Trine University presented its second annual STEM Research and Design Symposium on
                                 Dec. 7 in the Jim and Joan Bock Center for Innovation and Biomedical Engineering.
                              
                              The symposium featured 43 student projects from the Bock Department of Biomedical
                                 Engineering, the McKetta Department of Chemical Engineering, the Department of Chemistry,
                                 the Department of Exercise Science, the Department of Mathematics and the Doctor of
                                 Physical Therapy program. More than 85 students participated.
                              
                              Projects ranged from departmental freshman and research projects to Research Experiences
                                 for Undergraduates (REU) and graduate-level research.
                              
                              More than 100 attended the event, including students, faculty, staff and community
                                 members.
                              
                              Awards were presented in the following categories:
                              
                              Best REU/Graduate Project:  Robert Dick, a senior chemistry major from Lawrence, Michigan,
                                 for Improvements to Battery Systems through Surface Modifications.
                              
                              Honorable Mention REU/Graduate Project:  Michael Forthofer, a senior biomedical engineering
                                 major from Shelbyville, Indiana, for The Effect of Gelatin MW on Tendon Lubrication Utilizing an Extrasynovialized Turkey
                                    Flexor Tendon Model.
                              
                              Best Undergraduate Project: Zach Hollis, a junior electrical engineering major from
                                 Peru, Indiana, and Dylan Kunce, a junior computer engineering major from Sturgis,
                                 Michigan, for A Model for Sequential Processes that Allow for Temporary Setbacks Before Terminating.
                              
                              Honorable Mention Undergraduate Project: Hope Scholma, a junior biomedical engineering
                                 major from Montpelier, Ohio, and Shelby Oldham, a senior biomedical engineering major
                                 from Greenfield, Indiana, for The Influence of Step-Down Technique on Lower Extremity Kinetics.
                              
                              Honorable Mention Undergraduate Project:  Nicole Finchum, a junior biomedical engineering
                                 major from Oak Forest, Illinois, and Alex Plastow, a junior biomedical engineering
                                 major from Warsaw, Indiana, for Platelet Adhesion of a Fibrinogen-Soaked Polycrystalline Silicon Biointerface: a Comparison
                                    with a Novel d-LbL Biointerface.
                              
                              People’s Choice Award Research:  Brittani Smith, a senior biomedical engineering major
                                 from Indianapolis, and Marisa Robinett, a junior biomedical engineering major from
                                 Auburn, Indiana, for The Influence of ACL Reconstruction on Step-Down Mechanics.
                              
                              People’s Choice Award Freshman:  Madison Howard, a freshman biomedical engineering
                                 major from Stockbridge, Michigan, and Autumn Burgo, a freshman psychology major from
                                 Caledonia, Michigan, for The Edwards SAPIEN 3 Transcatheter Heart Valve.
                              
                              People’s Choice awards were determined by attendees, while other awards were selected
                                 by a panel of judges.
                              
                              Photo: Robert Dick, winner of the Best REU/Graduate Project award at Trine University's second
                                 STEM Research and Design Symposium, shares about his project with attendees at the
                                 symposium. (Photo by Dean Orewiler)