Meet student researchers improving health care, VR and more

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

Participating in this program is a great way to gain research experience while working under a faculty mentor. Having plenty of diverse research experience is important in figuring out what you want to work on long-term and finding your specialty. It can be difficult to acquire foundational research experience on your own, so being able to work under a faculty member’s guidance is a great opportunity to get familiar with a multitude of research procedures and resources. The project I am working on was chosen due to its great importance within the biomedical engineering and medical fields since it has the potential to uncover currently unknown information about cellular and molecular mechanisms behind brain tissue damage due to electrical stimulation procedures.

How will your engineering research project impact the world?

Finding out what mechanisms are behind brain tissue damage due to electrical stimulation will shine light on a phenomenon that is currently completely unknown. The use of electrical stimulation within the field of medicine currently has much room for novel advancements and improvements. Knowing exactly why tissue damage occurs when electrical stimulation is applied to the tissue will allow for a more precise model to be developed to outline the threshold of safe versus tissue-damaging stimulation using both macro- and microscale electrodes. This is important because electrical stimulation delivered by implantable electrodes is widely used in the rapidly emerging neurotechnology industry for developing a variety of therapies involving neural modulation.

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

This research opportunity will help with my career and advanced degree goals by providing hands-on experience in neuroscience, biomedical research and data analysis. Working with a research team, including doctoral students, faculty members and fellow undergraduate students, will help me build professional connections and continuously improve my teamwork skills. Furthermore, exposure to in vitro and in vivo experimental procedures will help prepare me for any future research throughout my educational and professional career. All these factors will provide a strong foundation for a future career in biomedical research and device development within the field of neuroengineering.

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

The best advice that I have gotten from my faculty mentor is to read and write as often as possible. Effective writing is a vital skill that often comes into play in any professional and educational setting. Being able to communicate ideas clearly and concisely is essential for publishing research, presenting findings and ensuring fruitful understanding between coworkers. Additionally, reading published papers both within and outside my field helps me stay aware of scientific and technological advancements and new research methodologies, and it helps me acquire new perspectives in many topic areas. By continuously improving my reading and writing skills, I can better contribute to the field of biomedical research.

Why should other students get involved in this program?

Other students should get involved in this program because it provides invaluable hands-on research experience that reaches beyond traditional classroom learning. The opportunity to work on a research project leads to an amazing experience for any student, where it drives collaboration, mentorship and networking opportunities with faculty, graduate students and industry professionals. It also helps students build a strong foundation for graduate school or careers in research, engineering and health care. Engaging in research allows students to contribute to meaningful scientific and technological advancements while making a real impact within their field of interest.

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

I chose my project, specifically, because it combines fluid dynamics and VR technology, which I found both challenging and exciting. It also gives me the chance to develop new skills while exploring ways to display data in an interactive 3D environment.

How will your engineering research project impact the world?

This project improves how complex fluid dynamics data is visualized, making it easier to understand the flow of fluids in a 3D space. By integrating the data into a VR environment, viewers can be engaged in a completely new way, which could enhance learning greatly. This method has the potential to be used in fields like aerospace, education and environmental science.

Have there been any surprises in your research?

Yes, one surprise was how challenging it was to efficiently animate multiple frames of computational fluid dynamics data. I expected the data to transfer easily into the Unity game engine, but I quickly realized that creating smooth animations required continuous problem-solving.

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

This experience has strengthened my skills in data visualization, 3D modeling and programming, which are all valuable in fields like aerospace and mechanical engineering. It has also allowed me to develop problem-solving skills and the ability to manage complex long-term projects. These experiences and skills I’ve learned will be incredibly useful in future internships, research opportunities and a career in engineering.

Why should other students get involved in this program?

Not only does FURI provide you with great real-world experience, but it also provides opportunities to expand your professional and academic network. Also, FURI is a great way to enhance your resume for any future job and internship applications. Participating in FURI can display skills of leadership, teamwork and perseverance.

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

I wanted to get involved in FURI because it provides a unique opportunity to conduct hands-on, independent research while receiving mentorship from faculty. As someone deeply interested in cybersecurity, I was drawn to the program’s emphasis on tackling real-world security challenges. The structured yet flexible environment of FURI allows me to explore a complex issue like game cheating from both a technical and human-centered security perspective, which aligns with my academic and career goals.

I chose this project because video game cheating is often dismissed as just a fairness issue, but it has serious cybersecurity implications. Many cheat programs require high-level access to a user’s system, creating potential vulnerabilities that go beyond gaming. Given my background in cybersecurity research, I was particularly interested in exploring whether these cheat programs are also being used to extract private data or distribute malware.

Existing research has primarily focused on detecting and preventing cheats, but few studies have examined their potential role in cybersecurity threats and underground markets. By investigating how cheat developers operate and monetize their programs, I hope to provide insights that could contribute to stronger anti-cheat mechanisms and broader cybersecurity protections. The increasing integration of gaming with personal and financial data makes this research timely and relevant to both the gaming industry and cybersecurity professionals.

How will your engineering research project impact the world?

My engineering research project will contribute to a safer and more secure digital environment by addressing the cybersecurity risks associated with video game cheating. The elevated system permissions required by many cheat programs make them potential vectors for malware, data theft or system vulnerabilities.

By analyzing how cheat developers operate, distribute and monetize their software, this research can help identify potential cybersecurity threats hidden within the gaming industry. This could lead to the development of more effective security strategies — not just for gaming companies, but also for everyday users who may unknowingly expose themselves to risks.

As gaming continues to grow in popularity and financial significance, ensuring a secure environment is crucial. The findings from this project could influence both anti-cheat technology and broader cybersecurity practices, ultimately making digital spaces safer for millions of users worldwide.

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

This research experience directly supports my career and advanced degree goals by strengthening my technical skills, research abilities and understanding of cybersecurity threats. Through FURI, I’ve gained hands-on experience in analyzing software vulnerabilities, investigating malicious tactics and thinking critically about security risks — skills that are essential for a career in cybersecurity and software engineering.

Additionally, working on this project has reinforced my interest in pursuing advanced research in cybersecurity, whether in graduate school or industry roles. Understanding how real-world security exploits operate will be valuable in developing stronger defense mechanisms, and this experience has given me the confidence to tackle more complex security challenges in the future.

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

The best advice I’ve received from my faculty mentor is to take things one step at a time and trust that it will all come together in the end. Research can sometimes feel overwhelming, especially when tackling complex cybersecurity topics, but breaking it down into manageable steps has made the process much more effective.

This mindset has helped me stay focused and methodical in my approach, whether it’s analyzing cheat software, identifying security risks or drawing connections to broader cybersecurity threats. It’s a reminder that progress isn’t always immediate, but with patience and persistence, the bigger picture will come together.

Why should other students get involved in this program?

Other students should get involved in FURI because it provides a unique opportunity to gain hands-on research experience, work closely with faculty mentors and explore real-world engineering challenges. Unlike traditional coursework, FURI allows you to take ownership of a project, develop problem-solving skills and apply what you’ve learned in a meaningful way.

For students interested in cybersecurity, software engineering or any technical field, this program helps build critical thinking, technical expertise and research skills that are valuable for both industry and graduate school. It’s also a great way to challenge yourself, contribute to innovative solutions and be part of a community of like-minded researchers.