BOARD # 286: NSF REU: Multidisciplinary Collaborative Undergraduate Research Experience:  Impacts on Engineering and Technology

Avimanyu Sahoo; Haejun Park

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Conference: 2025 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition
Location: Montreal, Quebec, Canada
Publication Date: June 22, 2025
Start Date: June 22, 2025
End Date: August 15, 2025
Conference Session: NSF Grantees Poster Session I
Tagged Topic: NSF Grantees Poster Session
Page Count: 6
Permanent URL: https://peer.asee.org/55650

Paper Authors

biography

Avimanyu Sahoo The University of Alabama in Huntsville orcid.org/0000-0001-6113-3278

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Dr. Avimanyu Sahoo is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Electrical and Computer
Engineering at the University of Alabama in Huntsville (UAH), Huntsville, AL. He earned his Ph.D. and
Master’s in Electrical Engineering from Missouri University of Science and Technology (previously known
as University of Missouri), Rolla, MO, in 2015 and Indian Institute of Technology (BHU), Varanasi, India,
in 2011, respectively.

His research group focuses on the convergence of Control Systems and Artificial
Intelligence (AI) and its application in robotics and energy systems. More specifically, his group is
researching in the area of event-based adaptive dynamic programming and reinforcement learning, optimal
control of cyber-physical systems (CPS), intelligent control of robotic manipulators, smart battery
management systems for lithium-ion batteries, and health diagnostics and prognostics of electric machinery.
He has co-authored one book, three book chapters, and a total of 51 journal and conference publications in
venues such as IEEE Transactions, Elsevier Journals, and flagship control conferences (IEEE CDC and
ACC). His research is supported by the National Science Foundation (NSF), the Department of Energy
(DOE), and the Department of Defence (DOD). He is currently serving as an Associate Editor in the IEEE
Transactions on Neural Networks and Learning Systems and Frontiers in Control Engineering.

Dr. Sahoo has received several awards and honors, including the 2024 NSF EPSCoR Track IV
Fellowship, the 2023-2024 Joseph C. Dowdle ECE Faculty Award at UAH, the 2020-2021 University
Assessment and Testing Award and the 2021 Faculty Award for Leadership and Abiding Commitment to
Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Awareness at Oklahoma State University. In addition to his eight years
of teaching experience, he also possesses 11 years of industry experience.

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biography

Haejun Park Oklahoma State University

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Dr. Haejun Park is an associate professor in the Fire Protection and Safety Engineering Technology program at Oklahoma State University. His research interest lies in Fire Dynamics, Fire Modeling, Human Behaviors in fire conditions.

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Abstract

Early involvement in engineering research has proven to be a highly effective way to inspire undergraduate students to pursue advanced studies or research-intensive careers. By engaging students in real-world, hands-on research projects, they not only sharpen their problem-solving skills but also develop the intellectual independence needed to tackle complex engineering challenges. These benefits are amplified when the research experience is multidisciplinary, allowing students to engage with topics beyond the confines of their chosen major. Moreover, participation in a collaborative cohort—where continual interactions and shared learning experiences occur—helps foster a sense of community and shared purpose, further enhancing the learning process. This paper presents the outcomes and impacts of a unique undergraduate research program conducted collaboratively between Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, and the University of Alabama in Huntsville. What sets this program apart is its fusion of engineering and engineering technology disciplines, its blend of applied and fundamental research, and its focus on multidisciplinary topics such as human safety, fire protection technology, mechanical engineering technology, electrical engineering, and artificial intelligence. The program engages students from sophomore to senior levels, offering them a chance to explore various research methodologies and work on projects that span multiple fields of engineering. This exposure helps them cultivate a comprehensive understanding of engineering systems and their real-world applications. In this paper, we will delve into the structure and activities of the Research Experiences for Undergraduates (REU) program, discussing its various components as well as the educational and research outcomes it has produced. A central theme of the program is its focus on multidisciplinary research, which ranges from technical fields such as fire protection and mechanical engineering technology to more advanced areas like electrical engineering and artificial intelligence. This breadth of topics ensures that students are equipped with a wide range of skills, from analytical problem-solving to creative thinking, as they learn to approach engineering challenges from multiple perspectives. Additionally, the program’s emphasis on cohort-building activities plays a crucial role in shaping the students’ experiences. By promoting collaboration among students from different disciplines, the program encourages the cross-pollination of ideas, mutual learning, and the development of soft skills such as communication, teamwork, and leadership. The interactions fostered within the cohort help students build a network of peers who share similar academic and career aspirations, strengthening their commitment to research and professional development. The paper will also present the results of both formative and summative assessments of the program, highlighting its impacts on student learning, skill development, and long-term career trajectories. By examining these outcomes, we demonstrate how this collaborative and multidisciplinary research program has successfully nurtured the next generation of independent researchers and engineering leaders, equipping them to meet the challenges of an increasingly complex and interconnected world.

Citation
Format

Sahoo, A., & Park, H. (2025, June), BOARD # 286: NSF REU: Multidisciplinary Collaborative Undergraduate Research Experience: Impacts on Engineering and Technology Paper presented at 2025 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition , Montreal, Quebec, Canada . https://peer.asee.org/55650

TY  - CPAPER
AB  - Early involvement in engineering research has proven to be a highly effective way to inspire undergraduate students to pursue advanced studies or research-intensive careers. By engaging students in real-world, hands-on research projects, they not only sharpen their problem-solving skills but also develop the intellectual independence needed to tackle complex engineering challenges. These benefits are amplified when the research experience is multidisciplinary, allowing students to engage with topics beyond the confines of their chosen major. Moreover, participation in a collaborative cohort—where continual interactions and shared learning experiences occur—helps foster a sense of community and shared purpose, further enhancing the learning process. This paper presents the outcomes and impacts of a unique undergraduate research program conducted collaboratively between Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, and the University of Alabama in Huntsville. What sets this program apart is its fusion of engineering and engineering technology disciplines, its blend of applied and fundamental research, and its focus on multidisciplinary topics such as human safety, fire protection technology, mechanical engineering technology, electrical engineering, and artificial intelligence. The program engages students from sophomore to senior levels, offering them a chance to explore various research methodologies and work on projects that span multiple fields of engineering. This exposure helps them cultivate a comprehensive understanding of engineering systems and their real-world applications. In this paper, we will delve into the structure and activities of the Research Experiences for Undergraduates (REU) program, discussing its various components as well as the educational and research outcomes it has produced. A central theme of the program is its focus on multidisciplinary research, which ranges from technical fields such as fire protection and mechanical engineering technology to more advanced areas like electrical engineering and artificial intelligence. This breadth of topics ensures that students are equipped with a wide range of skills, from analytical problem-solving to creative thinking, as they learn to approach engineering challenges from multiple perspectives. Additionally, the program’s emphasis on cohort-building activities plays a crucial role in shaping the students’ experiences. By promoting collaboration among students from different disciplines, the program encourages the cross-pollination of ideas, mutual learning, and the development of soft skills such as communication, teamwork, and leadership. The interactions fostered within the cohort help students build a network of peers who share similar academic and career aspirations, strengthening their commitment to research and professional development. The paper will also present the results of both formative and summative assessments of the program, highlighting its impacts on student learning, skill development, and long-term career trajectories. By examining these outcomes, we demonstrate how this collaborative and multidisciplinary research program has successfully nurtured the next generation of independent researchers and engineering leaders, equipping them to meet the challenges of an increasingly complex and interconnected world.
AU  - Avimanyu Sahoo
AU  - Haejun Park
CY  - Montreal, Quebec, Canada 
DA  - 2025/06/22
PB  - ASEE Conferences
TI  - BOARD # 286: NSF REU: Multidisciplinary Collaborative Undergraduate Research Experience:  Impacts on Engineering and Technology 
UR  - https://peer.asee.org/55650
ER  -