From mitigating urban heat to finding solutions to treat endometriosis, undergraduate students are transforming their classroom knowledge into thoughtful, impactful and innovative real-world solutions through their research.
This undergraduate research took center stage at Klesse College of Engineering and Integrated Design’s Tech Symposium, an event held each fall and spring, as more than 90 projects, research and prototypes from senior I and senior II students were presented.
Designed to mirror a real-world setting, the event challenges students to present their work to industry partners, faculty and the public, allowing them to build critical skills such as communication and innovation. While “pitching” their projects, the students have the opportunity to gain potential funding support for future project development.
Through this experience, students are able to use their undergraduate research as a launch pad to set themselves up for success once they reach the workforce.
The winners of the symposium are announced in three different categories: Design II, Design 1 and Excellence in Engineering.
The Munavella Group Engineers team took first place in Design 1. The team has been working with industry partners and community organizations to develop a bench to help stay cool in public spaces during the Texas heat.
Design II Winners
1st Place: Munavella Group Engineers ($4,000 Winner)
Team Members:
Ana Munoz
Maria Bolanos
Juan Elizarraras
Robert Navarro
Kai Dennick
Project overview: In San Antonio, extreme heat can be expected during the summer months, which can create unsafe conditions for many people who utilize bus stops and other public outdoor spaces. The Cooling Bench seeks to fix this problem by leveraging San Antonio’s district cooling water systems in conjunction with a specialized pipe system and heat exchanger within the bench to provide a cooling experience to people around it. Chilled water will run through the pipes, drawing heat away from the body and helping to regulate surrounding air temperatures.
2nd Place: Endosense ($3,000 Winner)
Team Members:
Vaibhavi Sunkara
Leah Alvarado
Josephine Pham
Genevieve Vega
Project overview: Around one out of every 10 women worldwide experiences endometriosis, a chronic condition that results in severe pain, discomfort, and inflammation and can even lead to infertility. Despite its severity, endometriosis is hard to diagnose due to a lack of accessible screening options. While this condition can’t be cured, it can be treated to help lessen its effects and prevent long-term consequences.
Endosense has designed a rapid test to analyze urine samples and provide a clear, user-friendly diagnosis that users can easily understand. The system detects characteristic chemical signatures associated with endometrial inflammation and hormonal imbalance, displaying clear visual indicators that users can interpret easily. The team seeks to empower individuals to monitor their reproductive health and seek medical guidance earlier, improving overall awareness and management of endometriosis.
3rd Place: SEALS ($2,000 Winner)
Team Members:
Mohammad Nikmehr
Daniel Com
Tony Lozano
Logan Medina
Jacob Arras
Project overview: During extreme emergencies and surgeries, an airway tube is often inserted in the patient’s trachea to deliver a continuous stream of fresh oxygen. In many instances, this process, known as intubation, is critical. However, it can also be very risky, as failed intubations have the potential to result in serious complications.
Team SEALS sought to tackle this problem with their Pneumatic Laryngoscope Control System for Novel Endotracheal Tube, a device that combines the traditional laryngoscope, a device used to assist in intubation, with cutting-edge technology to ensure a seamless process.
With an advanced control system capable of enhancing the maneuverability of the endotracheal tubes, this team developed a system dedicated to reducing trauma, increasing intubation success rates, and improving overall safety.
Top 3 Design I Winners ($1000 for each team)
Team: Doppler Dynamics
Team Members:
Sarah Goll
Nathaniel Kelly
Patrick Lindberg
Micaela Rivas
Team: Dancing Dragons (TM13)
Team Members:
Alexis Seals
Smruthi Shashidhar
Ricardo Garza
David Calbillo
Team: DoseMechE’s
Team Members:
Graysen Womack
Crystal Holland
Edward Garcia
Robert Rodriguez
Luke Parker
Excellence in Engineering Winners
Biomedical Engineering
Team: Skanner
Team members:
Belem Suarez
Felix Escobedo
Rosendo Rosales
Colin Vanta
Chemical Engineering
Team: Antiplasti
Team Members:
Mia Flores
Erin Mcneill
Joey Martin
Fernando Garcia
Civil Engineering
Team: SASIC Engineering
Team Members:
Casey Kobea
Caleb Morris
Ian Hokanson
Shayla Kitten
Scarlet Benavides
Arturo Navarro
Electrical Engineering
Team: SMACK
Team Members:
David Amori
Michael Tejada
Sandra Sreejith
Carlos Cruz Garza
Khanh Nguyen
Jacklyn Aponte Tapia
Mechanical Engineering
Team: Alamo Mechanics
Team Members:
Esteban Pacheco
Anthony Zuniga
Taha Junejo
Dustyn Lambrecht
