Undergraduate Student Research

A&S Summer Undergraduate Research Programs

The School of Arts & Sciences is pleased to announce the undergraduate students who were selected to receive summer research funding through the Summer Training in the Arts and Sciences (STAR), LaPre, Manning/Leser, or Neuroscience Fellowship programs for the Summer of 2024. These fellowships were awarded to A&S undergraduate students to conduct summer research projects with a faculty advisor. The Summer Training in Arts & Sciences Research (STAR) program is generously funded in part by the A&S Advisory Board, as well as other donors. The LaPre Fellowships are generously funded through the LaPre Endowment for Life Sciences Research. The Manning/Leser fellowship program is generously funded though the Dr. John F. Manning, Jr. ’80 and Ms. Catherine C. Leser Fund for Bioinformatics & Computational Biology. We congratulate all award recipients.

Summer Training in the Arts and Sciences (STAR) Award Recipients
 
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Zachary Adams

Zachary Adams

Class of 2025
Majors: Mathematical Sciences, Physics
Advisor: Burt Tilley - Professor, Mathematical Sciences

Title: Optimal Defect Layer Position in Layered Electromagnetic Energy Absorbers

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Peter Cancilla

Peter Cancilla

Class of 2026
Major: Computer Science
Advisor: Harmony Zhan - Assistant Professor, Computer Science

Title: State Transfer in Continuous Quantum Walks

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Olivia Cava

Olivia Cava

Class of 2026
Major: Data Science
Advisor: Randy Paffenroth - Associate Professor

Title: Machine Learning in Neuroscience: Employing Denoising Autoencoders to Uncover Neural Imaging Data Insights

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Olivia Dube

Olivia Dube

Class of 2025
Major: Chemistry
Advisor: Ronald Grimm - Associate Professor, Chemistry & Biochemistry

Title: Exploring Intra and Inter Electronic Conductivity Between MXene Sheets via Conductive Molecular Wires

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Pegah Emdad

Pegah Emdad

Class of 2026
Majors: Data Science, Bioinformatics & Computational Biology
Advisor: Fabricio Murai - Assistant Professor, Data Science

Title: Analyzing Online Spread of Biased Medical and Health Information by Deploying AI

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Esther Mao

Esther Mao

Class of 2026
Majors: Science, Technology & Policy, Data Science
Advisor: Robert Krueger - Professor, Social Science & Policy Studies

Title: Using Machine Learning to Analyze Democratic Norms and Perceptions in El Salvador, Ecuador, and Paraguay

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Corbin Narita

Corbin Narita

Class of 2025
Majors: Physics, Mechanical Engineering
Advisor: William McCarthy - Assistant Professor, Physics

Title: Streamlining the Framework for SPECT Image Reconstruction

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Ryan Nguyễn

Ryan Nguyen

Class of 2025
Major: Computer Science
Advisor: Neil Heffernan - Professor, Computer Science

Title: Developing Intelligent Chatbots for Online Tutoring Systems

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Alec Norton

Alec Norton

Class of 2026
Majors: Computer Science, Robotics Engineering
Advisor: Erin Solovey - Associate Professor, Computer Science

Title: Validating Neural Circuit Policies For fNIRS Brain Signal Classification 

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Conner Olsen

Conner Olsen

Class of 2026
Majors: Computer Science, Mathematical Sciences
Advisor: Daniel Reichman - Assistant Professor, Computer Science

Title: Automating NP-Hardness Proofs via AI-Driven Reduction Discovery

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Brenna Parker

Brenna Parker

Class of 2025
Major: Psychological Science
Advisor: Erin Ottmar - Associate Professor, Social Science & Policy Studies

Title: Revealing Variations in Math Strategies and Perceptual Structures

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Srisaranya Pujari

Srisaranya Pujari

Class of 2026
Majors: Physics, Data Science
Advisor: Raisa Trubko - Assistant Professor, Physics

Title: Pulsed Quantum Diamond Magnetometry

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Ronak Wani

Ronak Wani

Class of 2026
Major: Computer Science
Advisor: Matthew Ahrens - Assistant Teaching Professor, Computer Science

Title: Grounded Theory-Driven Software Solutions for Advising at WPI

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Tainxing Weng

Tianxing Weng

Class of 2026
Major: Physics
Advisor: Kun-Ta Wu - Associate Professor, Physics

Title: Hybrid Lattice Boltzmann Simulations of Active Cavity Flow

LaPre Fellowship Recipients
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Grace Baumgartner

Grace Baumgartner

Class of 2025
Major: Chemistry
Major: Mathematics
Advisor: Ronald Grimm - Associate Professor, Chemistry & Biochemistry

Tite: Mechanistic Inquiry into TiO2 Nanomaterial's Dye Degradation Ability

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Trevor Bush

Trevor Bush

Class of 2025
Major: Biotechnology
Major: Biochemistry
Advisor: Pamela Weathers - Professor, Biology & Biotechnology

Title: Validating Methodology for MMP3 and Collagen Detection and Quantification in Dermal Fibroblasts

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Jillian Crandall

Jillian Crandall

Class of 2025
Major: Biotechnology
Major: Biochemistry
Advisor: Ronald Grimm - Associate Professor, Chemistry & Biochemistry

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Connor Doran

Connor Doran

Class of 2026
Major: Chemistry
Advisor: Shawn Burdette - Professor, Chemistry & Biochemistry

Title: Synthesis and Characterization of a Quinoline Based Zinc Photocage Designed for Red-Shifted Absorption

Manning/Leser Fellowship Recipients
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Leah Maciel

Leah Maciel

Class of 2025
Major: Bioinformatics & Computational Biology
Advisor: Luis Vidali - Professor, Biology & Biotechnology

Title: Bioinformatics driven analysis of Arl8 structure and myosin interactions in Physcomitrium patens

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Anastasia Pashukov

Anastasia Pashukov

Class of 2026
Major: Bioinformatics & Computational Biology
Advisor: Dmitry Korkin - Professor, Computer Science

Title: Evolution of alternative splicing in neural proteins of higher eukaryotes

Neuroscience Fellowship Recipients
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Vishali Baker

Vishali Baker

Class of 2025
Majors: Biomedical Engineering, Professional Writing
Advisor: Benjamin Nephew - Assistant Research Professor, Biology & Biotechnology

Title: Multimodal (fNIRS and fMRI) Neuroimaging on Resting State Functional Connectivity 

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Amanda Shea

Amanda Shea

Class of 2025
Major: Biomedical Engineering
Advisor: Benjamin Nephew - Assistant Research Professor, Biology & Biotechnology

Title: Multimodal (fNIRS and fMRI) Neuroimaging on Resting State Functional Connectivity 

2023-2024 Scholars

Samuel Darer
Class of 2024
Chemistry
Advisor: Ron Grimm, Associate Professor - Chemistry & Biochemistry

Bella DeCilio
Class of 2025
Biochemistry
Advisor: Arne Gericke, Interim Dean of Undergraduate Studies

Sona Hanslia
Class of 2025
Physics
Advisor: Raisa Trubko, Assistant Professor - Physics

Ezra Yohay
Class of 2025
Physics
Advisor: Qi Wen, Associate Professor - Physics

Keelan Boyle
Class of 2025
Robotics Engineering
Environmental Sustainability
Advisor: Berk Calli, Assistant Professor - Robotics Engineering

Kylar Foley
Class of 2024
Physics
International and Global Studies
Advisor: Rob Krueger, Professor & Department Head - Social Science and Policy Studies

Max Seager
Class of 2025
Biochemistry
Advisor: Inna Nechipurenko, Assistant Professor - Biology & Biotechnology

Eva Pestschek
Class of 2023
Psychological Science
Biology & Biotechnology
Advisor: Richard Lopez, Assistant Professor - Social Science and Policy Studies

Jessica Liano
Class of 2024
Interactive Media and Game Development
Advisors: Ed Gutierrez, Assistant Professor - Humanities & Arts
Farley Chery, Associate Professor of Teaching - Interactive Media & Game Development

Michael Gatti
Class of 2024
Computer Science
Advisor: Walt Yarborough, Professor of Practice - Interactive Media & Game Development

Tom Bryon
Class of 2024
Computer Science
Robotics Engineering
Advisor: Walt Yarborough, Professor of Practice - Interactive Media & Game Development
 

2022-2023 Scholars
Lauren Abraham

Class of 2024

 Biology & Biotechnology

Advisor: Professor Natalie Farny - Biology & Biotechnology

Abigail Boafo

Class of 2024

Society, Technology & Policy

Advisors: Professor Crystal Brown & Professor Hermine Vedogbeton - Social Science & Policy Studies

Sydney Gardner

Class of 2023

Interactive Media & Game Development

Advisor: Professor Farley Chery - Interactive Media & Game Development

Thomas Kneeland

Class of 2024

 Computer Science/Music

Advisor: Professor Ben Young - Director of Jazz History Database

Daniel Larabee

Class of 2023

Bioinformatics & Computational Biology

Advisor: Professor Scarlet Shell - Biology & Biotechnology

Cole Parks

Class of 2024

Robotics Engineering/Computer Science

Advisor: Professor Carlo Pinciroli - Robotics Engineering 

Allison Rozear

Class of 2024

Major:  Human and Machine Communication 

Advisor: Professor Yunus Doğan Telliel - Humanities and Arts

Rachel Swanson

Class of 2023

Chemistry and Chemical Engineering 

Advisor: Professor Patricia Zhang Musacchio - Chemistry and Biochemistry

Camille Williams

Class of 2025

Major: Mathematics / Physics

Advisor: Professor Vadim Yakovlev - Mathematics

 

Clare Boothe Luce Research Scholars

Alexandra Auteri

Class of 2020

Mathematical Sciences

Mentor & Research Advisor: Sarah Olson​

Alexis Buzzell

Class of 2020

Physics

Mentor & Research Advisor: Lyubov Titova

Olivia Gulezian

Class of 2020

Mathematical Sciences

Mentor & Research Advisor: Suzanne Weekes​​

Fareya Ikram

Class of 2020

Computer Science

Mentor: Suzanne Weekes

Research Advisor: Gillian Smith

Leah Mitchell

Class of 2020

Mathematical Sciences

Mentor: Suzanne Weekes

Research Advisor: Andrea Arnold

Erin Morissette

Class of 2019

Physics

Mentor: Lyubov Titova

Research Advisors: Ron Grimm & Lyubov Titova

MaryAnn VanValkenburg

Class of 2019

Computer Science

Mentor: Suzanne Weekes

Research Advisor: Dan Dougherty

Bryannah Voydatch

Class of 2019

Physics

Mentor & Research Advisor: Lyubov Titova

Karitta (Kit) Christina Grand Zellerbach

Class of 2019

Computer Science

Mentor & Research Advisor: Carolina Ruiz

2021 - 2022 Scholars

Olivia Atkins
Class of 2023
Biology & Biotechnology
Advisor: Scarlett Shell, Assistant Professor of Biology & Biotechnology

Eugena Choi
Class of 2023
Environmental and Sustainability Studies & Environmental Engineering
Advisor: William San Martin, Assistant Teaching Professor of Humanities & Arts

Elizabeth Koptsev
Class of 2022
Psychological Science
Advisor: Angela Rodriguez, Assistant Professor of Social Science & Policy Studies 

Brock Jolicoeur
Class of 2022
Physics
Advisor: David Medich, Associate Professor of Physics

Michelle Pan
Class of 2022
Biology & Biotechnology
Advisor: Inna Nechipurenko, Assistant Professor of Biology & Biotechnology

Mohammed Mohammed 
Class of 2022
Chemistry & International Studies
Advisor: Crystal Brown, Assistant Professor of Social Science & Policy Studies

Victoria Mirecki
Class of 2022
Advisor: Gillian Smith, Associate Professor of Computer Science

Katie Housekeeper
Class of 2023
Advisor: Elke Rundensteiner, Professor of Computer Science

 

2020 - 2021 Scholars

Sarah Tarantino
Class of 2021
Biology & Biotechnology
Advisor: Jagan Srinivasan, Associate Professor of Biology & Biotechnology

Nicholas Tourtillott
Class of 2022
Bioinformatics & Computational Biology
Advisor: Liz Ryder, Professor of Biology & Biotechnology

Jocelyn Mendes
Class of 2021
Chemistry
Advisor: Ronald Grimm, Associate Professor of Chemistry & Biochemistry

Zhifei Ma
Class of 2022
Mathematical Science & Computer Science
Advisor: Min Wu, Assistant Professor of Mathematical Sciences

Brady Jeong
Class of 2022
Physics
Advisor: Doug Petkie, Professor & Department Head of Physics

Benjamin Lunden
Class of 2022
Physics
Advisor: Izabela Stroe, Associate Professor of Teaching

Jialin Song
Class of 2021
Robotics Engineering & Computer Science
Advisor: Loris Fichera, Associate Professor of Robotics Engineering

Alisionna Iannacchione
Class of 2021
Psychology
Advisor: Erin Ottmar, Associate Professor of Social Science & Policy Studies

Constantina Gatsonis
Class of 2021
Psychology
Advisor: Angela Rodriguez, Assistant Professor of Social Science & Policy Studies

Mariko Endo
Class of 2022
IMGD
Advisor: Jennifer DeWinter, Professor of Arts, Communications, & Humanities

Tyler Marcus
Class of 2022
IMGD
Advisor: Jennifer DeWinter, Professor of Arts, Communications, & Humanities

2019 - 2020 Scholars

Olivia Hunker
Class of 2020
Chemistry
Advisor: Arne Gericke, Professor and Department Head of Chemistry & Biochemistry

Nicole Jutras 
Class of 2021
Psychology and Computer Science
Advisor: Jeanine Skorinko, Professor of Psychology

Daniel McDonough
Class of 2020
Computer Science and Bioinformatics & Computational Biology
Advisor: Amity Manning, assistant professor of biology & biotechnology

Julia Noel 
Class of 2021
Chemistry & Society, Technology & Policy
Advisor: Anita Mattson, Associate Professor of Chemistry & Biochemistry

Dung Pham 
Class of 2020
Physics and Electrical & Computer Engineering
Advisor: L. Ramdas Ram-Mohan, professor of physics

Annalise Robidoux
Class of 2020
Biology & Biotechnology and Chemistry & Biochemistry
Advisor: Jagan Srinivasan, Associate Professor of Biology & Biotechnology

Megan Varney
Class of 2021
Mathematical Sciences
Advisor: Kun-Ta Wu, Assistant Professor of Physics

2017-2018 Scholars

Hannah Kraus
Class of 2018
Mathematical Sciences
Mentor & Research Advisor: Sarah Olson
 
Caroline Johnston
Class of 2019
Mathematical Sciences
Mentor: Suzanne Weekes
Research Advisor: Andrew Trapp
 
Toni Joy
Class of 2019
Mathematical Sciences
Mentor and Research Advisor: Suzanne Weekes

Erin Morissette
Class of 2019
Physics
Mentor: Lyubov Titova
Research Advisors: Lyubov Titova and Ron Grimm
 
Sierra Palmer
Class of 2019
Robotics Engineering
Mentor: Carolina Ruiz
Research Advisor: Carlo Pinciroli
 
Aline Tomasian
Class of 2018
Physics
Mentor: Lyubov Titova
Research Advisor: Izabela Stroe
 
MaryAnn VanValkenburg
Class of 2019
Mathematical Sciences and Computer Science
Mentor & Research Advisor: Carolina Ruiz
 
Sarah Ma
Class of 2018
Mathematical Sciences
Mentor & Research Advisor: Sarah Olson

2016-2017 Scholars

Shannon Feeley
Class of 2017
Mathematical Sciences
Mentor: Suzanne Weekes, Professor of Mathematical Sciences

Research Project: Search and Rescue Planning: When a search and rescue incident occurs, it is imperative to find survivors as quickly as possible.  The uncertainty in the survivors' location usually increases with time, and their likelihood of survival decreases with time.  This project will research the methods that are used to identify the most efficient way to maximize the likelihood of locating survivors.  

Katie Gandomi
Class of 2017
Robotics Engineering
Mentor: Carolina Ruiz, Associate Professor of Computer Science

Research Project: Autonomous Delivery with Unmanned Aerial Vehicles: As e-commerce companies like Amazon and Ebay grow, there is a demand to have products delivered from factories into the hands of customers faster than ever. With the help of autonomous quadrotor transport, packages could be at your doorstep within hours as small drones are deployed and organized into a complex network of delivery-robots.

In this research project, the mechanical, electrical and software aspects of this problem are explored as well as the artificial intelligence and machine learning behind the master control unit that organizes and deploys the robots.     

Amanda Leahy
Class of 2018
Physics
Mentor: Lyubov Titova, Assistant Professor of Physics

Research Project: Use of Gafchromic Film for Brachytherapy Source Characterization: This project will investigate the use of Yb-169 in High Dose Rate brachytherapy using Gafchromic film. The Gafchromic film will be used to measure the radiation output of Yb-169. The results will be compared to Ir-192, currently the most common isotope used in brachytherapy. 

Holly Nguyen
Class of 2018
Computer Science
Mentor: Carolina Ruiz, Associate Professor of Computer Science

Research Project: Personalized Computational Tools to Foster Better Sleep Habits in College: This research project involves the design, implementation and use of algorithms and computational tools in a mobile app to improve sleep behavior in college students. The app enables users to track their sleep schedule (as well as caffeine intake and exercise), receive graphical feedback and tailored advice based on personality and chronotype, and adopt healthier sleep behaviors.

The project covers a wide range of computational aspects (including the design and implementation of mobile apps, data mining and predictive analytics), as well as medical and psychology aspects (including healthy behaviors, personality types, behavioral change, feedback and interventions).

Aline Tomasian
Class of 2018
Physics
Mentor: Lyubov Titova, Assistant Professor of Physics

Research Project: Structural changes and the movement of proteins in the aqueous cellular environment play an essential role in biological processes. This research project will use spectroscopic techniques to uncover a complete picture of protein dynamics, focusing specifically on amyloidogenic proteins related to Alzheimer's Disease and Type II Diabetes.  

Hope Wallace
Class of 2018
Computer Science
Mentor: Kathi Fisler, Professor of Computer Science

Research Project: Predicting Exergame Enjoyment: This project aims to create a recommendation system for mobile exercise games (exergames) in order to encourage people to continue playing them and therefore lead healthier lifestyles. The first phase of this project will create a taxonomy for mobile exergames and create a questionnaire to measure exergame enjoyment.  

Natalie Wellen
Class of 2017
Mathematical Sciences
Mentor: Suzanne Weekes, Professor of Mathematical Sciences

Research Project: Systemic Risk Analysis of the OTC Market: Some of the major questions in the financial industry today are what are the next regulations going to be and how will they affect the markets? The goal of this research is to create a model of the Over the Counter Derivatives Market, and specifically to apply Central Clearing Parties to this model, a form of regulation imposed in the Dodd-Frank Act.