OREGON STATE UNIVERSITY
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The iLab employs a variety of researchers, technicians and student interns working on projects from deep in the ocean to flying above whales. Please contact the iLab if you are interested in learning more about employment opportunities or collaborating on an upcoming project!
iLab Manager
541-867-0276
Tool of Choice: Trak mill
iLab Development Engineer
541-867-0365
Tool of Choice: Manual Mill
BOB DAVIDSON
iLab Electronic Technician
Hatfield Marine Science Center Volunteer
Tool of Choice: Soldering Iron
In the summer of 2022, the Innovation Lab hosted six full-time interns thanks to generous financial support from the Roundhouse Foundation. Some of those interns continued to work in the iLab during the school year. We've also been lucky enough to gain two new interns for the winter and spring terms and the summer of 2023. Learn about them and what they love about the iLab. The Economic Development Administration also supports interns working in the lab.
iLab internships aim to provide students with hands-on experience relating to the design and development of a prototype. Interns' projects couple learning and applying engineering principles to tackle marine-focused problems. Each intern works on a specific project that they see through and also has the opportunity to pursue their separate interests.
Major: Mechatronics
Tool of Choice: The welding equipment
Favorite thing about the iLab: There are so many toys and tools! I love having access to whatever I want to do. It is so awesome.
Ideal job: I want to work in the renewable energy sector. I don't know exactly where yet - maybe research, or design, or development. I'm still exploring things.
Majors: Mechanical Engineering, Oceanography
Tool of choice: The Allen wrench
Favorite thing about the iLab: I really like the 3D printers in the lab. Also, the natural lighting really appeals to me.
Ideal job: I'd like to be an ocean engineer, working on wave energy devices.
Roundhouse Foundation funded intern
2023 Research Poster: Environmental DNA Sampler, cont.
2022 Research Poster - Environmental DNA Sampler
Majors: Biology with a Marine Biology option
Tool of Choice: A soldering iron
Favorite thing about the iLab: Everyone has been so welcoming - asking how I'm doing and if I need anything. It's a great place.
Ideal job: I want to be a researcher working on a boat studying organisms.
Roundhouse Foundation funded intern
Majors: Mechanical Engineering
Tool of choice: The water pressure (hydrostatic vessel) he built simulates the depth of the ocean in a controlled environment up to 277 feet/120 psi.
Favorite thing about the iLab: My favorite thing is how much I've learned. I'm much more prepared than most students coming into school. I get to know what the job's going to be like.
Ideal job: F1 (Formula 1) engineer
Oregon Sea Grant Intern, 2024-25
Roundhouse Foundation intern, summer 2022
2022 Research Poster - Hydrostatic Pressure Vessel
Majors: Construction Engineering Management
Tool of choice: Sawz-All. We've been using handheld electronics, and when I get to use power tools, I reach for the Sawz-All.
Favorite thing about the iLab: While there are times when I feel out of my comfort zone, the environment is really inviting and welcoming. It's a great place to meet other people.
Ideal job: Virtual construction design manager
Oregon Sea Grant Intern 2024-25
Major: Mechanical Engineering
Tool of choice: The welding equipment
Favorite thing about the iLab: The amount of equipment you have access to.
Ideal job: I'd like to run my own snowboard-making company.
Economic Development Administration grant, current; Roundhouse Foundation intern, summer 2022
2023 Research Poster - Drone Whale Tagging Cradle and Tide Gate Sensors
2022 Research Poster - Brush Mount for Biofouling and Water Removal on Commercial Crabbing Lines
Major: Computer Science
Tool of choice: Orange Pi, this tool is helping me with my project. It's a very small computer that can send jobs remotely to the 3D printer. It can monitor a job's status and detect any errors at specific stages.
Favorite thing about the iLab: So far, my education in college has been mostly theoretical. In contrast, the iLab is a place for practical application.
Ideal job: Working somewhere in alternative energy - solar, wind or wave energy. I want to work on the software for those types of systems.
Roundhouse Foundation funded intern
2023 Research Poster - Long-Range Radio Data Transfer
Majors: Mechanical Engineering, Product Design and Manufacturing
Tool of Choice: A thread chaser
Favorite thing about the iLab: I love the work environment! It is a great place to feel welcome and learn.
Ideal job: This - this forever! I love prototyping and making things. Working in the iLab is a dream place to be.
Roundhouse Foundation funded intern
Engineering Science/Aquatic Biology
Tool of choice: 3D printer - the first project we did used the 3D printer.
Favorite thing about the iLab: I am looking forward to experimenting and learning about ALL the tools in the lab.
Ideal job: I don't know yet, but I want to do fieldwork on a specific species and learn how they are affected by climate change.
Roundhouse Foundation funded intern
2023 Research Poster - Magnetic Field Replication: How Do Skates Respond to Offshore Wind Turbines?
Fisheries and Wildlife Sciences
Tool of choice: Drumel, because it allows me to fine-tune my 3D creations
Favorite thing about the iLab: The 3D modeling and printing. I see it being useful in my future. I also want to explore the media side of the lab.
Ideal job: I would like to be a research biologist, focusing on marine biology, coastal ecology or reef ecology. In the near future, I want to go to grad school - ideally abroad.
Roundhouse Foundation funded intern
2023 Research Poster: Low-Cost Water Quality Instruments for Non-Governmental Organizations
Earth Science with dual options in Climate Science and Oceanography
Tool of choice: Safety goggles and face shield
Favorite thing about the iLab: It's a lot of fun to be in the iLab. I'm learning all new skills, and everyone on staff is so helpful in teaching me how to use the equipment. I also get to work with other programs. I'm doing a project with USFWS building an antenna to track bird species.
Ideal job: I want to be a researcher studying climate change.
Roundhouse Foundation funded intern
2023 Research Poster: Installing a Motus Tower
Ecological Engineering
Tool of choice: Welding equipment because it is the most artistic of the tools.
Favorite thing about the iLab: I enjoy making things and working with my hands. A place like the iLab gives me a chance to work with tools I don't normally have access to. It's an extremely valuable experience.
Ideal job: My ideal job would be working in riparian habitat restoration.
Roundhouse Foundation funded intern
2023 Student research poster - The Oregon Ocean Acidification and Hypoxia Action Plan: Climate Monitoring Station
Ecological Engineering
Tool of choice: 3D scanner
Favorite thing about the iLab: There's a lot! It's empowering. There are all these tools at our fingertips. If you can think it up, you can probably make it here.
Idea job: Ocean engineer or marine technician
Roundhouse Foundation intern summer 2022, winter/spring 2023
2023 Research Poster - Drone Whale Tagging Cradle and Tide Gate Sensors
2022 Research Poster - Monitoring Oregon Tide Gates
Computer Science
Tool of choice: Stepper motors and graphics smart controller
Favorite thing about the iLab: I really like all the experience I am gaining with CNC, and automated machines and learning more about how they work. Each and every type of equipment I want to learn about is available here. I have all the stuff here.
Ideal job: I want to be an entrepreneur and help my family's company by making it completely automated.
Roundhouse Foundation intern, summer 2022
2022 Research Poster - Computer Numerical Control System to Sample DNA from Hatchery Salmon
Ecological Engineering and Oceanography
Tool of choice: Raspberry Pie with wide angle micro camera
Favorite thing about the iLab: There is a lot of freedom to tinker, build and have a good time.
Ideal job: I want to build and use underwater sensors. I love scuba diving and want to use the equipment I build.
Roundhouse Foundation intern, summer 2022
2022 Research Poster - Sampling the DNA of Hatchery Salmon - A Camera System for Identifying Sample Position
Hatfield Marine Science Center
2030 SE Marine Science Drive
Newport, OR 97365
Phone: 541-867-0100
