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UT Tyler Celebrates Graduate Student Research with Inaugural Contest

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April 16, 2018

Media Contact:  Hannah Buchanan
Editor/Writer–Strategic Communications & Media Relations
Marketing and Communications
The University of Texas at Tyler
903.539.7196 (cell)

The Graduate School at The University of Texas at Tyler proudly announces its inaugural Grad School 180 research competition winners, who presented research in electrical engineering and women's health.

"Grad School 180 supports our master's and doctoral level student research, while engaging students and helping them gain valuable skills and credentials for continued success in their chosen fields," said Dr. Alecia Wolf, Assistant Dean of The Graduate School at UT Tyler. "We are extremely impressed by all of our talented, dedicated student researchers and they work they have done and will continue to do as they represent UT Tyler."

The contest challenged participants to give a compelling, spoken presentation about their research within 180-seconds to a general audience. Community members and UT Tyler alumni judged entries and presented cash prizes to the three winners.

Electrical engineering graduate student Islombek Karimov of Kyrgyzstan placed first and received $500 for his presentation, "Digital Enhancement of Analog Measurement Systems for Temperature Compensation of Strain Gages." Karimov is developing a more effective way to gather and process data for use in various Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) fields.

Kinesiology graduate student Kevin Tokoph of Tyler placed second and received $250 for his presentation, "Characterization of Fungal Species in Infected Women's Breast Milk Using Molecular Genetics." Tokoph is studying infected breast milk samples to determine which fungal species are present. By using gene sequencing techniques, he hopes to ultimately create a protocol to be used in clinical screenings for breast milk fungal infections.

Electrical engineering graduate student Vasudevan Harini of India placed third and received $125 for her presentation, "Smart Baby Mattresses for the Prevention of Life-Threatening Events." Harini is exploring ways to build a type of 'smart' mattress pad for infants to help prevent Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS).

For more information, contact Wolf, awolf@uttyler.edu.

A member of the prestigious UT System, The University of Texas at Tyler focuses on student success and innovative research in the more than 80 undergraduate and graduate degree programs offered. With more than 10,000 students, UT Tyler has facilities in Tyler, Longview, Palestine and Houston.