Interdisciplinary
Senior Design Project

The Deep Ocean Research Explorer's (DORE) Marine Lander is an ongoing senior design project through Cal Poly's College of Engineering, in partnership with the College of Science and Math, and the Chumash Heritage National Marine Sanctuary located in central California. Sponsored by marine sciences professor Dr. Crow White, the DORE team has been tasked with finalizing the design of an existing lander that can be dropped from a small boat, collect video data of marine life, and resurface on its own after 90 minutes. Throughout the year our team will be performing design v&v testing prior to dropping the lander into a 1000m trench within the sanctuary.

In addition to acting as the project manager and primary contact for our team, I hold a predominantly mechanical design role. I hold sole responsibility over redesigning the electromagnet weight-release system and its subcomponents. What previously utilized an iron chain-based ballast for each drop, which leaches over time and threatens the pH balance of the surrounding environment, will now utilize bio-inert sand, easily refillable tubes, and a ferromagnetic plate. The plate covers the bottom of the tubes and mates to the existing electromagnet and the tubes will have a water-permeable mesh that will allow them to equilize as the lander descends.

As the project continues throughout the year, the design report detailing our current progrees will be updated. Currently, our full Conceptual Design Report is available.

Last updated 12/23/2025.