The second annal Walter O'Brien Graduate Student Research Symposium was held on April 28, 2023, from 9:00 am until 12:00 pm on the fourth floor of Goodwin Hall. 61 projects were showcase in the event, with five being chosen as "Best Poster" winners, presented by coordinator and Professor, Brian Lattimer:

  • "Increasing Part Density and Strength in Metal Binder JetAdditive Manufacturing through Lattice Infill Patterning" - Amanda Wei, Kazi Rahman; Advisor : Chris Williams
  • "Electric Field Fabrication: A method for 3D printing microfluidic devices" - Josie Duncan, Jeff Schultz, Zeke Barlow; Advisor : Rafael Davalos
  • "Electrical Characteristics of Oxyfuel Preheat Flame" - Mahbobur Rahman, Rohith Warrier; Advisor : Alexandrina Untaroiu
  • "Octopus-Inspired Adhesive Skins for Intelligent and Rapidly Switchable Underwater Adhesion" - Chanhong Lee; Advisor : Michael Bartlett"
  • "Ongoing Development of an Upper Body Exoskeleton (EXO) Emulator" - Carlo Canezo, Melanie Hook; Advisor: Alex Leonessa"

Now in its second year, this symposium continues to honor the memory of one of the most cherished colleagues in department history. Posters are presented by students pursuing their graduate degrees in mechanical engineering, who are also involved in research under the mentorship of a faculty member.

During his tenure, O’Brien supervised the graduate work of more than 130 master’s degree and Ph.D. students and published more than 150 technical papers and journal articles in the field of propulsion. He was an internationally recognized expert in the field of propulsion, a Life Fellow of the American Society of Mechanical Engineering, and a Fellow of the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics. O'Brien was a member of the Virgina Tech family from his first day in 1964 until his passing in 2019. He he also served as the head of the Department of Mechanical Engineering at Virginia Tech from 1993 until 2004.

Amanda Wei and her poster
Amanda Wei (pictured) won a Best Poster award for the presentation, "Increasing Part Density and Strength in Metal Binder JetAdditive Manufacturing through Lattice Infill Patterning." Also named in the project was Kazi Rahman, and the team was advised by Chris Williams. Photo by Alex Parrish for Virginia Tech.
Josie Duncan wins a best poster award
Josie Duncan (pictured) won a Best Poster award for the presentation, "Electric Field Fabrication: A method for 3D printing microfluidic devices." Also named in the project was Jeff Schultz and Zeke Barlow; the team was advised by Chris Williams. Photo by Alex Parrish for Virginia Tech.
Chanhong Lee (pictured) won a Best Poster award for the presentation, "Octopus-Inspired Adhesive Skins for Intelligent and Rapidly Switchable Underwater Adhesion." Lee was advised by Michael Bartlett. Photo by Alex Parrish for Virginia Tech.
Chanhong Lee (pictured) won a Best Poster award for the presentation, "Octopus-Inspired Adhesive Skins for Intelligent and Rapidly Switchable Underwater Adhesion." Lee was advised by Michael Bartlett. Photo by Alex Parrish for Virginia Tech.
Carlo Canezo (pictured) won a Best Poster award for the presentation, "Ongoing Development of an Upper Body Exoskeleton (EXO) Emulator." Also named in the project was Melanie Hook, and the team was advised by Alex Leonessa. Photo by Alex Parrish for Virginia Tech.
Carlo Canezo (pictured) won a Best Poster award for the presentation, "Ongoing Development of an Upper Body Exoskeleton (EXO) Emulator." Also named in the project was Melanie Hook, and the team was advised by Alex Leonessa. Photo by Alex Parrish for Virginia Tech.