Provost’s MQP Awards

Winners

2024:

• StomaSense: An Innovative Solution to Preventing Leaks in Ostomy Bags
  • Nick Coviello, Martin Fortou, Sophia Mularoni, Theresa Rosato
  • Advisors:  Dirk Albrecht, Solomon Mensah

2023:

• “Detecting Ice Nucleation in Supercooled Red Blood Cell Samples“
  • Madison Gass, Grace Jolin, Isabel Nearing, Kathryn Woodland
  • Advisors: Sakthikumar Ambady, Ahmet Sabuncu
• “Device to Aid in Mechanical Ventilation of Obese Patients” (Won in Mechanical Engineeering)
  • Rachel Chan, Mackenzie Damon(ME), Giulia Herszage Rocha, Kelly McDonald (ME), Madelyn Thrasher
  • Advisor: Kristen Billiar

2022:

• “Feeding Device for Premature Infants in Low Middle-Income Countries”
  • Hannah Borges, Alexis Nichols, Shreya Puttagunta, Meghan Slaney, Chris Son
  • Advisors: Dr. Dirk Albrect, Dr. Solomon Mensah

2021:

• “The Research and Development of an Equine Endotracheal Y-Piece Positive End-Expiratory Pressure (EETYPEEP) Valve”
  • Elizabeth Butler
  • Advisor: Dr. Raymond Page

2020:

• “Patellofemoral Unloader Knee Brace”
  • Matthew Liberacki, James Junker, Olivia Wisniewski, Brianna Owen
  • Advisors: Sakthikumar Ambady, Ahmet Sabuncu

2019:

• “Design of a Wearable Sensor System for Prevention of Fatigue Induced Injuries in Baseball Pitching.”
  • Julia Dunn, Lauren Gertin, Madison Michaud
  • Advisors: Karen Troy, Dr. David Magin (UMMS/WPI)

2018:

• “Design of a Topical Antimicrobial Peptide Delivery Vehicle for the Treatment of Acne Vulgaris.”
  • Abigail Hanson, Joshua Mace, Fererick Metters, Nicole Sherlock
  • Advisor: Marsha Rolle

2017:

• “Expandable Blades for Precision Veterinary Myringotomy”
  • Kaitlin Beach (ME), Jack Blanchard, Michael Clark (ME), Nicole Quintal, Connor Tower
  • Advisors: Kristen Billiar, Andrea Lam (Tufts), Christine Zewe (Tufts)

2016:

• “System for Continuous Postoperative Monitoring in Microvascular Free Tissue Transfer”
  • Dennis Giaya, Rebecca Stolarczyk
  • Advisors: Yitzhak Mendelson, Raymond Dunn (UMMS), Samandar Dowlatshahi (UMMS)

2015:

• “Phlebot: The Robotic Phlebotomist”
  • Paulo Carvalho, Sean Weaver, Anurag Kesari
  • Advisors: Patrick Flaherty, Gregory Fischer

2014:

• “Novel Low-Cost Smarphone Enabled Contaminant Detection Device”
  • Cassandra Clift, Alexandria Powell
  • Advisors: Mustapha Fofoana, Mark Norige

2013:

• “A Device to Measure Tensile Forces in the Deep Fascia During Closure of a Midline Abdominal Laparotomy“
  • Olivia Doane, Claudia Lee, Meredith Saucier
  • Advisors: Kristen Billiar, Raymond Dunn

2012:

• “Rehabilitative Robotic Glove“
  • Michael Delph, Sarah Fischer, Phil Gauthier, Carlos Martinez-Luna
  • Advisors: Gregory Fischer (ME/BME), Edward Clancy (ECE/BME)

2011:

• “Pressure Ulcer Prevention Device“
  • Melissa Morianos, Beatriz Gutierrez, Shanice Jones
  • Advisors: Yitzhak Mendelson, Raymond Dunn (UMMS), Tony Raymond (New Harbor)

2010:

• “Design of a Multifunctional Automated Production System for Biopolymer Microthreads“
  • Corinna Ellis, Paul Vasiliadis, Christopher Serafin, Carol Wood
  • Advisor: George Pins

2009:

• “Development of a New System to Treat Hip Dislocation in Canines“
  • Meghan Pasquali, Nicholas Pelletier, Jennifer Richards, Jonathan Showmaker
  • Advisor: Glenn Gaudette

2008:

• “Microthreads for Stem Cell Delivery in Cardiac Applications“
  • Lisa Marie DiTroia, Heather Hassett, Justine Roberts
  • Advisors: Glenn Gaudette, Marsha Rolle

2007:

• “A Device for Monitoring the Severity of Peripheral Edema“
  • Charles Gammal (ME/ECE), Erika Hall, Rachelle Horwitz, Stephanie LeGare
  • Advisors: Kristen Billiar, Yitzhak Mendelson, Raymond Dunn (UMMS), John McNeill (ECE)

2006:

• “Design of a Wound Dressing that Inhibits Microbial Infection”
  • Marcella Corcoran, Whitney Moore, Sarah Stout
  • Advisors: George Pins, Gary Ostroff (UMMS)
• “Design and Implementation of a Canine Rehabilitative Device“
  • Robyn Panciocco
  • Advisors: Eben Cobb (ME), Robert Peura

2005:

• “Design of an Automated Extrusion System to Optimize the Production of Self-Assembled Collagen Microthreads“
  • William Bishop, Diana Camire, Ngoc Chau Duong, Jason Robinson
  • Advisor: George Pins, Ph.D.

2004:

• “Optimization of a Sternal Fixation Technique“
  • Erin Dupak (BE), Najmuddin Gunja (ME), Nicole McMahon (BE), and Shruti Pai (BE)
  • Advisors: Kristen Billiar, Ph.D., George Pins, Ph.D., Raymond Dunn, M.D. (UMMS)

2003:

• “Infant Apnea Monitor“
  • Ari Madger, Matthew Cardinal
  • Advisor: Robert Peura
• “Replication of Direction Selectivity in Retinal Ganglion Cells via Simulated Artificial Neural Networks”
  • Adam Norige, Jillian O’Toole
  • Advisors: Ross Shonat, Elizabeth Ryder

2001:

• “Biomechanical Testing of Normal and Smoke-Inhaled Tracheal Tissue“
  • Robert DelPaine, Bryan Doehr, Amanda Kight, Jessica Weathers
  • Advisors: Sean S. Kohles, Lawrence Bonassar (UMMC)

1999:

• “Biotransport in Cancerous Bone“
  • Laura Cooper, Julie Roberts, Rebecca Thibeault
  • Advisors: Sean S. Kohles, Lawrence Bonassar (UMMC)

1998:

• “Design and Synthesis of a Biodegradible Plymer Scaffold for Potential Cartilege Cell Growth”
  • Cent Bayirli, Timothy D’Souza, Abdo Kataya
  • Advisor: Satya Shivkumar
• “Mechanical Design and Prototype Construction of Optically Based Urea Monitor for Use in Hemodialysis”
  • Andres Dassum, Jamie Murdock
  • Advisors: Robert Peura, Richard Sisson
• “Surface Activation of Biopolymer Attachment”
  • Janel Lanphere, Devang Shah
  • Advisors Alex DiIorio, Yitzhak Mendelson

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Honorable Mention

2024:

• Automation of an Accurate, Auditory-Based Blood Pressure Monitor
  • Amirthavarshini Babu, Isabelle Benson-Clarke, Benjamin Breslov, Juliana Prisco, Benjamin Wheet
  • Advisors:  Dirk Albrecht, Pradeep Radhakrishnan

2023:

• “Automation of an Accurate, Auditory-Based Blood Pressure Monitor“
  • Riley Baranowski, John Clewley, Abigail Maynard, Aaron Searth, Vy Tran
  • Advisors: Dirk Albrecht, Pradeep Radhakrishnan  
• “Validating and Manufacturing a Bio-realistic Surgical Phantom for Laparoscopic and Robotic Surgical Training“
  • Caitlin Bonavita, Binh Diec, Alex Hill, Andrew Sifferlen
  • Advisors: George Pins, Dr. Thomas Cataldo (BIDMC)

2022:

• “The Design of an Implantable Reparative Device for Ulnar Collateral Ligament Tears in Overhead Throwing Athletes“
  • Maria Decelles, Evan Hallberg, Brooklynn Paris, Meagan Smith
  • Advisors: Karen Troy, George Pins, David Magit (BIDMC)

2021:

• “Designing Non-Pneumatic Anti-Shock Trousers“
  • Catherine Blejwas, Megan Heinle, Anne Hughes, Cathleen O’Malley
  • Advisor: Dr. Jeannine Coburn
• “Design of a Bio-Realistic Surgical Phantom for Colorectal Surgical Training“
  • Shanna Bonanno, Mark Bray, Parima Sharma, Isabelle Sillo, Phan Linh Dan P. Tran
  • Advisors: Dr. George Pins, Dr. Thomas Cataldo

2020:

• “Ultrasound Imaging of Tissue Engineered Blood Vessels in a Bioreactor”
  • Matthew Bruno, Marilyn Galdamez, Lianne Ureneck
  • Advisors: Haichong Zhang, Marsha Rolle

2019:

2018:

2017:

• “Design of a Universal Microscope Incubator for Drug Screening of 3D Models of Engineered Myocardium“
  • Rachel Connolly, Marianne Kanellias, Heather Stratica
  • Advisors: George Pins, John Sullivan (ME)
• “Design of a Prosthesis for Canines with Front Limb Deformities“
  • Mushtaq Al Zuhairi, Norma Bachman, Melanie Lasso, Oluwajomiloju Olaode, Elizabeth Walfield
  • Advisors: Karen Troy, Tiffiny Butler

2016:

• “Tissue Retactor for Distal Radius Fractures”
  • Jacquelyne DiTroia, Caroline Mazzola, Andres Monterroso, Patricia Swierk
  • Advisors: Kristen Billiar, Samandar Dowlatshahi (UMMS), Raymond Dunn (UMMS)
• “Canine Abdominal Palpitation Training Device“
  • Anne Harris, Sean Murphy, Elizabeth Pellegrini, Alexandra Price
  • Advisors: Zoe Reidinger, Michael Stone (Tufts)

2015:

2014:

2013:

2012:

• “A Novel Design to Canine and Feline Bone Healing Using External Fixation”
  • Alyssa Ascare, Kaylyn Button, Nathaniel Lee, Molly Post
  • Advisors: Glenn Gaudette, Harry Wotton (Securos)

2011:

• “Design of a New Prosthetic Alignment Adaptor with Quantitative Alignment and Height Adjustment”
  
  • Olufunilayo Adebayo, Lydia George, Mark Marchand, Jeffrey Marrion
  • Advisors: Krystyna Gielo-Perczak, Allan Hoffman (ME), Lorraine Higgins (PW)
• “Design of a Bioreactor to Cyclically Strain Tissue Engineered Blood Vessels“
  • Kenneth Adams, Keith Bishop, Elizabeth Casey
  • Advisor: Marsha Rolle

2010:

• “A Method for the Tubular Self-Assembly of Cells to Create Tissue Engineered Blood Vessels”
  • Evans Buford, Craig Jones, Laurie Soderbom, Paul Sullivan
  • Advisor: Marsha Rolle
• “Design of a  Wearable Balance Control Indicator”
  • Kevin Goggins, Amanda Martori, Elizabeth Tuite
  • Advisors: Krystyna Gielo-Perczak, Yitzak Mendelson

2009:

2008:

• “Design of a Multi-Degree of Freedom Microvascular Clip Application System“
  • Lesley Bright, Lindsey Sturgis, Jessica Thibideau
  • Advisors: Kristen Billiar, Raymond Dunn (UMMS)

2007:

• “Design of a Reproducible Murine Femoral Fracture Device“
  • Melissa Byrne, Benjamin Cleveland, Joseph Marturano
  • Advisors: Kristen Billiar, John Wixted (UMMS)
• “Design of a High-Throughput Molecular Diffusion System to Characterize Membrane Transport“
  • Rachael Buteau, Thomas Jenket, Christina Mezzone
  • Advisors: George Pins, Katie Bush (GS)

2006:

• “A Method for Determining the Effect of Stiffness and Stretch on Cell Phenotype“
  • Molly Conforte, Maria Mavromatis (ME), Jacquelyn Youssef
  • Advisors: Kristen Billiar, George Pins

2005:

• “Design of a Biaxial Test Device for Compliant Tissue Engineering“*
  • Catherine Chong, Alexis Steinhart, Jonathan Trexler (ME), Haydon Hung (ME)
  • Advisor: Kristen Billiar, Ph.D.
    • *This project was ALSO awarded Second Prize Mechanical Engineering Department Project Presentation Day
• “Distinguishing Between Asthma and Pneumonia through Automated Lung Sound Analysis“
  • Taras Bouzakine, Ryan Carey, Gladman Taranhike
  • Advisor: Ross Shonat, Ph.D.