Research Experiences for Undergraduates (REU) Student (Summer 2017)
"Being a part of the Center for Injury Research and Prevention during the summer of 2017 was truly an invaluable experience. I am extremely grateful for the opportunity to work under the mentorship of Thomas Seacrist and with everyone involved in the REU program. As a Biomedical Engineering major, I worked in the Engineering Core and was able to dip my toes in a few projects, such as the SHRP2 Naturalistic Driving Study and the Low Acceleration Time Extended (LATE) Project.
My time was mainly spent on the LATE project, where I participated in data collection and was exposed to working with human volunteers. I also gained skills in 3D Motion Capture and data processing in MATLAB. After analyzing the data collected, I was able to follow through with my own research question and to submit an abstract on those findings, The Influence of Bracing on Kinematic Response of Occupants in Pre-Crash Evasive Swerving Maneuvers.
As I return to Bucknell University for my senior year, I know I am much better prepared for my future. I am very thankful for the technical and professional skills I have gained from working at CIRP, as well as the incredible connections I’ve made. This exposure to biomechanics and injury prevention has encouraged me to pursue a graduate degree in Biomechanics."