USU's Science Unwrapped 'Tackles Tariffs' and Explores Entrepreneurial Innovation Friday, Oct. 3

You have a great, innovative idea, but how do you use science to turn it into a business?

Utah State University computer science student Tanner Helms, along with his classmate Bryce Judy, had a proposal to use artificial intelligence to make preparing paperwork for customs and shipping of imports and exports less cumbersome. With guidance from their faculty mentor, Chad Mano, the scholars came up with an AI-powered platform to streamline the process and help businesspeople navigate ever-changing regulations.

The next step was determining if their invention was marketable.

At USU’s Science Unwrapped public outreach program, Helms, who completed a bachelor’s degree in computer science in spring 2025, along with Mano, professional practice associate professor in the USU School of Computing, will describe the creative and technological challenges of harnessing AI to solve a real-world problem and create a viable business venture.

The pair will present “Tackling Tariffs” at 7 p.m. Oct. 3 in the Emert Auditorium, Room ESLC 130 of the Eccles Science Learning Center on the Logan campus. Admission is free and all ages are welcome.

Hands-on learning activities led by USU student groups and community volunteers, along with refreshments, will follow the half-hour presentation. In addition, this fall’s series will feature research posters by USU undergraduates.

“We’re very excited to have Tanner and Chad joining us, as we continue our ‘Celebrate Undergrad Research’ series during USU’s Year of Undergraduate Research,” says Brynja Kohler, Science Unwrapped chair, associate dean in the College of Arts and Sciences, and professor in the Department of Mathematics and Statistics. “This is a fascinating presentation about how scientists approach a challenge and use varied tools to determine how to share their ideas with people who can benefit from them.”

A native of Eagle, Idaho, Helms, along with Judy, received the $20,000 Grand Prize during the 2025 Tim Draper Utah Entrepreneur Challenge, which the business partners used to bolster their start-up company, Tarifflo.

Mano, who attended USU’s Engineering State as a teen in 1991, says the high school experience sealed his decision to attend Utah State. After earning a bachelor’s degree in economics and a master’s degree in computer science, Mano completed a doctoral degree in computer science and engineering from the University of Notre Dame and returned to Utah State as a faculty member. He leads USU students in the national Sandbox program, in which Helms and Judy participated, which fosters entrepreneurial ventures.

Helms and Mano’s presentation will be video-recorded and posted on the Science Unwrapped website following the in-person event.

The Celebrate Undergrad Research fall series schedule continues with:

• Friday, Oct. 3 — “Tackling Tariffs,” USU computer scientists Tanner Helms and Chad Mano.
• Friday, Nov. 14 — “Countdown to Launch,” USU electrical engineers Ethan Wayland and Reyhan Baktur.

Directions and parking information are available on the program’s website.

For more information, call 435-797-3517 or visit the Science Unwrapped website.