Undergraduate Research Day at TAMIU Celebrated

At Texas A&M International University (TAMIU), student research extends beyond the classroom, blending curiosity with rigor to explore questions that matter far beyond campus.

To celebrate this love of curiosity, TAMIU hosted Undergraduate Research Day on Wednesday, April 16,  the Western Hemispheric Trade Center lobby.

The following student poster presentations were presented at Undergraduate Research Day:

• Application of Systems Engineering Principles (Mechatronics, Automation, and Lean) in a Computer Integrated Manufacturing Line and Evolution to Industry 4.0

• • Presented by: Alan Lamoglia, Enrique Solis, Osvaldo Herrera, Alan Mejía, Bryan Herrera, Valeria Escamilla and Dr. Tariq H. Tashtoush, faculty advisor and associate professor of Systems Engineering

• Intelligence-Based Medicine: Breast Cancer Prediction Using Machine Learning Classification Algorithms

• • Alan Lamoglia and Dr. Khaled Mohamad Almustafa, advisor

• The Victoria Critique of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints

• • Amanda Nuñez-Cazares and Dr. Donovan Weight, faculty advisor and instructional professor of History

• Screening of Transcription Factor Knockout Mutant Library of Candid albicans for Polyamine Sensitive Growth and Filamentation

• • Cintya Medina, Vanessa Mireles, Ana Z. Ramos and Dr. Ruvini U. Pathirana, faculty advisor and assistant professor of Biology

• Machine Learning Classification Algorithms for Breast Cancer Prediction – An Introduction to Machine Learning Technique

• • Alan Lamoglia, Karol González and Dr. Tariq H. Tashtoush

• The Applicability of Skinfolds to Predict Abdominal Visceral Fat

• • Kyle Hamlin, Marcela Guadiana, Candela González, Angelique Morgan and Dr. Jose M. Moris, faculty advisor and assistant professor of Kinesiology

• A.I.-Driven Coordination of Drones and Robots for Enhanced Industrial Operations

• • Luis Vela, Andy De Luna and Dr. Mustafa Al Lail, faculty advisor and associate professor of Computer Engineering

• Unearthing the Benefits of Nasal Breathing on Cerebral Hemodynamics and Respiratory Performance

• • Marcela Guadiana, Kyle Hamlin, Grecia Morales, Cristina Graña and Jose M. Moris

• A.I.-Driven Human Robot Collaboration for Enhanced Warehouse Operations

• • Mariana García, Adriana Treviño and Dr. Mustafa Al Lail

• Bioengineered Hyaluronic Acid Microparticles for Targeted Cannabidiol Delivery: A Novel Approach to Sciatic Nerve Regeneration

• • Marisol Vázquez, Zoreh Bagher and Sajad Hassanzadeh (Neuroscience, ENT, Head and Neck Research Center at Iran University of Medical Sciences), and Dr. Seyed Mohammad Davachi, faculty advisor and assistant professor of Chemistry

• Understanding factors in internal control weakness

• • Natalie A. Esparza and Dr. Angel Pacheco Paredes, associate professor of Accounting

• Comparative Analysis of Machine Learning Models for Internet of Things Botnet Identification

• • Sarah Ramos-Luna and Dr. Mustafa Al Lail.

Undergraduate Research Day at TAMIU emulates the statewide Undergraduate Research Day at the Capitol earlier this month in Austin, TX. This year, university Honors Program and undergraduate researcher Minelly Camargo represented the University with her work, Glucose is Required for Polyamine-induced Filamentation in Candida albicans. She is guided by Dr. Ruvini U. Pathirana.

For Camargo, her research focus is particularly meaningful and impactful.  

“Initially, I started my research during my freshman year. I went to Dr. Pathirana’s lab because I heard she focused on microbiology and cellular fungus. I was really interested in that mainly because I had a family member pass away from a fungal infection,” she said.

To bring greater awareness of these types of infections, Camargo decided to focus on this burgeoning topic.

“Fungal infections are actually a big issue right now especially because of how global warming affects fungal growth,” Camargo emphasized.

She emphasized the need for additional research, especially among University students in efforts to work together collaboratively.

“I think research is amazing because when you look at what really is – it’s a combination. I imagine it’s kind of like a puzzle. Everyone has a little puzzle piece. Every little puzzle piece is a new piece of research,” said Camargo.  

For Hamlin, the opportunity to take part in research focusing on skin folds to predict abdominal visceral fat, helped him better understand the research process.

“Research is a very intricate process, and I feel it’s very important to expose yourself to that to really see how these innovative ideas come out…there’s a fundamental process that we need to go through to find these new different ideas,” said Hamlin.

Graña, a University undergraduate researcher, concurred.

“Research takes me out of my comfort zone and although it makes me uncomfortable, it shows me that I am capable of more and that my brain is limitless. I can really learn as much as I want, especially when you find a good mentor that cares about you and cares about your goals and supports you in that, I think it’s just wonderful the things that research experiences can bring to students,” said Graña.

TAMIU Q.E.P. director Cihtlalli G. Pérez highlighted the importance of University research especially as students worked alongside faculty advisors to bring about innovation. 

“Engaging in research provides students with an opportunity to engage in hands-on inquiry while working directly with real-world challenges to gain skills and knowledge that go far beyond the classroom. Whether students are conducting experiments, analyzing data, or collaborating with faculty and peers, each step in the research process deepens their understanding and hones their problem-solving abilities,” said Pérez.

She continued, “The Undergraduate Research Day allows for the entire TAMIU community to learn about the amazing research projects that are being done by our students and hopefully spark new research ideas for upcoming semesters!”

Undergraduate Research Day at TAMIU is made possible through the University’s Quality Enhancement Plan, which helps enhance student learning and transfer their knowledge outside the classroom, including toward their future careers.

For more information on the QEP, visit go.tamiu.edu/qep  to learn more or email qep@tamiu.edu

TAMIU information is also available online at  tamiu.edu  and across the university’s social channels, such as Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, Twitter, and YouTube.  

University news is also found on its dedicated NewsHub.