For Temi Sosanya '28, a junior studying robotics engineering at the University of Hartford, the future of transportation became a hands-on learning experience this summer.
Temi was one of just 11 students selected for the University of Nevada Las Vegas' (UNLV) National Science Foundation Research Experiences for Undergraduates (NSF REU) Smart Cities Program. As a research intern, Temi spent the summer contributing to research focused on how advanced technologies can be integrated into traditional city infrastructure.
The 10-week program explored three key areas: Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS), Connected and Automated Vehicles (CAV), and Vehicle-to-Everything (V2X) communication. Temi's research centered on connected and automated vehicles, giving her the opportunity to contribute to the development of a fully autonomous vehicle.
Before Temi arrived at UNLV, researchers had modified a Lincoln MKZ to function as an autonomous vehicle. The car was equipped with sensors commonly used in autonomous systems, including LiDAR, high-definition cameras, and radar.
Temi's primary responsibility was to interface each sensor through its official interface and Robot Operating System 2 (ROS 2), a key software framework used in robotics. She then visualized the sensor data using RViz, a visualization tool within the ROS ecosystem.
The experience gave Temi the chance to apply concepts from her robotics engineering coursework to a complex, real-world engineering project. "Because this internship was structured around independent research, I was able to experience the different stages of the engineering process firsthand," Temi says. "I learned how to approach unfamiliar problems, work through gaps in my knowledge, troubleshoot challenges, and develop solutions despite the difficulties I encountered along the way."
Temi Sosanya '28, Robotics Engineering StudentThis experience not only strengthened my technical skills but also gave me a greater appreciation for the research and engineering process.
Her days at UNLV were structured around both independent research and professional development. Temi worked approximately eight hours each weekday and met one-on-one with her mentor, Associate Professor Brendan Morris, every Tuesday to discuss her progress, troubleshoot challenges, and establish goals for the following week.
On Wednesdays, the interns participated in professional development sessions led by Morris and Professor and Department Chair Peter Stuberrud. The sessions focused on skills and strategies important for students interested in pursuing research careers. Each Thursday, interns presented their weekly progress to the group, helping them develop their communication and presentation skills in preparation for a final poster presentation.
Outside the lab, the interns also made time to build relationships with one another, often planning team activities on Fridays after work.
Through the experience, Temi developed a deeper understanding of ROS 2 and how sensors communicate and interact within robotic systems. More importantly, the internship helped her develop the problem-solving skills and independence needed to tackle unfamiliar engineering challenges.
"This experience not only strengthened my technical skills but also gave me a greater appreciation for the research and engineering process,” Temi explains. “I am extremely grateful to my mentor, Dr. Brendan Morris, for his guidance throughout the summer and for giving me the independence and resources necessary to complete my research.”
As she continues her robotics engineering studies at the University of Hartford, Temi is bringing back more than technical experience from her summer at UNLV. She also gained firsthand insight into what it means to approach engineering as a researcher—asking questions, navigating challenges, and developing solutions that could help shape the future of autonomous technology.