Student Stories
Mechanical Engineering Research Story: Seth Peebles
Seth Peebles
Mechanical Engineering
What research did you complete and who did you complete it with?
I built and enclosure for a Lipke Labs microfluidic research project under Dr. Yuan Tian
What motivated you to participate in undergraduate research?
Growing my engineering skills related to prototyping and manufacturing. I also wanted to make money to help pay for college and living expenses.
There seem to be a variety of ways to seek and secure research positions. How did you find this opportunity? Are there resources you found particularly helpful?
I learned about this opportunity through a CDCR email.
Tell us about your research experience. What types of tasks and projects did you engage in? Was there a particular part of the experience you learned the most from?
My main task was to design a sheet metal enclosure and mounting parts for a number of devices. I had to manufacture these designs and work through the challenges that building an initial design presents. I learned the most from building the enclosure and ways in which I can improve as a designer.
In what ways did this research experience help you prepare for your next steps after Auburn?
This helped me to build my design and manufacturing skills as well as my resume for my post-grad career.
In what ways did your coursework or other experiences at Auburn prepare you for your research? Are there specific topics or skills you learned from classes that you put into practice?
The most impactful experience that prepared me for my research was my Co-op at Griffon Aerospace. I had the opportunity to participate in the manufacturing processes of various prototypes. This helped me to build the CAD, 3D printing, and manufacturing skills necessary for this research project.
Do you have any advice for other students looking for research experience like yours?
My advice would be to get involved. Apply to the projects that seem interesting and go for it. Building practical experience while in college is invaluable.