Three of our dedicated and talented research students—Paul Benjamin (’28), Amal Khan (’28), and Nick Abraham (’26)—had the distinct honor of presenting their innovative research at the recent 2026 Steven Galovich Memorial Student Symposium, held at the Lake Forest College.

During this prestigious symposium, which serves as a platform for emerging scholars to share their findings and engage with peers and faculty, Paul showcased his groundbreaking work focused on the development of an innovative wearable proximity sensor. This sensor is designed to enhance the safety and navigational abilities of individuals who are blind/low vision (B/LV) . His presentation detailed the sensor's unique features, including its ability to detect obstacles in real-time and provide tactile feedback to the user, thus significantly improving their awareness of their surroundings.

In addition to Paul, both Amal and Nick presented their collaborative efforts on refining the design of our haptic-enhanced white cane, a project aimed at providing B/LV users with a more intuitive and effective mobility aid. They discussed the various enhancements they implemented, such as various modifications and the integration of advanced haptic feedback systems that allow users to feel the proximity of nearby objects. Furthermore, they elaborated on the rigorous procedures they developed to evaluate the effectiveness of these improvements, including user testing sessions and feedback collection methods that ensure the cane meets the needs of its users in real-world scenarios.

Overall, the presentations by Paul, Amal, and Nick not only highlighted their individual contributions to the field but also demonstrated the collaborative spirit of our research program. Their work exemplifies the commitment to innovation and excellence that is at the core of our academic community, and it serves as an inspiration for their peers and future students alike.