The University of Tulsa’s College of Engineering & Computer Science continues to demonstrate its commitment to innovation, research and success while preparing students to be competitive in academia and in their chosen industry. In May, the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) held its Opportunity Research Scholars Symposium (ORSS) 2026 Tulsa venue poster presentation on campus, and students rose to the occasion. Three UTulsa undergraduate research teams earned first-, second- and third-place People’s Choice Awards, showcasing the strength of the college’s hands-on research opportunities and student-led discovery.
IEEE ORSS is an undergraduate-focused research conference designed to provide students with the opportunity to lead original research projects, author technical manuscripts and engage in the peer-review process. Accepted papers are published through IEEE Xplore, one of the world’s leading digital libraries for engineering and technology research. Projects typically span an entire academic year, allowing students to gain valuable experience in technical communication and problem-solving.
Here’s a summary of the research that earned top honors at the poster competition:
First Place – Benjamin Pikul (computer science senior from Cypress, Texas) & Jonathan Sheffer (data science, economics and math senior from Lawton, Oklahoma)
“Raspberry PI Smart TAP” (Research Adviser: Mauricio Papa)
Pikul and Sheffer’s project focused on the design and implementation of a low-cost, portable passive network monitoring device. Network monitoring tools play a critical role in securing and maintaining computer networks, particularly within critical infrastructure environments. Unlike active monitoring systems that introduce traffic onto a network, the Smart TAP operates passively, ensuring it can observe communications without disrupting sensitive or legacy equipment.
Second Place – Fernando Vasquez (cybersecurity sophomore from Tulsa)
“Refinement Threat Modeling for Surgical Robots” (Research Adviser: John Hale)
Vasquez explored how to secure surgical robots, adapting established cybersecurity frameworks to protect the future of robotic medicine.
Third Place – Jonathan Sheffer
“Classifying OT Devices in an IIoT using Cascaded Machine Learning Models” (Research Adviser: Peter Hawrylak)
Focusing on industrial systems, Sheffer applied machine learning to improve how quickly operators can detect and respond to critical infrastructure threats.
“Participating in IEEE ORSS and undergraduate research has helped me achieve scholastic and personal goals by providing the opportunity and experience to develop and master technical and communicative skills preparing me for employment or further education,” Pikul said.
The success of UTulsa undergraduates in the event reflects the college’s emphasis on experiential learning, where students tackle real-world challenges alongside faculty mentors. Through research opportunities, they gain practical experience that prepares them for graduate study, industry leadership and impactful careers in engineering, technology and data-driven fields.
The achievement comes as the College of Engineering & Computer Science continues its upward trajectory nationally and has been ranked among the top 25 STEM Colleges by Forbes America’s Best Colleges. Achievements such as these highlight the talent, innovation and dedication that define the UTulsa experience.