Showcasing future trailblazers: Lassonde hosts annual Undergraduate Summer Research Conference

On August 15, 2024, York University’s Lassonde School of Engineering showcased the creative expertise and cutting-edge research of its undergraduate students at the ninth annual Undergraduate Summer Research Conference. The event brought together students, faculty and staff, offering a dynamic platform for more than 70 student researchers to present their summer projects conducted through the Lassonde Undergraduate Research Award (LURA) and Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC) Undergraduate Student Research Awards (USRA) programs.

Both programs are designed to foster experiential learning, skill building and professional growth by providing hands-on research opportunities under the guidance of faculty members at Lassonde. Each project aligns with the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (UN SDGs), enabling student researchers to address real-world challenges, while gaining insight into the societal impact of their work.

The LURA and USRA programs also allow students to engage with cutting-edge technologies and develop a range of skills essential for both industry and academic careers, like literature review, programming and data analysis.

This unique experience is made possible through crucial funding from various sources, including the Mary & Hubert Lynch Undergraduate Research Internship, Dr. James Wu Research Internships for Undergraduate Engineering Students, as well as LURA and USRA.

“For students in these research programs, this summer could be just the start of what they do in their careers to create sustainable, inclusive and human-centered solutions that will make a difference in the world,” said Peter Park, associate dean of research innovation, enterprise & partnerships. “I hope our undergraduate students have learned how rewarding research can be and the ways it can lead to significant discoveries.”

Students presenting their research posters at Lassonde’s Undergraduate Summer Research Conference.

This year’s conference highlighted a range of research projects, from innovations in Alzheimer’s disease diagnostics to advancements in autonomous vehicle technology. Throughout the day, students delivered compelling presentations on their work, providing insights into their experiences as research assistants. By sharing their results, they not only communicated the importance of their work, but also helped spread awareness of critical findings and challenges.

The event concluded with an awards ceremony, where students were recognized for standout poster presentations.

“I was thrilled to participate in the Lassonde Undergraduate Summer Research Conference where I was inspired by the outstanding and diverse projects on display,” said James Fletcher, a fourth-year Computer Science student. “Winning the best poster presentation award was an unexpected honour, especially among such talented student researchers. My experience working with Professor Aijun An and her research team this summer has been wonderful. It has been a privilege to learn from and collaborate with such a fantastic and friendly group.”

Other students who were recognized for outstanding poster presentations include fourth year Computer Science student Laily Ajellu and first year Mechanical Engineering student Yuxin Su.

The conference exemplified how experiential learning and interdisciplinary collaboration are shaping the future of engineering and beyond, preparing students to tackle complex challenges and drive positive change.

Watch the journey of four undergraduate students in the summer research program on YouTube.