Undergraduate researchers exhibit work

In the crowded and poster-filled lobby of Schultz Laboratory on Wednesday, 33 students displayed science and engineering research projects as part of the University's first full-scale Undergraduate Research Symposium (URS).

"The URS is designed to dramatically impact science and engineering education at Princeton," the symposium's chair and founder Jordan Amadio '05 said.

Organized solely by students, the URS debuted as a pilot project last May with the aim of enhancing cross-disciplinary dialogue in science and engineering fields.

This year's event — supported by the University's Council on Science and Technology as well as science and engineering departments — also hopes to promote awareness of innovative campus research while giving students insight on careers in science, technology and medicine, Amadio said.

And the syposium's centerpiece is a competition to pick the best undergraduate research project. Out of the original field of about 30 students, a panel of faculty judges picked five finalists, whose work will be displayed in Schultz until Saturday when a prize for the best research will be awarded.

Wednesday's five finalists were Mihai Parparita '04 (CSE), Matt Satriano '05 (MAT), Adler Perotte '04 (PSY), Erica Gralla '04 and Naomi Chow '04 (MAE), and Richard Clark '04 (MAE).

On Saturday, the finalists will present their projects to the judges at Frist Campus Center.

Adapted from the Intel competition's system, the projects were judged on their clarity, creativity, thoroughness and scientific and engineering goals.

Parparita researched static and dynamic image stylization, and Perotte explored a neural network model to describe components of memory.

Satriano proved special properties of infinite sequences.

Gralla and Chow studied low-earth orbit satellite designs, and Clark examined the fluid dynamics of manta rays.

Even those who were not selected as finalists benefited from presenting their work and learning about the research methods and findings of their peers.

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Participant Darnell Thompson '04 said, "Presenting my project was a great way to practice explaining ideas to people who are not always experts in your field of study."

Thompson and Jon Thomas '04 are in the process of developing a regenerative braking system for a bicycle using air compression and expansion.

For many seniors, the symposium also helped them evaluate the progress of their theses.

"Preparing for the symposium allowed me to see the bigger picture of my thesis as well as specific details I was lacking," Sasha Rao '04 said.

A total of $4,000 in prizes will be awarded to URS participants.

Emeritus professor of chemistry Edward Taylor will deliver Saturday's keynote address discussing the importance of independent research in the sciences.

"My interest in a career in scientific research started as an undergraduate at Cornell in a fascinating project dealing with vitamin chemistry, and I've been a proponent of undergraduate research ever since," Taylor said.

The symposium's organizers were hopeful that the URS will accomplish its goals.

"My hope is to see underclassmen inspired by research opportunities and begin to draw on strengths of different disciplines," Dave Chen '05, associate chair of the symposium, said.

Amadio and a steering committee of six students from various science and engineering organizations met weekly to coordinate the inaugural event.