Grace Cheng

Conference Travel Grant

Please provide the tile and a brief summary of your research/conference presentation.
Title: SPOTs — High Throughput Synthesis and Screening for Transition Metal Nitride Catalysts Summary: SPOTs (surface patterned omniphobic tiles) is a technique that allows the discovery of efficient mixed transition metal nitride catalysts that could be applied to important chemical processes such as ammonia production. Compared to the current industrial ammonia production process, nitrogen reduction reactions catalyzed by mixed transition metal nitrides could be significantly more efficient and environmentally friendly. In addition, the challenge in synthesizing and screening these materials with numerous combinations (up to the thousands and beyond!) lends well to a high-throughput technique. In this project, SPOTs was developed to create and test a library of mixed transition metal nitride catalysts synthesized by pulsed laser ablation in mild nitrogen environments. The products have the potential to not only boost the efficiency but also mitigate the environmental impact of industrial chemical processes.

What made you initially interested in researching your project in particular?
Ammonia production and many other chemical processes create critical products for our everyday lives; however, they contribute to a significant percentage of global energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions. As a chemical engineering student, I have always been passionate about seeking more environmentally friendly alternatives for current industrial chemical processes. When I learned about the SPOTs technique and how it could be used to discover efficient catalysts for heterogeneous reactions such as nitrogen reduction to ammonia, I was excited to optimize and standardize this novel procedure.

What conference(s) did you present at and how did you find out about them?
I presented at the National Undergraduate Research Conference (NCUR) held in Long Beach. It appeared to be one of the most inclusive and high-level research conferences for undergraduate students when I was looking for opportunities to share my research project.

What was it like presenting at a conference? Anything that you didn’t expect?
It was a fascinating experience telling the story of my research work, engaging with the audience, and learning from the other presenters from across the country. One thing I wasn’t expecting was how diverse people’s research areas could be, which manifests the importance of establishing a solid knowledge background of my work and minimizing jargons during my presentation. I also learned to stay open-minded to allow inspiration to take place at these wonderful opportunities.

Any tips or advice you have for students similar to you that are interested in presenting at a conference one day?
Don’t be afraid to apply for presenting at a conference! All great research projects deserve to be heard and seen.

Aryan Kalluvila

Conference Travel Grant

Please provide the tile and a brief summary of your research/conference presentation.
3T to 7T Whole Brain and Skull MRI Translation via Densely Engineered U-Net Network. I created an advanced AI tool to enhance MRI scans from standard 3T to high-resolution 7T, helping doctors get clearer views of conditions like Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s. I engineered a denser U-Net algorithm to help bridge the resolution gap.

What made you initially interested in researching your project in particular?
While shadowing a radiologist in high school, I was introduced to MRI scans. Quickly, it became evident that certain conditions couldn’t be diagnosed on the traditional MRI scan, especially deadly neurological ones. Thus, I became determined to develop an AI tool to enhance scans from 3T to 7T, aiming to revolutionize diagnostic accuracy for conditions like Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s.

What conference(s) did you present at and how did you find out about them?
I presented my work at the Stanford Research Conference (SRC), winning the Top Research Project for Computational Sciences. I stumbled upon the SRC while browsing online for opportunities to present my work in medical imaging.

What was it like presenting at a conference? Anything that you didn’t expect?
I enjoyed getting an avenue to talk about my work, however, the presenting part wasn’t the most valuable. It definitely was the people. I met students from across the United States presenting the most cutting edge research. Getting to meet them and make those connections was the most rewarding.

Any tips or advice you have for students similar to you that are interested in presenting at a conference one day?
I would recommend keeping your project as accessible to the public as possible. If the public doesn’t understand your project, it makes it difficult for them to appreciate all the hard work you have done.

What would you name a boat if you had one?
S.S. Hyperfine

What is something that you could give a 10 min presentation on right off the cuff?
AI Applications for MRI

If your (speaking) voice were an instrument, what do you think it would be?
Tablas

What was your favorite childhood story (written, spoken, or film)?
Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone

What was a memorable interaction that you had on campus this week?
The Solar Eclipse

Natalie Masnica

Conference Travel Grant

Please provide the tile and a brief summary of your research/conference presentation.
I work at the Matei Lab and my research presentation was on “Characterizing Novel PROTACs Against TG2 in Ovarian Cancer”. Tissue transglutaminase (TG2) is an upregulated protein in ovarian cancer and is linked to epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC) metastasis. The goal of our study was to characterize novel PROTACs (Proteolysis Targeting Chimeras) that most effectively decrease TG2 protein levels, causing EOC cells to lose their migrating, invading, and proliferation capabilities. Essentially, we are trying to understand the mechanism of chemoresistance and identify new ways to prevent metastasis and resistance.

What made you initially interested in researching your project in particular?
My interest in researching this project is personal as my grandma passed away from ovarian cancer very quickly as she became chemoresistant to her treatment. Additionally, I want to pursue medicine in the Obstetrics and Gynecology sector. I think that this research project will have greater implications for the future and being a part of such impactful research is something I am proud to be apart of.

What conference(s) did you present at and how did you find out about them?
I presented at the National Conference on Undergraduate Research (NCUR) in Long Beach, California. I found out about this conference by just searching for conferences online. This was one of the first ones that popped up for me. I decided to apply as I wanted to network with individuals from all over the country and experience what it is like to present my research.

What was it like presenting at a conference? Anything that you didn’t expect?
I loved talking about my research at the conference. Since this is a complex topic, many people had questions. Answering the questions made me realize how much I know and also what I should consider and think about moving forward. I want to present again at another conference and continue to grow my presentation skills for the future.

Any tips or advice you have for students similar to you that are interested in presenting at a conference one day?
I say just go for it! Even though it can be stressful, if you love the research that you do it will be fun presenting it. I realized that after I presented to a few people, I was much more confident and relaxed. This is a great opportunity to network and to work on your presentation skills which will be beneficial for the future.

What would you name a boat if you had one?
St. Barbara

What is something that you could give a 10 min presentation on right off the cuff?
Gastro Health

Eni Egedigwe

Please briefly summarize your research.
For the READ Lab, the current project investigates cognitive and behavioral factors influencing specific reading comprehension deficits (SRCD) in children with adequate decoding skills. By examining these factors as potential risks or strengths across a range of readers, the study aims to enhance understanding of reading comprehension challenges. The findings are expected to inform theories, improve identification methods, and guide prevention and intervention strategies to better support children with SRCD. For my Summer 2025 project, I hope to be researching the experiences of Black women medical students in their medical education journey.

What made you interested in pursuing (interdisciplinary) research more broadly?
My interest in pursuing interdisciplinary research stems from its ability to bridge gaps between fields and uncover innovative solutions to complex problems. For example, combining neuroscience, psychology, and education can provide a deeper understanding of reading comprehension deficits and cognitive processes. This approach not only aligns with my passion for addressing nuanced challenges but also allows me to create impactful, evidence-based interventions that benefit diverse populations. By integrating perspectives from multiple disciplines, I’m inspired to tackle real-world issues with a holistic and inclusive mindset.

How has it been working with faculty to transition from an assistant position to a more independent role?
Working with faculty to transition from an assistant role to a more independent position has been both challenging and rewarding. It has provided me with invaluable mentorship and opportunities to develop critical skills, such as formulating research questions, designing experiments, and interpreting data. Faculty members have guided me in refining my ideas and encouraged me to take ownership of projects, fostering confidence in my abilities. This collaborative process has helped me transition from supporting others’ work to contributing original insights, preparing me to take on greater responsibility and leadership in research endeavors.

What’s been your favorite part about being in a cohort with other scholars?
My favorite part about being in a cohort with other scholars has been the sense of community and intellectual exchange. Collaborating with peers who have diverse perspectives and expertise enriches the research process and sparks new ideas. The cohort dynamic fosters mutual support, where we can challenge each other’s thinking, share resources, and celebrate each other’s successes. This environment not only enhances my academic growth but also builds lasting connections that contribute to both personal and professional development. It’s inspiring to be surrounded by driven individuals who are all passionate about pushing the boundaries of knowledge.

Do you have any tips or advice for first years similar to you who are interested (but maybe hesitant) to apply for a 15 month long program?
If you’re considering a 15-month program but feeling hesitant, it’s helpful to approach it with a growth mindset. See it as an opportunity to expand your knowledge, develop new skills, and build meaningful connections without the pressure of rushing through the experience. Clarifying your goals for the program—whether academic, professional, or personal—will keep you focused and motivated throughout. It’s also important to find a balance between commitment and flexibility; while the program will require dedication, be open to adapting your approach as new challenges and experiences arise. Don’t hesitate to seek support from mentors, peers, and faculty, as they can offer valuable guidance based on their own experiences. Lastly, remember that self-doubt is normal, but don’t let it hold you back. If the program aligns with your interests, take the leap—it’s likely that you’ll gain far more than you anticipate.

What would you name a boat if you had one?
Esperanza – I love the Spanish language because I feel like it is able to convey words so beautifully

What is something that you could give a 10 min presentation on right off the cuff?
food/food recs! i have been to so many cool restaurants and places and I just love to talk about it

If your (speaking) voice were an instrument, what do you think it would be?
a piano

What was your favorite childhood story (written, spoken, or film)?
princess and the pea

What was a memorable interaction that you had on campus this week?
I worked with my friend Joey this week for the first time in a long time and I had a really fun time catching up.

Audrey Clarendon

Summer URG

Please provide a brief summary of your research.
I set out to shed light on depersonalization/derealization disorder. My project involved translating feelings/symptoms of the disorder into a series of oil paintings based on interviews with health professionals and afflicted people, previous literature, and my own personal experience.

What made you initially interested in researching your project in particular?
Depersonalization/derealization disorder (DDD) is an understudied and poorly understood phenomenon. Prior to undergoing my own bout of (DDD), I had never really heard of the disorder before. I also struggled to find comprehensive information about it once I could identify what I was going through. I sought out to remedy this disparity in knowledge and understanding by creating an accessible library of work that accurately reflects the direct experience of the disorder in the hopes that it would better our formal and informal understanding of depersonalization and derealization.

What made you interested in pursuing (interdisciplinary) research more broadly?
I have always wanted to pursue interdisciplinary and independent research because of the opportunity it would provide me to gain useful, complex knowledge of a niche or specific subject that interested me.

Describe your experiences with research thus far. Was it tricky? What skills do you think you’ve gained?
It was definitely a process. The independent nature of SURG was as challenging as it was liberating and intellectually stimulating. Over the course of the summer, I learned self-efficacy, proactivity, and self-determination.

Any tips or advice you have for students similar to you that are interested in pursuing undergraduate research?
Don’t get discouraged by not always being able to keep a high productivity. It’s very easy to get overwhelmed or too into the weeds with literature-based/creative research. Take many, many reset breaks. Go on a walk, see a show, or lounge at the beach for no reason other than to have some time away from research so that you come back better.

Do you have a podcast/documentary/piece of shareable media related to your research? Post the link(s) to share here!
Website portfolio: audreyclarendon.com/contact
Google drive folder: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1j6LBRT8yg2OBqQG5LRpv43I767uoGo-L?usp=sharing

What is something that you could give a 10 min presentation on right off the cuff?
Over the Hedge (2006)

Ava Levinson

Summer URG

Please provide a brief summary of your research.
I filmed, edited and produced 6 different minute-long videos exploring how social media impacts young, emerging music artists in NYC. I interviewed artists ages 18 to 26 years old and talked with them about their experiences releasing music in the age of apps like TikTok and Instagram.

What made you initially interested in researching your project in particular?
I find it so inspiring to hear musicians talk about their work — their passion just always lights up the room for me and I love being around it. I knew I wanted to base my project around having musicians as subjects, and I also wanted to explore documentary style video.

What made you interested in pursuing (interdisciplinary) research more broadly?
I had just recently become interested in video journalism, and I wanted a summer internship that would allow me to explore that in my own way and create something completely mine. Through pursuing research I got to build a project that I had so much fun with and that helped me grow as a person.

Describe your experiences with research thus far. Was it tricky? What skills do you think you’ve gained?
For me, the most difficult part of doing research was making a schedule and sticking to it. I learned how to set weekly goals for myself, better manage my time, and pivot when my project wasn’t going how I wanted it to. I also feel I gained independence and confidence through reaching out to artists online and meeting up with them to conduct interviews.

Any tips or advice you have for students similar to you that are interested in pursuing undergraduate research?
If you’re at all considering it, I say do it. The word “research” was daunting to me, but the grant allows you to conduct a project completely of your own making— you are in control of exactly what, where and how you want to do it. Before this summer I never saw myself as someone who could move to a different city and conduct an independent project like this, but I learned so much about myself and what I want to do with my life. And it was fun!

Do you have a podcast/documentary/piece of shareable media related to your research? Post the link(s) to share here!
My videos can be found on Instagram @avalevinsonmedia!

What was your favorite childhood story (written, spoken, or film)?
Judy Moody by Megan McDonald

Aya Masri

Academic Year URG

Please provide a brief summary of your research.
My project is centralized around the discovery of new mechanosensing proteins as well as demonstrating their physiological role in blood-flow mechanosensing within mice models. I preform fluorescent antibody testing on promising proteins within cell culture models, microfluidic experiments, and finally within mouse endothelium.

What made you initially interested in researching your project in particular?
The existence of mechanosensing proteins is relatively novel, with not much known about the identities and nature of polarization regarding blood flow. I was interested in pursuing my project, as it is centralized around discovery, which is a really exciting part of science to me. Characterizing mechanosensing proteins contributes to the greater goal of understanding mechanosensing pathways within blood vessels, which is instrumental in real life applications such as cardiovascular disease, something I am very passionate about. I am also planning on pursing a career in cardiovascular surgery, so this was a great opportunity to enhance my mouse dissection and fine motor skills at the same time.

What made you interested in pursuing (interdisciplinary) research more broadly?
I have always been an avid fan of pursuing knowledge, and as a STEM student I had always been very exposed to reading scientific papers through my classes. I wanted to pursue undergraduate research, because I wanted the opportunity to experience the process of scientific method firsthand, and contribute to real innovation and progress for understanding.

Describe your experiences with research thus far. Was it tricky? What skills do you think you’ve gained?
I have had a wonderful experience with research thus far. While it was initially an adjustment to balance with other commitments, I have learned so much about time management and responsibility, making me a much more focused student. I have also learned a variety of laboratory skills, such as cell culture, immunofluorescent imaging, mouse dissection, and quantification using ImageJ and Imaris.

Any tips or advice you have for students similar to you that are interested in pursuing undergraduate research?
The biggest piece of advice that I would give would be to pursue research in topics that you are passionate about, rather than to just check a box. Take the time to understand the day-to-day tasks and commitments of a lab you are interested in, because being able to truly enjoy what you’re doing is the most rewarding part of the research experience. Being genuinely interested in your research will make you the best student researcher possible, and also allow you to have fun!

What is something that you could give a 10 min presentation on right off the cuff?
Playboi carti’s musical evolution

What was your favorite childhood story (written, spoken, or film)?
Where the Wild Things Are

Michael Bayer

Summer URG

Please provide a brief summary of your research.
I developed a method for molding Handed Shearing Auxetics (HSAs), a type of motorized soft robotic actuator, at different scales. These actuators allow for soft robots to take advantage of the energy efficiency of servos to create motion, and allows for easy integration with advanced control, vision methods, etc. These parts can be created from a wider range of materials using molding allowing one to tune their material properties to create better HSAs than previously used methods.

What made you initially interested in researching your project in particular?
I have always loved working with robots, and soft robots are something I’ve always wanted to learn about. I found out about the Robotic Matter Lab and reached out, learned about the work they were doing, and jumped at the opportunity to work with HSAs over the summer.

What made you interested in pursuing (interdisciplinary) research more broadly?
I was interested in pursuing research because it would allow me to get more hands on experience in a topic I was interested in. I feel like the best way to learn is by doing, and in research you can really apply yourself to a task in a way you can’t in a classroom/

Describe your experiences with research thus far. Was it tricky? What skills do you think you’ve gained?
At times it was tricky, my researched involved a lot of setting things up and needing to wait to see results, and at times it was difficult to wait days only for something not to work. I feel like I gained a lot of skills both technical and academic. I learned skills with prototyping, CAD, tolerancing, data taking, problem solving, 3D printing, and more.

Any tips or advice you have for students similar to you that are interested in pursuing undergraduate research?
Reach out to professors and grad students working on interesting projects, and don’t be disheartened if they don’t get back to you. It also helps a lot to be familiar with their work, read some of their related work. Be interested in their lab, not just a lab.

What would you name a boat if you had one?
Bad Buoy

What is something that you could give a 10 min presentation on right off the cuff?
Why an air fryer is the ultimate kitchen appliance.

What was your favorite childhood story (written, spoken, or film)?
Wall-E

Maya Kraidy

2025 Circumnavigator Awardee

Please provide a brief summary of what you plan to research over the summer, where you plan to go, and why you chose those locations.
This summer, I’ll be researching how linguistic landscapes (public signs, billboards, graffiti, etc.) reflect and contribute to minority and indigenous language revitalization efforts across Finland, South Africa, Singapore, New Zealand, and Fiji. I’ll observe public spaces, museums, and other educational spaces to understand how minority languages are represented and how this impacts accessibility in multilingual societies. Although these countries are linguistically diverse, they all share the common challenge of preserving minority indigenous languages that struggle to survive amid the dominance of English and other languages associated with political and economic power. I want to uncover how language revitalization policies translate into real-world change and influence the visibility and use of minority languages in daily life.

What made you interested in pursuing interdisciplinary research?
I’m drawn to interdisciplinary research because complex issues rarely have solutions that fit neatly into one field. Language, for example, is much more than a system of communication – it’s deeply tied to identity, cognition, social dynamics, and power. Studying something interdisciplinarily gives you a more complete representation of how it actually functions in the real world.

Describe your experiences with research thus far in your career.
I’m currently a research assistant at Northwestern’s SoundLab, a lab that studies the cognitive processes behind language acquisition, production, and perception, focusing on speech production. I’ve also previously conducted a year-long study on the effects of auditory subliminal messages in advertising.

What made you initially interested in researching your topic in particular?
I speak more than 3 languages at home and grew up in 4 different countries, many with incredibly linguistically diverse populations. I’ve witnessed the dwindling of minority languages firsthand, and through studying linguistics and cognitive science, I’ve gained the knowledge and tools to study this topic academically. The regions and languages I’ve chosen to study are severely underrepresented in the fields of language revitalization and linguistic landscapes, and they absolutely deserve to be.

Any tips or advice you have for students interested in pursuing undergraduate research?
Go for the opportunities that excite you! Whether it be working at a lab or creating your own research project, if you care about a certain field or topic, the opportunities are definitely out there and you lose nothing in applying. The OUR advisors are amazing!

Which aspect of your trip are you most excited about?
I’m most excited to meet new people, hear their stories, and visit new places!

Do you collect anything?
I collect patches from anywhere I go – I’m excited to add some this summer!

What skill would you most like to learn?
I would love to learn how to crochet better. It’s such an impressive skill and I’ve seen some really cool projects come out of it!

Fai Poungpeth

SURG

Please provide a brief summary of your research.
This past summer, I investigated the relationship between spatial cognition and global vs. local processing of undergraduate students. To measure spatial cognition, I used results from undergraduate student performance of the block design task (BDT). In this task, participants were provided a 2D pattern and had to use 3D blocks called SCUBEs to replicate them, where each block would consist of red faces, white faces, and faces which were half red and half right. Performances were scored through a system I developed, which took factors such overall erroneous actions and performance efficiency into consideration. It was then correlated with participants’ global vs local processing, which is a measure of the degree of holistic processing in comparison to their level of detail orientedness. This was measured through a survey which participants were given, where they were provided a series shapes composed of smaller but different shapes (eg: a square made up of a series of small triangles). Participants then had to indicate whether they thought the image better resembled the larger shape, which would suggest global processing, or the smaller shapes, which would suggest local processing.

What made you initially interested in researching your project in particular?
I was first introduced to the use of SCUBEs to better understand spatial cognition in a DevSci Networking event, where the graduate students working on this project presented their work. I found the SCUBEs themselves to be quite fascinating, as they have been engineered to detect movement in order to more efficiently and effectively measure participant performance. The use of technology to better understand human behaviour is something that has always intrigued me, as its rapid development is causing it to become increasingly integrated into our lives. Furthermore, spatial cognition was something which I was still quite unfamiliar with at the time, which was why I thought it would be extremely meaningful to further explore this aspect of cognitive science/psychology. The findings from this research can also be applied in educational settings to help improve STEM learning, which provided a strong sense of purpose for what I was doing.

What made you interested in pursuing (interdisciplinary) research more broadly?
I believe that research is a path which can impact both me and the people around me quite significantly. In the short run, it is the perfect way to explore and discover who I am and what I am passionate about. As for the long run, the findings of my research can be applied in such a variety of fields and thus impact a very wide and diverse range of people. More specifically, doing interdisciplinary research can be especially meaningful because it allows for the questions I investigate to connect more closely to the real world. Factors which may not directly relate to the academic field I am focus on can be more easily taken into consideration and therefore maximize the potential it has to impact people.

Describe your experiences with research thus far. Was it tricky? What skills do you think you’ve gained?
My experience with research so far has been great. Summer research specifically has allowed me to grow from both academically and personally. From an academic standpoint, I was able to strengthen my understanding of exploratory psychological research. In the past, I was taught to follow a strict procedure with a clear question to be answered. However, I have learned that doing so doesn’t allow for the flexibility necessary to account for the complexity and broad range of factors that can influence the variable to be investigated. In regards to this study specifically, I had the opportunity to explore the various methods of processing the same data. I also had to learn how to make procedural decisions, run experiments, and present my research in various forms. As for my personal growth, my summer experience has strengthened my integrity, proactivity, as well as flexibility. I was expected to manage my own time with the big tasks I had to complete, which required a high amount of diligence in order to get the necessary work done. Although I was working with graduate students on the project, I still had a lot of freedom for decision making, which required me to confidence as well as courage to reach out for help. In addition, it was the first time that I had to work with children in an academic setting, which was out of my comfort zone. Overall, I am extremely grateful to have worked on this project and hope to use the skills I have obtained in future research projects as well.

Any tips or advice you have for students similar to you that are interested in pursuing undergraduate research?
I would highly encourage anyone interested in pursuing undergraduate research to do so. Even if they don’t know where exactly their interests lie, getting involved in any form of research can be very meaningful. I believe that trying things out will allow students to more easily discover what they like and don’t like. In addition, research in general provides you with skills that can be applied in other settings in the future, meaning that it will still be beneficial even if what they first do is not something they’re passionate about. One students do get involved, I would encourage students to have the confidence to express their thoughts and questions they may have. Doing so is what is going to allow students to gain the most from their experience.