Advanced Development of an Unmanned Surface Vehicle for Hydrographic Surveys (Coté Cruiser 2.0)

Type: Undergraduate
Author(s): Skandha Rajnarayanan Engineering
Advisor(s): Stephen Weis Engineering

This project focuses on advancing the Coté Cruiser, an autopiloted Unmanned Surface Vehicle (USV) originally developed for automated sonar surveys. Building upon the initial iteration, which established the baseline for autonomous navigation and sonar data logging, this second iteration aims to enhance the craft’s power, sonar system, and real-time diagnostic capabilities. These upgrades provide a significant use case for the project sponsor, Freese and Nichols Inc., particularly in San Antonio, where underwater structural surveys of the river could potentially save the city nearly $2 million in damage funds.

What The Shell Are They Doing: Monitoring Oyster Behavior Through Corresponding Water Conditions

Type: Undergraduate
Author(s): Skandha Rajnarayanan Engineering Dorcas Kongwa Engineering Jonah Morgan Engineering Anna Tucci Engineering
Advisor(s): Stephen Weis Engineering Mark Young Engineering

This project focuses on the development of a biological and environmental sensor network to monitor the health and feeding behavior of oysters. This system utilizes a specialized cage design to consolidate oysters and sensors into a single, high-precision monitoring hub. The system correlates oyster valve gape activity - specifically feeding duration and frequency - with real-time water quality parameters such as salinity, dissolved oxygen, and chlorophyll-a. These upgrades provide a significant use case for the project sponsor, Freese and Nichols Inc., by establishing a scalable model for remote water quality monitoring that can be expanded across the Gulf and Atlantic coasts.

Evaluation of Polymer-Sand Bricks as a Sustainable Building Alternative

Type: Undergraduate
Author(s): Zac Schmitt Engineering London Bachelet Engineering
Advisor(s): James Huffman Engineering

The increasing accumulation of plastic waste in landfills has created a need for innovative recycling solutions. This research explores the use of polyethylene terephthalate (PET), high-density polyethylene (HDPE), and polypropylene (PP) waste to produce plastic-sand composite bricks, inspired by the work of Gjenge Makers. In addition to evaluating the strength and durability of these bricks, the study analyzes the amount of recycled plastic incorporated into each and its potential to be remelted and reused, continuing its lifecycle. The plastic-sand composite bricks promote sustainable building practices while removing immense amounts of plastic from local landfills.

A 12 MW Solar Power Plant in Hebbronville, Texas

Type: Undergraduate
Author(s): Paulina Tarango Engineering Bailey Guill Engineering
Advisor(s): Efstathios Michaelides Engineering

This study presents the preliminary design and performance assessment of a 12-MW utility-scale photovoltaic (PV) solar power plant proposed for Hebbronville, Texas. The site was selected due to its high solar irradiance, land availability, and proximity to existing electrical infrastructure. Solar resource data obtained primarily from the NREL database, using two years of solar data, is used to evaluate system performance. The study analyzes plant layout, PV module and inverter selection, and the use of fixed-tilt and tracking panel configurations. Using photovoltaic performance factors (POFs) and standard generation calculations, the plant’s expected power generation and annual energy production are estimated to evaluate the anticipated performance of the system.

A 15 MW Solar Power Plant in San Angelo, TX

Type: Undergraduate
Author(s): Ronaldo Torres Engineering Blake Rendon Engineering
Advisor(s): Efstathios Michaelides Engineering

This project designs a 15-MW photovoltaic (PV) power plant, located just outside San Angelo, TX in San Saba County, Texas (30.98∘N, −99.00∘W), to evaluate the performance trade-offs between two configurations: a fixed-tilt stationary system and a horizontal single-axis tracking (HSAT) system. Utilizing three years of meteorological data (2021–2023) from the NREL National Solar Radiation Database, the study will perform parametric analyses on the Ground Coverage Ratio (GCR) and DC:AC loading ratios. Calculations will determine annual energy yield, Performance Ratio (PR), and Levelized Cost of Energy (LCOE). Results will quantify the energy gain of tracking systems against increased land requirements and O&M costs, providing a technical justification for solar deployment in the Texas CREZ corridor

Electrical & Controls System for an Automated Parts Washer

Type: Undergraduate
Author(s): Abigail Venegas Engineering Lorenzo Martinez Engineering
Advisor(s): Hubert Hall Engineering

This poster presents the electrical and controls design of the Automated Parts Washer (APW), a senior capstone sponsored by Mary Kay and developed by engineering students at Texas Christian University. The system will integrate sensors, actuators, and a programmable control architecture to automate the washing cycle while minimizing operator intervention, designed to improve efficiency, safety, and consistency in industrial component cleaning.. A PLC control system coordinates key subsystems including fluid pumps, spray nozzles, and heating elements, and an ultrasonic bath component to ensure uniform cleaning coverage. Electrical design emphasizes safe power distribution, component protection, and reliable signal interfacing between sensors and control hardware. Control logic will be implemented to manage cycle timing, temperature regulation, and fluid circulation while incorporating safety interlocks and fault detection. Human-machine interaction is provided through a user interface that allows operators to select wash cycles and monitor system status. The resulting design demonstrates how integrated electrical systems and control strategies can transform a traditionally manual cleaning process into a repeatable, automated solution suitable for small-scale manufacturing and maintenance environments.

100 MW Wind Power Plant in West Texas

Type: Undergraduate
Author(s): Samuel Willey Engineering Will Cunningham Engineering
Advisor(s): Efstathios Michaelides Engineering

Climate change and economic factors have led to a considerable increase in demand for renewable power generation in Texas, with yearly renewable generation increasing from 12% in 2015 to 34% in 2025. This study evaluates the feasibility of a 100 MW wind power plant located on the outskirts of El Paso, TX. The plant would require 30 to 40 wind turbines producing 3 MW each, powering up to 75,000 homes on average and providing clean, independent energy to the surrounding metropolitan area. The report focuses on the technical concerns of the proposed wind power plant and predicts its performance based on average hourly weather data in the region.

Spatial Patterns and Urban Adaptation of Coyotes in North Texas

Type: Undergraduate
Author(s): Emily Garza Environmental Sciences
Advisor(s): Esayas Gebremichael Geological Sciences

Due to unprecedented urbanization in North Texas, coyotes have become more frequently observed in urban settings. The proposed project will examine the spatial distribution of coyote observations in North Texas, focusing on identifying spatial patterns. It also assesses whether these patterns are indicators of long-term adaptation in response to rapid urbanization in the region.  This study will use spatial analysis techniques to determine whether coyote observations are spatially clustered, identify potential hotspots, and assess whether the clustering is associated with a certain cover type. In addition, visual comparisons of multitemporal observations of data will be conducted to evaluate whether distribution patterns change over time. By integrating hotspot analysis and land cover data, the project aims to better understand how coyotes may be adapting to urban environments in North Texas.

A Multi-Criteria Spatial Analysis of Vegetation Zones at the Fort Worth Nature Center & Refuge: Implications for Ecological Management

Type: Undergraduate
Author(s): Isaac Minero Aldrete Environmental Sciences Ava Delgado Environmental Sciences
Advisor(s): Esayas Gebremichael Environmental Sciences

Wind Farms and Animal Mortality

Type: Undergraduate
Author(s): Ryan Nicholl Environmental Sciences Marty Taylor Environmental Sciences
Advisor(s): Asayas Gebremichael Geological Sciences

This project will examine the correlation between wind farms and animal deaths. Bird and bat fatalities will be analyzed in regions with high densities of wind farms using spatial data in ArcGIS Pro. GIS hotspot analysis and spatial modeling will be applied to identify areas where collision risks are greatest, resulting in higher mortality rates. Based on these findings, recommendations will be made for locations where wind energy development can occur while minimizing impacts on wildlife. By mapping areas of mortality alongside existing wind farms, renewable energy companies can be guided to sites that allow wind energy production with reduced bird and bat fatalities.

My Bipolar Auditorium

Type: Undergraduate
Author(s): Sahana Talwar Environmental Sciences
Advisor(s): Brendan Lavy Environmental Sciences

Students find it difficult to work in uncomfortable temperatures. The temperature of the Paschal High School auditorium has been a complaint of students and staff for years. A recent survey found that 75% of students and teachers find the auditorium either uncomfortably cold or uncomfortably hot. This research explores the temperature fluctuations in the auditorium in the context of events taking place in the auditorium. Six sensors were placed around the Paschal High School auditorium and recorded the temperature and humidity every couple of seconds from December 19 to March 1st. From this data, I was able to calculate “feel’s like” temperature, and graph this against time, taking note of any significant events that may have affected temperature.

Public expectations for medical professionals and education institutions in planetary health education

Type: Undergraduate
Author(s): Cao Sam Tran Interdisciplinary
Advisor(s): Alexander Gina Interdisciplinary

As climate-related health effects become increasingly more visible, the public perceptions of planetary health education may change. This study explored public expectations for the role of health professionals in planetary health advocacy, education, and clinical practice. A link to an online Qualtrics survey was sent to potential participants through community service events, coalition meetings, and websites. Responses were validated for a final analytical sample of 88 adults aged 18 and older. Results indicate that a large majority of participants have a positive view on environmental conservation, reflected by a mean score of 54.7 (SD 7.8) out of a possible 75 on the New Ecological Paradigm Scale. A majority of respondents indicated they were already observing health impacts of climate change in their daily lives, most commonly as increased allergy-related symptoms (70.2%), injuries due to severe weather events such as storms or floods (64.3%), and heat-related illnesses (57.1%). Respondents indicated that health professionals and professional organizations should play an active role in educating the public and advocating for policy responses to the health effects of climate change. The most frequent responses were found for health professionals bringing climate-health effects to public attention (88.1%), professional organizations engaging in significant advocacy (86.9%), and clinicians leading sustainability efforts in hospitals and clinics (85.7%). Significantly, 78.6% of participants expressed that health professionals have a responsibility to discuss these health effects directly with their patients. Overall, this sample of adults perceives that human health is already negatively affected by environmental changes and strongly supports health professionals to take advocacy and educational roles to address planetary health problems.

A Multi-Criteria Spatial Analysis of Vegetation Zones at the Fort Worth Nature Center & Refuge: Implications for Ecological Management

Type: Undergraduate
Author(s): Ava Delgado Environmental Sciences Isaac Aldrete Environmental Sciences
Advisor(s): Esayas Gebremichael Geological Sciences

This project proposes using ArcGIS-based spatial analysis to identify various vegetation zones at the Fort Worth Nature Center & Refuge and the surrounding areas, with the goal of supporting ecological management decisions. This will be accomplished through spatial overlay and other GIS analysis tools applied to relevant datasets, including topography (elevation), soil type, land cover, geology, and vegetation distribution derived from existing geospatial datasets. The distribution of plants based on these factors will help identify distinct zones, such as Fort Worth prairie, Cross Timbers savanna, and riparian forest. By compiling the results of the GIS analysis and producing maps to support both visual and statistical analysis, the project will provide insights for end users to identify existing and potentially new zones for ecological management.

Evaluating the Impact of Fire Ant Expansion on Texas Horned Lizard Habitat and Prey Availability

Type: Undergraduate
Author(s): Kindal Ferrans Environmental Sciences Matt Dengler Geological Sciences
Advisor(s): Esayas Gebremichael Geological Sciences

Our project will focus on the evaluation of how the introduction of invasive fire ant species has affected horned lizard populations. The fire ant species is not native to the greater Texas area and, when introduced, preyed on the Texas horned lizard’s primary food source, the harvester ant. This has greatly reduced the lizard’s range, as it consumes few other insects. Its status as the university mascot further highlights its vulnerability to the TCU community. This study examines the impact of invasive fire ants on horned lizard populations in Texas. We will accomplish this through two approaches in the ArcGIS environment: first, by comparing maps of the lizard’s historical and current ranges, and second, by analyzing the temporal distribution of fire ant populations to determine whether a correlation exists with changes in the lizard’s range.

Identifying High-potential Corridors for a Light-Rail Passenger Network in the Fort Worth, TX Metro Area

Type: Undergraduate
Author(s): Anna Claire Lindow Environmental Sciences Jack Grimm Geological Sciences
Advisor(s): Esayas Gebremicheal Geological Sciences

The Fort Worth metropolitan area faces increasing roadway congestion, automobile dependency, and growing accessibility challenges for households with limited vehicle and physical access. Although Tarrant County contains several rail assets, much of the regions' transit network remains limited in coverage and connectivity compared to neighboring systems in Dallas. Rather than proposing new infrastructure, this study aims to evaluate the existing rail corridors within Tarrant County to identify where improvements could generate the greatest mobility, equity, and connectivity benefits.

Using ArcGIS Pro, a weighted multi-criteria analysis is applied to three existing corridors where freight lines are already present: a south-to-north line dubbed the “Green Line”, with termini in Burleson and Keller, a west-to-east line dubbed the “Blue Line”, with termini in Benbrook and Arlington, and a southwest-to-northeast line dubbed the “Purple Line”, with termini in Crowley and Euless/Grapevine. Each corridor meets at Fort Worth T&P / Central stations and stops in significant population/economic centers. Buffers surrounding each corridor are analyzed to evaluate demographic demand, transportation efficiency, connectivity, and physical feasibility. Key variables include the percentage of households without vehicles, median income, senior and disability populations, highway congestion proximity, risk factors, and major destinations served.

By integrating demographic vulnerability indicators with transportation demand and physical constraints, this study identifies which existing retail corridors demonstrate greatest need and potential for targeted improvements. The results provide a GIS-based framework for prioritizing transit investments in automobile-dependent metropolitan regions and offer data-driven guidance for improving rail accessibility and connectivity across Tarrant County.

Assessing the Leachability of Rare Earth Elements and Critical Metals from Coal and Coal Ash

Type: Undergraduate
Author(s): Emma Maxwell Geological Sciences Amanda Whitley Geological Sciences
Advisor(s): Omar Harvey Geological Sciences

This project will study how rare earth elements (REEs) and other important critical materials can be released (leached) from coal and coal ash. Coal ash is produced in large amounts across the United States, and many studies show that it can contain valuable elements that are needed for electronics, renewable energy technology, and national defense. However, we still do not fully understand how easily these elements can be removed from the ash or what chemical conditions make them more or less available. Learning this will help determine whether coal ash can be used as a practical source of critical materials and how it should be safely managed.

Sea-Level Rise in the Bay Area

Type: Undergraduate
Author(s): Andrew McArdle Environmental Sciences Megan Linsley Environmental Sciences
Advisor(s): Esayas Gebremichael Geological Sciences

We are looking to map sea-level rise along the California coast from 2000 to 2026. The sea level is currently rising approximately .25 inches per year. We are going to focus on how this is affecting California, and we are going to pair this information with properties in California that will be underwater by 2050. It is estimated that 10 billion dollars' worth of property will be underwater in the next 30 years. The part of California that is under the highest risk is Northern California, specifically the Bay Area. We will be mapping floodplains and low-lying areas in the Bay Area to show what areas are at the highest risk of water damage.

Type: Undergraduate
Author(s): Arianna Simmons Geological Sciences
Advisor(s): Esayas Gebremicheal Geological Sciences

Landslides are among the most common and, at times, the most destructive natural hazards, posing significant risks to infrastructure, ecosystems, and human populations. Central Texas, particularly the Texas Hill Country, is recognized as a landslide-susceptible region due to its rugged topography, variable geology, and intense rainfall events. This project aims to map landslide susceptibility across the region using spatial analysis techniques in a GIS framework. Multiple datasets will be integrated, including Digital Elevation Models (DEMs) to derive slope, aspect, and flow accumulation, as well as geologic formations, soil types, precipitation patterns, and stream networks. Each variable will be reclassified according to relative landslide risk and combined using a weighted overlay analysis to generate a landslide susceptibility map identifying areas of high, moderate, and low risk. The resulting analysis will provide a framework for environmental hazard assessment and inform land-use planning and risk mitigation strategies in Central Texas.

Science for Starters: Empowering Future Problem-Solvers in Underserved Communities Through Early STEM Engagement

Type: Undergraduate
Author(s): Saba Anjum Chemistry & Biochemistry Rosangela Boyd Interdisciplinary Grace Conley Interdisciplinary Anisha Sakhare Biology Eric Simanek Chemistry & Biochemistry Jeremiah Tran Chemistry & Biochemistry
Advisor(s): Molly Weinburgh Interdisciplinary

Science for Starters is a student-led outreach initiative that provides weekly after-school STEM programming for elementary grade students at the Como Community Center in a historically underserved neighborhood. Supported by the EPIC (Experiential Projects to Impact the Community) grant, the program aims to address gaps in grade-level STEM skills and limited access to hands-on learning opportunities. TCU undergraduate volunteers lead each session, which includes relationship-building activities, a brief introduction to a STEM concept, and a hands-on, inquiry-based activity that encourages problem-solving and collaboration. Topics explored include chemistry, physics, space exploration, engineering, and the human body. Through these experiences, the program fosters curiosity in STEM while promoting mentorship, leadership development among undergraduate volunteers, and sustainable STEM enrichment within the Como community.

From Education to Action: Preventing Diabetic Foot Complications in the Unhoused Population of Fort Worth

Type: Undergraduate
Author(s): Siri Bejjanki Psychology Saba Anjum Chemistry & Biochemistry Miranda Gonzalez Biology
Advisor(s): David Capper Interdisciplinary

Unhoused individuals with diabetes frequently present to the Beautiful Feet Ministries Medical Clinic with preventable foot complications due to limited access to foot care supplies and limited education on preventive practices. This project addresses these gaps through a combined resource distribution and educational intervention model. Free foot care kits, patient-friendly educational materials, and an instructional video were developed to support preventive foot care and improve recognition of warning signs. Awareness workshops further expand outreach and encourage clinic-based foot screenings. By integrating accessible resources with targeted education, this initiative aims to empower unhoused individuals with diabetes to take a proactive role in their foot health and reduce avoidable complications.

Health Insurance, Social Determinants, and Health Outcomes: An Interdisciplinary Analysis Using Real-World Data

Type: Undergraduate
Author(s): Adrian Cisneros Interdisciplinary
Advisor(s): Keith Whitworth Interdisciplinary

Quantifying the Reach of Social Determinant–Focused Supplemental Benefits in Medicare Advantage: A Health Informatics Approach
Medicare Advantage (MA) plans now offer supplemental benefits that go beyond traditional medical coverage. These include things like transportation to appointments, meal delivery, housing support, utility assistance, and pest control, all of which target the social determinants of health (SDOH) that affect patient outcomes well before a doctor visit ever happens. Federal policy, particularly through the expansion of Special Supplemental Benefits for the Chronically Ill (SSBCI), has given plans more flexibility to offer these services. But offering a benefit and actually getting it to the people who need it are two different things. I wanted to find out how many plans are really providing these benefits, and how many beneficiaries are actually enrolled in them.
Using SAS, I combined multiple CMS administrative datasets, including Plan Benefit Package (PBP) data and MA Enrollment by Plan files from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, into one analytic dataset. I linked plan-level benefit indicators to enrollment counts so I could estimate both the proportion of MA plans offering specific SDOH-related benefits and the percentage of beneficiaries enrolled in those plans.
What I found early on is a clear gap. Plans may list SDOH benefits on paper, but enrollment in those plans varies sharply depending on the benefit type. That disconnect between what is offered and who it actually reaches matters, because it tells us that expanding policy alone does not guarantee equity. This project shows that publicly available CMS data, when properly organized and integrated through health informatics methods, can expose these gaps and move the conversation from policy language toward something measurable.

The Impact of Sleep, Diet, and Exercise on Perceptions of Stress in the Hispanic and Non-Hispanic Populations

Type: Undergraduate
Author(s): Katelin Jimenez Interdisciplinary
Advisor(s): Glenda Daniels Interdisciplinary Janie Robinson Interdisciplinary

Background: It is estimated that close to 50% of Americans experience stress daily. Research has documented that Latinos report higher levels of stress than other ethnicities. Stress is a normal occurrence and defined as the body and brain's natural, automatic response to any demand, challenge, or perceived threat. There are many factors that can impact stress, including sleep, diet, and exercise which are modifiable risk factors. These factors may affect ethnic groups in different ways. Purpose: The purpose of this integrative literature review is to explore the impact of exercise, diet, and sleep on the stress levels or perceptions of stress in the Hispanic and Non-Hispanic population. Methods: Databases used for this review included: CINAHL, EMBASE, PsycInfo, PubMed, Web of Science, and Scopus. The inclusion criteria were randomized control trials, mixed-method studies, quantitative and qualitative studies, systematic reviews, individuals age 18 or greater, Hispanic and Non-Hispanic populations. The articles reviewed included the years 2006-2026 utilizing the PRISMA extraction system. Conclusion: The findings should help researchers identify strategies to mitigate negative responses to these factors. Based on the increasing Hispanic demographic in the US, future research should address the inclusion of this population to address health disparities and gaps and enhance culturally competent interventions

Key words: exercise, diet, sleep, stress, Hispanic, Non-Hispanic, perceptions, diet quality

Development and Preliminary Evaluation of an AI-Based Multi-Database Clinical Evidence Retrieval Application for Physicians

Type: Undergraduate
Author(s): Caroline Olson Interdisciplinary
Advisor(s): Keith Whitworth Interdisciplinary

Physicians face increasing difficulty accessing relevant clinical evidence due to time constraints and the fragmentation of biomedical literature across multiple databases. Existing search platforms often require separate queries and may prioritize a single source, limiting the breadth and efficiency of evidence retrieval. This project aimed to develop and evaluate an artificial intelligence (AI)-based system designed to aggregate and prioritize clinical information from multiple open-access medical databases.
A multi-source retrieval tool was developed that integrates results from PubMed, Semantic Scholar, Directory of Open Access Journals (DOAJ), CORE, the World Health Organization (WHO), the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), PLOS, and the National Network of Libraries of Medicine (NNLM). The system uses AI-assisted query processing and a source-weighting strategy to prioritize databases based on relevance to the query topic. Design decisions emphasized accessibility, ethical use of open-access content, and integration with clinical workflows.
Preliminary testing using representative clinical queries demonstrated the system’s ability to retrieve evidence from multiple complementary sources, increasing evidence diversity compared to single-database searches. Informal physician feedback highlighted the potential value of integrated retrieval for improving search efficiency and supporting evidence-based decision-making.
This work represents an early-stage clinical informatics approach to addressing information overload in healthcare. Future work will include structured usability testing with physicians, refinement of source prioritization algorithms, and evaluation of time savings and clinical relevance. AI-driven evidence aggregation tools may support more efficient clinical decision-making and improve access to high-quality medical information.

A Systematic Review of Pre-medical Gap Year Literature

Type: Undergraduate
Author(s): Katherine Richey Interdisciplinary
Advisor(s): Christina Ayala Interdisciplinary Matt Chumchal Biology

Frogs Aiding Dragons College Initiative

Type: Undergraduate
Author(s): Katie Robb Interdisciplinary
Advisor(s): Christina Ayala Interdisciplinary

The Frogs Aiding Dragons College Initiative works with the TCU organization Frogs Aiding Immigrants and Refugees (FAIR) to support Fort Worth immigrant and refugee communities, especially through partnerships with the International Newcomer Academy (INA). INA is a school specifically for 6th-9th grade refugee students. Many of these students have had no educational background or don’t fluently read or speak English. So, the goal of Frogs Aiding Dragons College Initiative is to encourage students to continue pursuing an education and convey that college is a possible goal for them. We work with a group of 62 9th graders where we bring them to TCU and host a Thanksgiving feast, campus tour, and panel with TCU immigrant students. We then bring the college experience to INA with presentations and hands-on activities from various students representing various TCU departments, including Chemistry, Pre-Health, the Fine Arts, and Engineering. We assess the effectiveness of this initiative using a survey measuring INA students’ attitudes towards desire to attend college, how much they know about college, and if they feel like they have more resources to apply to and attend college.