Graduate students from across the UConn College of Engineering showcased cutting-edge research and communication skills during the 12th-annual UConn Engineering graduate programs poster competition, held on March 4 in the Student Union ballroom. The event brought together master’s and Ph.D. students, faculty, alumni, and industry professionals for a day of research presentations and networking.
Organized by the College of Engineering graduate programs office, the competition provided students with an opportunity to present complex research in an accessible way while building professional communication skills. Participants created research posters and delivered concise explanations of their work to judges and attendees from both academia and industry.
“The poster competition is a wonderful opportunity for our graduate students to showcase the innovative research they are conducting at UConn Engineering,” said Julia Valla, director of graduate studies for the College of Engineering. “It also allows them to develop the important skill of communicating complex ideas clearly to diverse audiences, from faculty and industry partners to fellow students.”
The annual competition is open to all College of Engineering master’s and Ph.D. students and includes two rounds of judging, with prizes awarded to departmental winners as well as overall college-wide finalists.
After two rounds of judging, three graduate researchers were recognized as the overall winners of the 2026 competition:
- 1st Place: Samuel Rothfarb, environmental engineering program, School of Civil and Environmental Engineering
- 2nd Place: Adanma Akoma, Department of Materials Science and Engineering
- 3rd Place: Ana Carolina Vieira Rocha, civil engineering program, School of Civil and Environmental Engineering
Rothfarb received the competition’s top honor and a $1,000 prize, with Akoma and Vieira Rocha earning second and third place awards of $500 and $250 respectively.
First-place winner Rothfarb presented research exploring how large language model (LLM) agents can autonomously discover new energy materials by combining artificial intelligence with first-principles simulations. His framework enables AI agents to reason about electronic structures and run simulations that identify promising materials for energy technologies. By automating key steps in the materials discovery process, Rothfarb’s work could help accelerate the development of next-generation catalysts and materials for sustainable energy systems.
Second-place winner Akoma focused on the nanomechanics of the dentin–enamel interface in human teeth, seeking to better understand how these two materials interact to create strong, durable teeth. Using nano-tomographic atomic force microscopy, she maps the three-dimensional structure and mechanical properties of the interface at the nanoscale. Her findings could inform improved dental treatments and inspire the development of stronger biomimetic materials for restorative dentistry.
Third-place winner Vieira Rocha investigated how matrix composition and surface treatments influence concrete deterioration caused by iron sulfide reactions. Through electrochemical testing and materials analysis, her work evaluates methods to mitigate cracking and structural damage in concrete. The research aims to improve the durability of foundations and infrastructure systems susceptible to sulfide-induced deterioration.
The competition also recognized standout posters across departments during the first round. Departmental winners included:
- Biomedical engineering: Atta Seck and Cao-Sang Truong
- Chemical and biomolecular engineering: Maryam Mohebi
- Materials science and engineering: Akoma
- Civil engineering: Vieira Rocha and Dahye Kim
- Environmental engineering: Rothfarb
- School of Computing: Giovanni Romano
- Electrical and computer engineering: Blake Gaines
- Mechanical, aerospace, and manufacturing engineering: Melanie Keogh
Each departmental winner received a prize and advanced to the final round of judging.
The poster competition highlights the breadth and depth of research taking place across UConn Engineering. Students presented projects spanning fields such as advanced materials, artificial intelligence, infrastructure systems, and environmental sustainability – demonstrating the diverse ways UConn graduate researchers are addressing real-world challenges.
Beyond recognizing outstanding research, the competition also serves as a platform for professional development. Students gain valuable experience communicating their work to diverse audiences while receiving feedback from faculty, alumni, and industry professionals.
As the competition continues to grow each year, it remains a cornerstone event for the College of Engineering graduate community, celebrating the innovation, curiosity, and dedication of UConn’s next generation of engineers.
