Undergraduate students at York University's Lassonde School of Engineering earned top honours for research ranging from artificial intelligence (AI)-driven software to sustainable water treatment solutions, showcasing innovation across engineering, health and technology.
Sixty-five students – including nine international participants – had an opportunity to share innovative discoveries and research pursued over the summer during Lassonde's annual Undergraduate Summer Research Conference.
The students’ projects were supported through the Lassonde Undergraduate Research Awards and the Natural Sciences & Engineering Research Council of Canada’s Undergraduate Student Research Awards, which provide competitive funding to enable full-time research experiences. Aerospace company Pratt & Whitney partnered to provide support for student reserach as well.
Research inquiries spanned a broad spectrum of fields, including computer science, AI, health, robotics, energy, space, telecommunications, water and transportation. Unique contributions to research included AI-driven software design and gamified tools to ease the transition to high school, to analysis of gender bias in academic citations and innovations in cancer survivorship care.
Students shared their research and findings in a poster presentation competition evaluated by faculty members, postdoctoral fellows and senior PhD students. Three winners were selected for their innovative ideas and impactful outcomes.
Poster presentation winners and research highlights
First place: Shervin Tangestanian (Mechanical Engineering program)
Tangestanian developed machine-learning models to predict how droplets behave when striking solid surfaces. Using a large experimental dataset, his models outperformed traditional correlations in accuracy and scope, while also identifying key physical parameters influencing impact outcomes.
Second place: Felix Bourget (Mechanical Engineering program)
Bourget looked at how adding a special protective coating (made of silane) to water-filtering membranes can enhance their effectiveness in turning seawater into drinking water. The coating creates a thin shield that helps stop dirt and other materials from clogging the filters, so they stay cleaner and last longer, ultimately improving efficiency and reducing energy demands.
Third place: Mariam Jasim (Civil Engineering program)
Jasim demonstrated how pairing the microorganisms Rhodosporidium toruloides and Chlorella vulgaris could increase production of colourings (carotenoids) and fats (lipids) for use in food, cosmetics, pharmaceuticals and biofuels. Because the two organisms support each other’s growth, this teamwork approach offers a scalable and cost-effective alternative to traditional monoculture methods.
The winners, as well as competition and conference as a whole, reflect Lassonde and York's ongoing comittment to providing hands-on learning opportunities where students apply technical knowledge to real-world challenges.