2026 senior projects: Adaptation in a changing landscape
As winter quarter drew to a close, MS&E undergraduates gave presentations detailing the research they performed as part of their senior capstone projects.
Using a variety of MS&E techniques across a wide array of industries, student teams helped sponsor organizations adapt to a rapidly changing world.
Students drew on their course work, utilizing both quantitative and qualitative techniques to inform their work on the projects. In teams of three to four, they acted as consultants to their sponsor organizations, tackling real-world problems during a 10 week quarter.
Many of this year's projects made use of AI-powered tools, and some even built custom AI agents as deliverables. Sponsor organizations ranged from manufacturers like Gallant Sports and House of Livara, to investment firms like New Enterprise Associates and non-profits like Nest that serve to impact the community at large. While the students wrapped their findings into a final presentation at the end of spring quarter, their work will continue to be utilized by their sponsors long into the future.
Teams met regularly with their faculty mentors throughout the quarter to refine their work and fine-tune their final presentations. This year's faculty mentors included professors Riitta Katila, Irene Lo, Elisabeth Paté-Cornell, Markus Pelger, Alicia Sheares, and James Sweeney.
