration (LAMB). This lab is run by Professor Francois Barthelat and is focused on research in materials science, currently with two major focus areas: Granular materials and bioinspired mechanisms. What drew me to this position was definitely my fascination with bioinspired robotics. The variety and versatility of life is as astonishing as it is beautiful, and I have always felt that if we engineers could harness even one percent of nature's adaptability, it could result in a total revolution within the field of robotics. However, doing so requires an unbelievable amount of research on the academic level. Incredibly, I can now consider myself a part of this field of research, thanks to this project, the LAMB lab and the SPUR program.

What kinds of projects have you had a chance to work on?

My main project in the lab has been designing a mechanical fish fin that utilizes a bioinspired structure that my mentor, Prashant Kunjam, is currently in the process of researching. I also have been helping out some of my labmates with manufacturing materials to perform experiments with. The process has definitely tested my design and manufacturing skills in really unexpected and unique ways.

Was there a particular challenge you encountered that really pushed you to learn something new?

Definitely. This was my first time trying to design a system from scratch, and so to achieve my desired result I needed to do a ton of research on prior artificial research designs. The thing is, being able to effectively read research articles is a skill unto itself and one that I still have not mastered!

Mechanical fish fin

Did you have any "aha!" moments when you realized that you could apply something that you'd learned in class?

When I was first trying to figure out how to design my mechanical fin, I was really struggling to find a way to create a mechanism that would pull from the same direction even when the fin was at an arbitrary angle. Then (after some helpful nudging from my grad mentor, Prashant) I remembered a fact that I learned in my statics class: the defining characteristic of a string is that it can only provide a force in one direction. Perfect! It was just what I needed to solve the problem, and has served as the cornerstone for the entire project ever since.

What was it like to work in a research lab? Has the experience changed your idea of what research means in engineering?

Working in a research lab is honestly an experience like no other. It was really eye-opening to see how much time and effort goes into advancing our understanding of the world around us, and knowing that there are many, many people putting in that effort every day. That being said, the main difference I’ve noticed between engineering as a field of research and engineering as an industry is the timeline. Research tends to move a bit slower than industry due to the exploratory nature of the work. From what I’ve seen, PhD students can spend months trying to perfect a single experiment and work in a lab for years before publishing their first paper in a journal. It’s tough work, but all the more rewarding for it.

What advice do you have for other students interested in pursuing a similar opportunity?

My advice on this is the same as everyone else who goes through SPUR: If you want to take part in the SPUR program like I did, make sure to reach out to the babyֱ��app members who post the projects you’re interested in. I know it takes a fair bit of time and effort to send all those emails, but it gives the babyֱ��app a chance to see just how enthusiastic about the project you are. The difference in the results you’ll receive is like night and day. Also, make sure to read up on the professors’ research before meeting with them!

Jack Printup is an undergraduate student in mechanical engineering. He participated in the Summer Program for Undergraduate Research (SPUR) during summer 2024.

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Triple honors for mechanical engineering graduate

Anonymous — Wed, 20 Dec 2023 22:31:16 +0000

Triple honors for mechanical engineering graduate Anonymous (not verified) Wed, 12/20/2023 - 15:31

Jeff Zehnder

Above: Palmer Dick-Montez working on electronics with an oscilloscope.
Headline Photo: Palmer Dick-Montez at the Grand Canyon.

Palmer Dick-Montez is receiving major kudos as he graduates with a mechanical engineering degree from the University of babyֱ��app Boulder.

He is a 2023 recipient of three separate College of Engineering and Applied Science Outstanding Graduate Awards for Academic Engagement, Community Impact, and Research.

“It’s humbling. I didn’t really expect to be honored like this. It especially feels good to be recognized for making an impact on the CU Engineering community outside myself, helping others,” Dick-Montez said.

His contributions have been substantial. He is a course assistant in the mechanical engineering senior design program and is part of Engineering Fellows, a college initiative that assists students at risk of falling behind or dropping out.

“It’s peer mentoring, review sessions, office hours for students who are struggling,” he said. “It offers not only academic support but also a community of other students. I’ve really benefitted from peer mentors and TAs and wanted to be that support for other students.”

Julie Steinbrenner, an assistant teaching professor in the Rady Department of Mechanical Engineering, particularly praises Dick-Montez’s efforts as part of senior design.

“Palmer is a dedicated student, a role model and mentor for other students. He held his senior design team to high standards and is a go-to resource for his classmates because he’s thoughtful and motivated,” Steinbrenner said.

His impact extends outside the classroom into research. Last year, Associate Professor Nathalie Vriend invited him to assist on an avalanche analysis study. He dove in with gusto, analyzing a massive dataset probing how a simulated snow bed behaves, settles, and flows after an avalanche event.

“This is a hard analysis for any PhD student. Palmer took up the challenge as an undergraduate with confidence and produced an excellent body of work in only three months,” Vriend said.

He is working on a paper related the work, which the team hopes to publish next year. Vriend is also organizing a larger follow-up experiment that Dick-Montez hopes to assist with after graduation.

“I really enjoyed the process of working on something there isn’t a lot of literature on and figuring out the cause and effect of things,” Dick-Montez said.

While Dick-Montez loves engineering, he is equally drawn to studying the past, earning a minor in anthropology alongside his mechanical engineering degree. He also spent two years as co-president of the CU Boulder Anthropology Club.

Immediately following graduation, he intends to join a six-month archaeological dig in Oaxaca, Mexico, studying a pre-Hispanic, indigenous Mexican village site.

“I did a study abroad in Mexico for archaeology with the same professor and I loved it and want to do more,” he said. “I’m very interested in both engineering and anthropology, but there are more career possibilities in engineering. I can continue with anthropology outside of a career.”

Following the dig, he will pursue an engineering job in either aerospace or marine robotics, which was the focus of his senior design project.

“I’d like to stay in babyֱ��app; I grew up here, but I know if I go into marine robotics I will not be staying in a landlocked state,” Dick-Montez said.

Palmer Dick-Montez is receiving major kudos as he graduates with a mechanical engineering degree from the University of babyֱ��app Boulder. He is a 2023 recipient of three separate College of...

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CU Boulder mechanical engineering undergrad honored for research

Anonymous — Wed, 29 Nov 2023 16:12:02 +0000

CU Boulder mechanical engineering undergrad honored for research Anonymous (not verified) Wed, 11/29/2023 - 09:12

Koehler working in a clean room.

Sydney Koehler is a 2023 Outstanding Graduate for Research Award winner. The honor, given by the College of Engineering and Applied Science to graduating seniors, recognizes Koehler's impressive work on the SPRITE CubeSat and INFUSE Sounding Rocket Mission.

As a student employee at the Laboratory for Atmospheric and Space Physics, Koehler served as the lead student engineer on INFUSE and was the first author on published research related to SPRITE's construction.

Why did you want to become a mechanical engineer?

From a young age I've always been fascinated by the intricacies of how the things around us work. Whether it be what makes a clock tick, how LEGOs stick together, or how a bridge can hold thousands of pounds of weight, it always made me curious about the world and I knew I was born to be an engineer.

In high school, I learned how to use Computer-Aided Design (CAD) to model prototypes and I absolutely fell in love with the design process.

During my time at CU Boulder, I was also able to learn skills such as machining, welding, and 3D printing, which further fueled my passion for design. As a mechanical engineer, I am able to drive innovation and enhance the technologies that positively impact our society as a whole.

What interested you about doing research and working on projects like INFUSE?

My passion for space, innate curiosity, and drive for hands-on experience ultimately led me to my research position with the Laboratory for Atmospheric and Space Physics.

The prospect of contributing to cutting-edge projects, exploring the outer bounds of our atmosphere, and gaining practical insights into the aerospace industry greatly captivated me and aligned with my career goals.

With the recent successful launch of the INFUSE sounding rocket, I was able to achieve my dreams of designing, manufacturing, and implementing hardware that went into space! The opportunity to work at the forefront of scientific discovery and contribute to advancements in aerospace technology aligns perfectly with my desire to be at the forefront of exploration and discovery.

You’re the first author on published research connected to the SPRITE CubeSat, an unusual achievement for an undergraduate student. What is it like creating a conference publication seen by other scientists and engineers?

Being the first author on a published research paper connected to the SPRITE CubeSat as an undergraduate student is an incredibly gratifying and unique experience. It feels like a culmination of dedicated effort, collaboration, and a passion for space exploration.

Creating a conference publication that is seen by other scientists and engineers brings a sense of pride and accomplishment, as it signifies a contribution to the broader scientific community. It's exhilarating to know that my work is being recognized and shared with experts in the field, opening the door to discussions, feedback, and potential collaborations.

Overall, the experience was both humbling and motivating, as it reinforces the importance of continued exploration and innovation in the ever-evolving landscape of space science and technology.

What does receiving the Graduating Student Research Award mean to you?

Receiving the Graduating Student Research Award holds profound significance for me. It represents the culmination of years of dedicated academic and research pursuits, validating the hard work, passion, and commitment invested in my endeavors.

This award is not only a recognition of my individual achievements but also a testament to the support and mentorship I've received from my peers, professors, and colleagues. It emphasizes the value of my contributions to the field and reinforces my belief in the importance of dedication and innovation.

Moreover, the award serves as a motivating force, inspiring me to continue pushing the boundaries of knowledge and contributing meaningfully to my chosen field. It is a prestigious acknowledgment that instills a sense of pride and gratitude, fueling my determination to make a lasting impact in research as I transition to the next phase of my professional journey.

What’s next for you after graduation?

After graduation, my next step involves leveraging the knowledge, skills, and experiences gained during my academic journey to embark on a fulfilling career path.

I aim to secure a mechanical engineering position in the aerospace industry that aligns with my passions and allows me to contribute meaningfully to a dynamic field. I am excited about the opportunities that lie ahead and am committed to embracing new challenges and opportunities for personal and professional development.

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Undergraduate research with the Animal Inspired Motion and Robotics Lab

Anonymous — Mon, 04 Apr 2022 21:38:17 +0000

Undergraduate research with the Animal Inspired Motion and Robotics Lab Anonymous (not verified) Mon, 04/04/2022 - 15:38

Riley McGill

Riley McGill is undergraduate student in Mechanical Engineering. She is working on research in the Animal Inspired Motion and Robotics Lab (AIMRL).

Riley McGill

I had the opportunity to work in the Animal Inspired Motion and Robotics Lab (AIMRL) this year through the Uplift Program. In the AIMRL, we are studying cockroaches and spiders to design a robot that mimics their movements and the robustness of their bodies. During my time there, I have been helping build a palm-sized, six-legged robot. I have thoroughly enjoyed the experience and the people I get to work with every week.

Fall semester was a shadowing period, and I was lucky enough to help and gain hands-on experience. I learned the most during this period as I was being taught to operate prototyping machinery. While my focus has been on the building and designing process for the legs and body of the cardboard robots, I have also learned a lot about other projects in the lab related to things like electronics, kinematics and electroadhesion.

The skills that I learned during this time are extremely important and will have the most impact in the long run. Although they may seem like simple tasks, operating the laser cutter, heat press, drill press, soldering iron and other machinery was an extremely important part of my time in the lab. Not only have these skills allowed me to contribute to building the robots, they will also allow me to succeed in any engineering position I acquire.

I have learned a lot about electronics and coding as well. The robot’s legs are powered by motors, with the speed and direction controlled using an app and a bluetooth connection. Because my focus has been on the mechanics and structure of the robot, I have not often work on the electronics. However, I have still learned a lot about Arduino coding language and circuit boards compatible with Arduino. There were many trials and errors when trying to construct the code properly, so I also got to experience that aspect of engineering design.

Prototype of the six-legged robot.

I am still working on this project and continue to learn more about robotics, design, electronics and the engineering process every time I work. The overall experience of this project and working in a research lab has been very exciting and rewarding. I have learned so much about engineering that I have not learned in a classroom because I am gaining hands-on experience.

My advice for any student interested in research is to just try it. I would also encourage any student who is unsure what kind of job they want to pursue after college to get involved with research. It is difficult to know exactly what you want to do when most classes during the first 2-3 years of college are conceptual and equation driven. Research has been extremely helpful in teaching me how to apply what I am learning and what kind of fields I can pursue with a mechanical engineering degree.

Watch videos from the Animal Inspired Motion and Robotics Lab

Riley McGill is undergraduate student in Mechanical Engineering. She is working on research in the Animal Inspired Motion and Robotics Lab (AIMRL).

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Students break new ground in Hyperloop challenge

Anonymous — Mon, 27 Sep 2021 19:17:51 +0000

Students break new ground in Hyperloop challenge Anonymous (not verified) Mon, 09/27/2021 - 13:17

Mechanical engineering students are among the CU Hyperloop members designing the proposed mode of underground transportation.

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Undergraduate researchers learn valuable lessons from remote research

Anonymous — Thu, 24 Sep 2020 17:23:35 +0000

Undergraduate researchers learn valuable lessons from remote research Anonymous (not verified) Thu, 09/24/2020 - 11:23

During campus closures due to COVID-19, Senior Professional Development Advisor Katherine McConnell contacted Director of Active Learning Sharon Anderson, who leads a summer program for undergraduate research, to see if they could work together to provide an opportunity for students seeking to gain research experience. Undergraduate researchers share their experiences as participants in the new ME SPUR Program which enabled them to work with mechanical engineering babyֱ��app on research that could be conducted remotely during summer 2020.

Undergraduate researchers share their experiences as participants in the ME SPUR Program. ME SPUR, modeled after CU Summer Program for Undergraduate Research, enabled undergraduate students to work with mechanical engineering babyֱ��app on research that could be conducted remotely.

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The ME SPUR Experience: Hodgkins, Kirk and Pérez research air quality impacts of Stay-at-Home and Safer-at-Home orders

Anonymous — Wed, 23 Sep 2020 06:00:00 +0000

The ME SPUR Experience: Hodgkins, Kirk and Pérez research air quality impacts of Stay-at-Home and Safer-at-Home orders Anonymous (not verified) Wed, 09/23/2020 - 00:00

Mechanical engineering undergraduate researchers, Kirsty Hodgkins (left), Paula Pérez (center), and Evan Kirk (right).

The ME SPUR Program, modeled after CU Summer Program for Undergraduate Research, enabled undergraduate students to work with mechanical engineering babyֱ��app during summer 2020 on research that could be conducted remotely. As participants, Kirsty Hodgkins, Evan Kirk and Paula Pérez worked with Professor Jana Milford to understand how reduced traffic, telecommuting and reduced industrial activity during babyֱ��app's Stay-at-Home and Safer-at-Home orders have affected air quality with goals that the project would inform future strategies for improving air quality in the region beyond the timeframe of the COVID-19 pandemic. Their summer research project was titled, Impacts of babyֱ��app’s Stay-at-Home and Safer-at-Home Orders on Air Quality.

Hodgkins is a rising fifth-year mechanical engineering student with minors in business and engineering management and a current member of the CU Women’s golf team. She is not yet sure what field of mechanical engineering she would like to pursue after graduating. Kirk is a fourth-year mechanical engineering student with career interests including public health and medicine. After completing his undergraduate studies, he plans to attend medical school to pursue a career in family medicine. Pérez is a fourth-year mechanical engineering student with an energy engineering minor. She is focusing her career on water and energy insecurity in underserved communities, supported by experience in data analysis, rural development projects and entrepreneurship.

Hodgkins, Kirk and Pérez's insights below provide a window into their research experience with ME SPUR.

Describe your summer research.

A visualization of average daily traffic levels taken over a week-long period, comparing Denver I-70 traffic levels in 2020 to traffic levels in years prior. It highlights the a reduction in traffic following the WHO declaring COVID-19 a global pandemic and the babyֱ��app Stay-at-Home declaration.

A time series that shows how nitrogren dioxide changed week by week across five monitors by calculating medians for each week. This visualization shows a downward trend for nitrogen dioxide, mainly caused by normal seasonal effects with some weeks increasing or decreasing across most monitors more sharply.

Our project focused on understanding the impacts of the COVID-19 Stay-at-Home and Safer-at-Home orders on air quality in babyֱ��app.The purpose of the study is to report to policymakers and the general public about our research topic in ways that might inform future pollution control strategies. Our team focused on three pollutants: Ozone, NO2 and PM2.5. We were each responsible for studying one of these pollutants. The goal of the project was to determine if these pollutants experienced changes in 2020 and to try to explain the observed trends by analyzing traffic data, oil and gas activity and meteorological impacts.

Pérez: It was my first time working so closely with data on different social and environmental factors, which for me revealed how important our assumptions are in analyzing said factors and how the relationships between them are rarely straightforward.

What was the end result of your research project?

Overall, all of the pollutants saw small differences in 2020 when compared to previous years. We were unable to find that these discrepancies were necessarily correlated to the decrease in traffic levels, and further analysis of explanatory variables would need to be studied to understand why we didn’t see the expected pollutant behavior. Studying meteorological values we determined that the temperature and humidity levels had a large effect on the pollutant levels which could have counteracted the effects from traffic reduction. However, further research is needed to provide a definitive answer as to why levels were only slightly different.

What was it like working on a research project remotely?

Working on a project remotely is always a difficult task; this was no different. Someone described the COVID-19 situation as "more like living at work than it is working from home” which feels very relatable. It was difficult not always being able to meet or talk with the other members regularly as you would in an office, but a weekly Zoom meeting helped to make sure we were all on the same page, and we were still able to communicate over email and Slack continuously. The upside was the flexibility of working under our own schedule and knowing we could always reach out to the group with questions.

What about this project was rewarding?

The most rewarding part of this project was seeing the final results and creating the report for the study after going from basic knowledge of air pollution to having a fairly solid understanding of the problem. It is challenging to summarize the work that goes into research concisely, and after doing so many different graphs, looking at so many different variables, it all seems to blend into one. However, looking back over, it was really interesting to see the connections that had been made, and it was satisfying to see everyone’s work compiled into a final deliverable. It’s a particularly tangible way to see all of your hard work from the summer.

What advice would you share with other students considering getting involved in research?

Hodgkins: Research is definitely something every engineering student should be a part of, especially mechanical students. Definitely keep an open mind heading into it, as engineering students we’re very much used to having an answer or a solution to a problem but research isn’t always like that. Sometimes you just have to accept the fact that maybe there wasn’t a change in anything or that the results were insignificant. Even insignificant results can mean something.

Kirk: The recommendation I would make to students who are thinking about getting involved in research is simply to be patient. It is best to move slowly, working meticulously to ensure you are drawing reasonable conclusions and are not making mistakes. Take the time to double- and sometimes triple-check your work. You will be happy you did later.

Pérez: It is truly a great learning experience as you quickly gain hard skills as well as soft skills like collaborating with a team and communicating your findings. You will also likely gain more depth in your understanding of the research subject that you might not get in classes.

As ME SPUR participants, Kirsty Hodgkins, Evan Kirk and Paula Pérez worked with Professor Jana Milford to understand how reduced traffic, telecommuting and reduced industrial activity during babyֱ��app's Stay-at-Home and Safer-at-Home orders have affected air quality with goals that the project would inform future strategies for improving air quality.

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