URMP Student Participants 2026

Meet this year's Undergraduate Research & Mentoring Program student participants. These students work over several terms with a faculty mentor to complete an exciting research project.

Yoosef Azarnoush

Faculty Mentor: Alex Hunt, MME

Project Title: Biomimetic Gripper Design

Project Abstract: Working on the design and development of a bio-inspired robotic gripper capable of handling objects with very different sizes, shapes, and fragility levels, ranging from small mechanical components to delicate organic materials. The project builds on an existing capstone design and involves researching biomimetic gripping systems developed by university robotics labs, analyzing different gripping mechanisms, and contributing to the design, adaptability, and functionality of the gripper system

Gina Ferguson

Faculty Mentor: Christof Teuscher, ECE

Project Title: Project 22

Project Abstract: Can a browser-based platform that pairs a large language model (LLM) agent with an automated synthesis back-end enable learners with no prior hardware experience to produce functionally correct, tapeout-ready digital chip designs, and what system prompt architecture, error feedback loop, and example corpus design produce the fewest LLM interaction turns per successful design?

Benjamin Christensen

Faculty Mentor: Joshua Méndez

Project Title: Holographic Acoustic Levitator

Project Abstract: Building a holographic acoustic levitator to levitate objects via sound waves. This experimental setup will allow us to observe tribocharging of particle-particle collisions, eliminating the effects of particle-wall collisions, giving us a better understanding of exactly how charge transfer occurs between materials of the same kind and size.

Kaevin Barta

Faculty Mentor: Christof Teuscher, ECE

Project Title: Simulation of a Memristive/Memcapacitive Neuromorphic Crossbar

Project Abstract: The intern builds a physics-grounded simulation framework for a mixed memristor/memcapacitor crossbar and studies how device-level non-idealities (variability, endurance degradation, sneak-path currents) affect network-level inference accuracy. This connects directly to work on unconventional computing substrates and reservoir computing.

Vincent Faulkner

Faculty Mentor: Samantha Hartzell

Project Title: Infiltration Rate and Retention Comparison on Eco-roof Media

Project Abstract: Measuring and comparing the infiltration rates and retention curves to see how different popular eco-roof media compare in water absorption and the rate at which surface ponding occurs.

Rachel Heath

Faculty Mentor: Alex Hunt, MME

Project Title: Tendon Tensioning System

Project Abstract: The quadruped robot currently uses fishing line as tendons that connect the muscles to the joints. The tendons are secured to the muscles by tying the line with knots to an end cap on the muscle. Tendons are secured to the joint via screws. When tension needs to be adjusted, the process is tedious, the screws need to be loosened and tightened repeatedly. The goal of this project is to redesign the end cap and tendon attachment system to make tension adjustments more efficient. Work involves CAD modeling of components, 3D printing, and trialing prototypes.

Lucas Klotz

Faculty Mentor: Christof Teuscher, ECE

Project Title: Which Measure of Criticality Actually Predicts Reservoir Computing Performance?

Project Abstract: The goal is to establish a method to define "criticality" in reservoir computing (RC) systems, then study whether this point co-exists with optimal performance in the system. RC systems are notoriously difficult to tune, so defining this as a rule could offer insights into optimizing the tuning process itself.

Rudy Cruz

Faculty Mentor: Samantha Hartzell

Project Title: Synthesizing a Cost-Effective Contained Photosynthesis Measurement Apparatus for CAM Plants

Project Abstract: Typical portable photosynthesis measurement tools are used on plants with thin, flat leaves. Crassulacean Acid Metabolism (CAM) plants are uniquely characterized by thick, tissue, succulent leaves that store water and carbon dioxide during the day, making it hard for devices to analyze their gaseous intake rates. Synthesizing a photosynthesis measurement apparatus that contains the entire plant will create a cost-effective and accessible way to understand these plants' processes in a warming climate that sees an expansion of them.

Eddy Oleynik

Faculty Mentor: John Lipor

Project Title: Haptic Feedback Devices

Project Abstract: Developing wearable haptic feedback devices designed to convey the directionality of sound to people with unilateral hearing loss.

Questions? Please contact ajh26@pdx.edu.

View past participants, student posters and abstracts at PDX Scholar.