Garrett McGrattan, a student in Mechanical Engineering who recently completed his third year, participated this past academic year in the Indigenous Undergraduate Research Experience Program.
The program is facilitated by STEM Indigenous Academics (STEMInA), an academic support and community-building initiative for Indigenous students enrolled in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM)-based undergraduate degree programs at Queen’s. This specialized program aims to enhance the research skills and academic experience of Indigenous students in STEM disciplines by pairing them with faculty mentors to engage in meaningful research projects.
He was paired with Amy Wu as his faculty mentor. “Dr. Wu gave me some options for projects and this one stood out,” he says. “It seemed like a cool opportunity to jump into a project with a small starting step, that I could really take creative liberties with and sort of make choices on my own and go from there.”
“I worked on an ankle brace that self-tightened and loosened depending on when you would need it. So basically, anytime it's on rough terrain, for example. Any time that the ankle's kind of rotated a little bit, it would tighten and just provide that extra support.”
The technology is intended to provide additional support to the ankle by automatically adjusting the brace’s tightness as needed. This feature responds to shifts in the ankle's positioning, thus addressing the common concern of injuries associated with uneven surfaces.
Throughout his research experience, McGrattan faced the challenge of translating his theoretical knowledge into practical applications within the biomechanical field — a discipline different from his coursework in mechanical engineering. This leap into a new domain was daunting yet rewarding, as he navigated the complexities of designing systems that directly interact with the human body. The open-ended nature of his project also posed a challenge, as many undergraduate experiences tend to be more structured. However, this freedom sparked McGrattan’s creativity and enthusiasm, bolstering his overall educational experience.
Reflecting on his time in the program, McGrattan noted how the opportunity has ignited a newfound interest in research. Initially uncertain about pursuing graduate studies, he now views research as a tangible path forward. The experience has opened doors for future academic endeavors and has instilled in him the confidence to consider further studies beyond his undergraduate degree.
By the conclusion of the research program, McGrattan achieved significant milestones. He completed the development of the primary mechanism designed to tighten and lock the ankle brace, meeting all the goals outlined at the project's onset.
“Of course, there's always going to be further iterations,” he says, “but for my goals and the scope of the project, it was complete, which was really cool to see something from start to finish.”
Now, as the summer progresses, he continues to build upon this foundation, integrating his work with the other components necessary to create a fully functional system. His dedication has also been acknowledged through the NSERC Undergraduate Student Research Award, which affords him the opportunity to delve deeper into the project.
One of the facets of McGrattan’s experience that stood out was the culmination in a presentation, an opportunity to share his findings.
“I was a little nervous at the start,” he says, “but seeing all the other presentations was super cool because it was from so many different fields and areas with people who knew so much about it. And then also seeing the questions from the professors to the students was really cool. They were kind of encouraging questions to further their research, which is neat to see too.”
McGrattan’s journey through the Indigenous Undergraduate Research Experience Program not only allowed him to develop skills and knowledge but also encouraged him to embrace the excitement of academic discovery. For students considering the program next year, he wholeheartedly endorses the experience: “Absolutely do it. And just jump into it, ask questions, and have fun.”
