Nine undergraduate students from Missouri University of Science and Technology traveled to Jefferson City on March 12 to participate in Undergraduate Research Day at the Missouri State Capitol.

The event, which is designed to inform Missouri’s lawmakers about research at Missouri universities, welcomes undergraduate students from all four University of Missouri System campuses. Participating students conduct research under the direction of faculty advisors and present their research.

Missouri S&T places an emphasis on providing research opportunities to undergraduate students. The following students, all from Missouri, represented S&T and shared their research at the Capitol:

• Luke Colbert, a junior in biomedical engineering from Lee’s Summit, presented “Neurodevelopmental Impact of Electronic Cigarettes.” The work is directed by Dr. Andrea Scharf, assistant professor of biological sciences.
• Michael Hotra, a junior in computer science from Washington, presented “Rapid Damage Rating Using Deep Learning-based Algorithm on UAV Images after Tornadoes.” The work is directed by Dr. Grace Yan, professor of civil, architectural and environmental engineering.
• Hossein Libre, a sophomore in ceramic engineering from Rolla, presented “Enabling High-Temperature Hypersonic Aerospace Materials: Process Control of Fiber Interphases in Ceramic Matrix Composites.” The work is directed by Dr. Greg Hilmas, Curators’ Distinguished Professor of ceramic engineering, and Dr. Jason Lonergan, assistant research professor of materials science and engineering.
• James Meyer, a junior in biological sciences from Jefferson City, presented “The Creation of Drought Resistant Soybeans.” The work is directed by Dr. David Westenberg, Curators’ Distinguished Professor of biological sciences.
• Jeannette Ramirez, a senior in environmental engineering from Ballwin, presented “Assessing Environmental Impact of Critical Minerals Extraction of Legacy Mine Tailings.” The work is directed by Dr. Mariam Al-Lami, postdoctoral fellow in civil, architectural and environmental engineering.
• Tyler Sanford, a senior in computer science from St. Louis, presented “Harness for Dynamic Localization (HALO).” The work is directed by Dr. Sejun Song, Cynthia Tang Endowed Professor in cybersecurity.
• Jacob Schroll, a junior in computer engineering from St. Louis, presented “Accelerating Adaptive Resonance Theory with Application Specific Hardware.” The work is directed by Dr. Jian Liu, assistant research professor of electrical and computer engineering.
• Aidan Sengupta, a senior in aerospace engineering from St. Louis, presented “Uncertainty Quantification of High-Enthalpy Calorimeters.” The work is directed by Dr. Davide Viganò, assistant professor of mechanical and aerospace engineering.
• William Wisnasky, a junior in biological sciences from Lee’s Summit, presented “Mitochondrial DNA Sequencing Reveals Population History of a Northernly Distributed Minnow Species.” The work is directed by Dr. David Duvernell, professor of biological sciences.

About Missouri University of Science and Technology

Missouri University of Science and Technology (Missouri S&T) is a STEM-focused research university of over 7,000 students located in Rolla, Missouri. Part of the four-campus University of Missouri System, Missouri S&T offers over 100 degrees in 40 areas of study and is among the nation’s top public universities for salary impact, according to the Wall Street Journal. For more information about Missouri S&T, visit mst.edu.