Student Undergraduate Research Journeys

• Major: History
• Mentor: Dr. John Swanson
• Research Program: IJGD Mittelbau-Dora Summer Work-Study Camp
• Sponsoring Organization: Buchenwald Memorial and Internationale Jugendgemeinschaftsdiensten 

Mittelwerk, Mid-level Management, and Mittelbau-Dora

"This project gives a brief overview of camp history and general facts about the camp's function during WWII. It goes into more detail about the role of private German industry and a mid-level manager named Hans Kammler who influenced its actualization at Mittelbau via V2 rocket assembly and other weapons assembly projects; this project will focus entirely on the V2 rocket as opposed to other weapon systems."

"We went and worked/researched at Mittelbau-Dora memorial in Nordhausen for two weeks. We got to access the memorial's archival material and learned how to use the Arolsen archive. We also toured the memorial site, the tunnel system, and Nordhausen; we also visited Buchenwald."

• Major: Mechanical Engineering
• Mentors: Dr. Kevin Fite and Md Abdul Baset Sarker
• Research Program: SDIP - Sensor Development (Design, Manufacture, Analysis) annd Implementation Pipeline REU
• Sponsoring Organization: Clarkson University

Optimizing and Enhancing of a Mechanical Hand Design

"This project was a joint collaboration between the NSF Sensor Development and Implementation Pipeline (SDIP) REU and the Clarkson Honors Program. We contributed to the development and enhancement of a pediatric mechanical hand prosthesis designed to reduce grip training while improving anatomical realism and sensor integration. Using SolidWorks, we designed and iterated on prototypes with refined joint articulation, improved finger responsiveness, and integrated sensor housing. The prosthetic hand includes force sensors and IMUs embedded in every finger, enabling the collection of precise data during testing. A custom PDMS sensor case—developed in collaboration with the Chemistry Department—significantly improved signal clarity and durability. The current model features dual servo motors and ten IMUs, allowing for more natural grip patterns that closely mimic human hand behavior. Looking ahead, future work includes refining the limb attachment mechanism, enhancing water resistance, and developing a repositionable thumb to increase user adaptability. Special thanks to Clarkson University, the National Science Foundation, and all external partners for making this impactful research possible."