Rocket, Surgical Tool, Terrorism Prevention Among Top Winners at Student Design Showcase

MELBOURNE, FLA. — A novel approach to detecting rogue nuclear material. A tool for eye surgery that gives the doctor instant feedback. A new memory process. A hand-built rocket that may go 15,000 feet into the air.

What unites these disparate and amazing things? They are all the handiwork of students at Florida Tech. And they are among more than a dozen projects and posters awarded at the conclusion of the 16^th annual Northrop Grumman Engineering and Science Student Design Showcase.

“The showcase truly does embody the essence of Florida Tech’s educational mission,” President John Nicklow said at the awards ceremony. “It serves as a dynamic stage for initiatives that exemplify the university’s commitment to experiential learning.”

And that commitment, Nicklow added, helps produce students desired by companies worldwide. “It’s why our grads are able to go on to some truly outstanding careers,” he said.

But not until they dazzle us with their showcase projects.

“I’ve seen senior projects at other schools and our top projects are better than all the schools I’ve seen before,” said John Harris, who has now seen two showcases since he came to Florida Tech in July 2022 from the University of Florida. “I am very impressed.”

Northrop Grumman has been supporting the showcase for every one of those 16 years, including leaders and employees who volunteer to judge the projects.

“You guys never fail to amaze all the judges in the quality and persistence you put in to get these projects done,” said judge David Iodice, Ph.D., enterprise open architecture chief engineer and Northrop Grumman Fellow who has six degrees from Florida Tech.

Robert Koss, a systems engineer at Northrop and also a Florida Tech alum, added, “Seeing the projects today was just mind-blowing. Seeing the synergy between teammates, seeing the teamwork that came together, was really mind-blowing.”

The following projects were recognized by judges:

President’s Cup Award:

• Engineering: “StrabiSense,” (Biomedical Engineering)
• Science: “Novel Technique using Cherenkov Radiation for Nuclear Terrorism Prevention,” Matthew Romano (Physics)

Northrop Grumman Best in Show:

• Engineering: “BiProp – Liquid Rocket Competition Team,” Sherie LaPrade, Matt House, Mohammed Aldosari, Michael Cowles, Nate DeForest, Matthew DiLella, Rodrigo Graca, Matt House, Sherie LaPrade, Alejandro Perez, Niyati Shah, Shelton Waddell, Trevor Warnke, Andree Wilson, Matt Wisdom (Aerospace Engineering)
• Science: “Evaluating Radiation Resistance and Recovery in Anabaena cylindrica,” Indigo Boggs (Astrobiology)

Honors College Best in Show:

• Engineering: “Seaplane Hydrofoil,” Farah Shaaban, Andrew Traficante, Rodrigo Alarcon, Alexandra Cleveland, Andrew Cummings, Isaro Gatsinzi, Slate Varn, Kaitlyn Wollenzien (Aerospace Engineering)
• Science: “On the probability of life per site,” Ruth Nichols (Astrobiology)
• Psychology: “A new memory process: Context familiarity dissociates from item familiarity,” Jahdiel Perez Caban, Evan Clise, Sarah Smith, Kiera Rivera, Jesse Bengson, Daniel Drane, Randal Waechter, Arel Marsh, Richard J. Addante (Psychology)

Best in Show Category Winners:

Aerospace Engineering: “Seaplane Hydrofoil,” Farah Shaaban, Andrew Traficante, Rodrigo Alarcon, Alexandra Cleveland, Andrew Cummings, Isaro Gatsinzi, Slate Varn, Kaitlyn Wollenzien

Astrobiology: “Testing Bacterial Isolates from the ISS for Their Plant Growth Promoting Abilities,” Kara Smoak

Biomedical Engineering: “Innovative 4D printing,” Karly Liebendorfer

Chemistry and Chemical Engineering: “Methanol Synthesis Via Cruise Ship Food Waste,” Robert Cheatham, Ryan Duclos, Landen Pennington (

Civil Engineering and Construction Management: “Housing for Heroes,” Shane Colburn, Travis Rembrandt, Matthew Riley, Conner Delanoy, Domantas Marocka, Hunter Viera, Andrea Tovar

Computer Science and Software Engineering: “TEC-V,” Michael Dowling, Zealand Brennan, Stephen Coster, Gabor Papp, Henry Hill

Electrical Engineering: “COBOT,” Zach Champion, Logan Boehm, Matthew McGuckian, Saad Aloraymah, Josh Rodriguez, Meshari Almutairi, Liam Progulske, Zixin Zhou, Qingying Hu

Environmental Sciences: “Maximizing Nitrogen Removal in a Bioreactor by Adjusting C:N Ratios and Residence Times,” Mary MacDonald

Marine Sciences: “Phylogeography of Deep-Water Snappers in Honduras and Belize,” Makenna Beehler

Mechanical Engineering: “Robotic Mining Capstone (RMC),” Sidney Causey, Shayla Peak, Mohammed Aljameeli, Junot Damen, Izaya Farrar, Eric Moseley, Michael Muller, Liam Sapper, Chelsea Sweeney, Shelsy Toppenberg, Noah Walters

Meteorology: “Using ENSO to Predict Florida Storminess Associated with Dry Season Tornadoes,” Gabriel Taylor

Ocean Engineering: “EVE (Environmental Variable Evaluator),” Claire Doherty, Lily Manrodt, Jolie Elliott

Physics: “Novel Technique using Cherenkov Radiation for Nuclear Terrorism Prevention,” Matthew Romano

Space Sciences: “Binary Star System Supernovae Leading to Hypervelocity Stars,” Kayla Ross, Wesley Kozan

Sustainability: “Implementation of the Modular Breakwater for Living Shorelines,” Matthew Ninesling, Darin Hiraldo