Student and Faculty Profiles
From our Summer Undergraduate Research Experience (SURE) fellows to our innovative and entrepreneurial graduate students, Ñý¼§Ö±²¥ State University and the Office of Student Research (OSR) place a premium on student scholarship, research and innovation.
The profiles below highlight the efforts and successes of our students, who are showing the Ñý¼§Ö±²¥ State community and the globe how to do world-class research at every academic level. In addition to the profiles below, explore the experiences of our student researchers through The Research Review, a Podcast series showcasing many of our student researchers.

Tell us about your undergraduate or graduate-level research, innovation and entrepreneurship!
Contact OSR Director Ann Gosky at agosky@kent.edu or 330-672-0837.
Student Research Spotlights

Tamera Owens and Nick Brocato, SURE students taking "ground-breaking" soil cores in Ñý¼§Ö±²¥ State's Wetlands.
In 2001, the Herrick Aquatic Ecological Research Facility (HAERF) was built to replace a wetland that was cleared away when the Warren Student Recreation & Wellness Center was built, and it was built with KSU researchers in mind. There are 10 independent pools in the HAERF which are able to be manually drained or raised, creating a situation where variables can be controlled. The Herrick facility, in effect, creates a "playground" and a rich learning environment for researchers, like KSU Biology students Nick Brocato and Tamera Owens.

Nadia Modjrian, Undergraduate Researcher
Nadia Modjrian is a senior majoring in Fashion Design with minors in User Experience Design and Marketing. Modjrian first became involved in undergraduate student research after a friend introduced her to the Summer Undergraduate Research Experience (SURE) program and the opportunity the program provides for students. Modjrian has been active in the SURE program for the summers of 2022, 2023, and 2024.

Elise Simmons, Undergraduate Researcher
Elise Simmons is a junior majoring in Psychology with a minor in Neuroscience and will graduate from Ñý¼§Ö±²¥ State University in the spring of 2026. Simmons first became involved with undergraduate student research through her search for hands-on experience. When she came across a psychology lab that interested her, Simmons applied and was accepted as an undergraduate student researcher for Dr. Lee Gilman.

Wayne Nieh: Enhancing Nursing Skills through Research and Mentorship at Ñý¼§Ö±²¥ State University
Wayne Nieh, BSN '24, is dual enrolled in the Master of Science in Nursing program (MSN) and the Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) at Ñý¼§Ö±²¥ State University. He is also pursuing an Advanced Practice Registered Nurse Certification as a Family Nurse Practitioner. He graduated with his Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree from Ñý¼§Ö±²¥ State University Geauga Campus in May 2024. Throughout his academic journey, Wayne has appreciated the supportive learning environment, the focus on evidence-based practice and policy in nursing education, and the mentorship he received in nursing research.

Amanda Shafer, Undergraduate Researcher
Amanda Shafer is double majoring in Psychology (BA) and Neuroscience (BS) and is set to graduate in Spring 2026. Shafer is a research assistant in three different labs and joined Dr. Lee Gilman's Health and Behavioral Neuroscience Lab for the 2024 Summer Undergraduate Research Experience (SURE) program. Shafer's research focuses on creating a better understanding of mental health conditions and the role PMAT (Plasma Membrane Monoamine Transporter) has in determining behavior.

David Dreyer, Undergraduate Researcher
David Dreyer is majoring in Aerospace Engineering with a minor in Physics and is set to graduate in Fall 2025. Dreyer has been active in research through the Summer Undergraduate Research Experience (SURE) program for SURE 2023 and SURE 2024 and continues his research throughout the academic year. Dreyer's research is in materials testing with a focus on 3D printing and how wall thickness, infill density, and print pattern contribute to the tensile strength of a printed specimen.

Wayne Nieh: Undergraduate Student Research and Career Readiness
Wayne Nieh graduated from Ñý¼§Ö±²¥ State University in the spring of 2024 with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing and is currently studying to earn his Doctor of Nursing Practice. Nieh was active in research at Ñý¼§Ö±²¥ State University for three years, including participating in the Summer Undergraduate Research Experience (SURE) program for SURE 2021 and SURE 2022. Nieh's time as an undergraduate student researcher prepared him for his career.

Anna Anello: Undergraduate Student Research and Career Readiness
Anna Anello is a senior double-majoring in Neuroscience and Computer Science with a minor in Psychology. Anello has been active in research through the Summer Undergraduate Research Experience (SURE) program for SURE 2021, 2022, and 2023, and has remained active in research throughout the academic year. Anello's time as an undergraduate student researcher has prepared her for her future career.

SURE Program Student Presents at the Herrick Society Luncheon
David Dreyer is an Aerospace Engineering major who has been active in the Summer Undergraduate Research Experience (SURE) program. Dreyer was one of 11 SURE program students who presented at the Herrick Society Luncheon, which is an event to honor Ñý¼§Ö±²¥ State University's legacy donors. Dreyer expressed his gratitude for the opportunity to showcase his work and engage with Herrick Society members.

Nicholas Baird, UNDERGRADUATE RESEARCHER
Nicholas Baird is a senior at Ñý¼§Ö±²¥ State University majoring in Mechatronics Engineering. Baird initially struggled to decide on his major, explaining that he was "interested in a lot of different types of engineering." In the end, Baird landed on Mechatronics Engineering because of the major's unique blend of engineering concepts.

Bria Shackleford, SURE PROGRAM
Bria is a junior at Ñý¼§Ö±²¥ State University majoring in Biology with a Pre-Med concentration. Bria participated in the Summer Undergraduate Research Experience (SURE) program for SURE 2023. She has given several presentations about her time in the SURE program and is eager to share her experiences.

Anna Anello, SURE PROGRAM
Anna Anello is a Senior at Ñý¼§Ö±²¥ State University and is double majoring in Neuroscience and Computer Science. Anello has participated in the Summer Undergraduate Research Experience (SURE) program multiple times and is eager to tell us about her background and what drove her into research.

Dr. Kasturiarachi and Ñý¼§Ö±²¥ State Alum Cameron Gmitra
Dr. Bathi Kasturiarachi is an associate professor in mathematics based primarily at Ñý¼§Ö±²¥ State University's Stark Campus. Apart from teaching mathematics, Dr. Kasturiarachi also teaches computer science courses. Dr. Kasturiarachi is actively involved with undergraduate research, and states that "undergraduate research is a critical component of any undergraduate program." Dr. Kasturiarachi explains that completing undergraduate research allows students to apply what is taught in the classrooms in a productive and hands-on way, better preparing students for their careers after graduation.

Dr. Kasturiarachi was paired with Ñý¼§Ö±²¥ State University's recent alum Cameron Gmitra through Choose Ohio First, which is a scholarship program for Ohio residents geared toward STEM majors. Gmitra graduated from Ñý¼§Ö±²¥ State University with a degree in actuarial mathematics and a minor in computer science. Together, Dr. Kasturiarachi and Gmitra discovered a way to visually depict geometric series.

Jordan Gallegos, SURE Program
Jordan Gallegos is a senior undergraduate student double-majoring in Spanish and History. She is researching the history of Colonial Peru and has been working to translate historic medical texts and hospital records from Spanish to English.

Frances Brunner, BFA Fashion Design Major
My name is Frances Brunner, and I am from Louisville, Ñý¼§Ö±²¥ucky. I am currently in my senior year as a BFA Fashion Design major at Ñý¼§Ö±²¥ State University. I was first introduced to the idea of fashion by conversing over an entrepreneurial dream to create a fashion brand called "Frank & Glenn" with my childhood best friend, Mary Glenn, in high school. Upon her passing, I took to embroidery to cope, and this started my career in Fashion. I entered Ñý¼§Ö±²¥ State with a few years of sewing under my belt, but I felt insecure that I would find my place in fashion, especially as a designer. However, I was surprised at how welcoming and supportive the Ñý¼§Ö±²¥ State Fashion School community was. The program and professors really met me where I was professionally, and I found that although always motivating, the program only challenged me as much as I challenged myself.

ANDREW PERTZ, SURE PROGRAM
Andrew Pertz is an aerospace engineering student with a minor is applied statistics. Andrew worked with Dr. Lu on one oh his topics related to an orbital maneuver called aerocapture. Dr. Lu encouraged Pertz to participate in the Summer Undergraduate Research Experience (SURE). During SURE, Pertz aided in researching an innovative concept for planetary exploration called aerocapture co-delivery to the planet Venus. This was a very interesting time of his college career because he began to work indirectly with engineers and scientists at NASA. Later in the summer, he received notice that he would be presenting at the conference and received funding to attend.

AISHA AHAMMED, SURE PROGRAM
Aisha Ahammed is a sophomore undergraduate student majoring in Computer Science with a concentration in Cybersecurity and a minor in Data Analytics. Ahammed chose to pursue a minor in Data Analytics as a result of the research project she completed during the Summer Undergraduate Research Experience (SURE) program in 2023, where she developed a program for generative AI-based music composition. The program Ahammed created was able to learn deep neural networks from existing music and create new music based on those neural networks.
FÉLIX LATIMER, SURE PROGRAM
Félix Latimer is a Junior and majors in environmental and conservation biology with a concentration in environmental policy and management. During his time in the Summer Undergraduate Research Experience (SURE) program, he worked alongside Dr. Andrea Case, Ph.D., and Dr. Christopher L. Blackwood, Ph.D., studying geographical data about subspecies of lobelia across the United States. Félix is hoping to use this experiment as a reference for how research is conducted on the ground for a future career as a policy analyst on environmental issues in the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
JUNIOR PSYCHOLOGY MAJOR, JOSHUA DANIEL
Joshua A. Daniel is a McNair Scholar and a junior majoring in psychology. He is studying African American maternal mental health in the Program for Research on Anxiety Disorders among African Americans (PRADAA) to help improve the mental health within African American communities.
Junior Classics and History Double Major, Alex Bathrick
Alex Bathrick, a Classics and History double major, worked with Dr. Emily Metzgar, Ph.D., to perform research through the SURE program in 2022. They will be shifting their research focus for the SURE 2023 program and will be performing research with Professor Matthew Crawford, Ph.D.
Junior Physics Major, Marceline Myers
Marceline Myers has been an undergraduate researcher for two years, working in Dr. Brenda Frye's NASA-funded research group at Ñý¼§Ö±²¥ State. Earlier this year, Marceline and classmate Tristan Wolfe aided in the successful publication of a paper in The Astrophysical Journal titled, "JWST Lensed quasar dark matter survey -- II. Strongest gravitational lensing limit on the dark matter free streaming length to date." This research involves the use of James Webb Space Telescope imaging, collected over the Fall of 2022. Later this summer, Marceline will be presenting this research alongside Tristan at two conferences sponsored by the American Astronomical Society (AAS), where they will attend poster and lecture sessions on a range of topics within modern Astronomy and Astrophysics.
Junior Human Development and Family Studies Major, Meggie McIntyre
What do you research?
McIntyre: For the past three years, I've been performing research in the KSU Early Childhood Development Lab, assisting my mentor Dr. Tracy Gleason, Ph.D., professor of Human Development and Family Studies. My research centers around "imaginary companions," those invented social companions (called out-of-body) like imaginary friends, stuffed animals and dolls, and children's relationships with them over time. We've been focusing on the relationship quality with these imaginary companions and if that quality affects social and emotional outcomes for preschool children.
Click the link above to read more about Meggie's student profile.

Senior Chemistry Major Madelyn Kist
What do you research?
Kist: I'm a new member of the Shen research group. We use single molecule microscopy to study polymeric materials and their functionality in everyday life. By utilizing 3D super-resolution microscopy and other techniques like NMR, we monitor polymerization in real time.
To read more about Madelyn's research, click the link above!
Follow the links to read what the 2020 SURE students had to say about their experience with the program!

Senior Psychology Major Kyra Fogg and Professor Angela Neal-Barnett, Ph.D.
When senior psychology major Kyra Fogg joined the SURE program, she gained much more than simply a strong relationship with psychology professor Angela Neal-Barnett, Ph.D., because of the research team she worked with. In order to study the intergenerational trauma among pregnant black mothers and their children, Kyra and Dr. Neal-Barnett worked with a doula, a music therapist, a grad student in the psychology department, a community member and a postbaccalaureate student. According to Dr. Neal-Barnett, being a good SURE mentor involves having good graduate students and a good team for the undergraduates to connect with. Want to know more about Kyra's time with the SURE program? Click the link above to read their interview! Read more about Kyra's research

Senior English and Political Science Major Tiera Moore and Professor David Kaplan, Ph.D.
Senior political science and English major Tiera Moore joined the SURE program after participating in the Sophomore Research Experience (SRE). During her most recent SURE experience last summer, Tiera worked with professor David Kaplan, Ph.D., on his book about nationalism. Tiera says the SURE program provided her with an in-depth research experience and invaluable networking opportunities. According to Dr. Kaplan, Tiera's research allowed her to learn about the steps in acquiring the sources necessary to put together a book. Want to know more about Tiera's time with the SURE program? Click the link above to read her interview! Read more about Tiera's research

Senior Applied Engineering Major Patrick Baker and Associate Professor Yanhai Du, Ph.D.
Senior applied engineering major Patrick Baker participated in the 2020 Summer Undergraduate Research Experience Program (SURE) with associate professor Dr. Yanhai Du. During his SURE experience, Patrick researched the additive manufacturing of fuel cell components in Dr. Du's lab. Additive manufacturing, as Dr. Du explains, is another term for 3D printing. Both Dr. Du and Patrick believe the SURE program assists both faculty and students; students garner research experience for their future endeavors and faculty receive assistance on their research projects. To learn more about Patrick's time with Dr. Du this summer, click the link above! Read more about Patrick's research

Senior Theatre Studies Major Kelly Harper and Professor Yuko Kurahashi, Ph.D.
During this summer's SURE program, senior theatre studies major Kelly Harper worked with Dr. Yuko Kurahashi, professor of theatre, to research the background behind the musical "Missionaries" by Elizabeth Swados. "Missionaries" focuses on four American women who were murdered in December 1980 during the wake of the 12-year El Salvadoran Civil War. As production dramaturgs this summer, Kelly and Dr. Kurahashi studied the history of the Civil War in El Salvador and the background information of each character to ensure it would relate to a contemporary audience. The School of Theatre and Dance had been planning to stage "Missionaries" under the direction of Fabio Polanco in Fall 2020 before it was canceled due to the pandemic. The production team hopes to be able to use Kelly and Dr. Kurahashi's dramaturgical research later for another production of "Missionaries." While Dr. Kurahashi says it can be challenging for theatre students to form the bridge between research and the stage, the SURE program provides the academic, organizational and financial support that students need to succeed. To hear more about their time with the SURE program this summer click the link above. Read more about Kelly's research

Junior Nursing Major Madeline Sterling and Associate Dean for Research Mary K. Anthony, Ph.D., RN
Through the SURE program, junior nursing student Madeline Sterling worked with Associate Dean for Research in the College of Nursing, Mary K. Anthony, Ph.D., RN, to research how nurse's cognitive work can be affected when there are interruptions in the hospital trauma room. Madeline met Dr. Anthony through the Honors College and said the SURE program has shown her the various ways her nursing degree could be used in the future. Dr. Anthony and Madeline both feel that the SURE program allows undergraduates an opportunity to begin developing research skills and to be a part of a research team while also serving as a pipeline to a Ph.D. program. Interested in hearing more about how the SURE program could benefit you? Click the link above to learn more about the interview with Dr. Anthony and Madeline! Read more about Madeline's research

Junior Environmental Conservation Biology Major Daiyanera Kelsey and Assistant Professor Lauren Kinsman-Costello, Ph.D.
The SURE program allowed Daiyanera Kelsey, a senior studying environmental conservation biology, to figure out her long-term career goals! Through the SURE program, Daiyanera got to work in the lab of assistant professor of biological sciences Lauren Kinsman-Costello, Ph.D., studying the Campus Center Drive Water Quality Basins. Dr. Kinsman-Costello said she values the SURE program and how it provided her the opportunity to train undergraduate students in the research values and ethics that are important to society. To hear more about how the SURE program has affected Ñý¼§Ö±²¥ State students, click the profile above with Dr. Kinsman-Costello and Daiyanera! Read more about Daiyanera's research