Five students were recognized on May 1 for their innovative projects during the DAAPworks showcase at the University of Cincinnati’s College of Design, Architecture, Art, and Planning. The event highlighted creativity and practical solutions with real-world potential.
The awards were given by the university’s 1819 Innovation Hub to projects that demonstrated originality, inventive use of technology, strong presentation skills, and clear applicability beyond the classroom. The five winners represented a range of disciplines and addressed diverse challenges.
Shruti Parasher was honored for Melded, an industrial chic lamp inspired by Cincinnati’s manufacturing history. “In essence, Melded is a modern desk that’s inspired by the industrial factory task lamp,” Parasher said. “And in its making and design, it reveals Cincinnati’s industrial history.” She added that her project uses fabrication as a storytelling medium: “It uses the fabrication of objects – how it’s made, the processes involved – as a medium to communicate a larger idea that relates to a place and a story.”
Ben Ragals developed Naso after seeing his grandmother lose her sense of smell due to COVID-19. His device allows users to detect food spoilage without needing to rely on scent or handle samples directly. “It’s just a point-and-click system,” Ragals said. “[Naso] uses a volatile organic compound sensor … typically, VOC sensors are used for measuring pollutants in industrial solutions, but foods also have their own signature.” For Ragals’ family member—and others—this could mean safer cooking experiences.
Leo Brock created SnapLab to make 3D printing accessible for children through customizable toys designed for learning and fun. “My project is a 3D-printable toy system with each part being interchangeable so you can customize and create your own figures,” Brock said.
Bria Dues designed Soma Seat after observing sensory challenges faced by neurodivergent students like her friend Avery. Her seat incorporates springs and pivot points for movement: “Soma Seat was designed for people with sensory needs in mind, but I want its impact to reach every student,” Dues said.
Annika Jankowsky focused on women’s health with Take Care—a dispenser providing heat patches in public spaces—to address period pain often dismissed in medical settings. Jankowsky explained: “[Take Care] uses an existing solution like a dispenser…but it provides a new service for people.” She hopes this will help improve quality of life during difficult times: “Take Care solves a variety of different issues…It also tells people that they can take care of their period pain instead of having to push through it.”
All five projects benefited from access to tools at the university’s 1819 Ground Floor Makerspace—a facility offering equipment such as 3D printers and woodworking tools—which several winners credited as essential support during development.
