News from the Office of Connected Learning

Category: Research and Creative Projects for Undergrads

Researching to Protect Birds by Joonjoo Lee

If I could direct your attention to a window in a building across a street on a sunny day, you might see a vivid image of a tree reflected in/on the glass. Look familiar? That same clear image can also be a complete reflection of a forest wherein a bird could mistake it for a...

November 26, 2025

Designing to Save Lives by Brooke Ojala

This summer, I worked with Dr. Jong Yoon, in the Smart Medical Devices Lab. Without consistent feedback, cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) may have inconsistencies, so we worked toward creating a robotic ultrasound system that can be used to improve CPR outcomes in a non-hospital, field setting. This system will provide first responders with adaptive audiovisual feedback...

November 19, 2025

Scratching the Surface of Innovation by Amaya Cook

For the summer of 2025, I had the privilege of continuing an ongoing research project with my mentor, Dr. Subramanian Ramachandran, sponsored through the Office of Connected Learning’s undergrad research program. Methane is a greenhouse gas that can be made from biowaste in a biodegester. Methane then can undergo a process called Steam Methane Reformation...

November 17, 2025

Expanding the definition of conservation

Jackelyn Garcia entered UW Bothell planning to study medicine but discovered her passion for environmental science after joining a research project on plant evolution. With support from her mentor, she became a Doris Duke Conservation Scholar, where she explored diverse approaches to conservation and realized her calling in environmental work. The fellowship shaped her career...

November 3, 2025

Using light to hear the whales 

Researchers from UW Bothell’s School of STEM and the UW’s School of Oceanography are testing how existing underwater fiber optic cables can be repurposed to monitor endangered marine mammals, particularly Southern Resident orcas. Led by Dr. Shima Abadi and supported by a $1.5 million grant from Allen Family Philanthropies, the project aims to improve understanding...

October 15, 2025

The harmful side of English holly 

Elliott Church’s undergraduate research, which began with UW Bothell, revealed that English holly harms native forest plants, leading to Washington state listing it as a Class C noxious weed. His decade-long work, published in Natural Areas Journal, shows the lasting impact of student research and encourages others to pursue similar opportunities. Discover more opportunities through...

October 10, 2025

Internships channel student passion for the environment

UW Bothell students joined the first cohort of the Urban Stream Ecology Internship, partnering with the Lake Forest Park Stewardship Foundation to monitor the health of two urban watersheds in Northern King County. Guided by Dr. Dana Campbell and community mentors, students collected baseline water quality data, learned field techniques, and explored how human activity...

October 9, 2025

Restoration projects benefit local communities

UW Bothell’s senior environmental capstone gives students the chance to apply classroom learning to real restoration projects in partnership with local organizations. Under the guidance of Dr. Amy Lambert, students worked on hands-on projects ranging from assessing soil health at Richmond Beach Saltwater Park, to restoring pollinator habitats at the former Wayne Golf Course, to...

September 5, 2025

My Story: Building connections locally and abroad by Adam Chhor

Throughout his time at UW Bothell, Adam discovered how connecting across cultures and disciplines shaped his growth, from community-based research with Cambodian gardeners to building machine-learning tools for biologists, studying abroad in Tokyo, and leading an inclusive robotics team. These experiences strengthened his passion for global engagement and ultimately led him to serve as a...

August 29, 2025