Undergraduate researchers develop,
share and receive rewards 

Students from the College of Engineering, Forestry and Natural Sciences recently celebrated and received awards for researching and designing projects that could be put to use by the companies sponsoring them.  

From developing a powerful off-road vehicle to a thrusting mechanism for unmanned aerial engines used in combat, more than 115 teams shared their work through demonstrations and poster presentations during the 16th annual Celebration of Undergraduate Research and Design Conference at the du Bois Conference Center on April 23.

“It is through these types of hands-on opportunities that students move from being novices in their disciplines toward becoming passionate and engaged experts,” said Debra Larson, associate dean for the college. “It is truly what makes the difference in an NAU undergraduate education in the sciences, forestry and engineering. Our students know it, and their future graduate schools and future employers know it.”

Brent Warren, an undergraduate in mechanical engineering who was part of the Edwards Air Force Base Thrust Reverser Team that tied for first place in the engineering capstone category, said, “I have learned a great deal from this project and gained valuable experience in the engineering profession. I have also learned the importance of effective communication to produce efficient teamwork.”

The Edwards Air Force Base Thrust Reverser Team is a mechanism that will help unmanned aerial vehicles land safely. It tied with the Baja Off-road Vehicle Team that set out to create a more powerful engine, sponsored by the Society of Automotive Engineers.  

Here is a full list of winners, who will split the $2,400 in prize funding:

Engineering Capstone
Tie for First Place
Edwards Air Force Base Thrust Reverser
Brent Warren, Ryan Adams, Cole Johnson, and Robert Walish III
Earl Duque, mentor, research associate professor, mechanical engineering

Baja SAE, Off-road Vehicle
Karl Schultz, Chris Minchuk, and Andy Winegarner
Michael Mitchell, mentor, adjunct faculty, mechanical engineering
Perry Wood, adviser, instructor, mechanical engineering

Basic Research
First place
Development of New Methodology for the Synthesis of Anti-cancer Agent Myriaporone 4
Emily Munson and Connor Rickett
Cindy Browder, adviser, assistant professor, chemistry and biochemistry

Second Place
Effects of 4-tert-Octylphenol on Amphibian Metamorphosis
Stephanie Wolff, Teresa Ely and Theanna Chantarojwong
Cathy Propper, mentor, professor, biological sciences

Applied Research and Internships
First Place
Two-dimensional Edge Detection to Produce Three-dimensional Medical Prototypes from MRI Data
Jillian Urban
John Tester, mentor, associate professor and design for practice director, mechanical engineering

Second Place
Recycle—We're All in this Together! 
Betsy Goodman, environmental sciences and education

Phi Kappa Phi Award
Genotyping Bacillus Anthracis using PCR/ESI-MS
Lindsey Watson, Derek Sarovich, Andrew Liguori, James Schupp, Amy Vogler, Joseph Busch, Paul Keim and David Wagner