Computer engineering student Caitlin Osorio is spending her summer conducting research as part of the Summer Undergraduate Research Program.
The rising sophomore was hand-selected by computer science and software engineering Assistant Professor Javier Gonzalez-Sanchez to work on his research project exploring the use of extended reality technologies to enhance human-robot interaction in industrial environments. Gonzalez-Sanchez is collaborating with industrial and manufacturing engineering Assistant Professor Duha Ali and Orfalea College of Business Assistant Professor Rafael Guerra-Silva on this multidisciplinary project.
The Summer Undergraduate Research Program, or SURP, gives undergraduate students the chance to engage in hands-on research with faculty members over the summer. The eight-week program concludes with the SURP Symposium and Poster Session, held on campus during fall quarter. The symposium is an opportunity for students to present the research they conducted during the eight-week period.
“I was surprised to be chosen to take part in SURP,” Osorio said. “I was so excited!”
Osorio had originally applied to be part of several SURP projects, but Gonzalez-Sanchez reached out to her to work on the human-robot interaction project after determining her skill set would be a good fit. It’s one of many cross-disciplinary research projects students and faculty members are conducting this summer.
“SURP is a great opportunity for students to work together with others in the same field but also collaborate with those in other colleges,” Gonzalez-Sanchez said.
To learn more about SURP, listen to episode 2 of “Dean Digs Deeper,” a Cal Poly College of Engineering podcast.
By Taylor Villanueva
