As a first-generation undergraduate senior learning mechanical engineering on the College of Nevada, Reno, Jennifer Clayton desires to discover all her choices for the long run and is taking up new experiences to pinpoint her area of interest throughout the scope of engineering. Her need to assume creatively to unravel distinctive and difficult world issues has led to her deep curiosity in robotics and synthetic intelligence (AI). And the relationships she’s constructed throughout her time on the College have additionally contributed to this ardour.
“At present I’m excited about pursuing robotics, as I’m fascinated by the creation of machines that work together with individuals and the world round them,” stated the School of Engineering scholar. “I’m excited to hitch NCAR of their analysis of autonomous robotics and sometime hope to create an autonomous robotic of my very own design.”
For her senior 12 months, Clayton is at present aiding Nevada Middle for Utilized Analysis’s (NCAR) Digital Twin Mission, alongside the Washoe Nation Regional Transportation Fee (RTC), to construct 3D maps of the Metropolis of Reno and create AI that these companies could use to examine for buildings that require upkeep or human consideration.
This summer season, Clayton started working with Richard Kelly, NCAR senior engineer. She will not be solely studying the fundamentals equivalent to taking stock of laboratory gear but in addition being skilled in all areas of examine associated to all of NCAR’s present tasks. This expertise provides her a full understanding of the analysis on autonomous robotics being carried out by Kelly’s crew. It’s also getting ready her to at some point create autonomous robots of her personal.
Together with Kelly and others with the College’s Nevada Autonomous crew, Clayton attended a Censys Applied sciences and Iris Automation drone demonstration this summer season to witness the real-life software of robotics expertise and the way different companies are utilizing these applied sciences.
“My experiences this summer season have opened my eyes to the true scope of potentialities for this expertise. I consider autonomous robotics have limitless functions in analysis, well being, security, leisure, on a regular basis life, and so forth,” stated Clayton. “The longer term is shiny for autonomous robotics, and I sit up for seeing the place our analysis takes us.”
Staying linked with the College group and growing private tasks hold Clayton’s ardour for engineering, robotics and teamwork alive in addition to allow her to develop her talent set.
“With the ability to take one thing out of your creativeness to actuality feels nearly like magic, and I prefer to mirror that within the issues I create. This additionally makes studying further abilities wanted to finish the challenge extra enjoyable,” stated Clayton. “For instance, the Pepper’s Ghost Aquarium I lately created utilized my discovered data of 3D modeling and design, but in addition pushed me to be taught extra concerning the phantasm itself, how 3D printers work, the properties of the supplies I used to be working with, and the usage of numerous hand and energy instruments.”
Clayton’s work with Undergraduate Analysis, a part of Analysis & Innovation, and its award applications started throughout the 2021-2022 college 12 months when obtained a Nevada Undergraduate Analysis Award (NURA). She labored alongside Jun Zhang, assistant professor within the Division of Mechanical Engineering, in his Sensible Robotics Lab to help within the growth of a delicate robotic glove used for rehabilitation and coaching functions.
Clayton’s fruitful partnership along with her mentors and her relationship with the College show the significance of steering and encouragement within the journey of undergraduate college students. Clayton additionally notes that being a member of the College Swing Dance Membership has been an effective way to satisfy new individuals and make mates whereas being an undergraduate researcher.
As a first-generation scholar, Clayton stresses the key function others have performed in serving to her turn into adjusted to her tutorial path on the College and being ready for what to anticipate.
“I’d take into account myself a deeply curious individual with a fascination for studying. I really consider that you could be taught one thing from everybody, and I take into account myself very fortunate to have been capable of expertise this on such a big scale on the College,” she stated. “I’ve had the chance to satisfy college students and mentors from all totally different backgrounds and gained a larger appreciation and understanding of the work achieved by college students of all majors and the world outdoors of the College.”
