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Inaugural Mechanical Engineering Graduate Symposium Celebrates Student Research Excellence

November 12, 2024
graduate student wearing black presenting to the group

UC Merced’s Department of Mechanical Engineering held its first Graduate Symposium on Nov. 2, marking a successful day of research presentations and community engagement. Graduate students showcased their research in poster and oral presentation formats with an impressive display of quality and innovation.

Congratulations to the award winners!

Oral Presentations

  • First place: Daniel Miliate, “Leveraging Machine Learning and Molecular Dynamics for Aerospace Lubricant Discovery”
  • Second place: Ranjan Das, “Estimation of Ground Reaction Forces in Human Gait using Kinematic Data and OpenSim”
  • Third place: Gokay Adabasi, “Atomic-Resolution Imaging and Electronic Spectroscopy of Defects on Thin Mo₂C Crystals”

Poster Presentations

  • First place: Gokce Ozkazanc Guc, “Novel Pore Network Algorithm for High Heat Flux and Phase Change Cooling Applications in Electronics Cooling”
  • Second place: Mehrad Mortazavi, “Robotic Manipulation System for Automated Proximal Hyperspectral Leaf Sensing”
  • Third Place: Jacques Nguessan, “Dissecting Gait Deviations in Above-Knee Amputees: A Computational Framework for Prosthetic Design Optimization”

The event was a resounding success, and the department looks forward to building on this foundation in future symposia, creating opportunities for learning, growth and celebration within the campus community.

grad student presents poster
Ph.D. student presents poster at Mechanical Engineering Graduate Symposium.