FAMU-FSU College of Engineering Celebrates Class of 2026 at Annual Senior Design Day

Story By
Tisha Crews Keller
A student in a white shirt and tie demonstrates a cylindrical engineering device with attached wiring on a table while two attendees observe and ask questions, with a project poster on buoyancy control displayed beside them in a hallway setting.

Vinh Vuong of Team 528: Buoyancy Control of Underwater Robot speaks about his team’s project during the poster presentations at Senior Design Day at FAMU-FSU College of Engineering on April 17, 2026. The team won the Best Overall Award. (Scott Holstein/FAMU-FSU College of Engineering)

The FAMU-FSU College of Engineering held its 2026 Engineering Senior Design Day on Friday, April 17, showcasing the capstone work of graduating seniors who spent two semesters tackling real-world engineering challenges alongside industry partners and faculty mentors.

The annual event drew faculty, staff, alumni, industry sponsors, and judges to evaluate student teams representing disciplines across chemical and biomedical, civil and environmental, electrical and computer, industrial and manufacturing, and mechanical and aerospace engineering. Projects ranged from biomedical devices and unmanned vehicles to infrastructure rehabilitation and space launch systems.

2026 Award Winners

Four students in business attire stand in front of a red gradient backdrop holding certificates labeled “Best Overall Award,” flanked by two faculty members, all smiling toward the camera at an awards presentation.
The Best Overall Award for 2026 Senior Design: Team 528: Bouyancy Control of Underwater Robot. Pictured (L-R): Shayne McConomy, Ph.D., Valeria Carrasco, Jordyn Bennett, Maria Florian, Hannah Klein, and Jonathan Clark, Ph.D. (Scott Holstein/FAMU-FSU College of Engineering)

Best Overall
Team 528: Buoyancy Control of Underwater Robot

Team Members: Jordyn Bennett, Valeria Carrasco, Maria Florian, Travis Johnson, Hannah Klein, Vinh Vuong, Morgan De La Garza, Shelby Harrell, Jadon Morini, and Raphael Ruiz  |  Advisor: Jonathan Clark, Ph.D. | Sponsor: STRIDe Lab

Best Science Communication Poster
Team 222: Drinking Water System Project for San Isidro de Puñín, Ecuador

Team Members: Krystal Fajardo, Rudy Santayana, Katherine Short, Maeve Storm | Advisors: O. Sean Martin, Ph.D., P.E., Kamal Tawfiq, Ph.D., P.E., Tarek Abichou, Ph.D., P.E., and Sol Park, Ph.D. | Sponsor: FAMU-FSU Engineers Without Borders USA Chapter

People’s Choice Poster
Team 215: St. Margaret's Wastewater Treatment Facility Rehabilitation

Team Members: Morgan De La Garza, Shelby Harrell, Jadon Morini, and Raphael Ruiz | Advisor: O. Sean Martin, Ph.D., P.E. | Sponsor: Hydro-Dyne Engineering

Best in Session Winners

Session A — 528: Buoyancy Control of Underwater Robot
Session B — 515: Unmanned Vehicle Development
Session C — 101: Bioreactor
Session D — 523: Unmanned Vessel for STEM Engagement
Session E — 517: Endoscope Technology
Session F — 514: Automated Deburr Machine for Bearing Oil Holes
Session G — 311: 2026 IEEE Southeastcon Hardware Competition
Session H — 306: Language Translator Badge
Session I — 510: NASA Student Launch Rocket
Session J — 524: Lightweight Engineering for Robot Chassis
Session K — 230: Site Design & Permitting for Secure Laboratory Facility at Eglin AFB
Session L — 210: Olsen Road Multi-Family Subdivision Development
Session M — 215: St. Margaret's Wastewater Treatment Facility Rehabilitation

Senior Design is a signature capstone experience at the FAMU-FSU College of Engineering, preparing students to apply classroom knowledge to industry-driven challenges.

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