Presenting at Undergraduate Research Symposium
Author: Ryker Davis | Major: Mechanical Engineering | Semester: Spring 2025
Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS), commonly known as drones, are transforming industries from agriculture and infrastructure inspection to delivery and emergency response. However, as their use expands, so does the need for effective safety oversight. My research, A Review of Unmanned Aircraft Systems Safety Reporting and Analysis of Incidents, explores the current state of UAS safety reporting, identifies patterns in incident data, and highlights critical gaps in how these events are reported, recorded, and analyzed. The goal of this work is to support improved safety standards, inform regulatory development, and provide a foundation for risk assessment tools that can help prevent future incidents.
I selected this topic because of my interest in aviation safety and the rapidly growing role of UAS in civilian and commercial sectors. I saw a unique opportunity to contribute to an area where policy and engineering intersect. I joined the Aerospace Systems Engineering and Transportation (ASYST) research team led by Dr. Neelakshi Majumdar after learning about the lab’s work in aviation safety systems. Her research piqued my interest and offered a way for me to explore what undergraduate research was about.
Over the Spring semester, I was able to finalize my research that I have been working on with Dr. Majumdar for the past year. We have already finished analyzing the data and revealed some key findings. All that was left was for us to put our results into a paper and get it published. I spent most of this semester working on this research paper to get it to a standard to become a published conference paper. During this semester, I also got the chance to present my work with a poster at the Undergraduate Research Symposium.
This project taught me more than just data analysis. It helped me grow as a critical thinker and technical writer. I learned how to recognize trends in complex, qualitative datasets and how to present findings in a way that could make a practical difference.
One of the most important challenges I faced during this research was developing my technical writing skills. Translating complex information into clear, concise, and formal language was more difficult than I anticipated. I often found myself trying to balance technical accuracy with readability. With guidance from my mentor, I learned how to structure a research paper, cite sources effectively, and write with purpose. This process improved not only my writing but also how I approach research communication more generally. I now feel more confident in presenting my work to both technical and non-technical audiences.
Dr. Majumdar played a crucial role throughout the process. She was there guiding the initial framing of the research question, offering insight into aviation safety frameworks, and helping me refine the methodology as new challenges arose. Her feedback was instrumental in keeping the project aligned with broader safety goals and making sure our findings could have a meaningful impact. I also received helpful input from other students in the lab, particularly those working on related topics in aviation safety and risk assessment.
Looking ahead, I plan to continue this project as part of my graduate studies in the Accelerated Master’s Program in Mechanical Engineering. I hope to expand the dataset and incorporate machine learning tools for risk prediction. After completing my MS, I plan to pursue a PhD in aerospace engineering and conduct research using the skills that I have learned from both academia and beyond.