In the College of Natural and Applied Sciences (CNAS) at Missouri State University, engineering research is more than equations and theory — it’s about solving real-world problems that affect lives and communities.

Computer science graduate student Jacob Sharon and senior mechanical engineering major David Steel are using engineering and science to tackle health care and sustainable energy challenges.

Sharon

Sharon’s journey through higher education has been nontraditional. Originally from Marshfield, Missouri, he graduated from Marshfield High School in 2012 before joining the Army Reserves as a motor transport operator until 2020.

He enrolled at Missouri State in 2014, aiming for medical school with a degree in cell and molecular biology. Over time, his interests evolved toward laboratory science and data-driven problem solving.

Sharon earned his bachelor’s degree in 2018, followed by a second degree in clinical laboratory sciences in 2019.

In 2020, he earned his certification as a medical laboratory scientist from the American Society for Clinical Pathology. He now works full time at Mercy Hospital as a medical technologist, performing diagnostic testing across multiple disciplines. His experience in the field led him to explore how computational tools could enhance clinical decision-making.

“I was inspired by the opportunity to combine biomedical science with computer science,” Sharon said. “It allowed me to build on my background while learning new ways to approach complex problems.”

His current research focuses on traumatic brain injury (TBI), a condition where early and accurate assessment remains a major clinical challenge. Sharon’s work centers on blood-based biomarkers — measurable substances in the blood that can indicate injury severity and progression.

While existing models rely on tracking biomarker levels over time, they often fall short in early-stage decision-making. His research introduces a pharmacokinetic framework to estimate the total amount of biomarkers released at the time of injury and predict patient outcomes earlier in the care process.

By modeling biomarker behavior and identifying patterns, his work aims to improve how clinicians assess injury severity and make treatment decisions.

“This research has the potential to improve patient care by giving doctors better tools to understand what’s happening early on,” he said. “It can help guide treatment and provide clearer expectations for recovery.”

For Sharon, one of the most rewarding aspects of the project has been the collaborative environment. Working with experts from different disciplines has strengthened both his technical and communication skills.

He is grateful to Dr. Tayo Obafemi-Ajayi, associate professor in the cooperative engineering program, and medical expert Dr. Daniel Hier for their guidance and support throughout the research process. He also appreciates his family for encouraging him to pursue his goals.

Although still early in his project, Sharon hopes to present his initial findings at the IEEE Conference on Computational Intelligence in Bioinformatics and Computational Biology later this year.

After graduating this fall, he plans to continue working in laboratory science while applying his computer science training to improve clinical testing and data analysis, with a long-term interest in artificial intelligence-driven health care systems.

Steel

Steel took a different route into research — one grounded in hands-on experience and a curiosity about how things work.

Originally from Kansas City, Missouri, he worked as a locksmith before pursuing a mechanical engineering degree. His interest in the mechanics behind systems, paired with a desire to design custom solutions, led him to the field.

“My goal was to better understand how systems work and apply that knowledge to real designs,” Steel said.

His research focuses on improving the efficiency of concentric tube heat exchangers.  These are systems used to transfer heat between fluids and commonly found in energy and industrial applications.

Steel’s project explores how modifying the internal geometry of these systems affects heat transfer. By testing different configurations, including smooth pipes, finned pipes and a spring-based insert, he analyzes how fluids flow and turbulence impact performance.

In his initial findings, the spring configuration showed little effect under slow, laminar flow conditions. However, Steel is now advancing the project by introducing higher flow rates and more complex conditions, including phase changes between liquid and vapor, to better simulate real-world applications.

“I believe increasing the flow rate will create the turbulence needed for the spring to improve heat transfer,” he said.

His research has important implications for energy efficiency and sustainability. Improved heat exchanger designs could support renewable heating systems, reduce reliance on fossil fuels and lower emissions.

Steel developed an interest in the project during an applied thermodynamics course, where he became fascinated with fluid mechanics and heat transfer. The opportunity to design and physically build a system made the experience especially meaningful.

“The construction phase has been the most exciting part,” he said. “Engineering is often theoretical, so getting to build and test something you designed really helps build a better understanding of the physics behind it.”

Through his research, Steel has developed skills in design, manufacturing, CAD modeling and project management. He has also learned to balance ideal designs with practical constraints, such as cost, manufacturability and time.

He credits his advisor Dr. Daniel Moreno, assistant professor in the cooperative engineering program, for providing valuable feedback and guidance throughout the project.

Steel presented his work at the ASME International Mechanical Engineering Congress and Exposition (IMECE) 2025 in Memphis, Tennessee, where he received a Certificate of Appreciation for Outstanding Student Presentation.

After graduating this spring, he will begin his career as a test and evaluation mechanical engineer at Boeing. He notes his research experience has prepared him to apply engineering theory in real-world settings.

“This project helped me develop intuition for how systems behave and how to turn ideas into working designs,” Steel said.

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