KENNESAW, Ga. (November 15, 2023) — The Office of Undergraduate Research at Kennesaw State University is hosting its fall edition of the Symposium of Student
Scholars, a three-day conference in which undergraduate and graduate researchers present
their projects. The hybrid event will take place in-person on the Marietta campus
and online through Microsoft Teams. Click here for more information on the symposium schedule and program.
This live blog will be updated throughout the day and provides a snapshot of the variety
of disciplines represented and the research journeys undertaken by KSU undergraduate
and graduate students.
11 a.m. Wednesday, November 15
Sungchan Cho
Design and Development of Remote Operated and Soft Biomimetic Amphibious Mud Skipper
Southern Polytechnic College of Engineering & Engineering Technology
Undergraduate Students: Sungchan Cho, Lucas Schwenck, Connor Talley, Britt Walker, and Rafael Juarez.
Research Mentor: Ayse Tekes
Traditionally, when engineers design mechanisms, they tend to design the parts using
rigid links and revolute joints to create relative motion between two adjacent links.
However, all living things that move create motion through the bending of their links,
not through the joints. This research project focuses on the design, development,
and testing of a biomimetic locomotive robot that can move in different terrains and
can be utilized as a rescue robot.
The mudskipper has shown excellent performance in swimming in the lake against the current and swims
a distance of 242.72 cm in 21 seconds resulting in 0.115 m/s or 0.42 body length/s.
“I was fascinated by the performance of soft robots and compliant mechanisms we designed
in our research lab, located in G114,” Sungchan Cho said. “These compliant designs
were something that I was not able to learn in school curriculum in depth. The fact
that I am learning and applying this out-of-class, unorthodox mechanism greatly motivated
me.”
1 p.m. Wednesday, November 15
William Marks
Design and Development of Remote Operated and Soft Biomimetic Amphibious Mud Skipper
Southern Polytechnic College of Engineering & Engineering Technology
Undergraduate Students: Matthew Ackerman & William Marks
Research Mentor: Dal Hyung Kim
Fire ants are capable of walking with an amputated or injured leg by adapting their
movement pattern. This project aimed to study those movements and apply them to a
hexapod robot that the research team produced to mimic the anatomy of an any.
By creating a hexapod robot based on the design and movement of an ant, this robot
can operate in rough terrain and, upon potential injury, can adapt its movement with
that of the injured fire ant instead of requiring immediate repair.
The research group used a previously developed imaging system, the Transparent Omnidirectional
Locomotion Compensator (TOLC), to extract the positioning of an ant whose motion has
been adapted to operate with five legs instead of six.
“This project interested me because of my appreciation for nature's approach to issues
very complex for us to solve,” William Marks said. “I was intrigued by this project
because I wanted to study how to apply the ant's recovery abilities to human-made
robots to improve their efficiency.”
1 p.m. Wednesday, November 15
Angie Son Pulido
From Silence to Thriving: Architecture as a Voice for the Wayuu Tribe
College of Architecture and Construction Management
Undergraduate Student: Angie Son Pulido
Research Mentor: Arief Setiawan
The Wayuu Tribe is an ancient indigenous community in Colombia that is gradually disappearing
and threatened with extinction.
Similar to many other indigenous communities worldwide, the Wayuu people have endured
centuries of adversity, including colonialism, exploitation, displacement, marginalization,
and the loss of cultural identity.
Angie Son Pulido’s research project involves developing design strategies rooted in
Wayuu architectural traditions and collective memory, with the aim of raising awareness
about their struggles and empowering the community to preserve their heritage.
These elements form a comprehensive framework for a design approach that seeks not
only to learn from the Wayuu culture but also to address a fundamental question: What
design strategies, derived from the collective memories of the Wayuu people, can be
developed to effectively raise awareness about the plight and to empower this community?
“I am drawn to this subject because of my personal connection to the Wayuu Tribe through
my grandmother's heritage, and I believe that architecture can be a powerful tool
for social change and community empowerment,” Angie Son Pulido said.
2 p.m. Wednesday, November 15
Kadi Doumbia
Filtration of Lead and Arsenic Through Pleurotus Ostreatus’s Mycelium
Research Mentors: Christopher Cornelison and Daniel Ferreira
Toxic levels of contamination of heavy metals such as lead and arsenic are known to
have detrimental effects on many living organisms and are sometimes even found in
consumable water.
This project investigates how the mycelium, a root-like structure that filters nutrients
of oyster mushrooms, can filter those harmful heavy metals from a solution by analyzing
the concentration of lead and arsenic in a solution after filtering them through lyophilized
and non-lyophilized mycelia. Lyophilization is the process of freeze-drying an organism
to remove any water content within it.
Filtering dangerous heavy metals through mycelia would establish an eco-friendly method
to remediate environments contaminated with lead and arsenic.
“The idea that a natural organism like the oyster mushroom could potentially be harnessed
to address pollution issues is fascinating,” Kadi Doumbia said. “If successful, this
method could provide a cost-efficient and globally applicable solution to reduce water
pollution.”
3 p.m. Wednesday, November 15
Maria Del Valle
The Rebuild Project
College of Architecture and Construction Management
Graduate Student: Maria Del Valle
Research Mentor: Ameen Farooq
Crux is an initiative aimed at providing relief to Puerto Rico, which has suffered
destructive impacts of hurricanes.
This project focuses on transforming a city with abandoned homes, contaminated water,
agricultural decay, and a damaged electrical grid into a self-sustaining community.
This involves creating food markets, festival placemaking, urban farming, and showcasing
local artists.
Crux seeks to address multifaceted challenges faced by communities after natural disasters,
incorporating elements of cultural preservation, economic development, education,
and disaster resilience.
Maria Del Valle analyzed the interconnectedness of cultural, economic, and environmental
factors to propose a comprehensive strategy to address hurricane damage issues.
"My inspiration to delve into Puerto Rico stems from my deep connection with the island,"
Maria Del Valle said. "I felt it was important to contribute to my community, as a
way of giving back."
4 p.m. Wednesday, November 15
Naya Phillips
Clearing the Air: Hospital-Reported Airborne Illnesses and Dumpsite Dangers
College of Science and Mathematics
Undergraduate Student: Naya Phillips
Research Mentor: Evelina Sterling
Is there a connection between reported airborne illnesses in communities and air quality
within a 10-mile radius from local dump sites in Cobb and Gwinnett counties?
Dump sites have become increasingly concentrated over the last decade due to the rise
in human population, the mass production of goods, and waste resulting from that.
The methodology of this experiment included examining and correlating reported airborne
illnesses in those communities and the level of air pollutants in the air. As a result,
a positive correlation was found between reported airborne illnesses, air quality,
and residential proximity to dump sites.
This project is local and in two very prominent counties in Georgia. In 2022, Georgia
was ranked 22nd of 50 states in emissions, meaning that for local residents, the state
of the air they breathe and where they live may hit closer to home than one thinks.
This project could serve as a resource that showcases EPA (Environmental Protection
Agency) gathered data and a connection to air quality. It could be used to continue
the push in Georgia and local communities for improved air quality, stricter emission
regulations, and better disposal methods.
"As a biology major concentrating in molecular and cellular biology, I have dedicated
myself to study how forms of life work on a small scale," Naya Phillips said. "Along
the way, learning about ecological effects of emissions, waste, and the mechanisms
behind that further ignited a small fire I have always had within me to put a spotlight
on air quality in a research form."
9 a.m. Thursday, November 16
Aria Leinberger
Graphic Novel Anthology: Exploring the Raw American Life on the Margins of Society
College of the Arts
Undergraduate Student: Aria Leinberger
Research Mentor: Joseph Karg
The Graphic Novel Anthology: Exploring the Raw American Life on the Margins of Society
project aims to bring together those marginalized in society to create a graphic novel
anthology series where their stories can be shared and appreciated in the community.
By creating this project it brings together faculty, alumni, and students, to share
their experiences through storytelling and art.
Contributing to this project allows students to work alongside comic professionals
while gaining experience as a writer, penciler, inker, or colorist. Additionally,
the publication of the graphic novel anthology will aid in the success of the artist's
careers while also showcasing the talent that comes from Kennesaw State University's
art department.
"As a nonbinary artist myself, I am passionate about amplifying the voices of artists
and creators also who have been marginalized," Aria Leinberger said. "This project
fits into my major as I study sequential art with the goal of one day working for
Marvel Comics."
9 a.m. Thursday, November 16
Breanna McDonald
Data Collection of GlucoCheck and the Usability of the Mobile App
College of Computing and Software Engineering
Graduate Students: Afnan Ahmed Crystal and Breanna McDonald
Research Mentors: Maria Valero de Clemente and Katherine Ingram
This project aims to use light to detect blood sugar levels in the bloodstream without
the use of a finger prick. The mobile device application allows users to manage their
individual data values at their fingertips and regulate their levels by using real-time
updates. A minimally invasive method of monitoring glucose continuously.
The researchers are investigating a method using light absorption to help people access
their blood glucose values without having to prick their skin multiple times a day
with needles. They are also creating a user-friendly mobile application that allows
people to monitor their values in real-time at the touch of a few buttons or by the
sound of their voice.
"Numerous people in my family have been diagnosed with diabetes," Breanna McDonald
said. "It brings me much satisfaction working on a project that could not only allow
them to better manage their condition, but also to do so without the pain and risks
of constant finger pricks."
11 a.m. Thursday, November 16
Abby Moen
Year Two Microfiber Analysis of Lake Allatoona Sand and Water Using an Optimized Water
Sampling Method and an Optimized Extraction Method
College of Science and Mathematics
Undergraduate Student: Abby Moen
Research Mentor: Marina Koether
Is there a safe level of microfiber contamination in Lake Allatoona, and if so, what
is that level?
This project focuses on measuring microfiber concentration in Lake Allatoona water
and sediment, as well as tap and deionized (DI) water from the laboratory. Water and
sand samples from six different lake sites were collected, processed, and analyzed
under a microscope for the presence of microfibers.
The project found that the sites farthest downstream from the Allatoona Dam had the
highest microfiber concentration, and the majority of 2023 lake water samples had
a higher microfiber concentration than those from Summer 2022 using plankton nets.
Tap water was more contaminated with microfibers than DI water.
"I decided to pursue this project because of my interest in learning more about the
contamination of our water sources and how that is changing over time," Abby Moen
said.
