First of its Kind The only undergraduate degree of its kind in the nation, the Bachelor of Science in Aerospace Physiology blends aerospace with life science and leverages Embry-Riddle’s many strengths to take advantage of emerging opportunities in space and biomedicine.
Preventing Injuries The current prevention methods such as ankle braces are ineffective due to bulkiness, excessive movement and lack of comfort. Engineered for athletes, by athletes, a 3D printed, customizable and thin ankle brace was designed specifically for soccer players to limit inversion and eversion ankle sprains but allow natural range of motion.
Opening the Firewall The Infosec Cybersecurity Scholarship program was established to address the ongoing cybersecurity workforce skills gap. Current estimates suggest there are more than 300,000 positions open in the U.S.
Dynamic Ankle Brace The specifications of the improved ankle brace are designed to allow the material properties to apply a restoring force as it reaches the exceeding ranges of motion for ankle sprains without hindering athletic performance.
Fused Filament Fabrication The model or part is produced by extruding small beads or streams of material which harden immediately to form layers. A filament of thermoplastic, metal wire or other material is fed into an extrusion nozzle head (3D printer extruder), which heats the material and turns the flow on and off.
Haleema Irfan ’21
Michaela Adams ’20
Izah Deang ’20
AEROSPACE PHYSIOLOGY
MECHANICAL ENGINEERING
CYBER INTELLIGENCE & SECURITY
Bracing for Change Three Mechanical Engineering students who also made their marks as Eagle athletes have combined their academic and sporting skills to help address one of the most common injuries in sports: sprained ankles. Izah Deang (’20), who played volleyball, Sophie Brundin (’20), a soccer player, and Quinn Guzman (’20), a golfer, teamed up to research and create a lightweight, strong and comfortable ankle brace using additive manufacturing, more commonly known as 3D printing. “To solve our own issues, and the number one injury in the world’s biggest sport, we decided to come up with a solution,” Deang said. “We invented a brace that is created to prevent ankle sprains.” The brace designed by the trio uses a geometric mesh design that combines the benefits of the classic ankle brace stirrup concept with 3D printing and modern material science. That will result in a customized ankle brace that is lighter, more malleable and thinner than those currently available. “The ultimate objective of this project is to produce a working product that will be available on the commercial market,” Deang said.
Spaceflight on the Brain Long-term spaceflight presents many challenges, including a threat to the health of the human brain. That problem is hydrocephalus, fluid accumulating in the brain, and it is the focus of research by Embry-Riddle senior Haleema Irfan (’21), who is majoring in Aerospace Physiology and Human Factors Psychology. Hydrocephalus is provoked by shifts in the cephalic fluid that occur in microgravity and can cause symptoms that include impaired functioning. Irfan has her sights set on a sensor that would detect the condition before it poses a problem for astronauts. “Studying hydrocephalus and its involvement in gravitational stress will allow scientists to better understand cerebral spinal fluid disorders. However, before exploring this condition, a rapid detection method should be created.” Irfan’s proposed sensor would detect certain metabolites that are present with hydrocephalus. Her research is being funded by a Student Internal Grant from the Embry-Riddle Office of Undergraduate Research.
Passion Becomes Profession
When Michaela Adams (’21) arrived at Embry-Riddle with some high school computer coding classes under her belt, she had no idea what doors the university could open for her. Now a senior, she’s landed two prime internships, served as president of the Prescott Campus Cyber Defense Club, landed an Infosec Cybersecurity Scholarship and discovered her passion for responding to cyber incidents. “For me, it’s definitely about getting real-world experience,” she said. “I like that I have a view of a potential career now.” The scholarship Adams earned is part of an effort by Infosec to fill the more than 300,000 cybersecurity openings by helping boost representation from women and minorities. She says her classes, and her work with the Cyber Defense Club, prepared her well for her recent intern stints with a wearable technology company and a major theme park. “That was an eye-opening experience, and it showed me how I can make a difference, find what I’m good at and apply it to cybersecurity,” she said.
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