The 2025 IDEAfest
will include several competitive prizes, including, but not limited to, Best Poster, Best Interactive Presentation of Research, and more.
IDEAfest 2025 is ready to launch
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Friday, June 6 | 9:00am-12:00pm | Student IDEAfest | Klamath Falls
| Project | Name | Project Information |
|---|---|---|
| TerawattBox 300 | Ben | The TerawattBox 300 is a mid-size portable smart battery bank, designed to fit into the semi-portable category of the battery banks currently available on the market, while also including smart management features. |
| NueBoard ESC | Brandon | The NueBoard ESC project aims to create an ESP32-based electronic speed controller (ESC) capable of dynamic load-based speed adjustment for non-hall effect sensor enabled three-phase brushless DC (BLDC) motors. The ESP32 microcontroller, monitoring ESC power on a custom printed circuit board, will perform real-time analytics on the performance of a motor, dynamically increasing or decreasing power to the BLDC motor in order to maintain a constant desired speed even if load to the motor changes during use. If utilized in the context of an electric longboard, this speed adjustment capability would allow a rider to maintain a constant speed, even while going uphill or downhill. |
| iLumiLink | Brett | This project involves the design and implementation of a customizable, modular, smart lighting system. It is composed of individual battery-powered wireless lighting units that can be arranged in various configurations. Each unit contains RGB LEDs and embedded control hardware, allowing it to operate independently or as part of a coordinated group. Wireless communication enables seamless interaction between units and a companion application serves as the primary user interface. Through the app, users can adjust color, and brightness, and select from a range of animated lighting effects. The modular design enables seamless scalability and customization, making the system suitable for a wide range of environments. |
| Development of Transition Metal Complexes and Dye-Sensitized Solar Cells Using A Custom Built Analog Digital Converter | Caitlin | Decades of research into silicon-based solar cells have yielded much progress; however, their potential as front-running solar cell material remains limited by high production costs and relatively large amounts of energy to produce them. The discovery of dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs) in 1991 initiated research into sets of molecules that “harvest” the sun’s light energy as a means to drive electrons through a semiconductor material. This increased efficiency is interesting due to the small amount of dye material required for the cell to function as a photovoltaic. The DSSCs are worthy of our investigation as a potential piece of the energy puzzle moving into the future. While large improvements have been made in the field of DSSCs over the past 15-20 years, there continues to be a focus on making them more efficient, cheap, and useful. This research project attempts to harness the positive characteristics of polypyridyl ruthenium(II) complexes and phthalocyanine complexes by synthesizing a series of novel ligands and subsequent metal complexes to be used as new light-absorbing dyes. This project began with a systematic synthesis of these ligands and complexes to determine a dye product that can absorb the widest wavelength window of light with the most efficiency, without degrading over time. Isolation and analysis of the intermediate and final products of this novel synthesis route will be carried out. Photovoltaic conversion has been determined for two novel ligands by construction and testing of a series of prototype cells, and a third novel ligand is currently being synthesized. Preliminary prototype testing of the initial dye, Dipyrrin/BIPY ruthenium II complex, showed potential, while Dipyrrin/Dipyrrin ligand did not. Going forward prototype DSSCs will be placed on the roof of Boivin Hall, which has the highest amount of sunlight throughout the day on campus. An analog to digital converter (ADC) is being developed to record the output voltage of the prototypes on the roof over an extended period of time. This will help to determine how much the prototypes degrade during the trial period. |
| Analysis of Cyanobacteria Abundance and Diversity in the Upper Klamath Lake during 2024 Summer Bloom | Carley | Upper Klamath Lake (UKL) is well known for its algal blooms during the summer months. Some of the algae, which is a type of cyanobacteria, is extracted from the lake and used in a variety of nutritional products that boasts its many health benefits. Additionally, Upper Klamath Lake is also known for the presence of other species of cyanobacteria that are capable of producing toxins that are dangerous to both humans and the inhabitant organisms of the lake in which they reside. Based on this fact alone, it becomes increasingly clear that measuring the presence of cyanotoxin-producing organisms during these algal bloom periods can provide insight into the safety of those nutritional products, as well as the danger posed to the environment and the organisms living alongside the cyanobacteria. To study this, samples collected weekly at two different locations of the lake throughout the summer were analyzed using qPCR and specifically designed primers to measure the prevalence of cyanotoxin-producing organisms. Based on these qPCR results, there appears to be the highest abundance of these organisms observed in the earlier summer months leading into July, where a gradual decrease in the presence of these bacteria begins to take place. To further identify the relative abundance of the different organisms in the lake at the time, samples were sent off for metagenomic sequencing. |
| 5L1 Neutral Line Extension | Chris | This project involves working with PacifiCorp in redesigning a section of transmission and distribution lines. This project primarily involves the designing and simulating how the lines will work under various weather conditions and loads such as severe winds, severe icing, scoring summers, and freezing winters. The simulations involve being in compliance with Oregon Public Utility Commission and National Electric Safety Codes that regulate the how the transmission and distribution lines operate. This project involves redesigning a 7-mile segment outside of Beatty, Oregon. |
| TGF-Beta Effects on Preeclampsia/Ciena Gregory | ciena | Transforming growth factor beta (TGF-β) is a cytokine, a small protein important for cell signaling, involved in many cellular processes in the body. TGF-β controls multiple cellular responses during embryonic development for both the embryo and the mother. Disruptions in the TGF-β signaling pathway can lead to developmental problems for the embryo and pregnancy- related conditions like preeclampsia for the mother. Preeclampsia is a pregnancy complication that affects roughly 3% of pregnancies in the US, and it can lead to preterm births. Current research shows that preeclampsia can develop from gestational hypertension, also known as high blood pressure which ranges anywhere from 140/90 and above during pregnancy. This could be caused by the TGF-β signaling pathway. The objective of this research topic is to analyze current studies on TGF-β and preeclampsia to develop an experimental design to test whether TGF-β can induce a preeclamptic state in uterine fibroblasts. |
| TrailTracer | Coby | TrailTracer is a compact, handheld GPS navigation device built to help outdoor hobbyists map and retrace their adventures. Whether you're hiking, biking, or exploring off the grid, TrailTracer records your route in real time and displays your location, temperature, and altitude on a small screen. You can save your path as a GPX file, or load a previous route to follow it back, with your current position shown as a moving cursor on the map. The device runs on a low-power STM32 microcontroller and includes a GPS module, barometric sensor, OLED display, and SD card storage all controlled by just two simple buttons. Because TrailTracer works without a phone or internet connection, it’s a perfect companion for remote journeys, allowing users to create, view, and share trail data easily. |
| Actively Addressing Sexual Harassment in the Workplace through Leadership | Colton | The project, "Actively Addressing Sexual Harassment in the Workplace through Leadership," was inspired by a PSY 347: Organizational Behavior taught by Professor Don DaSaro, with Dr. Jennifer Wilson acting as the project sponsor. This project was led by Colton W. Hurst to assess the relationship between graduation rates and reported sexual harassment at Oregon Tech, educate the public on identifying and reporting sexual harassment, and create a more active approach to addressing sexual harassment in educational and professional spaces. The project utilized an observational study on reported sexual harassment rates and graduation rates and found a strong negative correlation between the two. Although other factors may be in play, the problem remains the same: sexual harassment can prove detrimental to professional and academic environments. The project utilizes two acronyms to combat sexual harassment: FRIES to get consent and RADAR to detect sexual harassment and support survivors. |
| CheckPoint: A Real-Time Scheduling Platform for Blue-Collar Businesses | Connor | CheckPoint is a web-based scheduling and workforce management application designed specifically for small blue-collar service businesses. The application addresses the unique operational needs of industries such as construction, HVAC, electrical, and plumbing by providing a streamlined platform for dispatchers and technicians to coordinate daily job assignments in real time. |
| Cooper Beggs | cooper | This project is a turntable based 3D scanner utilizing the Orbbec 215 depth camera to recreate objects that rotate on a platter. The system is composed of two main parts. The first part is of course the turntable system. A microcontroller hosts a websocket server that communicates with the web application as well as the stepper motor. The second part is custom software written for the camera that reconstructs a color point cloud of the object as it rotates. The scan is rendered in real time available for the user to see. |
| Real-time Heart Rate Analysis and QRS Peak Detection | Dominic | Examination of the shape and time of the QRS complex can provide significant information about the condition of the heart. QRS detection is the foundation for automatic heart rate discernment, as well as most electrocardiogram (ECG) analysis algorithms. QRS detection algorithms are split into two stages. The first stage involves pre-processing filters for feature extraction. The second stage uses decision logic to detect the peak of the QRS complex. Adaptive system on chip (SoC) solutions can implement the pre-processing stage on the programmable logic, while leaving the embedded processor for the decision-making process. Partitioning of these stages allows for decreased processor load, and fast, high-performance signal processing. |
| Serotonin Electrochemical Sensor | Dulce | Serotonin syndrome is a life-threatening condition in which poisonous amounts of serotonin are present in the body, causing agitation, tremors, high blood pressure, seizures, coma, and death if not treated. Combining medications containing serotonin, for example, migraine medications and selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), or taking large amounts of these medications, poses a potential risk of developing serotonin syndrome. A rare but deadly syndrome, there is no formal way in which doctors can diagnose this condition, relying only on the elimination of other possible causes of symptoms. Developing a serotonin electrochemical sensor would introduce a definitive test. Made from affordable screen-printed electrodes using filter paper, carbon paste, and a Nafion coating, a circuit composed of different components would function to measure the levels of serotonin present in the blood. When serotonin levels exceed a threshold, an LED light illuminates, giving the patient a formal diagnosis of serotonin syndrome. |
| D.O.C.K.S Vision | Dylan | The proposed project is the design and development of a Heads-Up Display (HUD) for motorcycle helmets. This innovative system will integrate real-time information directly into the rider’s field of vision, enhancing both safety and convenience while on the road. The primary features of the HUD will include displaying GPS navigation instructions, weather and alerts as well as digital camera feed review camera. |
| Oregon Tech - Campus Drive Sidewalk Improvement | Ebin | Accessibility is a major importance in today's society, and I have noticed some accessibility issues on campus. Campus drive, the main road in front of Boivin and Dow Halls, lacks a sidewalk with ADA accessibility. As my senior project in the Geomatics program, I designed a new sidewalk along the road. I plan to propose this improvement to the school that gives students the opportunity to no longer walk to class either in the road or through the mud. |
| Team Index | Edgar | Team Index is making Polymore, our very own design for a Synthesizer. We’re building a compact, standalone synthesizer designed for anyone who loves making electronic music, whether you’re a beginner exploring sound design or a seasoned synth enthusiast looking for a new tool. This modular system features oscillators, filters, and effects, all controlled through rotary encoders, buttons, and mini-OLED screens that display your settings in real time. Users can reroute signals using patch cables for hands-on sound shaping. The device handles everything from input processing to audio generation, with audio output managed via a USB-to-audio interface for easy connection to other gear. Our project delivers a fun and flexible music-making experience that can't be replicated through software alone. |
| HASEL Artificial Muscles | Erick | We aim to create artificial muscles using HASEL actuators to control the contraction of gels or plastic shells filled with a dielectric liquid. A high voltage power source is used to power the movement. When the voltage passes through the electrodes, the electrodes come together, causing the liquid to displace and move to the other side of the shell, where there are no electrodes. This causes an increase in pressure which makes the shell swell on one side. Each actuator controls one movement, so multiple actuators could be used simultaneously to pair movements into complex motions mimicking real biological muscles. We are currently experimenting with the high voltage power supply, which will power the actuators and cause movement and synthesizing hydrogels, which will act as both strong and elastic muscles. |
| The Cooking Companion | Isaac | The Cooking Companion is an automated Robotic system designed to help cook a homemade meal. The Cooking Companion will take your prepared ingredients and a recipe and finish the rest of the meal on the stovetop. The Cooking Companion is a Robotic Arm, Brain, and Camera all working together to saute, combine, and add ingredients to a pot following a recipe. |
| Moore Park Herbaceous Cover Data / Habitat Ecology Group | Isabella | In 2003 the KAGO Fire burned the southern portion of Moore Park. This portion is comprised primarily of bitterbrush, sagebrush, rabbitbrush, perennial grasses, and western juniper. This study utilizes ten 30m transect plots in the burn and unburn areas to analyze cover data and track the relationship between native and introduced species. The data analysis suggest there is a statistical significance between the cover of native plants when comparing the burned area to the unburn area. |
| Wander | Jan | Wander is an interactive web application designed to help users discover, plan, and create custom hiking trails throughout Oregon. |
| Optimizing Trail Connectivity: GIS and LiDAR-Based Route Planning for the Running Y Ranch Trail | Jane | This project will utilize geospatial technology in the hopes of enhancing the outdoor recreation area at the Running Y Ranch in Klamath Falls, Oregon. The goal is to determine the most efficient and environmentally responsible route to connect two existing sections of a popular loop trail. Using a combination of drone-based LiDAR, GNSS surveying, and ArcGIS Pro tools, I will be generating terrain models along with performing distance and cost surface analysis to identify the ideal location for trail connection. |
| Off Grid EVs | Jonathan | Off Grid EVs Team is working to restore a limited-production Sparrow electric vehicle (PEPE) and develop a solar-assisted electric pub bike for Woodsy Kitchen. The team is currently focused on getting PEPE running to assess its original systems, with future plans for lithium-ion battery upgrades and modular power improvements. Meanwhile, the pub bike project is in the design and budgeting stage, aiming to support local tourism with clean, low-speed transportation. Together, these projects highlight the potential of EV retrofitting and give students hands-on experience in sustainable engineering and electric vehicle design. |
| Soil Moisture | Jordan | Soil is very critical in understanding the hydrological cycle. Soil moisture among other facts can dictate plant growth. Soil moisture can be influenced by canopy cover and soil type. Over the last year there have been soil moisture readers placed in the Moore Park at various plot that’s have been deemed important by the city of Klamath Falls. These plots were part of the City of Klamath falls management plan for fuel reduction treatment in Moore Park in 2012. Each site where these soil moistures are placed, vary from soil type, forest type and depth of reader. Plots tree species consist of Juniper, mixed conifer, and ponderosa pine. The soil types were 81E, 83F, and 50E. The soil probes were placed between 25 cm deep to 50 cm deep. Our study was in Moore Park in Klamath Falls Oregon. Each plot had two soil moisture probes placed. Data was gathered weekly starting March 2024, and continued until September 2024, or until the centibar reading was at 199. Temperature gauge was placed in the ground, ideally to a 50 cm marker, but many times that was impossible due to the hardness of the soil material. The depth of the gauge was recorded, and left in the ground until gauged reached a consistent temperature. Using the Irrometer Watermark Soil Moisture Sensor, it was set to the current temperature that the gauge was reading, and then the alligator clamps were placed on the O rings in the soil moisture probe. The sensor read the amount of moisture in the soil, at the current temperature of the soil. These results assess the soil water content during different seasons. Different vegetation requires a certain amount of water from the soil. Understanding how quickly the soil dries up and how quickly the soil saturates, can give habitat managers an idea of what vegetation will prosper. We will be analyzing the trend of the moisture present in the soil by comparing it to forest types, soil type, and depth of moisture meter. Data is currently being analyzed, and trends will be found soon. |
| Assessing Athlete Awareness | Kara | Although it's common to see athletes on the pitch, most people are unaware that they spend most of their time in the training room. The training room is essential for recovery, evaluation, and injury prevention. It is one of the most important places for athletes to go for optimal performance to be reached. Despite its importance, many clinical studies seem to neglect the educational aspects of the training room and tend to focus on the quantitative results that can be improved. This study aims to expose hidden discrepancies in the athletic world and highlight the importance of athlete awareness in the training room. In this study, we examine the thoughts and feelings of Oregon Institute of Technology student athletes to find out how aware they are of various treatment approaches and how they believe communication could be improved. In order to improve the educational objectives that other medical settings have in place, this research is the first step in bridging gaps that are otherwise ignored in the sports world. |
| The design and characterization of ceria RPC structures | Kyra | Recent advancements in 3D printing enabled the production of sophisticated structures with the redox materials such as ceria that can be used in solar thermochemical hydrogen and hydrocarbon fuels production. Extrusion type 3D printers can develop structures that can potentially enhance heat transfer and optical penetration depth which are the two crucial parameters to achieve higher fuel yield and higher solar-to-fuel efficiency. In this research, we perform a hierarchical structure modeling using Solidworks and characterize heat transfer on three different structures that can be 3D-printed with ceria slurries in the future via an extrusion 3D printing method. A solar simulator was used to demonstrate the radiation on three structures and temperature gradient for each structure was measured using multiple thermocouples connected to Arduino. This work provides the demonstration and optimization of the structures that can be used for solar thermochemical production of fuels. |
| Tactical Gauntlet | Laci | Military Personnel are consistently exposed to toxic environments, many leading to the diagnosis of cancers and life-threatening conditions after serving [1,2]. Examples of these would be remnants from Agent Orange, insecticides or herbicides in countries with fewer regulatory bodies, radioactive zones or nearby areas, and enclosed spaces like caves that could be lacking oxygen. This device aims to inform soldiers and other military personnel of the conditions of their environment so that they may take the appropriate safety measures to protect themselves from carcinogens |
| K.W.L.B.B. Smart Garden | Landen | Our project is a smart garden which monitors plants through temperature, humidity, moisture, UV, and pH values. Alongside a small touchscreen display to present our website, you can also use it do view previous data, control user defined settings, and view a timelapse from daily photos taken through a camera. The kind of settings can be adjusted to host many different types of plants via control over the amount of light exposure, the number of pictures, and even how often it should be watered. A major feature of the project is our ability to take pH data from a water runoff whereas the excess water is stored in a separate container to help prevent overwatering. |
| Lawn Watering Robot | Logan | The Lawn Watering Robot is a project designed to save the user money. It is meant as a replacement for sprinkler systems that commonly waste significant water during operation. The robot traverses the users lawn and tests moisture levels at predetermined points to determine if it will deliver water to that area or not. |
| Voxen | Logan | Voxen is a voxel based game engine that can render 3D scenes using real-time ray tracing. Unlike traditional polygon based rendering, Voxen uses voxel rendering, where voxels are 3D volumes that store material data. This makes Voxen good for rendering organic shapes, destructible environments, and physics simulations. |
| F_A_C_E | Luis | This engineering project presents the design and implementation of a cost-effective smart-door system that leverages facial recognition to enhance access control in both residential and commercial environments. The system captures user facial images via a mobile device and securely stores them in a cloud database, where they are used to train a machine-learning model. Upon recognizing an enrolled face, the system activates a door-unlock mechanism. If an unknown face appears or the doorbell is pressed it will send a notification to the owner’s smartphone, When the user clicks on viewing the camera it initiates a two-way audio/video intercom session and sends real-time notifications to the owner’s smartphone. By integrating low-cost hardware with scalable cloud services and real-time alerts, this solution offers robust security and user-friendly operation at a price point competitive with existing market offerings. |
| Formula SAE (1) | Luke | Formula SAE (FSAE) is an international student engineering competition organized by SAE International. We design, build, and test small, open-wheel race cars to compete in both static and dynamic events. Static events include design evaluation, cost analysis, and business presentation. Dynamic events test performance in acceleration, skidpad, autocross, endurance, and fuel efficiency. Teams are judged on engineering design, manufacturing, and project management skills. The vehicle must meet strict safety and technical regulations. Emphasis is placed on innovation, reliability, and manufacturability. Participation fosters skills in mechanical design, aerodynamics, powertrain, electronics, and teamwork. FSAE serves as a practical platform for students to apply classroom theory to real-world engineering challenges. |
| Formula SAE (2) | Ruben | Formula SAE is a student design competition, challenging students to conceive, design, fabricate, and compete with small formula-style racing cars. Teams spend 8-12 months designing, building, and preparing their vehicles for a competition. These cars are judged in a series of static and dynamic events, including technical inspection, cost, presentation, engineering design, solo performance trials and high performance endurance. |
| Ski Press | Marla | Ski Press is a senior Mechanical Engineering project that is focused on the design and fabrication of a custom ski press. A ski press is a specialized piece of equipment that applies heat and pressure to create laminated skis. The objective of this project was to apply the mechanical design, materials science, and heat transfer principles learned throughout the courses at OIT to design a machine consisting of a steel frame, a pneumatic pressing mechanism, and a mold to create an all-mountain ski. Finite element analysis (FEA) was used to optimize frame strength and minimize deflection, while other analysis methods were used to determine the forces on the steel frame. With the help of resources from Jeld Wen and Oregon Tech, the final design is a high-quality and low-cost pair of skis that is sturdy and lightweight. |
| Drive Guard | Matt | Drive Guard is a dash camera like device which uses an AI image recognition algorithm to detect and announce road signs to the driver. |
| Fluid Inventory Management System | Miles | Our project is an automated system for tracking bottled fluid volume, giving the user a data driven graph to display their stock consumption over time, including a graph for individual days. Our project uses scales and a database containing bottle data, such as the weight of the bottle and any pour device, to calculate how much fluid is in the bottle. The user can also set up thresholds for in program alerts to let them know when they are running low on a particular product. When the program is tracking the user's stock levels the user can open a separate window to watch their volume and stock of their products on the scales go up and down. |
| Pollinator Richness Across Cultivated and Natural Habitats at Oregon Tech, Klamath Falls | Nicki | Habitat and floral resource availability plays a vital role in pollinator foraging behavior. The difference between cultivated and natural habitats can be extreme. During the summer of 2024, undergraduate researchers surveyed native pollinators at three different sites on the Oregon Tech Campus. Two of these sites are pollinator gardens specifically planted with a pollinator wildflower seed mix. The third site is our Native Plant Garden, a juniper-sagebrush hillside with native grass and forb species. This study compares pollinator species abundance and richness across all three sites and highlights the value of having diverse floral resources to promote pollinator conservation. |
| Electric Utility Building Design/ Noah Sanchez | Noah | This project involves the comprehensive electrical design for a new office of an electric utility company. The primary objective is to ensure that the electrical infrastructure supports the company’s growing needs by facilitating operational efficiency and expansion capacity. By designing to company standards and adhering strictly to electrical codes, the project aims to deliver a safe and reliable workspace for utility staff. |
| Flight Path | Oscar | We have created a campus map for OIT. Our goal was to create a map for Klamath Falls campus of OIT that would be easy to navigate for new students, visitors, or anyone else who might need help finding their way around campus. This project was created in React Native for both web and android, and we built upon Google Maps to create a custom map for our campus with extended functionality. We've incorporated custom pins that can be shared between friends or sent to the whole school, navigating through campus in real time, planning your route ahead of time, and creating a route to individual rooms within buildings. |
| ProcrastiHater | scott | The ProcrastiHater application is designed to boost productivity by reducing screentime and promoting better habits through direct feedback to the user and in-app competition. This is achieved through a study mode that tracks the number of hours you actively have ProcrastiHater open, logging that time as productive. This data is then used to rank you against other users to see who manages their time the best and is the most productive. Time spent on other mobile apps will also be tracked and visualized for the user to show how they are spending their time overall on their phone. If it is detected that a user is spending too much time on non-productive apps (e.g., social media, streaming services, video games) a reminder notification will be sent out to alert the user of this behavior and encourage them to perform more productive actions. Along with sending notifications to the user about behavioral corrections these notifications can be sent out to friends or family through ProcrastiHater to further incentivize being productive. |
| The Effect on Breast Cancer and Pancreatic Cancer Cells when Embedded in a 3D Anti-Inflammatory Environment | Tori | Cancer is a complex disease that manages to evade detection by the immune system while co-opting its systems to promote its own growth, survival and migration. Tumors are densely infiltrated by cells of both the innate and adaptive parts of the immune system that end up being able to mirror inflammatory conditions. In the past researchers believed that the immune response to tumor infiltration was an attempt to eradicate the tumor, but recently research has shown that there is a paradoxical effect that the immune system is doing the opposite, and enhancing tumorigenesis and progression. |
| The Study of Metastasis in Multiple Myeloma Using Microfluidic Technology | Zach | Multiple Myeloma (MM) is a type of blood, or liquid, cancer, differing from the traditional types of solid cancers in which physical tumors are present. MM circulates within the blood, similar to cancers like leukemia. However, unlike leukemia, MM is a plasma cell cancer, marked with a precursor mutation in the differentiating B cell. MM remains incurable with conventional chemotherapy, even though it is the second-most diagnosed type of blood cancer. Current studies lack conclusive evidence as to whether MM metastasizes to the kidney or if there is merely a strong correlation between MM and renal cell carcinomas. This research aims to use microfluidic devices to mimic the vasculature and systemic circulation of MM cells to monitor the interaction between MM cells and kidney cells. |
| Well Puck / Team Team | Zachery | Our project is an Air Hockey playing robot, which attaches on top of a standard Air Hockey table. This robot controls a striker, which can move in the X and Y dimensions on its' half of the table. Above the table, there is an AI camera that is trained to detect an Air Hockey puck, and send the coordinates of the puck wirelessly to the robot. For all of the controls related to the system, there is a display you can interact with. This display has a range of options on it, like viewing the leaderboard, changing the difficulty, adjusting the volume, or starting a new game. In addition, you can choose an option where you can control the robot with an included controller. There is also some speakers that play appropriately themed music with what difficulty you've chosen. |
| Lava Tube Exploration Vehicle | Zaedan | The Lava Tube Exploration Vehicle project is a proof-of-concept for a remote-controlled rover designed for exploring the lava tubes below the lunar surface. Building on the previous year’s design, the rover was upgraded with an improved turning and driving system. |
| Project | Name | Project Information |
|---|---|---|
| Using clues from fossils to infer locomotor behavior in mammals during the Age of Dinosaurs | Connor | Mammals and their extinct relatives exhibit a wide range of locomotor behaviors, including arboreality, which independently evolved many times throughout mammalian history. However, there remains uncertainty about the prevalence and timing of these evolutionary shifts to climbing behavior. This uncertainty is due in part to limited fossil postcranial data for early mammals, making it challenging to infer locomotor behavior. Interpretations of recent fossil discoveries suggest that arboreality may have been the ancestral trait of major clades such as therians (placentals and marsupials). We test this hypothesis using anatomical features that are closely tied to locomotor mode in modern mammals. To this end, we collected linear measurements of appendicular skeletal elements for ~40 species of Mesozoic mammals. To infer locomotor modes of fossil taxa, we employ regression models derived from a large comparative dataset of linear measurements taken from the postcranial skeletons of 236 extant mammal species. The models incorporate measurements that are strong predictors of tree-dwelling versus ground-dwelling behavior in extant mammals. We found less evidence than anticipated for arboreality across many early mammalian groups, with a notable exception being Jurassic gliding haramiyidans. These findings challenge recent conclusions that arboreality was the ancestral trait among many early mammal groups. By testing locomotor patterns across a broad range of taxa, our findings provide an alternate perspective on the evolutionary pathways that shaped early mammalian diversity. |
| Bat Teeth Morphology and Diet | Elise | |
| Improving Treatment Integrity of Error Correction Procedures in Teaching | Hannah | Discrete trial training (DTT) is a procedure commonly used to teach children with autism a variety of skills. Error correction is typically used with DTT to increase the probability of a correct response on future trials. Behavioral skills training (BST) is commonly used in human service settings to train staff to implement behavioral interventions. Although effective, BST is often resource-intensive because it requires the presence of a qualified trainer to observe and provide feedback. Research has shown that having staff observe and score videos of the performance of targeted tasks may be a promising training technique. The purpose of the present study was to evaluate the effects of having staff observe and score videos of other staff performing a standard error correction procedure. Results showed participants’ implementation of error correction improved following intervention. Performance extended to a novel client for two of the three participants and was maintained across 2-to-4-week follow-up probes. |
| Dynamic Sight | Hayden | This project aims to develop a smart aiming system designed to improve the accuracy of tranquilizer dart guns by dynamically correcting for projectile motion. Tranquilizer darts, unlike traditional ammunition, experience significant drop over distance, making precise targeting challenging in field conditions. The proposed device will integrate a laser rangefinder and a gyroscope with a dynamic display, automatically adjusting the point of aim based on distance data from the rangefinder. This will allow field researchers, especially in hazardous environments such as the savanna, to quickly and accurately target animals for tranquilization, minimizing the risk of injury to the animal due to misplaced shots. |
| The Effects of collagen gel porosity on stem cell-like properties of cancer cells | Isaias | Cancer stem cells (CSCs) are a subpopulation of cancer cells that exhibit stem cell-like properties such as increased resistance to chemotherapeutics, self-renewal, differentiation, and tumorigenicity. These properties, in association with high expression of the cell surface marker CD44, contribute to CSCs’ significant role in cancer recurrence. Collagen, a protein with a triple helix structure, may influence the expression of these properties. It is the most abundant protein in the human body and is a component of the extracellular matrix (ECM). CSCs adhere to collagen in the ECM to promote cellular functions via integrins. Integrins are transmembrane proteins that connect the inside of a cell to the outside. The size of the pores of a collagen gel can affect a cell's ability to adhere. We aim to develop collagen gels that mimic an in vivo environment. By modulating the 3D scaffolding of these gels, we can observe the effects that pore size has on stem-like properties in cancer cells. In this study two different percentage collagen gels are being used to investigate the relationship between collagen and CSCs. Pancreatic cancer cells are suspended in these collagen gels and incubated for 48-hours. To assess any increase in chemoresistance, some cell groups are incubated with gemcitabine, doxorubicin, or both. After the 48-hour incubation, cells are analyzed using western blot and MTT assay to quantify the presence of CSCs and evaluate chemoresistance. To date, we have been able to produce collagen gels and are working to suspend cells within the gels. These results will better our understanding of the role that collagen plays in CSCs and will help set the foundation for continuous research to reduce the number of relapses in cancer patients. |
| Emotional Regulation Could Save Children’s Lives | Jomayra | This project is a literature review of scientific research conducted on the benefits of emotional regulation on mental health, including improving anxiety, depression, suicidal ideation, and isolation. Additionally, the review covers the role of emotions in early brain development, the damages caused by emotional illiteracy, how emotional regulation can be taught in Pre-K through 12 school settings, and what we can learn from trauma about the lasting effects of early imprints. The review concludes with an explanation of longitudinal research that can be conducted in the future to determine if the implementation of emotional regulation during the early stages of development can help reduce the number of school shootings. |
| The Effects of Public Posting on the Performance of Volleyball Players | Katie | I conducted a research study on the effects of publicly posting performance data to an electronic platform on performance and skill development. I broke down skills onto steps and used this to record data. Results indicated performance did increase during the intervention but due to limitations it is difficult to say it was due to the intervention alone. |
| Training Undergraduate Students to Conduct Community-based Supervised Visits for Parents and their Children in Foster Care | Keeley | Oregon Tech’s Relationship Building Program (RBP) was developed as a partnership between the Oregon Department of Human Services Child Welfare and Oregon Tech’s Applied Psychology program. Undergraduate students work as Family Mentors and provide supervised community-based visitation between parents and their children in foster care. RBP Family Mentors provide families evidence-based behavioral parent training to enhance their parenting skills, strengthen the parent-child attachment, increase community connection, and contribute to reunification. Family mentors are Oregon Tech students or student workers participating in RBP. Mentor responsibilities can include learning the program, learning and completing program paperwork, and learning how to conduct family visits. Senior Family Mentors have been promoted by passing three consecutive program evaluations. Senior Mentors know the program and how to conduct and supervise family visits. Senior mentor responsibilities include training new mentors on how to complete program paperwork and how to conduct visits. |
| The purpose of this study is to evaluate the effectiveness of the training that mentors receive to conduct community-based supervised visits between parents and their children in foster care. Specifically, senior mentors will be trained to use Behavioral Skills Training (BST) to provide Behavioral Consultation Training (BCT) for training new family mentors how to conduct supervised visits. BST is a structured and evidence-based approach used to teach novel skills and has been proven to be an integral part of supporting skills training (Dogan et al., 2017). BCT offers instruction in specific areas or skills where an individual demonstrates proficiency, equipping them to facilitate positive treatment outcomes for others (McGimsey et al., 1995). | ||
| “Effects of parasitic roundworms on the Mule Deer (Odocoileus Hemionus) population in Southern Oregon” | Naomi | The Mule Deer (Odocoileus hemionus) population in southern Oregon has been experiencing significant declines, particularly in the Klamath Basin and surrounding herds, where low fawn survival is a major concern. Previous research has identified various factors contributing to this decline, including habitat loss, climate change, and predation. However, the role of parasitic infections, particularly roundworms, remains poorly understood. While several studies have indicated that parasitic infestations can impact deer health, the extent of their influence on population dynamics, especially recruitment, has not been thoroughly investigated. In this study, we will collect and analyze fecal samples from mule deer across multiple herd ranges in southern Oregon. Using fecal flotation and centrifugation methods, we will identify the prevalence and intensity of roundworm infections while using ArcGIS mapping to analyze the spatial prevalence of parasites within the study area, helping to identify areas with higher parasite loads. By combining our parasitic data with population and survival statistics provided by the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife, we will explore potential connections between parasite load and fawn mortality. With Preliminary results indicating a high prevalence of parasitic roundworms, we hypothesize that increased parasite load negatively impacts mule deer recruitment by reducing fawn survival. These findings could have significant implications for long-term population stability, emphasizing a potential need for targeted conservation and management efforts to remediate the effects of parasitic infections on mule deer populations. |
| Increasing American Goshawk (Astur atricapillus) Surveys through the Application of Habitat Modeling | Kyle | American Goshawk (Astur atricapillus) is a medium-sized bird of prey that lives in forested regions across North America. Goshawks have received attention from management agencies since the 1990s for their proclivity towards old growth forests. Goshawks are listed as a “Sensitive Species” by six of nine United States Forest Service regions requiring monitoring before management work is undertaken. However, there are several challenges to current goshawk surveys: large search areas, a dynamic breeding cycle, and the most significant one: limited resources due to priority changes of USFS management policies. Due to the elusive nature of goshawks and their large territory size, goshawk surveys are a resource intensive endeavor. In an effort to combat the challenging interaction of limited resources and a resource intensive surveying protocol, I demonstrate the use of a predictive habitat model using factors that goshawks select for at nest sites. American Goshawks have high selection preference for late-successional old growth forests, along with several other factors, making the use of a habitat suitability model a practical choice. Use of this model in the 2024 field season allowed us to locate ten nest sites, nine of which were new sites unknown to the Forest Service before this season. |
| Somnia Hollow / Little Bean Interactive | Savannah | Somnia Hollow is a 2D pixel art simulation game where players take on the role of a struggling shopkeeper in a dreamlike world. Deep in the heart of the Hollow—a surreal and mysterious realm—lies a small store that specializes in selling bottled dreams and nightmares. The player must manage this unusual business, crafting dreams from harvested fragments and emotions, and catering to the strange desires of wandering customers. |
| Forest Resilience Factors to Mountain Pine Beetle in the Southern Oregon Cascade Range | Terren | Mountain pine beetle (MPB) outbreaks, intensified by climate change and milder winters, pose a significant threat to lodgepole and ponderosa pine forests in the Southern Oregon Cascade Range (SOCR). These infestations have led to significant biodiversity loss, reduced timber production, and heightened wildfire risks driven by the accumulation of beetle-killed trees. The ecological and economic consequences of MPB outbreaks underscore the urgency of understanding the factors that contribute to forest resilience and identifying strategies to protect these ecosystems under changing climatic conditions. |
| Modification of Chitosan Biopolymers with Antioxidants for Reduction of Metastasis Risk | Terren | This project aims to develop antioxidant-grafted chitosan-polymer hydrogels to reduce the risk of cancer metastasis. Chitosan, a bioactive polymer increasingly used in medicine, is utilized here in combination with known antitumor agents such as curcumin and epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG). Oxidative stress plays a critical role in promoting cancer metastasis by inducing DNA damage, supporting angiogenesis, and altering the tumor microenvironment in ways that favor tumor progression. Although antioxidants like curcumin and EGCG have demonstrated antitumor potential, conventional delivery methods suffer from poor bioavailability, rapid degradation, and a lack of targeted delivery, limiting their therapeutic effectiveness in clinical settings. Covalent grafting of these antioxidants onto chitosan allows for controlled, sustained release, targeting different cellular regions based on the hydrophobicity of the grafted molecules. Chitosan is initially extracted from Dungeness and Red Rock crab shells collected on the Oregon coast, processed in the Oregon Tech Biotechnology Lab to produce medium-length polymer chains. For testing consistency, commercial medium-length chitosan from Sigma-Aldrich will be used during metastasis inhibition experiments. Grafting is achieved through free radical-induced bonding, using retinol and a free radical initiator to attach antioxidants to chitosan’s amine groups. The resulting polymers are purified via EDTA, ethanol washes, and salt formation to remove excess reagents. These grafted polymers are then incorporated into sodium alginate hydrogels to enhance stability and delivery. When administered alongside cancerous cell lines, the hydrogels will be evaluated for therapeutic potential, bioactivity, and effectiveness in delivering antioxidants in a controlled and sustained manner. |
| The relationship between mandibular condyle morphology and diet in noctilionoid bats | Terren | Three-dimensional (3D) morphological analyses have proven effective in analyzing links between mammalian diets and anatomical structures such as jaw morphology. Previous studies have demonstrated that mandibular features, such as angular process size and corpus dimensions, are strong predictors of dietary behavior in mammals. For instance, robust mandibles with relatively larger pterygoid muscles often correlate with diets rich in fibrous plant material. Here, we use noctilionidae bats as our study system because they exhibit significant diversity in mandibular and dental morphology across many dietary groups. In many instances little is known about the actual dietary habits of noctilionidae bats due to minimal sighting over decades leading to low overall understanding of dietary habits. If condylar morphology, a relatively well preserved morphology following death, reveals strong correlations in diet within known species it may be useful in expounding onto dietary habits of species in which direct feeding observations are rare. Our aim is to examine the mandibular condylar process of approximately 120 species (300 specimens) of noctilionidae, utilizing an extensive collection of 3D micro-computed tomography scans of bat skulls. We assess the relationship between condyle shape and diet, testing the hypothesis that condyles adapt to different masticatory movements and biomechanical demands in different diet groups, such as more orthally directed (i.e., hinge-like) mastication in faunivores and more derived morphology in insectivores and sanguivores that do not extensively utilize jaw muscles relating to mastication. We examine the condyle shape by applying 3D geometric morphometrics to ten anatomical landmarks (3D coordinates) placed on the condylar process and the transitionary area into the coronoid process. Future directions include testing whether these findings are consistent across other mammalian groups and applying similar analyses to additional jaw structures, such as the mandibular ramus and submandibular fossa. |
| Upper Klamath Lake Autonomous Lake Management System | Walter |
Friday, June 6 | 1:00-4:00pm | Faculty & Staff Research Symposium
| University Research Committee General Sessions | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Event | Location | Time | Facilitators |
| Oral Presentations | Session 1 Klamath Falls: Boivin Room 101 Session 2 Portland Metro: Use Zoom Link | 1:00-2:15 pm | Jintai Wang
Nate Bickford |
| Poster Session and Reception | Klamath Falls: Boivin Common Area Portland-Metro: Room 120 | 2:15-4:00 pm | President Nagi Interim Provost El-Rewini |
For the Faculty and Staff Research Symposium Schedule, Presentations, and Zoom Links, click below:
Faculty and Staff Research Symposium Information
Wednesday, June 4 | 4:00 pm - 6:30pm | Student IDEAfest | Portland-Metro