Meet student researchers solving education, health, security and sustainability challenges

What made you want to get involved in this program? Why did you choose the project you’re working on?

For my National Science Foundation Research Experiences for Undergraduates project in the summer of 2022, I worked with Dr. LiKamWa on visualizing fluid dynamic models in virtual reality. This was my introduction to virtual reality, ASU’s Meteor Studio and Dr. LiKamWa. I really enjoyed working with virtual reality and saw its potential to revolutionize the way we communicate data. After the summer internship, I came back to Meteor to pick up and expand on my research.

What has been your most memorable experience as a student researcher in this program?

One of the most memorable moments was when I got to meet Walter Parkes, a producer, director and co-founder of Dreamscape. He visits the Dreamscape Learn pods we have for presentations and guest lectures. I was able to interact with him and talk about my research and it was really refreshing to meet one of the biggest minds in the industry. Holding a conversation with him made me realize how passionate he is about this work and how much potential the work I am involved in has for revolutionizing storytelling and education.

I truly enjoy the people-centric aspect of this line of research. I get to interact with a lot of people, and it is refreshing to be able to express my thoughts and get feedback.

How do you see this experience helping with your career or advanced degree goals?

This experience helped me solidify my career goals in multiple ways. I’ve always been interested in intellectual exploration and have known that I wanted to go to grad school for that. However, it was this experience that has helped me narrow my focus and technical interest to the topics that I will be exploring in graduate school. Before my involvement with Meteor, I had not worked with virtual reality nor had I developed games, but now everything I work on, both within the lab and outside, involves gamification and mixed reality. I am thrilled for how impactful this technology is going to be in shaping our approach to information and it is exciting to have the opportunity to contribute toward this goal.

What is the best advice you’ve gotten from members of the Meteor Lab?

One of the doctoral students I closely work with has given me some of the most impactful career and personal advice I have ever received. When I was having a difficult time trying to decide if I wanted to pursue a doctoral degree myself, he carved time and elaborately explained his reasons for getting one. He introduced me to the power of creating a vision board. He taught me how to think and decide meaningfully. He told me that if an activity doesn’t align with my vision board, I should either reconsider the activity or my vision. I believe this is a powerful way to prioritize and be purposeful. He also constantly challenges me intellectually to think, speak and express myself in different ways. I find it hard to come by people who are purposeful, but I have met some of the best characters in my coworkers and mentors at Meteor. I am happy to be working with such high-achieving, motivated and altruistic people in my lab.

Why should other students get involved in this program?

I think all undergraduate students should consider getting involved in research. I believe research involvement is one of the best ways to cultivate critical thinking, problem-solving and analytical skills during a period when students do not have a set career trajectory. It is a practical outlet for applying one’s academic knowledge and exploring novel ideas. Working alongside experienced researchers offers mentorship and opportunities for intellectual growth that extend beyond the confines of traditional coursework. I have met some of the most dedicated and interesting people during my time at Meteor Studio.

In addition to technical involvement, interacting with researchers instills a sense of admiration and pushes them toward their own growth and curiosity. Participation in research projects facilitates networking, allowing students to connect with peers who share similar academic interests and can collaborate on meaningful projects. Finally, the GCSP program and the research stipend motivates students to pursue this path in a more sustainable manner with the financial support.

Learn about Neha Balamurugan’s Fall 2023 GCSP research stipend project.

What made you want to get involved in FURI? Why did you choose the project you’re working on?

I had never done engineering research before, and I wanted to develop my skills in literature review and experimental design outside of a class setting. I am also a biomedical engineering major with a concentration in biological devices, so all of my classes are more biology-focused. To widen my background and gain experience with biomedical devices, I joined the BiCS Lab to challenge myself and focus on a topic that was more technical compared to wet labs.

I am fascinated by the different ways technologies and processes can be improved to promote the health and safety of patients, and the MRI project I am working on addresses exactly that.

Have there been any surprises in your research?

The only circuitry-related background applicable to my research project was in my EEE 202 Circuits I course. I always see direct applications and concepts that I learned in that class; however, it was surprising to see what existed beyond a sophomore student’s curriculum and how ideas that I learned the basics about in class were actually applied in the real world in a more advanced way.

Personally, I was also surprised at how much influence simulation software has in engineering research. Many technical projects like mine involve spending a great deal of time being digitally simulated before actually being built or physically tested, which was a new mindset I had to adapt to.

How will your engineering research project impact the world?

This research project has a direct impact on the level of detail of information a medical professional can receive to properly detect, diagnose and treat a condition. It offers a wearable solution to safely and effectively improve the performance of a widely used diagnostic tool. Increased data collection is positively correlated with an increase in customized treatment for individual patients and cases. Health care professionals with access to more detailed diagnostic information can provide patients with better, higher quality medical care.

How do you see this experience helping with your career or advanced degree goals?

Through FURI, I am motivated to enrich my scientific knowledge, apply my academic education to real-world problems and get an early start in pursuing a research career. Not only did this experience teach me to interact with graduate and doctoral students in my field of work, but it also showed me that the research industry is much more extensive and in-depth than I could have originally guessed.

I learned how to read academic papers and apply my lecture notes to real-world applications. I learned about the processes scientists use to conduct literature review, solidify background knowledge and effectively apply the scientific method. Because of this, I can be a better experimenter and research paper writer, as my chosen career is heavily concentrated in research.

Why should other students get involved in this program?

Other students, especially those in STEM, should get involved in FURI because it is a great way to enter the world of engineering research when most undergraduate students do not receive this opportunity until they have graduated already with a bachelor’s or master’s degree. As an undergraduate student, it is known that you may not have yet learned about a certain topic, and FURI fosters a community of mentorship and teaching to help with that. It is an interactive learning process that helps you get your foot in the door for further research endeavors.

Learn about Ava Claire Lariego’s Fall 2023 FURI project.

What made you want to get involved in FURI? 

I decided to get involved in this program primarily because of my strong interest in gaining research experience, particularly within my field as a civil engineering student. The prospect of contributing to cutting-edge research and advancing my knowledge in this domain was highly appealing to me.

What was it like participating in FURI during the summer semester?

Participating in FURI over the summer was a unique experience. It was definitely a mix of fun and challenges. During the summer, I didn’t have any classes or academic commitments, which provided me with the perfect opportunity to fully immerse myself in research. Without the need to complete coursework, I could dedicate more time and energy to delve into FURI and apply the knowledge and skills I had gained from my classes directly to my research projects.

However, it was also quite demanding because I was simultaneously engaged in a full-time internship alongside my research commitments. Balancing both responsibilities required careful time management and dedication. There were times when it got a bit overwhelming, but the learning experience and the chance to apply classroom knowledge to practical situations made it all worthwhile. Overall, participating in FURI over the summer was a valuable and enriching experience.

Why did you choose the project you’re working on?

I made a conscious decision to align my project with my personal interests and career aspirations. I have always been fascinated by transportation infrastructure and the materials used in pavements for roads. This topic resonated with me on a deep level, and I saw it as an opportunity to delve into an area of civil engineering that I’m truly passionate about.

Furthermore, my commitment to the sustainable aspect of civil engineering played a significant role in my choice. I believe in the importance of environmentally responsible practices in infrastructure development, and this project allowed me to explore sustainable solutions within the realm of transportation and pavement materials.

How will your engineering research project impact the world?

My engineering research project is poised to make a substantial global impact through cost reduction, timely damage detection, enhanced infrastructure longevity, safety advancements, environmental responsibility and economic efficiency.

The research findings offer cities and municipalities an opportunity to significantly reduce their expenditure on recurrent road and parking pavement repairs. This financial relief is of paramount importance, especially in an era in which fiscal prudence is crucial for governments and local authorities.

Through the utilization of data derived from my research, we have established an effective system for promptly identifying damage in newly constructed pavements. This capability is instrumental in enabling immediate repairs before these issues worsen and compromise road safety and usability.

By minimizing the need for frequent and extensive repairs, my research promotes the durability of road and parking pavements. This, in turn, extends the life span of critical infrastructure, benefiting communities and economies alike.

The rapid identification and resolution of pavement damage contributes to safer road networks. This directly reduces the risk of accidents and injuries for all road users, making transportation systems safer and more reliable.

The sustainable practices advocated for in my research — reducing the frequency of construction and repair work — align with environmental conservation objectives. This aids in curbing the environmental impact typically associated with infrastructure projects, such as resource consumption and emissions.

The efficiency gains from optimized infrastructure maintenance made possible by this research enhance the economic health of cities. Effective allocation of resources not only benefits taxpayers but also fosters overall economic stability.

How do you see this experience helping with your career or advanced degree goals?

Participating in this experience has been instrumental in shaping and advancing my career and advanced degree goals in several ways.

This opportunity provided me with invaluable real-world insight into the field. It allowed me to see the practical application of the concepts and theories I’ve learned in my academic studies. This firsthand experience has deepened my understanding of how the field operates beyond the classroom.

As a researcher, I’ve acquired essential skills that are directly transferable to my career and advanced degree pursuits. These include skills in data collection, analysis and interpretation, as well as problem-solving and critical thinking. These skills are not only relevant to my current research but also to future projects and endeavors in my field.

This experience has also added depth and credibility to my resume. It demonstrates my commitment to practical, hands-on learning and research, which can be a distinguishing factor when applying for advanced degree programs or job opportunities in the future.

What is the best advice you’ve gotten from your faculty mentor?

My mentor emphasized the importance of embracing mistakes as valuable learning opportunities. Instead of fearing or avoiding them, I was encouraged to analyze my errors, understand the root causes and use this knowledge to improve and grow. This advice underscores the idea that setbacks and failures are not hindrances but rather steppingstones toward personal and professional development.

Another crucial piece of advice was “always ask if you don’t know,” which is the importance of seeking guidance and clarification when faced with uncertainty. I was encouraged to recognize that it’s perfectly acceptable to admit when I don’t have all the answers and to reach out for help or information.

Why should other students get involved in this program?

FURI provides an open and welcoming platform for students to explore their interests and passions. It allows them to pursue projects and topics that genuinely resonate with their academic and career aspirations. This level of freedom can be incredibly motivating and fulfilling.

It also offers students the opportunity to gain valuable hands-on experience in their chosen field. It’s an environment in which theoretical knowledge from the classroom can be applied in practical, real-world scenarios. This experience is instrumental in bridging the gap between academic learning and practical application.

Learn more about Othman Al-Alawi’s Summer 2023 FURI project.