The Undergraduate Research Program would like to draw attention to some interesting and important research being conducted by one of our mentors, Dr. Steven Sahyun, and his students. Dr. Sahyun is currently conducting research into the use of 3D printers to create objects that can be used for tactile learning for students with visual disabilities who are in the fields of physics, math, and science. Using the design software, AutoCad, Dr. Sahyun has created multiple different 3D-printable objects, including a map of the University of Wisconsin Whitewater campus, and models of diffraction patterns. Students working under Dr. Sahyun have also designed some useful objects including an 8-dot Braille Slate and functional pulley system. These objects, when printed, provide the necessary tactile information for visually disabled students to learn important concepts that they otherwise may have trouble learning.
The files used to print these objects are all available for download on Dr. Sahyun’s website, which can be found here. After downloading, the files can be used with most 3D printers. The website offers in depth descriptions of the individual objects, and makes it easier for those students looking for these types of objects to find them.
It is easy to see the importance behind this research. Accessibility to learning is extremely important and Dr. Sahyun and his students have found an interesting and efficient way to help those students with visual disabilities. If you are interested in learning more, visit Dr. Sahyun’s website for UWW, where you can find information about Dr. Sahyun as well as some of his past and current research endeavors.
The first panelist was Timothy Fixmer, the CEO and President of CCI Media, a company which manages and acquires media products, serving business-to-business needs. Fixmer has also been associated with companies such as IIR Publishing and Duke Communications. Fixmer graduated UWW in 1975 with a Bachelor of Science in Psychology and Political Science.
The next panelist was Greg Kneser. Kneser is currently the Vice President for student life at St. Olaf College in Minnesota. He joined St. Olaf in 1989, starting out as the Director of Resident life and progressing to his current position. He is responsible for all aspects of students residential and co-curricular activities. Kneser graduated from UWW in 1983 and went on to get his Master’s in Education Administration in 1984 at Northeast Missouri State University.
The third panelist was Mark Niedfeldt. Niedfeldt has a Family Medicine/Sports Medicine private practice, which is located in Mequon, WI. He is also a Team Physician to the Milwaukee Brewers. Niedfeldt prides himself on his desire to take time with his patients in order to truly understand their health goals. He graduated UWW in 1988 with a Bachelor of Science in Biology and Chemistry, and continued on to the Medical College of Wisconsin, where he completed his M.D. in Medicine.
The last panelist was Diane Welsh. She is currently a Shareholder & Attorney at von Briesen & Roper, SC. She is employed at the firms Madison location. She previously served as the Chief Legal Counsel for the Wisconsin Department of Health Services. She graduated UWW in 1984 with a Bachelor of Business Administration in Marketing. She continued on to receive her Masters of Business Administration from Bell State University in 1985. She then received her Juris Doctor degree from the Washington College of Law in 1998.
On Thursday, September 24th the Undergraduate Research Program held its annual Fall Undergraduate Research Day Event. As with years past, the event featured poster presentations from student researchers from multiple programs, including the McNair Scholars Program, Undergraduate Research Grant program, and other independent programs.