Skip Navigation

Engineering Student Ranks First in North America, Named IEEE Engineering in Medicine and Biology Society Finalist

NEWS
Quinn Smith receiving her award.

Engineering Student Ranks First in North America, Named IEEE Engineering in Medicine and Biology Society Finalist


By

Brady Trantham
batrantham90@ou.edu

Date

Oct. 3, 2024

NORMAN, OKLA. – Quinn Smith, a graduate student at the University of Oklahoma Stephenson School of Biomedical Engineering, was selected in the 2024 Geographic Finalist category of the Institute of Electronics and Engineers (IEEE) 46th Engineering in Medicine and Biology Society (EMBS) student paper competition. Smith was the no. one ranked student in the United States and Canada among the many contestants.

Smith authored the paper, “Test-Retest Reliability of Neurovascular Coupling and Impairment in Epilepsy Measured by fNIRS and EEG” for the competition. For her efforts, she was awarded with a second-place finish.

“It was such an exciting feeling, and a little bit of shock,” said Smith. “I felt confident in the paper I submitted but never imagined I could be the top finalist of the region.

IEEE EMBS is the largest international society for biomedical engineering. EMBS provides its members with access to the people, practices, information, ideas, and opinions that are shaping one of the fastest-growing fields in science.

“It was already such an honor presenting my paper at the IEEE EMBS Conference,” said Smith. “So, placing well meant so much to me. It was such a great feeling to see our lab’s hard work pay off and get recognized at such a big conference.”

In addition to her academic prowess, Smith also has a history with the university's illustrious women’s gymnastics program. During her freshman year, Smith competed in two meets for the Sooners on vault for head coach K.J. Kindler’s team. A season-ending injury ended her freshman campaign. Following her freshman year, Smith decided to retire from gymnastics to focus on her academic journey at OU.

“In gymnastics, we’ve been trained to perform well under pressure, even under crazy circumstances,” said Smith. “So, when translating those experiences to an academic setting, being able to prepare well and be at your best when it mattered most was equally important.

Representing my team and university, whether it be for athletics or academics is always a thrilling experience that I’m extremely thankful for,” added Smith.

About the University of Oklahoma

Founded in 1890, the University of Oklahoma is a public research university located in Norman, Oklahoma. As the state’s flagship university, OU serves the educational, cultural, economic and health care needs of the state, region and nation. For more information about the university, visit www.ou.edu.


Recent News

Campus & Community
April 27, 2026

175 OU Students Present Research at 38th Annual Undergraduate Research Day

The University of Oklahoma Honors College hosted its 38th annual Undergraduate Research Day on April 16 in the Thurman J. White Forum Building. Over 300 people attended, and 175 students presented their posters and projects to visitors, faculty members, judges and peers.


Impact
April 24, 2026

Where Practice Meets Leadership: OU and CCOSA Introduce Collaborative Ed.D.

The Collaborative Doctor of Education (Ed.D.) in Educational Leadership offers emerging leaders across Oklahoma’s PK–12 public education system a doctoral experience designed to be as relevant as it is rigorous.


Research
April 23, 2026

Genetic Study Finds New Pathways Involved in Cardiometabolic Disease

A study published today in PLOS Medicine has identified two new genetic pathways that contribute to cardiometabolic disease, which includes heart disease, obesity and diabetes. The research, led by Dharambir Sanghera, Ph.D., of the University of Oklahoma, represents a step toward targeting the diseases more precisely.