< Previous50 UNIVERSITY NEWS AUBURNTIGERS.COM Students from Auburn’s Mechanical Engineering and Industrial Design pro- grams recently witnessed something pretty special: the public unveiling of a surgical device prototype they helped to develop. “When it came time to boot up the device at the convention and we saw it worked flawlessly, I felt myself breathe a sigh of relief,” said alumna Haley Dun- can, who graduated this past spring. “And when the manufacturers and nurses had positive reactions, it definitely put a smile on my face.” Duncan and her fellow mechanical engineering classmates Savannah An- derson, Joseph Freeman and Jake Gar- za, as well as Master of Industrial Design student Sheridan Kromann, were part of a research team that worked with KYRA Medical, Inc., a global manufacturer of medical equipment, to create a new sur- gical device. As KYRA’s special guests at the Association of Perioperative Regis- tered Nurses’ (AORN) annual conference in Boston this spring, they got to witness the premiere of their design in front of in- dustry professionals. A MUCH-NEEDED SOLUTION When performing arthroscopic procedures, surgeons use a small camera to view and repair joints throughout the body, including hips, knees, wrists and shoulders. While these are minimally invasive surgeries, they require a great deal of saline fluid pumped from IV bags to keep surgical sites clean. Currently, nurses must change the IV bags quickly every time an alarm goes off — a hectic event that can distract the surgeon and even interrupt the surgery. But the Auburn team’s prototype eliminates that rushed response. “This device automatically switches over to a new bag as each one empties,” said Shea Tillman, the Bauhaus Pro- fessor in the College of Architecture, Design and Construction. “It provides a non-disruptive means of managing and monitoring the fluid for surgical proce- dures.” IN CONSTANT COMMUNICATION This past year, KYRA staff members held weekly video chats and visited campus several times to collaborate with students and faculty, which included Chad Rose and Michael Zabala from the Samuel Ginn College of Engineering and Tillman. “KYRA is an established and well- respected medical startup, and the energy their tightly knit team brings to a project like this quickly transferred to our team at Auburn,” Tillman said. “They are a very hands-on ‘prototype-fast-and-early’ group that is excited about sharing what they know about product development with our students.” Over the course of the project, the students built half a dozen mockups and 3D printed more than 100 iterations of component parts before finally creating the final two prototypes displayed at AORN. Unveiling the final product was the ultimate reward for engineering student Anderson. “When we finally took the packaging off the device and set it up in the booth, all I felt was relief and pride in our device,” she said. “When we saw how seamlessly it blended into the KYRA brand and the other devices around it, it was a ‘we made it’ moment.” THE AUBURN CONNECTION The collaboration with KYRA came about when Steve Taylor, Auburn’s Senior Vice President for Research and Development, had a chance encounter with Howard Miller, KYRA’s president, CEO and co-founder. Miller, an Auburn alumnus who has worked in the medical device industry for 30 years, proposed a partnership with the university and a collaboration between engineering and industrial design. “As an Auburn Engineering alumnus, it was incredibly rewarding to see the next generation of engineers bringing a real-world medical device all the way from concept to professional unveiling, and it was great to have industrial design included as well,” he said. “The students and faculty truly embodied the values of the Auburn Creed — hard work and integrity.” Engineering student Freeman was grateful for the opportunity to work on a new product with an interdisciplinary team. “Working alongside industrial designers from day one was a great learning experience, and I truly believe our success wouldn’t have been possible without that integrated approach,” he said. “They showed me that usability and ergonomics are just as critical as functionality for a device like this.” UNIVERSITY NEWS BY: KELLEY YOUNG ONE-OF-A-KIND: INDUSTRIAL DESIGN AND ENGINEERING COLLABORATION LEADS TO GROUNDBREAKING MEDICAL DEVICE The Auburn team consisted of, from left to right, Haley Duncan, Shea Tillman, Sheridan Kromann, Joseph Freeman and Chad Rose. Michael Zabala, Jake Garza and Savannah Anderson are not pictured. Students and faculty worked with a global manufacturer of medical equipment to create a new device that eliminates the rush to constantly change IV bags.52 2025 HOMECOMING COURT AUBURNTIGERS.COM Name: Abby Grace Stevens Hometown: Chicago, Illinois Major: Communications (College of Liberal Arts) If you could play any position in football, what would you play? I would be a lineman because of the need for protection and leadership. I am a thinker, always planning and paying attention to the details and the wellbeing of those around me. A lineman is strategic, aware and protective, carrying a deep sense of responsibility for the whole team and willing to help wherever they can. I love to serve those around me and help contribute to the team, but I can’t do it alone! What is your major and what made you decide to pursue it? I am a communications major and history minor. Both hold deep importance to me. Communication is powerful. It is the foundation of everything. My goal is to understand it on a deeper level so that I can meet people where they are, connecting with them intentionally and personally in all that I do. As for history, I pursue it simply out of love and respect for discipline. I value the legacy it preserves and the growth it provides to those who invest in it. What is your favorite Auburn tradition? I love callouts at Cater Lawn. It’s so special to be surrounded by new friends, old friends and even people who may soon become friends. It can feel nerve racking to go, but you’re never alone. I love being able to cheer for everyone even if I don’t know them. To me, it’s the perfect example of the Auburn Family: showing up and celebrating one another. It also takes courage and strength to step into something new, and regardless of the outcome, the desire you make to invest in something at Auburn helps you grow and makes you better in some way. If you could walk in someone else’s shoes for a day, who would it be? I would love to walk in the shoes of my Camp War Eagle roommate Caroline McNairy. She is an Auburn woman through and through. There is nothing she can’t do, and she loves well while pushing those around her to be their best self. I am a better person because of Caroline’s friendship. Her selflessness is something I admire. I want to be in her shoes for a day to see how her head and heart operate while loving those around her so intently. She pushes people to pursue confidence and laughter through life, and I have never met someone who lives out the Auburn Creed so intently. What does it mean to be on the Homecoming Court? What an honor. Words will never suffice. The Lord’s kindness has been so incredible, and this experience has been another tangible example of, “if you love Auburn, it will love you back.” I am proud to be alongside these women and this legacy, pouring back into the place that has given me so much. I am beyond grateful for this opportunity, and I will treasure it forever! What has been your favorite class at Auburn? Italian, hands down. This class was so much fun. The professor, Rosetta, has been and will be my favorite college professor ever! I’ve recommended it to everyone I meet. It’s not every day you get to sing and dance in Italian and walk away grasping and appreciating another culture and language. It helped show me I was capable of mastering things I don’t understand and has restored my desire to learn. Describe Auburn to someone who has never been here. This is my favorite question in the world and reminds me of my time during Camp War Eagle! Auburn is the perfect place to scrape your knees and learn safely, all while being picked up and supported by those around you. You get to successfully try and fail and keep moving towards the best version of yourself, while helping those around you do the same. This is the Auburn Family, experience and tradition all in one. Name: Julia Wright Hometown: Hoover, Alabama Major: Music Education (College of Education) If you could play any position in football, what would you play? I’m not sure any team is looking for a 4-foot-10-inch football player, but I think playing quarterback would be fun! I love thinking on my feet, stepping into a leadership role and knowing my team can count on me. What is your major and what made you decide to pursue it? I’m currently majoring in music education. I’ve always had a lifelong love for teaching. When I picked up the trumpet my sophomore year of high school, I quickly fell in love with band. Music education has been the perfect way to bring those two passions together, combining my love for music with my heart for teaching. COVER FEATURE Continued from page 24 Continued on page 6454 2025 STADIUM MAP 2025 STADIUM MAP AUBURNTIGERS.COMThe Medical School making a difference in our community EVERY DAY ©2025 Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine. All rights reserved. Please go to www.vcom.edu/outcomes for a copy of our outcomes report. At the Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine (VCOM) in Auburn, Alabama our mission is to train future physicians who are community-focused and ready to make a difference. That starts right here at home. Over the last 20 years, VCOM students and alumni have made great improvements to healthcare in southern Appalachia, but there is still work to be done. We’re inviting you to join us in this mission and make a difference for our community. Learn more www.vcom.edu56 2025 AUBURN PARKING MAP 2025 AUBURN PARKING MAP AUBURNTIGERS.COM2025 AUBURN PARKING MAP LEGEND 57 2025 AUBURN PARKING LEGEND AUBURNTIGERS.COM1957 East Samford Ave., Suite B Hoka, On, Altra, Saucony, Brooks, Feetures, OS1st, Duadora, Free People, Lululemon, Turtlebox, Clothing Accesories and more! • Daily Tours •Authentic Artifacts •STEAM Days • Open Year ‘Round CELEBRATING 20 YEARS An Archaeological Museum Exploring Daily Life in Ancient Times in Georgia Voted Top 3 Religious Museums by USA Today 130 Gordon Commercial Dr. LaGrange, Georgia 30240 (One hour southwest of Atlanta) Tuesday-Saturday 10am - 5pm (706)885-0363 BiblicalHistoryCenter.combrightinvestments.com Auburn, AL Memphis, TN Nashville, TN DISCIPLINE DRIVES THE PROCESS. FINDING VALUE IS THE ART. Alabama’s LookoutMountain PlainsMeetPines PlainsMeetPines LittleRiverFalls, FortPayne,AL PhotobyJamesBurton AlabamaLookoutMountain.com 888-805-4740Next >