Dr. Ghodssi and MSAL member featured in MATRIX News on Helping Interns Succeed

A group of students now further understands the importance of researching solutions and asking questions in the field of engineering.

The Summer 2025 cohort of University of Maryland (UMD) MATRIX Lab interns spent the past few months tackling projects ranging from uncrewed aerial systems to ingestible capsules to underwater experiments. Each student gained valuable skills through real-world research projects and learned the importance of teamwork, patience, and problem-solving.

Andrew and Charlotte joined together to contribute to a research project currently being worked on by the MATRIX Lab Director of Remote Sensing and Microsystems, Dr. Justin Stine. They each helped advance the ingestible capsule – a device that measures levels of the gas H2S in the gastrointestinal tract to find a link between elevated levels and bowel disease. Charlotte took on microcontroller programming and device communication, while Andrew worked on smaller parts of a larger, multi-line gas collection chamber.

During the internship, Charlotte said she improved her programming and increased her experience with circuits and sensors, while Andrew learned how to better manage his time through deadlines and clear objectives. Both were grateful for the hands-on experience contributing to an impactful project.

“The best parts were working with a great team, contributing to the capsule project, and seeing everything come together before my eyes,” Charlotte said. “I also liked being involved in other lab projects and learning from them.”

“I have greater confidence in my ability to engineer,” Andrew said. “Dr. Ghodssi said on our first day that we'll surprise ourselves with what we're able to achieve, and I agree wholeheartedly, as I have done work I previously believed would not be possible without further training.”

More information can be found on the UMD ECE News (8 - August / 2025)