Annual Research Symposium Looks To the Future, Designing Textiles for Tomorrow’s World

Graduate students at the Wilson College of Textiles have the opportunity to present and receive feedback on their research by their own Wilson College community. The Textile Research Symposium is one of the annual events held by the Textile Association of Graduate Students at NC State (TAGS).

This year’s symposium took place on March 28, where about 30 graduate students shared their research through an oral or poster presentation with the theme “Textiles of the Future: Designing Textiles for Tomorrow’s World.” The day-long event investigated the future of textiles through the lens of innovation, sustainability and technology.

“Whether it is an independent study or whether it is their thesis or dissertation, the symposium gives students an outlet to practice their presentation skills within the college, and also gives them an opportunity to win prizes, get feedback on their presentation skills and share their research with their friends and colleagues,” TAGS President Erin Tillery says.

It’s easy for students to get involved, no matter what year they are in the program. In early spring an email is sent out to all Wilson College graduate students to call for abstracts Tillery says. Once all abstracts are submitted, presentation materials are reviewed for brand compliance and posters are printed. The only thing left to do is show up on the day of the event and present.

“This is really a safe place for students to get feedback on their research in a place that knows about textiles – that’s the expertise of our judges and fellow students,” Tillery says. “It’s a way for students, maybe before they go present at another conference or if they’re preparing for their prelim or their dissertation, to get feedback on that research before they maybe take the next step.”

Award-winning research

Presentations are judged by a mix of faculty volunteers from each academic department at the college. TAGS does its best to keep balanced department representation to ensure fairness. The judges select a first, second and third winner from each category who are awarded a small monetary prize. 

Nur Mazumder is the first place winner of this year’s oral presentation and is in the fiber and polymer science program. He investigates the presence of carcinogenic and toxic chemicals in firefighter turnout gear textiles. His research focuses on developing methods to detect and quantify these hazardous substances, with the ultimate goal of minimizing long-term health risks for firefighters.

“The diversity of research areas at our college is remarkable, and it was fascinating to learn about the innovative work being conducted by different research groups. Presenting my findings to such a diverse audience was both challenging and rewarding, as it pushed me to communicate my work in ways that resonate across disciplines,” Mazumder says.

“The diversity of research areas at our college is remarkable.”

The first place winner of the poster category is Ayesha Siddika, a second-year Ph.D. student in the fiber and polymer science program. She researches electronic textiles, specifically on the integration of electronic components into fabric structures and the development of textile-based electrodes for sensing applications. Her work addresses critical challenges in e-textiles, including maintaining conductivity, ensuring durability under mechanical stress, and preserving functionality during washing cycles.

“Participating in the symposium was an enriching journey for me, from preparing my poster to presenting it to a panel of experts. The most impactful aspect was the opportunity to engage with professionals and fellow researchers, which provided valuable insights into recent advancements in textiles,” Siddika says.