The PDL offers students the means to

  • Obtain graduate and undergraduate level education in the design and manufacture of prototype products
  • Become engineers who know how to “build things that work”
  • Get experiential learning by working with real-world clients to create prototypes meeting their requirements
  • Gain innovation & entrepreneurship skills through project experiences
  • Apply coursework to solve real-world technical problems

PDL research differs from traditional university research

  • The primary goal of PDL research is creating prototype devices for clients (not publishing papers for the academic community).
  • PDL research primarily trains students to be better practicing engineers (not prepares them to be professors).  
  • PDL research is focused on providing the means by which the talent of an engineering research university is efficiently accessed and applied to create prototypes for clients (not merely accessing an individual professor’s specific expertise)

As a PDL student you will be

  • Part of a real-world project associated with a PDL client expecting a quality deliverable.
  • Encouraged, empowered, and enabled to grow in maturity and take responsibility for a real-world project
  • Guided and advised in how to take a technical project to a successful completion.

Who can be a PDL student?

  • PDL students are OSU undergraduates or masters-degree students.
  • PDL students must have a passion for building things that work and have the time and motivation required for a significant commitment
  • PDL students are typically from the College of Engineering and usually in the School of Mechanical, Industrial, and Manufacturing Engineering or the School of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science. However, depending on project topic and need, students can be from other schools in the College of Engineering or from the Colleges of Agricultural Sciences, Forestry, or Science.

How to join the PDL?

Contact Prof. Parmigiani by email <John.Parmigiani@oregonstate.edu> and provide:

  • Your resume
  • Your current transcript (unofficial is okay)
  • A brief description of why you are interested in joining the PDL

What PDL students are saying

"I have been an undergraduate researcher in the PDL for four years and have worked on a variety of different projects in that time. The lab has provided hands-on experience, allowing me to learn and practice my design and manufacturing skills. I got to work on real world problems and work directly with clients. Dr. Parmigiani has provided mentorship throughout the process and has allowed me to take ownership of projects. I was also able to find a project to turn into my honors college thesis. The experiences I have gained at the PDL will set me up well for my engineering career."
    - Jonathan Cordisco (PDL Mechanical Engineering Undergraduate Student)

"Finishing my undergraduate degree was a big accomplishment. However, I felt like I was missing critical design and hands-on manufacturing experience which makes a truly talented engineer. My time with the PDL was exactly what I was looking for. Professor Parmigiani paired me with projects that fit my interest and would provide me with the experience I lacked. Working in this lab has furthered my understanding of engineering topics such as advanced stress analysis and material mechanics. Furthermore, it’s provided me with applicable engineering design and manufacturing experience including finite element analysis, rapid prototyping and subsequent testing, and iterative design. The PDL was able to provide me with more experience and knowledge than I was ever expecting, and truly prepared me for a career in engineering."
    - Thomas Moore (PDL Mechanical Engineering Graduate Student)

"I had a hard time finding work that deeply interested me until I was referred to the PDL. A lot of academic research felt distant from my reality and hard to connect with, but in contrast, the projects from the PDL have been focused on real-world applications, skills development, and personal growth. While working at the PDL I have gained hands-on experience working on machines that will be used by industrial partners and local entrepreneurs. The PDL has provided opportunities such as learning to CNC machine, working with multinational corporations, and coordinating fabrication with local welding companies. Dr. Parmigiani has encouraged me to take project ownership by allowing me to work autonomously while providing support when needed. The PDL has provided real-world experience in an educational environment aimed at developing my practical engineering skills."
    - Jacob Porter (PDL Mechanical Engineering Graduate Student)

"My experience in the lab so far has blown away the expectations I had for what my college education would be like. I didn't think I could be this excited about a summer job and side project. I am excited for what comes next."
    - Kinsey Popham (PDL Mechanical Engineering Undergraduate Student)

"Working at the PDL has provided me with a good variety of practical experience. Having started work at the PDL with limited experience in embedded systems and app development I have gained valuable practical knowledge in these as well as other fields. Getting to work with members of the PDL from various disciplines on projects has been great and I always look forward to working with everyone."
    - Matt Sessions (PDL Computer Science Undergraduate Student)

"I’ve been working in the PDL for two years now and have really enjoyed my time here. I’ve been able to help with projects both large and small. I also have been given projects all on my own which has given me incredible opportunities to connect what I’ve learned in class to the real world as well as learning how to manufacture and imagine new products."
   - Thomas Hope (PDL student)

"When I was finishing up my BSME, I was struggling to find a job. Sure, there were some jobs out there, but I was not qualified for the kinds of engineering positions that I wanted to do. All the creative design jobs required a couple of years of experience. As a new grad, I simply did not have a portfolio or skill set to get me in the door. That is exactly what I’ve gained doing a Master’s in the Prototype Development Lab. My resume is now full of skills that match job posting descriptions. I can now answer interview questions with stories and examples instead of generic statements. I’m also applying the time spent in graduate school towards my professional engineering license. I’ve had the opportunity to work on some innovative projects. The lab can take chances on projects that industry won’t. This has led to opportunities to leverage my engineering knowledge to create things that have an impact. The time I’ve spent in the lab has absolutely put me ahead."
  - Arthur Wells (PDL Mechanical Engineering Graduate Student)