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Ignite - Who Are We?

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Who Are We?

Who Are We?

Our Leadership Team

At its core, Ignite is an amazing and storied community of talented, versatile, and innovative people. Without the hard work, collaboration, and creative thinking of our leadership team, none of what we do would be possible!

Ignite director Ashley Sweeney poses with arms crossed in front of a wall of 3D printers

Ashley Sweeney '15, M'19, Director of Ignite

With 12 years of dedicated service at Clarkson, Ashley Sweeney brings seasoned leadership and vibrant energy to Ignite, steering its activities while inspiring and empowering others.
Clarkson Ignite program coordinator Demetrius Boone smiles for a headshot in front of a Clarkson logo step and repeat banner

Demetrius Boone '21, M'26, Program Coordinator

Part of the inaugural winning President’s Challenge team, Demetrius Boone’s experience at Clarkson provides him with important insight into leadership and achievement.
Clarkson student Miles Compani smiles at the camera while wearing a suit and tie

Miles Compani '23, M'25, PhD'26, Executive Fellow

As the very first Ignite Presidential Fellow, Miles Compani is celebrated for his remarkable talent for driving meaningful change and cultivating impactful opportunities for all.
Clarkson Ignite graduate fellow Kelsey Hamilton poses outside on a sunny day in front of trees while wearing a Clarkson athletics logo sweatshirt

Kelsey Hamilton '24, M'26, Graduate Fellow

Kelsey Hamilton draws on her Ignite Presidential Fellow experience while enhancing critical opportunities for students across campus.

Santino Martinelli headshot

Santino Martinelli '25, M'26, Professional Assistant

As Ignite's go-to guy on all things digital content creation and drones, Santino leverages his extensive expertise to drive innovation and success everywhere he goes.

Students carrying a banner promoting Clarkson Ignite

The Entire Ignite Family

At Ignite, leadership isn't about the role you hold, but rather your impact as an innovator and entrepreneur. That's why all members of the Ignite family play a key role in forging our path forward.

Outstanding Achievement

At Ignite, leadership isn’t just a action - it’s a natural outcome of the incredible talent within our family. That said, there’s nothing more rewarding than having our hard work recognized and celebrated in front of the entire Clarkson community, especially for our most dedicated members.

Each year, the Levinus Clarkson Award is presented to the top student of the graduating class. In 2024, this honor was earned by none other than Executive Fellow Miles Compani (E&M ‘23, MSEM ’25, EngSci P’26), who was recognized for his exceptional scholarship and outstanding potential for future success.

Hailing from the Capital Region, Miles is the go-to expert on all things Ignite. Whether overseeing Ignite Project Expo, RAPS, and Business Plan Competition events, guiding Ignite Presidential Fellows and Young Innovators & Entrepreneurs, or leading CUSTOM Lab, his influence is wide-ranging and transformative.

Now pursuing a PhD, Miles’ time at Clarkson has been defined by extraordinary leadership roles within a variety of organizations, including Ignite and the Honors Program. Beyond his impressive achievements, he’s known for unwavering reliability and genuine kindness at all times.

Miles’ advice for exceptional students interested in attending Clarkson? “Don’t be afraid to step outside the boundaries of your local community. By coming to campus, you’ll be joining a whole new world - a world where you can stand out like never before, and a world that will define the rest of your life.”

A Brief History

As students come and go, Clarkson evolves - and so does Ignite! Here’s your chance to learn a bit more about us over the years.

A table is filled with Clarkson Ignite water bottles of various colors

August 2017

Clarkson Ignite is launched as a forward-thinking integration of the innovation resources found across the Clarkson community.

Clarkson staff and students pose for a photo during an awards ceremony on a stage

April 2018

Immaterial Industries, a team of E&M freshmen, becomes the champion of the inaugural President’s Challenge.

A group of Clarkson students learn how to use tools in Clarkson's Makerspace on a table

March 2019

Containing only a few 3D printers, hand tools, and other creation equipment, the Dorf Makerspace opens its doors for public use.

Three Clarkson students test our Clarkson's media production center. One student uses a microphone, while another works on a computer and keyboard, and a third wears headphones.

August 2019

The Media Production Center, a state-of-the-art facility for all kinds of digital content creation, is launched in the ERC.

A group of Clarkson Ignite students post outside for a photo all wearing matching grey t-shirts with trees in the background

February 2020

Fifteen students are deemed the first class of Ignite Presidential Fellows, giving the full-tuition scholarship a strong start.

Students stand at a table and make houses out of sticks and marshmallows as part of a Clarkson Ignite event in the Educational Resources Center.

October 2021

During Ignite Fest, the Clarkson community is invited to learn about everything Ignite has to offer, including microcredentials.

Three students sit inside the Clarkson Ignite Cube conference room. Two sit at a table with their laptops open, the other sits across from them.

February 2022

The Shipley Center spins off, with Ashley Sweeney joining Ignite as its newest Director. Ignite retains the Cube during this transition.

Clarkson President Emeritus Tony Collins wears regalia and speaks at a lectern during Clarkson's annual Commencement Ceremony in Cheel Arena

May 2022

Following 40 episodes across a four-year run, the Ignite Podcast concludes with a farewell address from outgoing President Tony Collins.

Clarkson students gather to play a variety of games on the cheel hockey ice

October 2022

To celebrate the inauguration of Clarkson’s 17th President, students across campus construct a gigantic Rube Goldberg machine.

A large number of students pose together on a small stage while holding up signs for the prizes they won during the Annual President's Challenge

November 2023

An overhauled President’s Challenge encourages the entire student body to develop unique Clarkson collectibles.

Two Clarkson Ignite students sit at a desk and use tools while working on a large computer screen.

March 2024

Alongside the Dorf Makerspace receiving 18 new 3D printers, the Media Production Center is revamped into the Makers’ Loft.

A Clarkson student uses a hockey stick to hit a puck towards Clarkson's golden knight mascot in front of a group of onlookers.

September 2024

Ignite hosts New Knights Expo, a collaborative event introducing freshmen to the amazing resources found on campus.

Clarkson Ignite director Ashley Sweeney poses with three students, including one who is holding up a large fake check for winning an award during the Ignite Project Expo

November 2024

The inaugural Ignite Project Expo is held, seeing nearly 350 students present 93 distinct projects during an exciting day of events.

2 students working on a laptop at a table

January 2025

North Country Launch Day is introduced, with local student entrepreneurs teaming up for rapid venture development.

Ignite RAPs with a poster about ultrasound for detecting traumatic bleeding.

April 2025

With Ignite now at RAPS’ helm, the Spring 2025 occasion is the largest yet, seeing over 550 students present innovative work.

Learn More About Ignite

What’s next for Ignite? A bright future filled with innovation, entrepreneurship, and all things creativity. Stay tuned!

The Makerspace Student Entrepreneurship Ignite Project Expo Scholarships with Ignite

Scholarships with Ignite

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Scholarships with Ignite

Scholarships with Ignite

Igniting College Affordability

At Ignite, we believe that Clarkson’s collaborative, hands-on education should be accessible to all students, regardless of background or major. That’s why we offer two full-tuition scholarships to learners who demonstrate creativity, versatility, and a passion for innovation through all that they do. 

Ignite Presidential fellows taking a group photo in 2025

Ignite Presidential Fellows

Ignite Presidential Fellows (IPFs) envision bold solutions, drive meaningful change, and champion experiential learning. Challenging
the status quo is a defining characteristic of these students.

A male student smiles while pitching for a business, with the words “Oliver’s Premium Fish” shown on an electronic screen.

Young Innovators & Entrepreneurs

Only the brightest pioneers are deemed Young Innovators & Entrepreneurs (YIEs), students who develop and grow an impactful
business venture throughout their time at Clarkson.

A Community of Individuals

Having grown up in Vermont and attended high school in Canada, Justin Bouchard (DigArtSci, CompSci ‘27) was no stranger to the North Country climate. Attending Clarkson only required a brief road trip, a few hours from home.

For Jamona Blake (ChemE ‘27), who hails from Jamaica, travelling to Potsdam was a bit different - her first visit to campus was also her first time in the United States! Thanks to Clarkson’s International Center, she quickly found a community of peers with whom to create lasting memories.

Both Justin and Jamona are Ignite Presidential Fellows, allowing them to foster their individual passions and have a meaningful impact on the Clarkson community. Whether an IPF applicant is finishing high school, transferring from another university, or interested in The Clarkson School, they’re more than welcome in the Ignite family.

“Working in a tight-knit community with a culture of making has made my time at Clarkson an unforgettable experience," Justin said. "Being in a smaller group means everyone has the opportunity to play a large role, even as a first-year student. We all have our own ‘thing’, and Ignite gives us the flexibility and means to pursue that.”

Essential IPF Traits

Robert Davis giving a speech in the ERC

Extracurricular Excellence

Not only is Robert Davis (MechE ‘26) a member of the Lu Research Group, but he’s also an Olympic-caliber bobsledder!

Female student with virtual reality headset.

Personal Expression

For Vitesse Disney (E&M ‘27), digital content creation isn’t just a passion; it’s a way to express yourself holistically.

Beyond his coursework, Owen Compani (CivE ‘28) serves as the Vice President of Clarkson’s student-run EMS squad.

Meaningful Service

Beyond his coursework, Owen Compani (CivE ‘28, center in picture) serves as the Vice President of Clarkson’s student-run EMS squad.

Female student in front of beautiful setting.

Limitless Curiosity

Expanding the boundaries of the Clarkson community, Bryn Myers (I&E ‘25, MBA ‘26) spent an exciting semester in Paris, France.

Male student.

Constant Communication

What’s Mark Munro’s (Math & CompSci ‘27) advice for new students? “Talk to as many people as possible in your first month!”

Female student with equipment.

On-Campus Impact

In less than a year, Emma Cosgrove (MechE ‘28) has become a frequent visitor to Clarkson’s Machine Shop.

Dogs and Cats, Eating Together...

Does your dog dominate your cat’s eating space? Do hisses and growls over pet food cause strife for your whole family? Well now you’re in luck - because that’s the real-world problem Lily Clonan (Psych ‘25) aimed to solve when she received the Young Innovators & Entrepreneurs scholarship in 2022.

In the years since, she’s developed Fat Head Feeder, a carefully-crafted feeding station that is cost-effective, quick to assemble, and easily-usable by your pets! True to its name, the innovation prevents a dog’s “fat head” from accessing a cat’s private food stash, allowing owners to leave both pets unsupervised in harmony.

As a YIE, Lily’s business aspirations didn’t conclude with a completed product; they’ve only continued to grow while taking her idea to the next level. Thanks to a successful crowdfunding campaign and a grand-prize win at the 2023 North Country Regional Business Plan Competition, Fat Head Feeder is primed for success.

The range of entrepreneurial endeavors created by YIEs is expansive, with notable businesses including maple syrup producer Parker’s Real Maple, drone repair firm Eagle Eye Drones, skiing product influencer Sendy Paradise, and web design consultant North Shore Solutions. Maybe your idea will be on this list next!

Lily’s suggestion for young entrepreneurs? “Utilize the resources available to you at Clarkson! There are many valuable tools and support systems for growing your innovation, even if you’re starting with a small idea. Be sure to connect and collaborate with your peers, professors, and mentors - everyone is eager to help."

How Can You Apply?

Once you complete your undergraduate Clarkson application, the option to apply for the Ignite Presidential Fellowship and Young Innovators Entrepreneurs scholarships will appear in your portal. Feel free to contact your Admissions Counselor with any questions you have about these awards or Clarkson scholarships in general.

New IPFs and YIEs complete an exciting Pre-Orientation week of events, including a thrilling high ropes course.

The most common IPF and YIE activity? Having fun wherever possible.

Have you seen these students during a campus event? They’re IPFs giving back to Ignite.

A little recreation never hurt anyone, did it? Have no fear - the average IPF GPA is 3.6.

IPFs are never afraid of doing... whatever it is these guys are doing.

With each passing year comes the graduation of one class of IPFs and YIEs, as well as the introduction of another!

Learn More About Ignite

What’s next for Ignite? A bright future filled with innovation, entrepreneurship, and all things creativity. Stay tuned!

The Makerspace Student Entrepreneurship Ignite Project Expo Who Are We?

Ignite Project Expo & RAPS

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Ignite Project Expo & RAPS

Ignite Project Expo & RAPS

Exhibiting Outstanding Achievements

At Clarkson, celebrating groundbreaking projects is key to fostering creativity and innovation across campus. Annual Ignite Project Expo and Research and Project Showcase (RAPS) events highlight these remarkable accomplishments in a distinct Clarkson way.

A pair of students having their photo taken with their research.

Biomedical Science

Unique investigations into vital health and life sciences.

A male finger points at a small computer screen displaying a picture of a man’s face captured by a connected camera.

Digital Transformation

Digital tools leveraged for driving impactful change.

A photo of student presenting her Enviormental Analysis research.

Environmental Analysis

Approaches for ecological balance and conservation.

A photo of three students posing with an 858 Table Top System machine

Integrated Design

Mechanical Engineering concepts taken to the next level.

A photo of a student posing with his Prometrics research poster.

Proteomics

Critical examinations into proteins and their composition.

A board game with blue hexagon tiles and white and black pieces and decks of cards on each side.

Wargaming

Strategic simulations that explore tactics and decision-making.

E&M Innovation For All To See

For Isabelle Vaccaro (E&M ‘25, left), Lauren Shanahan (E&M ‘26, right), and Riley Cullen (E&M ‘26, not pictured), presenting at the 2025 Ignite Project Expo wasn’t a decision made lightly; it was a matter of developing a unique project that would showcase their innovative E&M spirit through a critical real-world impact.

While completing Engineering & Management capstone course Invention Development & Protection under the guidance of Associate Professor John Milne, the trio’s distinct vision became clear: Personal Safety Wearable Device, a practical and dependable safety solution that protects women while on runs.

Envisioned as a multi-purpose emergency tool, the team’s device will serve as a proactive safeguard against stranger threats by continuously monitoring conditions, recognizing potential threats, and enabling rapid responses. With a mock prototype developed, next steps are implementation and patenting.

Following live discussions throughout the Expo’s presentation session and a spontaneous explanation during the Pitch-Off competition, Personal Safety Wearable Device was declared the second occasion’s grand prize-winning project. With public support and funding secured, Isabelle, Lauren, and Riley are primed for success while taking their unique E&M-based project to the next level.

Clarkson Ingenuity On Display

During each Ignite Project Expo and RAPS occasion, hundreds of Clarkson students compete with unique and innovative works.

Student delivering a RAPS presentation.

Public Presentations

A pair of students showcasing a project to a classroom.

Freshmen Success

Several students recieving research prizes.

Recognition & Prizes

Past Ignite Project Expo & RAPS Award Recipients

Ignite Project Expo Winners

First Place Prize 
Personal Safety Wearable Device (Lauren Shanahan, Riley Cullen, & Isabelle Vaccaro)

Second Place Prize 
Lightweight Portable Bridge (Owen Cyrus, Justin Levy, Thilo Steinhoff, Joseph Malgioglio, & Daniel Schilling)

Third Place Prize 
Flush and Fresh (William Dunphey, Aleck Richards, Samuel Wesson, & Tucker Ives)


Special Award Recipients

Sustainability Award (Sponsored by the Institute For a Sustainable Environment)
Dar-Aid Corp. (Sadia Abakar Khatir Adam, Chidiogor Ofodum, & Nabitou Cisse)
Snail-Line Miami (James Weber III, Rayhan Davis, Zachary Boeck, & Miles Scanlan)

Commercialization Award (Sponsored by the Shipley Center for Innovation)
Real-Time Age Verification for Children (Munongedzi Mabhoko)
Halo (Ethan Haahr, Brennan Aldous, Brayden Kenny, & Caleb Turner)

Community Outreach Award (Sponsored by the Office of Student Life)
Personal Safety Wearable Device (Lauren Shanahan, Riley Cullen, & Isabelle Vaccaro)
Stacking Up Sustainably Ecobricking (Hailyn Buker)
CU HEAT Team (Liam Waterman, Abbey Rode, Daniel Svoboda, & Liam Quick)

Faculty Spotlight Award
General Chemistry I (Jim Peploski)
 

Category Top Scorers

Applied Engineering
Overhead Spinner Combat Robot (Lucas Lacerda)

Community Engagement
CU HEAT Team (Liam Waterman, Abbey Rode, Daniel Svoboda, & Liam Quick)
SLC Arts Capital Project Campaign (Natalie Glass)
Creature Camouflage (Madeline Bresnan & Grace Stifflemire)
Massena Historical Signs (Colin Kelliher, Vi Pham, & Johnathan Klick)

Education & Human Services
HomeOwner InterventionsProject (Lauryn Wilson)

Engineering & Society
Riverlink Bridge (Keagan Cousineau, Evan Murray, Abigail Palmer, Maggie Pierce, & Paige Wallace)
Portable Pedestrian Bridge Prototype (Michael Spina Jr., Allison Kennedy, Alexandra Little, & Nicholas Williams)
Lightweight Portable Bridge (Owen Cyrus, Justin Levy, Thilo Steinhoff, Joseph Malgioglio, & Daniel Schilling)
Truss' Us We're Engineers (Austin Wultsch-Fuller, Hannah Nolett, Tommy Mahar, Evan Turcotte, & Alyssa North)

Health, Safety, & Security
Personal Safety Wearable Device (Lauren Shanahan, Riley Cullen, & Isabelle Vaccaro)

New Product Idea
Universal Power-Tool Battery Adapter (Donald Duffus, Daniel Killian, Aidan Richardson, Jesse Poor)
Flush and Fresh (William Dunphey, Aleck Richards, Samuel Wesson, & Tucker Ives)

Sustainability
Stacking Up Sustainably Ecobricking (Hailyn Buker)

Wargaming
RevoluQin (Nathan Draper, Connor Tasselmyer, Noah Diskin, & Aleksander Elkins)
Conquest Over Al-Andalus (Alexander Testani, Collin Wickizer, Gabrielle O'Connell, & Caleb Treadwell)
 

Special Award Recipients

Undergraduate Pitch-Off

First Place - Testing Mercury in Fish (Maya Kao)
Second Place - Smart Home for Alzheimer’s (Lucas Lacerda)
Third Place - App Development for Bio-Simulations (Olaolu Olugbenle)

Sustainability Award
Sustainable Seaweed Processing (Aslhy Torres)
Recycling Nutrients from Wastewater (Nora Conzemius)

Commercialization Award
Phosphate Detection in the Field (Jehad Abdelnabi & Batuhan Uzunoglu)
Smart Appliance Safety for Dementia (Adkit Modhera)

Top Scorers - Undergraduate Poster Presentations

Applied Electrochemistry
Wearable Electrochemical Sensor System (Sigmond Kukla)

Biomedical & Health Sciences
Change of FGFR Over Metamorphosis (Sadia Abakar Khatir Adam & Kayla Ellis)
Disc Injection of Particles (Austin Boie)

Biosciences
Testing Mercury in Fish (Maya Kuo)

Computer Science, Artificial Intelligence, Computational Modeling, and Data Analytics
Recognizing Faces Through Age (Jesse Dykes)
Thermal Effects on Nanodevices (Mihail Kazankovski & Martin Veresko)

eCAT
Indoor Autonomous Navigation (Cameron Watson & Rowan Wysocki)

Education, Psychology, and Social Sciences
Testing Human Attention (Zainab Fatmi)

Environmental Science & Engineering
Nutritional Algae from Digestate (Emilia Sabataso)

Physics, Mechatronics, and Inclusive Design
Smart Home for Alzheimer's (Lucas Lacerda)

Materials and Sensors
Bone Cement Drug Release (Saadhika Dhaniyala & Georgia Thurmond)
Reconstructing Knife-Edge Technique (Tessa Masi)

Sustainable Energy
Benefit Cost Analysis of Batteries (Adrian Torres Maginot)
Optimizing the Power Grid (Maverick Savage)

Top Scorers - Undergraduate Oral Presentations

Bio-, Environmental, and Social Sciences
App Development for Bio-Simulations (Olaolu Olugbenle)

Biomedical & Health Sciences
Possible Treatment For Neurodegenerative Diseases (Ella Martel)

Computer Science, Artificial Intelligence, Computational Modeling, and Data Analytics
Masking For PIV (Hailey Meagher)

Physics, Mechatronics, and Inclusive Design
Talking Robot For Dementia (Abdullah Moin)

Top Scorers - Graduate Poster Presentations

Bioscience, Environmental Science, and Sustainability
Phosphate Detection In The Field (Jehad Abdelnabi & Batuhan Uzunoglu)

Computer Science, Artificial Intelligence, Computational Modeling, and Data Analytics
Biomarkers for Cancer Detection - Pragyan Kadel

Materials and Sensors
Solving Real-World Data Challenges in EdTech (Nomagugu T. Ndlovu)

Top Scorers - Graduate Oral Presentations

Biomedical & Health Sciences
AI-Powered 3D-Printed Uric Acid Patch (Aqsa Khan)

Bioscience, Environmental Science, and Sustainability
Environmental Non-Profit Public Communication (Evelyn Laferriere)

Computer Science, Artificial Intelligence, Computational Modeling, and Data Analytics
Transformer-Based Biometric Authentication (Arfina Rahman)

STEM QuESTS

Grand-Prize Winner

StemTronics (Justin Bouchard & Olaolu Olugbenle)
Winning Finalists
Archimedes' Armada (Michael Juriga II)
Theme Park Engineering Group (Salwa Omar, Jayda Lundy, & Juan Pablo Sola-Thomas)

RAPS Student Award Recipients

Graduate Pitch-Off
First Place - Biometric Signals for Authentication (Arfina Rahman)
Second Place - Smartphone-Based Fluorescent Sensor for Phosphate Detection (Jehad Abdelnabi)
Third Place - Turbulence Measurement in Aircraft Aerosol Inlets (Nagarajan Radhakrishnan)

Undergraduate Pitch-Off
First Place - CU Pantry Smart Lockers (Johannes Richter)
Second Place - Using Virtual Reality to Train Balance (Alexa Madrid)
Third Place - Improving Stair-Climbing Robot Stability for Assistive Applications (Edina Jan)

Graduate Sustainability Award
Phosphates Recovery from Tiled Drained Water Using Biochar Adsorbent (Trynos Mukwarami, Kelechi Okere, Ulfet Erdogan, & Jehad Abdelnabi)
Hands-On Sustainable Waste Management Training (Nomagugu T. Ndlovu)

Undergraduate Sustainability Award
Reducing Methane Emissions with Seaweed (Ella Weldy, Seamus McGovern-Lind, & Jason Hofmann)
Aquatic Nutrient Loading Study Proposal (Grace Mundinger)

Graduate Commercialization Award
Smarter HVAC Clean & Fresh Air (Shorab Hossain)

Undergraduate Commercialization Award
Students Designed Prosthetic for Kids (Samuel Hilderbran, Matt Whispell, Benjamin LeBlanc, Ryder Leckie, Sean Gray, & Ryan Sepe)
Improving Stair-Climbing Robot Stability for Assistive Applications (Edina Jan)

Graduate People’s Choice Award
How EMS Delays Affect Life-Saving Treatments for Cardiac Arrest Patients (Manpreet Kaur & Chaitanya Pammi)

Undergraduate People’s Choice Award
Ultrasound Detection to Identify Internal Bleeding (Gabe Adamson, Daniel Wilson, Lucas Lasher, & Tyler Nickels)


Top Scorers - Undergraduate Poster Research

Biomedical & Health Sciences
Using Virtual Reality to Train Balance (Alexa Madrid)

Biosciences & Biochemistry
Targeting Myeloperoxidase to Improve Mitochondrial Health in NPC (Sadia Abakar Khatir Adam)
Water Knotweed, Hybrid Plants, Hybrid Swarm, Genetic Markers (Aiden Gardiner & Dylan Yeung)

Electric, Connected, and Autonomous Technologies (eCAT)
Autonomous Robotics Navigation via LiDAR (Lindsey Hassett & Elizabeth Swartz)

Energy, Electricity, & Environmental Science and Engineering
Reducing Methane Emissions with Seaweed (Ella Weldy, Seamus McGovern-Lind, & Jason Hofmann)

Materials Science
Zinc-Doped Hydroxyapatite for Bone Regeneration (Hope Garramone)

Proteomics
Proteomics Study for Breast Cancer Biomarkers (Peter Biggers, Taniya Jayaweera, Madhuri Jayathita, & Danielle Whitham)

Psychology & Behavioral Sciences
Climate Failure Outrage (Naana Eyikuma Hutchful & Anna Van Amburgh)

Robots, Space, Science, & Data
Improving Stair-Climbing Robot Stability for Assistive Applications (Edina Jan)

Sensors & Signals
Fluorescent Probes for Chloride Detection (Matthias Schmidt)


Top Scorers - Undergraduate Poster Projects

Aircraft Design
Accessible Regional Aircraft Taxi (Megan Michaud, Kasey Billert, Joe Gromlowicz, Ryan King, Aidan Sullivan, & Kaura Chahal)

Architectonics & Mechatronics 
CU Pantry Smart Lockers (Johannes Richter)

Engineering & Society
Prosthetic Arm for Child (Will Douglass, Nicholas Smith, Kori Thomas, & Kevin Lovett)

Environmental Science
Using eDNA to monitor fishes (Elizabeth Chase, Johanna Tupper, Sam Carusone, David Selner, & Frederick Minda)

Mechanical Engineering
Shock Dynamometer (Damon Allen Brownell, R. J. Jacobson, James Patrick Keach, Linus Kemper, Luke Matthew Owens, Clay Dalton Reagon, & Aspyn Tripp)
Lacrosse Shaft Improvements (Riley Kuczma, Molly DiCaprio, Rachel Williams, Kristen Bill, & Grace Smith)

Wargaming
Wargame Through Centuries (Kaura Chahal, Stephen Konopko, Dylan White, Olivia Michalski, Chase Koopman, & Sean Butler)


Top Scorers - Undergraduate Oral Research

Mathematical Modeling & Materials Science
Force to See New Reactions (Robert Davis)

Proteomics
Proteomics for Breast Milk Biomarkers (Hailey Morrissiey)

Psychology, Behavioral Sciences, & Health Sciences
Motivation to be Non-Prejudiced (Jordan Summerfield)


Top Scorers - Undergraduate Oral Projects

Civil Engineering & Environmental Science
Recreational Access Improvements to Lake Placid (Michael Moriarty, Sean Butler, Michael Giovino, Ethan Bailey, Anthony DeRosa, Aaron Dunn, Angelina Zeoli, Matthew Ducharme, & Tyler Combes)
Trigger monitoring with VOC emissions (Mairead Coyne)
Solinsky and Science Center Capital Project (Aria Garceau, Allison Diver, Allison Charles, Paige Cutler, Maria Suffredini, Christopher Griggs, Christian Hilton, Anthony Borelli, & Ethan Desko)

Engineering & Society
Designing a Prosthetic Arm (Tim Wilson, Luis Molinar Sanchez, Nicholas DiMichele, Ryan Johnson, & Nathaniel Button)
Modular Pediatric Transradial Prosthetic Arm (Amanda Corrice, David Van Ginhoven, Szymon Koc, Jacob Crawford, & Samuel Garcia)
TE Labs (Brian Nordman, Marjani August, Zachary Henderson, Martha Kitui, & Marcello Vona)

Software Design
Ice Rink Scheduler (Emma Fish, Satya Sai Deepak Velagapudi, Natalie Wesseldine, Claudia LaPlant, & Bhawana Khatri)
ID Scanner (Nicholas Sheldon, Soliat Adeboye, Hunter Smith, Samantha Sikora, & Delara Panahi)


Top Scorers - Graduate Poster Research

Biomedical & Health Sciences
Respiratory Disease, Chi Squared Test, Lifestyle Factor, Demographic Factor,  Logistic Models (Ching-Wen Shih, Kuan-Cheng Ko, Thevasha Sathiyakumar, & Naveen Reddy)

Biosciences, Chemistry, & Biochemistry
Quantitative Cellular Chloride Reporter (Prasanna Ganesh, Carolyn Colosi, & KaHo Leung)

Electric, Connected, and Autonomous Technologies (eCAT)
Regenerative Braking Control System (Sean Willis & Thomas Bondaruk)

Manufacturing & Materials
Electrodeposition of Zn-Mn (Nishat Tasnim Nimmu)

Sensors, Signals, & AI
Biometric Signals for Authentication (Arfina Rahman)

Sustainability, Energy, & Environmental Science and Engineering
Mechanochemical PFAS destruction (Jinyuan Zhu)
Pollution in National Park Fish (Tinovimba Hove, Bernard Crimmins, & Sujan Fernando)


Top Scorers - Graduate Poster Projects

Applied Optimization
Optimizing Appointment Delay in Healthcare System (Uresha Dias, Harsha Iduruwage, & Shaira Torsa)

Occupational Therapy
Occupational Therapy in Cancer Care (Hailee Farrand)

Physician Assistant Studies
Obesity in St. Lawrence County (Liam Cummings & Rachel Bradley)


Top Scorers - Graduate Oral Research

Biomedical & Health Sciences
Drug Uptake in Cervical Cancer (Norman Haaker)

Biometrics
Synthetic Fingerprint Generation Using Artificial Intelligence (Syed Konain Abbas)

Biosciences, Chemistry, & Biochemistry
Recovering Mitochondrial Health in NPC cells (Gabriella Ballestas)
Secondary dsDNA Structure Inhibits cGAS (Colby Hladun)

Materials Science, Sensors, & Signals
Smartphone-Based Fluorescent Sensor for Phosphate Detection (Jehad Abdelnabi)

Math, Modeling, & Mathematical Modeling
Theoretical existence of Dirichlet MLEs (Sucharitha Dodamgodage)
Turbulence Measurement in Aircraft Aerosol Inlets (Nagarajan Radhakrishnan)

Sustainability & Environmental Science and Engineering
Iridium Supported Catalyst for Hydrogen Production (Maira Amjad)
A Wash-Treat-Reuse Process for PFAS Investigation Derived Waste (Nicholas Multari)
Population Ecology of Mooneye (David Selner)


RAPS Faculty Award Recipients

The Clarkson Distinction in Faculty Mentoring in Research & Scholarship Award recognizes a faculty member who has demonstrated an outstanding commitment to faculty mentoring in research and scholarship by actively assisting pre-tenure and mid-career faculty in developing their careers. The 2025 recipient is Farzad Mahmoodi.

The Clarkson Excellence in Research & Scholarship Award is granted to a mid-career tenured faculty member that has had a significant impact on their chosen field of study. The 2025 awardee is Andrea Ferro.  

The winner of the inaugural RAPS Faculty Research and Project Spotlight, a special Pitch-Off competition held between nine Clarkson faculty across all disciplines and schools, is Damien Samways.

First-time grant recipients for fiscal year 2024 are:

Kwadwo Appiah-Kubi
Emmanual Asante-Asamani
Leigha Gagner
Petra Kraus
Stephanie Kring
Benjamin Roulston
Siwen Wang
Suguang Xiao

Clarkson’s Million Dollar Club recognizes researchers who have been supported with $1 million or more in external sponsored research. The 2025 inductees are:

Michael Bazzocchi
Jan DeWaters
Leo Jiang
Jihoon Seo

The Multi-Million Dollar Club includes researchers who have received $5 million or more in external funding. The two 2025 inductees are Erik Bollt and Suresh Dhaniyala.

Ignite Project Expo Winners

First Place Prize
Ignite Pickup Boxes (Sigmond Kukla)

Second Place Prize
Community Partnership with TAUNY (Lauren Kneer, Michele Bou Khalil, & Kelly Lahiff)

Third Place Prize
Nuovo Brands LLC (Ethan Flamand, Rocco Albanese)

Fourth Place Prize
Holden McSqueezy III (Trevor Tamburino, Amanda Polarolo)
Tree-Talk for Tots (Abigail Jeffers, Nicolena Fazio)

Special Award Recipients

Undergraduate Sustainability Award (Sponsored by the Institute For a Sustainable Environment)
Clarkson Arboretum (Lauren Pawlika, Carley McGrath, Lexi Keller, Alexcis Rydelek, Trey Naselli, & Evan Corey)

Graduate Sustainability Award (Sponsored by the Institute For a Sustainable Environment)
LCA of Catered Meal Events (Aslhy Torres, Nick Multari, Gloria Popoola, & Razieh Analouei)

Commercialization Award (Sponsored by the Shipley Center for Innovation)
Forward Bound (Bailey Sweeney, Sean Boyle, Mason Gault, Riya Mistry)
Self Dispensing Hair Brush (Liam Quick, Jackson Waters, Maddie Alfieri, Riley Cullen, & Kirsten Iles)

Community Outreach Award
Community Partnership with TAUNY (Lauren Kneer, Michele Bou Khalil, & Kelly Lahiff)
Food Insecurity in Potsdam (Clare Tucker, Zachary Boeck, Oberon Dickinson, & Becca Lomas)

People’s Choice Award
Apple iSole (Sydney Sandroni, Alexandra Brenton, Brady Hall, Brady Zych, & Markus Kuhnel)
 

Category Top Scorers

American History
Music History (Jade Stevenson, Lillianna King, Ethan Rak, Graham Zarriello, Hope Hill, Eniya Eudell, Ngaio Hawkins, Ginikachukwu Okoli, & Aaron Reck)

Architecture
Native American Multicultural Learning Center (João Victor França Nunes)

Community Engagement
Tree-Talk for Tots (Abigail Jeffers, Nicolena Fazio)
Community Partnership with TAUNY (Lauren Kneer, Michele Bou Khalil, & Kelly Lahiff)

Digital & Physical Arts
Stained Glass (Lindsay McCarthy)

Digital Transformation
PTZ Camera for Child Face-Capture (Md Abdul Baset Sarker)

Engineering & Society
Sequestration Nation (Anthony Phaneuf, Cazian Comeau-Elman, Chase Fisher, & Elijah McIlrath)

Entrepreneurship
Nuovo Brands LLC (Ethan Flamand, Rocco Albanese)

Industrial Ecology
Ice Rink Industrial Ecology (Avery Hilderbran, Will Dumont, Elizabeth Greco, & Evan Bokelberg)
Heating Riverside Apartments (Carson Bruening, Mark Ramsperger, Justin Pettica, & Robert Greenberg)

Innovation Development
Apple iSole (Sydney Sandroni, Alexandra Brenton, Brady Hall, Brady Zych, & Markus Kuhnel)

Mechatronics
Holden McSqueezy III (Trevor Tamburino, Amanda Polarolo)
Ignite Pickup Boxes (Sigmond Kukla)

New Product Idea
Forward Bound (Bailey Sweeney, Sean Boyle, Mason Gault, & Riya Mistry)
EV Battery Temperature Regulation (Peter Siracuse, Benjamin Lambert, & Sean Finnerty)

Sustainability
Waterfowl Environmental DNA Biomonitoring (Elizabeth Chase, Catherine Benson)

Wargaming
Supply Chain of Russo-Ukrainian Conflict Wargame (Hannah Reed, Owen Danke, & Ethan Spinner)
Route 11 Rivalries (Harry Rodriguez, Daniel Wilson, Joe Gromlowicz, Matthew Colpitts, Morgan Mitskovski)
Battlesburgh (James Molinski, Devin Fitzpatrick, John Purdy, Zachary & Lutzke)
 

Educating Youths in Style

A signature element of each Spring RAPS event is STEM QuESTS, a challenge sponsored by the Institute for STEM Education where Clarkson students design and deliver hands-on educational experiences for regional K-12 classrooms.

When Michael Juriga II (AeroE '28) entered the challenge, his vision was clear: engage local middle and high school students with Archimedes' Principle and buoyancy through the creation of aluminum foil boats optimized for maximum weight capacity within specific constraints, a key engineering design task.

By promoting inquiry-based learning and connecting applied engineering techniques to core classroom concepts, Michael’s Archimedes’ Armada project was a standout presentation during RAPS. It’s no surprise that he was deemed a STEM QuESTS finalist, receiving recognition and a $1,000 cash prize.

As an Eagle Scout, Ignite Presidential Fellow, and member of the Formula SAE SPEED Team, Michael’s exciting adventures at Clarkson have only just begun. Looking back, he says, “I’m honored to have presented at RAPS & STEM QuESTS. I appreciate that Clarkson offers opportunities that let students turn classroom ideas into tangible experiences, and I’m excited to continue building on them.”

Have An Innovative Idea You’d Like To Show Off?

Then the Ignite Project Expo and RAPS are for you! We can’t wait to see you take part.

Get your cameras ready! The Expo is a prime occasion for pictures with friends and family.

Before winners are declared, top-scoring projects from each category compete in an exciting Pitch-Off exhibition.

Do you want the chance to showcase your hard work with the world? If so, the Expo is for you.

These events aren’t just for students - faculty spotlights are a key part of the day, too!

The most innovative projects seen during the Expo are often the ones that are the most cool!

For many freshmen, the Expo is their first time receiving recognition at Clarkson. But it certainly won’t be their last.

Learn More About Ignite

What’s next for Ignite? A bright future filled with innovation, entrepreneurship, and all things creativity. Stay tuned!

The Makerspace Student Entrepreneurship Scholarships with Ignite Who Are We?

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Student Entrepreneurship

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Student Entrepreneurship

Student Entrepreneurship

Business Ideas At The Next Level

At our core, Ignite is about pushing boundaries, challenging the status quo, and offering fresh perspectives on complex problems. That’s why we’re the hub on campus for all things student entrepreneurship - if you have a business idea, we’ll help make it a reality.

Professor hosting office hours with 2 other students

Invaluable Mentorship

Need advice, product ideas, or simply a nudge in the right direction? Ignite’s here to provide support in any way we can.

A Student's business product that is in small cylindrical containers

Business Incubation

If you want to grow your own venture throughout your time at Clarkson, you’ll have the chance to do so with us.

Presentation being given in the Multi-purpose rooms (MPRs) in the student center

Funding Opportunities

Between business plan competitions, investor visits, and grant submissions, critical funds are always available.

Strong Entrepreneurial Endeavors

Since 2013, Clarkson has hosted the North Country Regional Business Plan Competition, an exciting platform for local student entrepreneurs to showcase their business ideas, engage with seasoned investors, and compete for impactful funds. This is one of several regional competitions held across New York. 

Although college students from across the North Country region participate, it’s no surprise that those from Clarkson perform exceptionally well. True to form, the grand-prize winner of the 2024 competition was Young Innovator & Entrepreneur Emelie Laribee (I&E ‘26) with her business EmeliesMinis.

With a goal to inspire creativity and cultivate a life-long passion for innovation in children, EmeliesMinis sells unique “Learn to Crochet” kits for ages 5-12+. Focusing on the scalability and real-world impact of this product, Emelie’s pitch amazed the judges, earning her a spot at the state-wide competition in Albany.

Emelie’s advice for student entrepreneurs wanting to pitch their business idea at a competition? “Practice, practice, practice - and be confident! It's important to show passion and excitement for your idea. Don't be afraid if you can't answer every question or mess up, just be true to yourself and your innovation.”

The Perks of Business Plan Competitions

Business plan competitions provide great experience where it counts - practicing your pitching, winning cash awards, and making important connections. 

Students holding checks for cash they have won

Important Cash Prizes

Students talking with industry leaders at a lunch table

Industry Connections

Group of award winners

Statewide Recognition

Software & Services
First Place - CampusTec (Mary Ellsworth, Mary Steinrotter, Caden Ritchie, & Kaidence Sharlow)
Second Place - Canopyr (Tobey Diulio)
Third Place - Perpetual (Vukota Miric & Andrii Zorin)

Learn, Work, & Live
First Place - Olùkọ́ (Olaolu Olugbenle & Isaac Ibidun)
Second Place - Buzz (Emma Pollack & Briella Clinton)
Third Place - Trash Talk (Angeline Castillo)

Products & Hardware
First Place - PowerLink (Danny Killian, Aidan Richardson, & Donald Duffus)
Second Place - Halo (Ethan Haahr, Brennan Aldous, Caleb Turner, & Brayden Kenny)
Third Place - HeatBridge (Lees Divine & Mykes Nourse)

Health & Wellbeing
First Place - PortPatch (Delaney Petri, Briana Dieckmann, & Sophie Kobayashi)
Second Place - Dar-Aid (Kouboura Adam, Nabitou Cisse, & Sadia Abakar Khatir Adam)
Third Place - DryTemp (Justin Cote & Remi Gélinas)

Safety, Power, & Mobility
First Place - Charm Tag (Claire Vaccaro, Grace Prairie, Keith Hall, & Matthew Cheah)
Second Place - SZN Gripsoles (Samuel Duracka, Noah Partenza, & Zachary Ruthfield)
Third Place - Potato Skins Innovations (Owen Cyrus, Daniel Schilling, & Thilo Steinhoff)

Innovative Prototype Award
Potato Skins Innovations (Owen Cyrus, Daniel Schilling, & Thilo Steinhoff)
Smart Park (Eli Snyder, Owen Evans, Tyler Boliver, Charleyann Lehman, & Kesha Karusisi)

NYS Impact Award
Buzz (Emma Pollack & Briella Clinton)

Higher Than Tomorrow Award
Ethan Flamand, EV Consulting (Ethan Flamand)

The Hook Award
Halo (Ethan Haahr, Brennan Aldous, Caleb Turner, & Brayden Kenny)

The Sustainable Venture Award
Dar-Aid (Kouboura Adam, Nabitou Cisse, & Sadia Abakar Khatir Adam)

The Grand Prize winner was PortPatch, owned by Business Administration freshmen Delaney Petri, Briana Dieckmann, and Sophie Kobayashi, who strive to empower medical patients and support caregivers by reducing the stress and discomfort of treatment.

Software & Services
Third Place - UniSwap (Jonathan Welbeck, Kolade Ayeni, & Valence Yagayandi)

Food & AgTech
First Place - Pure Recover (Greta Brezenski & Kami O'Brien)
Second Place - ADAPT Electrolytes (Brady Parker & Brady Egan)
Third Place - Nuovo Brands LLC (Ethan Flamand & Rocco Albanese)

Learn, Work, & Live
First Place - Raise the BAR (Rachael Matthews, Brody Frankowski, & Aidan Bailie)
Second Place - ScoutSphere (Felix Freed & Morgan Burke)
Third Place - Perpetual (Vukota Miric, Andrii Zorin, & Yamikani Vitusi)

Products & Hardware
First Place - Loop & Lock (Alina Krdzic & Jamie Dahlgard)
Second Place - Fill the Bucket (Nicole Wing, Thatcher Findlay, Shane Franklin, & Ava O’Neal)
Third Place - Fat Head Feeder (Lily Clonan)

Health & Wellbeing
First Place - Care Connector (Liam Welch & Anant Bansal)
Second Place - LifeBook (Grace Hanson & Emily Bulone)
Third Place - Sole Solutions (Avery Austerman, Parker Koproski, Saverio Sergi, & Jace Dutch)

Safety, Power, & Mobility
First Place - Slice Guard (Hayley Kelleher)
Second Place - VenturePack (Natalie Glass)
Third Place - ThermoVeil (Emma Peck, Jackson Knobloch, Gage Tlapa, & John Burns)

Innovative Prototype Award
ThermoVeil (Emma Peck, Jackson Knobloch, Gage Tlapa, & John Burns)
Loop & Lock (Alina Krdzic & Jamie Dahlgard)
Stolos (Bailey Warren, Riya Mistry, Mason Gault & Sean Boyle)

People’s Choice Award
VenturePack (Natalie Glass)
ADAPT Electrolytes (Brady Parker & Brady Egan)
Green Mindset (Lydia Custer)
Dar-Aid (Kouboura Abakar Khatir Adam, Sadia Abakar, & Nabitou Cisse)

The Grand Prize winner was Loop & Lock, owned by Clarkson Business Administration freshmen Alina Krdzic and Jamie Dahlgard, who strive to create an innovative jewelry storage solution that is both user-friendly and space-efficient.
 

Software & Services
First Place - IME (Marline Fries)
Second Place - Emmet Croteau Goalie Consulting (Emmett Croteau)
Third Place - Sendy Paradise (Dylan Lutz)

AgTech & Food
First Place - Fat Head Feeder (Lily Clonan)
Second Place - Nuovo (Ethan Flamand, Rocco Albanese, & Casey Monesano)
Third Place - 2 Saucy (Ally Chang, Kobe Steorts, Talon Sigurdson, & Oliver Martin)

Learn, Work, & Live
First Place - EmeliesMinis (Emelie Laribee)
Second Place - Fill The Bucket (Nicole Wing, Ava O’Neal, Shane Franklin, & James Dinius)
Third Place - ROTC4ME (David Hart)

Products & Hardware
First Place - Slope Snap (Alyssa Bleau & Rebecca Morissette)
Second Place - Meltmaster (Ethan Harmon, Emily Greene, Julia Patterson, & Brigham Dubey)
Third Place - Steel Shield (Ben Webster, Ryan Makowski, Matt Fluty, & Max Miller)

Health & Well-Being
First Place - TRIN LLC (Peter Nekos)
Second Place - CMS Biotechnology (Robert Kayton)
Third Place - MABE (Andrew Downer, Makenna Cassin, Elias Gonzalez, & Robert O’Conner)

Safety, Power, & Mobility
First Place - DoorBit (Jerry Orans, Corey Delisa & Izzy Vacaro) 
Second Place - DefendHer (Delaney Smith & Allison Szwagulinski) 
Third Place - Revolt Optics (Carson Wescott)

The Grand Prize winner was EmelieMinis, owned by Clarkson Innovation and Entrepreneurship student Emelie Laribee '26, who strives to create a learn-to-crochet kit for young children aged 5-12.
 

Read the story. 

Personalized Business Support

For students ready to take their ventures to the next level, Ignite offers the Cube, an exclusive business incubator providing full-time support and resources. Admission to the Cube is highly competitive, with only one to three businesses earning a spot each semester following an exciting pitch event.

When Ethan Flamand (E&M ‘26) and Rocco Albanese (E&M ’27) set out to revolutionize the beverage industry with an alternative that maximizes flavor while maintaining consumer health, they launched Nuovo, later attaining multiple prizes at the Business Plan Competition and Ignite Project Expo.

Through the Cube, Ethan and Rocco have honed a compelling value proposition, identified key sales and distribution channels, and conducted vital customer discovery. The future of Nuovo is bursting with potential, and without Ignite’s acceleration, this quick growth would not have been possible.

Since its inception in 2018, the Cube has been home to a diverse array of pioneering ventures. Among its most remarkable success stories is KLAW Industries, which developed an innovative, cost-effective, and eco-friendly cement replacement. As for the Cube’s next global success, only time will tell.

Do You Have What It Takes?

There’s only one way to find out - by starting your business! As soon as you feel the time is right, don’t hesitate to reach out. We’d love to work together on making your idea a reality.

Need some public speaking experience? If so, the Business Plan Competition might be for you.

Don’t be afraid to share your idea with investors and interested parties, especially if funding will bring your venture to the next level.

While a business idea may seem small at first, the potential for worldwide impact is always present.

During North Country Launch Day, you’ll have the chance to team up with other student entrepreneurs for a rapid idea development process.

Regardless of year, major, or background, our doors are open to any dedicated student entrepreneur within the Clarkson community.

No venture needs to be “fancy” or “complex” - if it can turn a profit, then it’s worth pursuing!

Learn More About Ignite

What’s next for Ignite? A bright future filled with innovation, entrepreneurship, and all things creativity. Stay tuned!

The Makerspace Ignite Project Expo Scholarships with Ignite Who Are We?

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