Developing special types of algae that can capture and store carbon from the atmosphere.
Understanding the roots of bias in AI chatbots.
Leverage AI to improve the accuracy of medical decision-making.
Design of tools that enable remote water and soil monitoring.
These are some of the innovative research projects that Seattle University undergraduates worked on over the summer and will be presented at the annual College of Science and Engineering STEM Research Showcase on October 18th.
This free event is open to the campus community and the general public and will be held at Bannan Arboretum from 3:00 pm to 4:30 pm.
Sixty-three undergraduate students worked with their supervisors on 40 projects in science, mathematics, engineering, and computer science, giving them valuable exposure to real-world research and preparing them for graduate school, a career in STEM, or their next step. I have made preparations. Beyond.
Professor Jennifer Lercher added that participating in summer research allows students to participate in the discovery and application of new ideas and innovations, and provides valuable experience in pursuing long-term research projects.
“It’s collaboration over time that moves research forward,” says Lercher, who is also associate dean of the College of Science and Engineering.
Through engaging with students in summer and academic year research, university faculty and staff have fostered a vibrant research community.
“It’s not just people doing research individually, it has a community-based feel,” says Macklin Hamilton, corporate relations specialist at SU’s Project Center.
Lercher also points out that nearly all of the projects are related to social justice, environmental justice, sustainability, and sustainable technology, and are consistent with the university’s mission and values. Additionally, the practical experience gained from laboratory work teaches important skills such as critical thinking, problem solving, processing information and data, and practicing oral and written communication.
“Students are developing cross-cutting scientific skills regardless of the direction they take in their careers,” says Lorcher, who notes that many of the students who work with faculty members are academic leaders in regional and national academic circles. They added that they would also present their data at the rally. conference.
“Extending full-time research experiences is seen as a high-impact practice in STEM higher education,” she says. “Employers and colleges recognize that students who have gone through it are more likely to succeed in the next difficult steps they encounter in their careers.”
Photo: Group photo of undergraduate researchers and faculty gathered at a barbecue mixer in June. Photo: Nodoka Kondo