Where Lehigh's Best Engineering Research Takes Center Stage
Since 2005, the David and Lorraine Freed Undergraduate Research Symposium has brought together Lehigh's most innovative undergraduate engineers to showcase the discoveries emerging from their labs.
Each year, the event gives undergraduate researchers a stage to share their work across a wide range of engineering disciplines — presenting before a panel of expert judges, and connecting with faculty, students, staff, and symposium visitors in meaningful conversations about their findings.
The top presenters, evaluated by a panel of academic and industry researchers, receive travel stipends to present at professional conferences, gaining yet another platform to advance their work and sharpen their communication skills.
This year's UGRS was held at Lehigh's Clayton University Center on Friday, April 17, 2026.
Westwood, Woodward named winners of 2026 UGRS
Congratulations to Natalie Westwood and Evan Woodward, winners of this year's research symposium! Westwood and Woordward took first place for their project, "Development of YSZ-Chitosan Nanoceramic Thin Films for Improved Surface Durability."
See the rest of this year's winners below:
First Place: Natalie Westwood, Evan Woodward, "Development of YSZ-Chitosan Nanoceramic Thin Films for Improved Surface Durability"
Second Place: Benjamin Childs, "PEGylation of a Cell Penetrating Peptide for Increased Serum Stability and CRISPR Efficiency"
Third Place: Evan Mazor, "Designing an AI-powered Voice Assistant Device for Healthcare Workers in Low-Resource Settings"
Honorable Mention: Olivia Lundquist, "Dual Functionalizing Polymer Membranes for Corneal Replacement"
People's Choice Award: Aderet Barak, Griffin Moore, Kyle Smith, "Radiation Therapy Optimization"
Meet this year's competitors below:
Aderet Barak | Griffin Moore | Kyle Smith
(PEOPLE'S CHOICE AWARD WINNERS)
Henry Burd | Demetri Kostas | Ahmad Salem
Robotic stud welding system developed with Structural Steel Technologies
Benjamin Childs
(SECOND PLACE)
PEGylation of a Cell Penetrating Peptide for Increased Serum Stability and CRISPR Efficiency
Monica Fornaszewski | Simone Karani
VR to Improve Cognitive Ability and Social Connection of Older Adults
Evan Mazor
(THIRD PLACE)
Designing an AI-powered Voice Assistant Device for Healthcare Workers in Low-Resource Settings
