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 AdamsClass of 2025 Title: Optimal Defect Layer Position in Layered Electromagnetic Energy Absorbers |
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Peter CancillaClass of 2026 Title: State Transfer in Continuous Quantum Walks |
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Olivia CavaClass of 2026 Title: Machine Learning in Neuroscience: Employing Denoising Autoencoders to Uncover Neural Imaging Data Insights |
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Olivia DubeClass of 2025 Title: Exploring Intra and Inter Electronic Conductivity Between MXene Sheets via Conductive Molecular Wires |
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Pegah EmdadClass of 2026 Title: Analyzing Online Spread of Biased Medical and Health Information by Deploying AI |
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Esther MaoClass of 2026 Title: Using Machine Learning to Analyze Democratic Norms and Perceptions in El Salvador, Ecuador, and Paraguay |
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Corbin NaritaClass of 2025 Title: Streamlining the Framework for SPECT Image Reconstruction |
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Ryan NguyenClass of 2025 Title: Developing Intelligent Chatbots for Online Tutoring Systems |
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Alec NortonClass of 2026 Title: Validating Neural Circuit Policies For fNIRS Brain Signal Classification |
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Conner OlsenClass of 2026 Title: Automating NP-Hardness Proofs via AI-Driven Reduction Discovery |
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Brenna ParkerClass of 2025 Title: Revealing Variations in Math Strategies and Perceptual Structures |
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Srisaranya PujariClass of 2026 Title: Pulsed Quantum Diamond Magnetometry |
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Ronak WaniClass of 2026 Title: Grounded Theory-Driven Software Solutions for Advising at WPI |
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Tianxing WengClass of 2026 Title: Hybrid Lattice Boltzmann Simulations of Active Cavity Flow |
LaPre Fellowship Recipients
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Grace BaumgartnerClass of 2025 Tite: Mechanistic Inquiry into TiO2 Nanomaterial's Dye Degradation Ability |
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Trevor BushClass of 2025 Title: Validating Methodology for MMP3 and Collagen Detection and Quantification in Dermal Fibroblasts |
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Jillian CrandallClass of 2025 |
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Connor DoranClass of 2026 Title: Synthesis and Characterization of a Quinoline Based Zinc Photocage Designed for Red-Shifted Absorption |
Manning/Leser Fellowship Recipients
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Leah MacielClass of 2025 Title: Bioinformatics driven analysis of Arl8 structure and myosin interactions in Physcomitrium patens |
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Anastasia PashukovClass of 2026 Title: Evolution of alternative splicing in neural proteins of higher eukaryotes |
Neuroscience Fellowship Recipients
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Vishali BakerClass of 2025 Title: Multimodal (fNIRS and fMRI) Neuroimaging on Resting State Functional Connectivity |
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Amanda SheaClass of 2025 Title: Multimodal (fNIRS and fMRI) Neuroimaging on Resting State Functional Connectivity |
Document
2023-A&S-Lightning-Talks-Program.pdf (2.88 MB)
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Document
2024-A&S-Undergraduate-Showcase.pdf (6.15 MB)
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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.