The University of Illinois marked its 2025 Undergraduate Research Week with record-breaking student participation, highlighted by the 18th Annual Undergraduate Research Symposium. Among the standout contributors, the Department of Industrial and Enterprise Systems Engineering (ISE) demonstrated a strong presence, showcasing five innovative undergraduate research projects that span diverse domains including engineering design, transportation equity, medical simulation, and agricultural technology.
Engineering the Future: Generative Design
Elliot Finn, a junior in Systems Engineering & Design, presented A Review of Generative Design and Its Industrial Applications under the mentorship of Dr. Molly Goldstein. Finn's research explores how generative design—a process that integrates computational algorithms with human creativity—is reshaping engineering practices. His laboratory study, which involved reverse-engineering a jet engine bracket, demonstrated how generative design can optimize structural performance and reduce material usage. Applications discussed include personalized medical devices, lightweight aerospace parts, and sustainable architectural elements. Finn emphasized the critical balance between algorithm-driven innovation and human oversight in design evaluation.
Automotive Innovation: Revamping a Classic
Also mentored by Dr. Goldstein, sophomore Keerat Singh Bhasin reimagined the Redesign of 1966 Ford GT40 Mk II to 2024 LMH Specifications. Bhasin's project bridges automotive history and modern engineering by redesigning the iconic Ford GT40 Mk II to meet contemporary Le Mans Hypercar (LMH) standards. Using advanced technologies such as 3D scanning and CAD modeling, Bhasin created a concept that honors the vehicle's heritage while achieving current regulatory and performance benchmarks. His work exemplifies how historical inspiration can drive modern engineering innovation.
Equity in Transportation: Evaluating the Effects of Automated Enforcement
Senior Chris Raymond-Bertrand's Investigating Unintended Consequences of Automated Traffic Law Enforcement in Commuting was inspired by a case study presented in IE 300 with Dr. Chrysafis Vogiatzis (ISE). Analyzing data from 10,000 Chicago commuters, Raymond-Bertrand used mathematical optimization and statistical regression models to study how automated traffic law enforcement (ATLE) interacts with socioeconomic variables. His findings reveal that lower-income residents are disproportionately impacted by ATLE, facing longer commutes and more frequent encounters with enforcement systems. This research underscores the importance of equity in transportation policy and enforcement practices.
Innovating in Healthcare: Mixed-Reality Medical Simulation
A cross-disciplinary team led by Vihaan Khare (Industrial Engineering), alongside Helen Ryding (Computer Science) and Trustan Price (Statistics), presented A Guided Mixed-Reality Simulator for Neonatal Needle Thoracentesis Procedures under the guidance of Dr. Avinash Gupta. The team developed an instructional augmented reality (AR) training system to teach needle thoracentesis, a high-stakes emergency procedure. By integrating clinician-informed curricula with AR technology, the simulator offers a step-by-step, interactive training experience. The project compared performance across two mixed-reality platforms—the Meta Quest Pro and Microsoft HoloLens 2—highlighting the technology’s potential to enhance procedural accuracy and reduce clinical complications.
Mapping Growth: Visualizing Cold Corn with Drone Imagery
Senior Anna Ondrejckova showcased her project Compiling Images to Show the Greenery of Champaign Corn Fields, in which over 500 drone-captured images were used to create a comprehensive view of a Champaign corn field, planted with a cold-resistant variety known as "cold corn." On October 22, 2024, a hyperspectral camera mounted on a drone collected these geo-referenced images. Using Metashape software, the images were stitched together to form a complete aerial map of the field (shown at the bottom). The background images represent just 30% of the total data needed for the full reconstruction. From this composite image, a tri-colored (dark brown, light brown, green) vegetation map was generated using QGIS software (shown at the top). By digitally isolating individual plots, researchers can compare levels of greenery over time and assess the growth progress of the cold corn based on previous flyovers.
ISE’s strong showing at this year’s Undergraduate Research Week illustrates the department’s dedication to fostering undergraduate innovation and interdisciplinary research. From reimagining legendary race cars and designing equitable transportation systems to simulating life-saving procedures and advancing agricultural sustainability, ISE students are driving impactful solutions across a range of global challenges.