UTC undergraduates take their research to the Capitol

Ten undergraduate students from the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga recently traveled to Nashville to present their work at Posters at the Capitol, a statewide undergraduate research showcase held at the Tennessee State Capitol on Wednesday, April 2.

Posters at the Capitol featured students from public universities across Tennessee, providing a platform to share research with state legislators and officials.

UTC participants represented a wide range of disciplines—from environmental science to mechatronics engineering—and presented on topics such as machine learning, stroke rehabilitation and biomedical implants.

Dr. Lisa Piazza, executive director of the UTC Office for Undergraduate Research and Creative Endeavors, said the experience elevates the impact of student research.

“Each spring, students travel to the State Capitol to share research findings with legislators and communicate the transformational power of undergraduate research participation,” Piazza said. “This event provides an opportunity to publicize UTC-mentored undergraduate research at the state level.”

Student presenters and their posters:

Landon Boone (physics): “A LEGO Based Low-Cost Autonomous Scientist: Using Machine Learning to Derive the Henderson-Hasselbalch Equation”

Barbara Higgs (chemistry): “Synthesis of Heteroleptic Ru(II) and Ir(III) Compounds with the N-Oxide Functional Group”

Angelica Lance (environmental science): “Observing Detritivore Communities in Urban Bioretention Gardens”

Brenden Lippard (mechatronics): “Exoskeleton Glove for Stroke Rehabilitation”

Alyssa Matthews (biochemistry): “Synthesis of Tpm Ligands Using C-F Activation, Subsequent Functionalization, and Coordination to a Mn(I) Metal Center”