Program Overview

Introduction to Engineering Research Module

The MEEN30170 Introduction to Engineering Research module is available exclusively to UCD Engineering Study Abroad students. This module introduces students to the principles of engineering research through attachment to an active research group in the College of Engineering & Architecture. Students will become active members of a research group and work under the direction of the group's Principal Investigator.

Module Objectives

• Students will learn about the research focus of the group and conduct independent research into the scientific literature relevant to the group's activity.
• They will shadow a member of the research team and carry out a research project encompassing one or more engineering capabilities.
• Based on the research activity of the research group, students will learn about research methodologies and what is needed to progress basic research ideas towards higher technology readiness levels.
• Using data generated by themselves and/or the group, students will learn how to analyse the research data and communicate their findings effectively and take appropriate action.
• Students will also learn how to write a scientific abstract and a scientific report, as well as how to make a scientific presentation in the context of engineering research.

Examples of Research Projects

Spring 2025

• Allison Williams from the University of Alabama worked with Dr Kevin Nolan from the School of Mechanical & Materials Engineering and Dr Roderick Jones from the School of Chemical & Bioprocess Engineering on a project titled Sensor Package to Promote Offshore Security.
• Caleb Burks from the University of Alabama worked with Dr Kevin Nolan from the School of Mechanical & Materials Engineering on The Effect of Spatial Cutoff Geometry on Schlieren: Visualisation of Thermal Plumes.
• Courtney Peterson from Penn State University was supervised by Dr Jufan Zhang from the School of Mechanical & Materials Engineering on a project, Enhancing Stage Range via Mechanical Redesign.
• Devin Von Arx from Rice University worked with two PhD students and Trinity College Dublin on the Early Detection of Pulmonary Fibrosis Using Digital Stethoscope Audio and Signal Processing.
• Georgia Herr from the University of Alabama worked with Dr James O'Donnell from the School of Mechanical & Materials Engineering on a project titled Evaluating Carbon Dioxide Heat Pump for Residential Use Utilising a Building Energy Performance Simulation.
• Jessica Bressman from Princeton University worked with Dr Md Salauddin from the School of Civil Engineering on a project Investigating the Impact of Seagrass Species on Coastal Resilience.
• Joseph Duarte from the University of Notre Dame worked with Dr Javad Zeinali from the School of Mechanical & Materials Engineering on a project titled Satellite Imagery Detection Neural Network Through Generative AI.
• Leah Kanzler from Case Western Reserve University worked with Dr Kevin Nolan from the School of Mechanical & Materials Engineering on a project, Bridging Engineering and Extended Reality Using the 2D Heat Equation.
• Olivia Hall from Columbia University worked with Dr Kevin Nolan from the School of Mechanical & Materials Engineering on a project around Optimising AUV Deployment using Finite-Time Lyapunov Exponents from Ocean Flow Data Off the Irish Coast.
• Ryan Leavy from the University of Michigan worked with Dr Kevin Roche from the School of Mechanical & Materials Engineering, comparing 3D CT Scans and Photogrammetry Models of Fish Jaws.
• Samantha Feldman from Washington University, St Louis, worked with Dr Vikram Pakrashi from the School of Mechanical & Materials Engineering on a Vortex-Induced Vibrations and Impact Displacement Response project.
• Samuel Roth from Syracuse University worked with Dr Kevin Nolan from the School of Mechanical & Materials Engineering, Why Not Blender? Comparative Study of Blender and ANSYS for Educational Airflow Modelling.

Autumn 2024

• Aizhan Moore from Syracuse University worked with Dr Ronan Cahill from the UCD School of Medicine and Dr Kevin Nolan, UCD School of Mechanical & Materials Engineering, on a project Developing Wireless Interface devices for Real-Time Surgical Interaction with Computer Systems during fluorescence-guided procedures.
• Ben Verlander from Duke University was supervised by Dr Vikram Pakrashi from the UCD School of Mechanical & Materials Engineering on a project titled Wind Turbine Operational Modal Analysis Algorithm Comparison.
• Benjamin Golla from the University of Tulsa worked with Dr James O'Donnell from the UCD School of Mechanical & Materials Engineering on a project titled the Evaluation of Semi-Automated BIM-BEM Data Transfer Tool BIM2SIM.
• Devin O'Donnell from the University of Colorado, Boulder, worked with Dr Javad Zeinali from the UCD School of Mechanical & Materials Engineering on a project titled Investigation of Fluid Vortex Development in a Mixing Tank using Computational Fluid Dynamics.
• Isabelle Deputy from Case Western Reserve University worked with Dr David MacManus and Ashwin Mishta, UCD School of Mechanical & Materials Engineering on a project titled Sex-Based Comparison of Subcortical Regions in the Human Brain.
• John Gadbois from the University of Notre Dame was supervised by Dr Fiona Freeman from the UCD School of Mechanical & Materials Engineering. John's project was titled Quantitative Analysis of Historical PCL Scaffolds Stainings.
• Mila Shukitt from the University of Alabama worked with Dr David McKeown from UCD School of Mechanical & Materials Engineering on a project titled Visualising Space Data: The EIRSAT-1 Satellite Dashboard Project.
• Vivek Attupuram from the University of Notre Dame was supervised by Dr Kevin Nolan from the UCD School of Mechanical & Materials Engineering. Vivek's project was titled A Comparison of Power Generation for Different Blade Designs for a Horizontal Axis Wind Turbine (HAWT).

Spring 2024

• Andrew Johnson from Washington University, St Louis, worked with Dr Mark Pickering from the UCD School of Medicine on a project, Measuring Microplastics in Oceans via Impedance Spectroscopy.
• Lucy Lin from the University of Pennsylvania worked with Dr Philip Cardiff from the UCD School of Mechanical & Materials Engineering on a project titled the Characterisation of Mechanical Properties of Rubber Bands in Various Configurations.
• David D'Alessando from Washington University, St Louis, was supervised by Dr. Kevin Nolan from the UCD School of Mechanical & Materials Engineering on a project titled CFD Analysis of a Formula One Car to Determine the Halo's Effect on the Car's Performance.
• Gabriela Kogler from Washington University, St Louis was supervised by Dr. Adam Boyce on a project titled The Solid Mechanics of Solid-State Lithium-ion Batteries from Changing the Charge Rate and Elastic Modulus of the Electrolyte within the Cell.
• Matthew Cheifetz from Washington University, St Louis, supervised by Dr. Kevin Nolan from the UCD School of Mechanical & Materials Engineering, carried out An Analysis of a ball suspended by a jet of air using high-speed schlieren.
• Olivia Landriscina from George Washington University was supervised by Professor Peter Kennedy from the UCD School of Electrical & Electronic Engineering on a project based on Digital Delta Sigma Modulators and MASH Equations.
• Pauline Lucas from ECAM Rennes, France, was supervised by Dr. Kevin Nolan from the UCD School of Mechanical & Materials Engineering. Her project is titled Flow measurement Application: spot wave device for Surf.
• Rebecca Farrar from Smith College worked on a Sex-based Comparison of Subcortical Regions in the Human Brain under the supervision of Dr David MacManus from the UCD School of Mechanical & Materials Engineering.
• Sadie Karp from Washington University, St Louis, worked on a project titled Improving Building Energy Modelling and Analysis Processes using the graph database Neo4J under the direction of Dr James O'Donnell from the UCD School of Mechanical & Materials Engineering.
• Virginie Boussard from ECAM Rennes, France, investigated the toroidal propeller for drones with Dr. Kevin Nolan from the UCD School of Mechanical & Materials Engineering.
• Yasmein Asfour from George Washington University worked under the guidance of Professor Nikolaos Papakostas from the UCD School of Mechanical & Materials Engineering on a project titled Automated Counting and Inspection System.

Autumn 2023

• Austin Younger from Rochester Institute of Technology worked with Dr Kevin Nolan from the UCD School of Mechanical & Materials Engineering on a project that analysed rocket engine nozzle flow via a 2-mirror schlieren assembly.
• Bennett Schmitt from the University of Notre Dame worked with Dr Veronica Sofianos from the UCD School of Chemical & Bioprocess Engineering on a project to catalyse a Green Hydrogen Future: Investigating Iron-Nickel Borides as Nanocatalysts for Water Electrolysis.
• Eric Seng from Duke University worked with Dr Anton van Beek from the UCD School of Mechanical & Materials Engineering on a project using Generative AI Models to Design Novel Shapes.

Spring 2023

• Anoosh Tauqir from George Washington University worked with Dr Kevin Nolan from the UCD School of Mechanical & Materials Engineering on a project titled Using Blender and Geographic Information Systems (GIS) to Create 3D Landscapes and Model Extreme Climate Events.
• Georgette Encinas from George Washington University worked with Dr Yuan Hu from the UCD School of Mechanical & Materials Engineering on a project, Exploring the Technology behind Omniscan SX: A Comprehensive Overview of its Functionality and Applications.
• Emma Kroll from Washington University, St Louis, worked with Professor Lizbeth Goodman from the UCD School of Mechanical & Materials Engineering on a project, Exploring the use of Artificial Intelligence and Virtual Reality to Aid Brain Injury Recovery.
• Sydney Norstad from Washington University, St Louis, worked with Dr Eoin O'Cearbhaill from the UCD School of Mechanical & Materials Engineering on a project on Additive Manufacturing Technology Modelling Portal and Hepatic Veins for Embolisation.
• Jasmine Davy from Washington University, St Louis, worked with Professor Fengzhou Fang and Research Mentor Mingyue Shen from the UCD School of Mechanical & Materials Engineering on a project around the Electropolishing Effects on Laser-based Powder Bed Fusion 316L Stainless Steel.
• Gillian Fuhrmeister from George Washington University worked with Dr James O'Donnell from the UCD School of Mechanical & Materials Engineering on a project which evaluated Embodied Carbon Calculations for Heating Concepts in an Irish detached house.
• Samson Adler from the University of Michigan worked with Dr Mert Celikin and Research Mentor Theo Mossop from the UCD School of Mechanical & Materials Engineering on a project around the Heat Treatment of Metastable β Ti-Nb-Ta Alloy for Biomedical Applications.
• Cyrus Li from Virginia Tech worked with Dr Mark Pickering from the UCD School of Medicine on a project titled Proof of Concept: Designing a Particle Image Velocimetry Chamber for Fluid Motion Visualisation.

Autumn 2022

• Allison Goehringer from Duke University worked with Prof Denis Dowling and Alison Clarke from the UCD School of Mechanical & Materials Engineering on a project titled Reinforcing 3D Printed Polymers with Continuous Stainless Steel Fibre Bundle.
• Christopher Leite from Stevens Institute of Technology worked with Prof David Browne from the UCD School of Mechanical & Materials Engineering on a project titled CASTING METALLIC GLASSES.
• Sawyer Johnson from the University of Colorado, Boulder, worked with Dr Kevin Roche from the UCD School of Mechanical & Materials Engineering on a project titled Classifying Different Types of Plastic using FTIR Spectroscopy.
• Florian Kisters from DHBW, Stuttgart, worked with Dr James O'Donnell from the UCD School of Mechanical & Materials Engineering on a project titled Energy model simulation of modern heating concepts for an Irish domestic.

Spring 2022

• Alanis Wilson-Ehrenthal from University of Colorado, Boulder, worked with Dr Vincent Hargaden from the UCD School of Mechanical & Materials Engineering on a project titled DesignPlan: Graphical User Interface Prototype.
• Brendan Kornatz from Vanderbilt University worked with Dr Kevin Nolan and Dr Luca Biancofiore from the UCD School of Mechanical & Materials Engineering on a project titled Viscoelasticity Characterization.
• Carly Ward from Syracuse University worked with Dr Kevin Nolan and Dr Conan McCaul from the UCD School of Mechanical & Materials Engineering on a project titled Investigation into the Role of Tube Crimping in Medical Devices for Failed Epidural Analgesia.
• Jack Ward from Washington University, St Louis, worked with Dr Malachy O'Rourke from the UCD School of Mechanical & Materials Engineering on a project titled The Segmentation and Flow Velocity Visualization of Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm.
• Jenna Rogge from Washington University, St Louis, worked with Dr David McKeown from the UCD School of Mechanical & Materials Engineering on a project titled EIRSAT – 1 Thermal Analysis.
• Jonah Goldman from George Washington University worked with Dr Lizbeth Godman from the UCD School of Mechanical & Materials Engineering on a project titled Critical Review of Eye Tracking Technology in the Study of Autism.
• Kha Trinh from St Olaf College worked with Dr Niall English from the UCD School of Chemical & Bioprocessing Engineering on a project titled Molecular Dynamics Simulation of a new effective inhibitor for CO2 Hydrate Formation.
• Zachary Shuler from Syracuse University worked with Dr Donal Holland from the UCD School of Electrical & Electronic Engineering on a project titled Modelling Pneumatic Inflatable Actuators (PIA).

Autumn 2021

• Garrett DiRienz from Vanderbilt University worked with Ryan Paetzold and Dr Christopher Musgrave from the UCD School of Mechanical & Materials Engineering on a project titled Flexible Filament 3D Printing for Tensile Testing Equipment Validation.
• Eric Tkach from Lehigh University worked with Dr Mert Celikin from the UCD School of Mechanical & Materials Engineering on a project titled Thermal Debinding Treatments of Polypropylene and PLA.
• Grace Al-Sheikh from Syracuse University worked with Dr Kevin Nolan from the UCD School of Mechanical & Materials Engineering on a project titled Tracking Surgical Port Leaks with Particle Image Velocimetry.
• Amanda McVeigh from Syracuse University worked with Dr Philip Cardiff from the UCD School of Mechanical & Materials Engineering on a project titled Solids4foam Documentation.
• Zoe Cruse from the University of Colorado, Boulder, worked with Dr Kevin Nolan from the UCD School of Mechanical & Materials Engineering on a project titled Analysis of Smoke Particles During Laparoscopic Surgery.
• Hannah Juul from the University of Colorado, Boulder, worked with Prof Michael Gilchrist from the UCD School of Mechanical & Materials Engineering on a project titled SLM 3D printing for Moulds.

Spring 2021

• Josh Falejczyk, University of Alabama, worked with Dr Paul Cuffe from the School of Electrical and Electronic Engineering on a project entitled "Exploring Spectrogram-based Audio Signal Representation and Synthesis".
• Makenzie Ferguson, University of Alabama, worked with Dr Kevin Nolan from the School of Mechanical and Materials Engineering. The project was entitled "Analysis of Gas Leakage during Laparoscopic Surgery".
• Haley Barnes, Georgia Tech, also worked with Dr Kevin Nolan from the School of Mechanical and Materials Engineering on a project entitled "CAD Modelling of a 3D Printed Solution to CO2 Leaks in Laparoscopic Surgery".
• Bianca Acot, Princeton University, carried out her research in the laboratory of Professor Michael Gilchrist, UCD School of Mechanical & Materials Engineering.
• Claire McFarland, Washington University St Louis, carried out her research in the laboratory of Dr Nan Zhang, UCD School of Mechanical & Materials Engineering.
• Taylor Chapman, Yale University, carried out her research in the laboratory of Professor Andrew Keane, UCD School of Electrical & Electronic Engineering and Mr Michael Power, UCD Energy Institute.
• Dylan Logan, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, carried out his research in the laboratory of Dr Nan Zhang, UCD School of Mechanical & Materials Engineering.
• Hayden Simmons, Washington University St Louis, carried out his project in the laboratory of Professor Lizbeth Goodman in the UCD School of Mechanical & Materials Engineering and Mr James O'Connor in the SMARTlab.
• Colin Marchus, University of Idaho, carried out his research in the laboratory of Dr Nan Zhang, UCD School of Mechanical & Materials Engineering.
• Kathryn Jaroszynski, George Washington University, carried out her project in the laboratory of Professor Lizbeth Goodman in the UCD School of Mechanical & Materials Engineering.
• Sydney Krivitsky, Washington University St Louis, carried out her project in the laboratory of Professor Lizbeth Goodman in the UCD School of Mechanical & Materials Engineering.
• Alexander Thill, University of Alabama, carried out his project in the laboratory of Professor Lizbeth Goodman in the UCD School of Mechanical & Materials Engineering.

Spring 2020

• Bianca Acot, Princeton University, carried out her research in the laboratory of Professor Michael Gilchrist, UCD School of Mechanical & Materials Engineering.
• Claire McFarland, Washington University St Louis, carried out her research in the laboratory of Dr Nan Zhang, UCD School of Mechanical & Materials Engineering.
• Taylor Chapman, Yale University, carried out her research in the laboratory of Professor Andrew Keane, UCD School of Electrical & Electronic Engineering and Mr Michael Power, UCD Energy Institute.
• Dylan Logan, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, carried out his research in the laboratory of Dr Nan Zhang, UCD School of Mechanical & Materials Engineering.
• Hayden Simmons, Washington University St Louis, carried out his project in the laboratory of Professor Lizbeth Goodman in the UCD School of Mechanical & Materials Engineering and Mr James O'Connor in the SMARTlab.
• Colin Marchus, University of Idaho, carried out his research in the laboratory of Dr Nan Zhang, UCD School of Mechanical & Materials Engineering.
• Kathryn Jaroszynski, George Washington University, carried out her project in the laboratory of Professor Lizbeth Goodman in the UCD School of Mechanical & Materials Engineering.
• Sydney Krivitsky, Washington University St Louis, carried out her project in the laboratory of Professor Lizbeth Goodman in the UCD School of Mechanical & Materials Engineering.
• Alexander Thill, University of Alabama, carried out his project in the laboratory of Professor Lizbeth Goodman in the UCD School of Mechanical & Materials Engineering.