Over 120 students presented 100 research projects at the 哔咔漫画鈥檚
fifth annual Undergraduate Humanities Conference on January 25-26, 2024.
Among these students was Judy Genshaft Honors College and 哔咔漫画
College of Engineering student Tzuriel Garcia, who shared his unique interest in the
intersection of engineering and design as a first-time presenter at the conference.
Garcia shared a poster project alongside a group of fellow Honors students. Together,
the team developed an under the guidance of Honors Professor Tina Piracci. The project aims to address
environmental challenges by designing innovative solutions for oyster habitat restoration.
鈥淭he atmosphere was really friendly, and meeting new people and students from out
of state was really cool,鈥� said Garcia, noting the conference's strong reputation
and community atmosphere that attract student researchers from across the country.
The event extends well beyond student poster presentations. Faculty, graduate students,
and volunteers host panel discussions, guest speakers present their work in the humanities,
and students not only showcase their own research but also engage with peers and industry
professionals.
鈥淚 really liked that this conference focused on the students. I really enjoyed talking
to other students and seeing what they came up with,鈥� Garcia said. He also noted the
communal nature of the humanities conference compared to more job-focused expositions.
During the poster session, Garcia and his team shared their passion with others. 鈥淪eeing
interest in our project helped to legitimize the work we are doing. A lot of people
don鈥檛 know about the oyster problem,鈥� he added.
THE ART OF TEAMWORK
Garcia鈥檚 poster was more than just a showcase of his team鈥檚 academic prowess; it was
the culmination of classwork from their Honors course, 鈥淎rt and the Environment,鈥�
taught by Piracci. This course challenged Garcia and his peers to integrate art and
STEM concepts to tackle the critical issue of declining oyster populations in the
Gulf of Mexico.
In the interdisciplinary classroom environment, Garcia collaborated with his team
comprising students from engineering, medicine, biology, and the arts. Together, they
designed prototypes they called the 鈥渋nfinity brick鈥� and the 鈥渉exalog鈥� 鈥� 3D-printed
clay structures optimized to serve as ideal habitats for oysters. Utilizing his expertise
in computer-aided design (CAD), Garcia worked closely with fellow Honors student Nader
Abdulla to model and refine these prototypes in AutoCAD, while also imparting his
CAD skills to other team members.
鈥淚t really clicked; this is what an engineer is supposed to do,鈥� said Garcia on the
collaborative experience. 鈥淲e all brought something. The way that our knowledge complements
each other is so nice, and it鈥檚 the type of professional experience I want to have.鈥�
From the prototyping phase to preparing their conference application and poster presentation,
Garcia witnessed the integration of talents within his team. 鈥淭his is how it feels
when you put your trust in your teammates, when you trust the work they do will be
great quality,鈥� he added.
MORE THAN JUST A CONFERENCE
For Garcia, the Undergraduate Humanities Conference was not just a platform to display
his hard work; it was an experience that solidified his passion for impactful engineering.
鈥淭his cemented that in my free time I want to do things that are impactful 鈥� not just
fun,鈥� Garcia remarked.
As an engineering student more accustomed to mechanics than public speaking, Garcia
viewed the conference as a valuable learning opportunity. 鈥淚t taught me how to share
ideas with a larger audience,鈥� he explained, highlighting the importance of communication
in bridging the gap between innovation and broader societal impact.
Tzuriel鈥檚 Tips for Teamwork
- Establish strong communication within your group to foster team chemistry and facilitate idea-sharing. Utilize platforms like WhatsApp, that work best for your team.
- Identify your strengths and interests, then delegate tasks accordingly!
- Apply to the conference early to streamline the process and adequately prepare your team for the presentation.
Click here to learn more about USF鈥檚 Undergraduate Humanities Conference.