Student Researchers Tackle Big Challenges at RWU Summer Research Showcase

December 2, 2024By Jordan J. Phelan '19

At the 2024 Summer Research Showcase on Oct. 22, students brought innovation to life through hands-on research and cutting-edge projects, tackling real-world challenges alongside RWU faculty and industry professionals.

BRISTOL, R.I. -From a biosensor designed to detect pathogens in oysters to a platform advancing autonomous underwater robotics to an analysis of mercury contamination in Rhode Island's freshwater fish, students displayed their innovative work at Roger Williams University's Summer Research Showcase on Tuesday, Oct. 22.

Held in Global Heritage Hall, the event featured 21 projects and brought together more than two dozen student researchers to present their scientific explorations to the RWU community. The showcase offered a platform for students to share their findings, hone their presentation skills, and celebrate the diverse ways their work is tackling real-world challenges.

With projects spanning disciplines such as engineering, biology, and environmental science, the annual event reflected RWU's dedication to hands-on learning and research excellence - and to year-round learning and research opportunities.

Here are just a few of the many projects shared at this year's Summer Research Showcase:

Seniors Matthew Satriale and Andrew Vo showcase their sensorized platform for underwater robots, developed to aid autonomous ship maintenance through a Navy-funded project.

Engineering Students Collaborate on Cutting-Edge Underwater Robotics Research

Senior Engineering students Matthew Satriale and Andrew Vo are applying their technical expertise to real-world challenges through their work on a sensorized autonomous manipulation platform for underwater robots. This innovative project, subcontracted through the Office of Naval Research and developed in collaboration with Brown University and the University of Massachusetts Lowell, focuses on creating independent underwater robots capable of performing maintenance tasks on ships and submarines without human intervention.

The duo designed and constructed a sensorized platform equipped with modular task components to evaluate the robots' capabilities. The platform is able to complete several intricate tasks, with integrated sensors relaying data in real time for performance analysis. Their hands-on work has been pivotal in bridging the gap between theory and practice.

"This project gave us the incredible opportunity to work alongside professionals in the industry," said Vo from Peabody, Mass. "Being able to take their ideas, integrate them with our knowledge, and see them come to life in the lab confirmed that this is the right career path for me."

Satriale, who hails from Pleasantville, N.Y., echoed these sentiments, highlighting the value of hands-on experience. "Collaborating with industry professionals and researchers was eye-opening. It allowed us to experience the kind of work happening in our field and solidified my decision to pursue engineering."

Under the mentorship of Professor of Engineering Matthew Stein and with resources provided by the School of Engineering, Computing, and Construction Management, Satriale and Vo's contributions demonstrate how RWU undergraduate students are innovating for the future while building their professional skill sets.

Senior Annamarie Covington, a Marine Biology major and Aquaculture & Aquarium Science and Professional & Public Writing double minor, studied how seawater pH and diet impact blue mussel resilience, offering insights for aquaculture amid climate change.

Exploring Blue Mussel Resilience in a Changing Ocean

This summer, senior Annamarie Covington spent her days in the lab and on the docks, examining how blue mussels respond to shifting ocean conditions. Working alongside Assistant Professor of Biology Robert Holmberg, her research explored the effects of seawater pH, diet, and buffering with sodium bicarbonate on the resilience of hatchery-reared mussels.

Covington, a Marine Biology major and Aquaculture & Aquarium Science and Professional & Public Writing double minor from Arvada, Colo., worked on the post-deployment analysis of mussels exposed to varying conditions. Her findings suggest that blue mussels thrive better in higher pH conditions without additional buffering during their larval stage, offering critical insights for aquaculture operations aiming to sustain and restore mussel populations amid the challenges of climate change.

"I loved seeing the connection between microscopic processes and the larger implications for conservation," Covington shared. "This work has shown me how research at every level can contribute to solutions for the challenges we face globally. It's been an eye-opening experience that's confirmed my interest in pursuing graduate studies in ocean acidification."

As she prepares to graduate in December, Covington hopes to continue working on blue mussel research, further investigating strategies to improve their survival and potential for aquaculture expansion. Her experience exemplifies how RWU students apply their knowledge to pressing environmental challenges, developing insights with both scientific and practical implications.

Junior Ethan Neidt, senior Julia Ward, and junior Riley Como walk students through their innovative project that seeks to advance real-world applications in breast cancer detection.

Engineering New Paths for Breast Cancer Detection

When junior Mechanical Engineering major Riley Como of West Warren, Mass., began exploring negative curvature terahertz fibers, the project's potential applications in breast cancer detection weren't immediately on his radar. But as he dove deeper into simulations and 3D printing prototypes, the real-world implications of this innovative research became clear.

In tandem with Ethan Neidt, a junior Mechanical and Electrical Engineering major from Oakville, Conn., and Julia Ward, a senior Biomedical Engineering major from Wethersfield, Conn., the team is pioneering the development of a novel biosensor. Leveraging terahertz light frequencies, their research aims to create a low-cost, non-invasive method for detecting cancer biomarkers in blood. Currently focused on simulations to analyze blood constituents like plasma and white blood cells, the group is preparing to transition to experimental testing in the near future.

For Neidt, the potential impact of the project is what drives his dedication. "This project has had a huge impact on me, not just technically, but in seeing how theoretical work can translate into real-world applications. The idea that this could potentially be used to detect breast cancer in a low-cost, less-invasive way is really exciting. It's something I'm proud to have on my resume as I look ahead in my career."

As they prepare for future careers, the students agree that their involvement in this trailblazing project has been invaluable. "Being part of this research has given me real-world experience that I wouldn't have gotten in a classroom," Como said. "Learning how to use a resin 3D printer and optimize the design process are skills I can take with me, and working with Professor [Ahmet] Akosman has been invaluable. His guidance has helped me grow not just as a student, but as an engineer."

Senior Keeley Flaherty, a Biology major with a minor in Chemistry, cultivated an vast faculty network spanning numerous disciplines in her pursuit of real-time pathogen detection.

Innovative Biosensor Detects Harmful Pathogens in Oysters

When Keeley Flaherty of Simsbury, Conn., set out to develop a portable biosensor for detecting harmful pathogens in oysters, she had no idea how much the project would push her to expand her knowledge beyond the boundaries of her academic pursuits. A senior Biology major with a minor in Chemistry, Flaherty has spent her summer working on a state-of-the-art electrochemical sensor designed to bring real-time pathogen detection out of the lab and into the field.

Through an extensive interdisciplinary collaboration, she and her faculty mentors - Professor of Biology Avelina Espinosa, Assistant Professor of Engineering Allison Marn, and Assistant Professor of Physics Jennifer Pearce - are taking a significant step toward making pathogen screening more accessible and cost-effective, with the potential to revolutionize oyster farming and marine biology research. The pathogen they are targeting, Perkinsus marinus, is the causative agent of Dermo disease, a serious affliction that threatens the health of oysters in Narragansett Bay and beyond.

The current methods for detecting this harmful protist are time-consuming and expensive, often requiring samples to be sent to distant labs for analysis. This innovation could dramatically improve the management of oyster populations and help aquaculturists monitor and mitigate the spread of Dermo disease, ultimately benefiting both the local ecology and the economy of marine communities.

Flaherty's work on the project has broadened her expertise and set her up for success as she prepares to embark on RWU's new one-year accelerated master's program in Biotechnology. "This project has pushed me outside of my comfort zone, especially when it came to learning about physics and engineering. It's been an incredible opportunity to develop new skills and take on challenges I never anticipated. I'm excited to apply this interdisciplinary knowledge to my future career."

Senior Brianna Lotti, a Marine Biology and Chemistry double major, presented her research about mercury levels in freshwater lakes and ponds throughout Rhode Island.

Ensuring Safer Freshwater Fish for Rhode Island Communities

Senior Brianna Lotti, a Marine Biology and Chemistry double major from Wakefield, Mass., spent her summer studying mercury contamination in freshwater fish throughout the Ocean State, working under the guidance of Professor of Biology David Taylor. Partnering with the Environmental Protection Agency and the Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management, Lotti analyzed the spatial variation of mercury levels in commonly consumed freshwater fish species collected from 56 lakes and ponds across Rhode Island. By studying muscle tissue samples, she aimed to understand how environmental factors like water chemistry and land use affected mercury accumulation in these species.

Lotti's findings revealed that fish from rural, forested areas exhibited higher mercury concentrations than those from more urbanized regions. This discrepancy, she explained, is likely due to atmospheric deposition in forested areas, where trees capture mercury from the atmosphere, depositing it into freshwater systems. These regions had more mercury available to be methylated by bacteria, making it biologically available to fish. In contrast, urban areas like Providence, with lower tree coverage and more concrete, saw lower rates of mercury deposition and methylation, resulting in lower mercury concentrations in the fish.

Reflecting on her experience, Lotti found the project to be both personally and professionally rewarding. "It's been an amazing experience to combine something I've always been passionate about, like fishing, with real-world research," she said. "This project has shown me how my studies can directly impact public health and policy, and it's helped me gain invaluable experience for my future career in environmental science."