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Microplastics are discharged unintentionally into Lake Allatoona from a wastewater plant upstream from the lake. Other sources would be litter and clothing worn in the water. Sand samples are collected at the start of each year (2022 and 2023 have been evaluated) at six beach sites.  The student will learn to follow an extraction method and then a detection method using a microscope. Sand samples from 2024 need to be extracted for microplastics and counted.  This needs to be completed in triplicate. The student will continue with the 2025 samples once obtained to add to the data for 2022 and 2023, thus providing a four-year study of microplastics in Lake Allatoona. The goal would be to see if any trends in the data appear as in year over year data or by location. The student will present at the upcoming Southeast Undergraduate Research Conference held at KSU. 

The skills the student will learn will be how to sieve samples, make solutions, oxidize organic pollutants, weigh samples, transfer quantitatively, filter solutions, use a microscope and to organize the workflow such that triplicate samples will be in various stages of extraction and oxidation prior to filtration and microscope use. The student will ensure consistent and reliable processing of multiple samples to ensure accuracy and reproducibility. The student will also attend safety classes and be trained in safety protocol.  The first set of samples will take eight - ten weeks to process, and the second set of samples will take eight to ten weeks to process. This involves the skill of scheduling and tracking the progress of samples over extended periods. In addition, statistical analysis will be completed on the sample data. Finally, the experience in creating a poster for presentation will be a valuable skill. 

The student will work approximately 5 to 10 hours a week spread out over 4 or 5 days.  Each step in the extraction process requires overnight settling and thus some days the step may take 2 hours, on other days the step may only take 1 hour.  Each week will be similar once the system is set up with the daily process.  There is a two-day delay in starting a new sample to run through the system as the extraction process is a double extraction with two overnight settlings and I only have 3 Separators.  Thus, once we have started the third sample in triplicate, each day will have three different processes to perform for the different samples in the different steps. The student will keep track of the steps each day in their notebook. The student will record the final results of the number of microplastics in their notebook and determine the standard deviation. 

Face-to Face

Dr. Marina Koether, mkoether@kennesaw.edu

This research project involves the synthesis and characterization of new bis(amidines). Amidines resemble carboxylic acids and esters 鈥� the difference is that the two oxygen atoms are formally replaced by nitrogen atoms attached to an organic group. Similar to carboxylic acids, amidines carry a hydrogen atom that is acidic. The combination of the two nitrogen atoms and the acidic hydrogen atom (proton) with the additional organic groups make amidines quite versatile molecules.

One important aspect is their ability to form hydrogen bonds to neighboring amidines: Each neighboring amidine can accept the acidic hydrogen atom by the lone pair of the other nitrogen atom that does not have an H atom yet. The proton is not completely transferred but instead forms a new bonding interaction to that nitrogen atom 鈥� an N鈭扝路路路N hydrogen bond. Such hydrogen bonds are of fundamental importance in biological systems and in all aqueous solutions (in which water molecules serve as so-called hydrogen-bond acceptors or donors). The amidine protons can also be removed by a strong base. In this case, a negative charge is created on one nitrogen atom, which is in fact delocalized at the two nitrogen atoms and the bridging carbon. The neutral amidine then converts into a negatively charged amidinate. Amidinates form strong covalent bonds to metal ions, which are then called coordination compounds (and specifically 鈥渃lusters鈥� if these metal ions interact with each other or even form bonds to each other). Because certain metal clusters are photoluminescent, they are valuable components of LEDs (light-emitting diodes).

LEDs are extremely important as energy-saving light sources and are applied in light bulbs, or in computer and smartphone flatscreens. The Stollenz group is interested in connecting two amidines together, using a flexible bridge consisting of CH2 linkers. These bis(amidines) form various hydrogen bonding networks with themselves or other hydrogen bond acceptor molecules. They also form coordination compounds with metal ions of Group 11 of the Periodic Table, the coinage metals copper, silver, and gold. In these coordination compounds, unusual hydrogen bonding interactions to chlorides (N鈭扝路路路Cl) and even carbon (N鈭扝路路路C) are observed. Once bis(amidines) are converted into negatively charged bis(amidinates), they form clusters with multiple copper ions (in the oxidation state +I) and become strongly emissive. These clusters adopt linear or bundled shapes, and some of them are molecular strings that have the potential to be applied in nano-sized electronic devices.

By participating in this project, the students will get an intensive immersion in the practice of science, The students will be exposed to a broad range of synthetic and analytical techniques of one of the best equipped laboratories in the department, operated by the PI and currently two Postdoctoral Researchers. They will learn basic organic reactions and, at an advanced stage, to manipulate air-sensitive intermediates in the synthetic sequence of the bis(amidines) using Schlenk techniques, and also to characterize the products by X-ray crystallography, NMR (Nuclear Magnetic Resonance), IR (Infrared), UV-Vis (Ultraviolet-Visible light), and fluorescence spectroscopy, as well as elemental analysis and mass spectrometry. This training includes continuous efforts to sharpen oral presentation skills, scientific writing, laboratory safety, and data management.

The students will be trained for a long-term commitment, and it is anticipated that this commitment will last as long as possible.

New students will first shadow the Postdoctoral Researchers for a couple of weeks and will be assigned to specific tasks, beginning with the synthesis of air-stable organic compounds and their basic characterization by NMR spectroscopy. They will be working with the PI鈥檚 trained undergraduate as a team, targeting previously synthesized and new bis(amidines) with various organic substituents. At an advanced stage, the students will learn how to manipulate air-sensitive compounds under an atmosphere of an inert gas (argon).

A basic training of this technique requires approximately one semester if the undergraduate student commits at least 10 hours to the lab in a week. Lab activities also include cleaning glassware and maintaining laboratory equipment. The undergraduates will attend our weekly group meetings, which include continuous progress discussions as well as literature and research presentations. Each undergraduate is required to submit a detailed end-of-the semester research report.

Face-to-Face

Dr. Michael Stollenz, mstollen@kennesaw.edu

Dyes that both absorb in the visible region and fluoresce in the red- and near-infrared (NIR) regions of the electromagnetic spectrum are gaining popularity in materials science. They have been found to be useful in photodynamic and photothermal therapy, all of which use heat to kill tumor cells. Due to the indisputable biological advantages of red- and NIR light, such as deep tissue penetration, these dyes are widely used for high contrast bioimaging and detection in living systems. However, majority of these dyes exhibit poor solubility and/or exhibit low fluorescence which prevent their use in many biological applications. To address the low fluorescence issues, we will investigate new fluorescent dyes containing a boron-nitrogen bond, known as polycyclic 1,2-BN-heteroarenes. Incorporating the boron-nitrogen bond in heteroarenes have been proven to result in aromatic compound with a more rigid and planar core and possess valuable properties such as photochemical stability, have high molar absorption coefficient and high fluorescent quantum yields, as well as large Stokes shifts and tunable absorption/emission spectra. To help with the solubility issue, we will incorporate a propeller shape group to the left hemisphere of the core to help alleviate close interactions among same molecules and increase solubility. The propeller shape group is also a strong electron-donating group and will result in absorption in the visible region and emission in the red/NIR region due to intramolecular charge transfer throughout the system. We will also create multifunctional fluorescent materials capable of changing color based on temperature, changing color based on pressure, changing color based on pH, and environmental sensitive probes that can change colors based on polarity.

This project's long-term goal is to help make fluorescent materials more efficient and economical. These discoveries will help to design future electron-rich heteroarene dyes containing a boron-nitrogen bond for bioimaging and detection in living organisms with low interference from background autofluorescence

This research project satisfies the Council on Undergraduate Research's (CUR) definition of undergraduate research. The students will be mentored by a well-trained PI, who will aid the students in learning a specific topic in a field while also expanding their grasp of research and research procedures. In our case, the PI will assist the students in designing and synthesizing of the novel multifunctional fluorescent materials. The students will also comprehend the importance of red- and NIR light in biological systems. This comprehension will enable the students in making a scientific or artistic contribution to knowledge.

This research training will help students get experience in synthetic organic chemistry and characterize the product utilizing TLC, 1H, 13C, and 11B NMR studies, and mass spectrometry. Students will also learn how to collect experimental and spectroscopic data, assess and present their findings, give presentations at conferences, and write and publish articles. These diverse research experiences in organic synthesis and spectroscopic characterization will help students pursue graduate degrees in chemistry, pharmaceuticals, and medicinal science. Students will learn how to carry out all of the key experiments on his/her own, monitor the progression of her reaction, collect experimental data, and present her findings in group sessions.

Students will perform a variety of tasks, including:

i) conducting research and data collection using various techniques and procedures
ii) assisting in an organic chemistry laboratory on the synthesis of unnatural amino acids
iii) carry out characterization experiments using 1H and 13C NMR, as well as mass spectrometry, to interpret and analyze data
iv) Plan and modify research techniques, procedures, tests, and equipment
v) Write and edit materials for publication and presentation
vi) Meet on a frequent basis with the faculty supervisor to continue ongoing communication about the quality of the assistant's performance
vii) Present preliminary results at a regional symposium
viii) Perform other related duties as required.

Face-to-Face

Dr. Carl Saint-Louis, csaintlo@kennesaw.edu

Peptide therapeutics are very attractive over small-molecule medications, as they are highly selective, well-tolerated, and have less adverse effects. Generally, the poor oral bioavailability of peptides requires subcutaneous administration. A short half-life poses additional challenges for their formulation and clinical utility. Despite these obstacles, the current rate of approval by the FDA for peptide drugs is twice as fast as for small molecules. Worldwide, 88 peptide drugs are approved, and 170 peptides are currently being evaluated in clinical trials. Peptide stapling, a cyclization technique, is a widely used approach to develop staple peptides. However, the traditional hydrocarbon and triazole/disulfide stapling methods produced low yield and required catalyst separation. Hence, a novel high yielding stapling method is required.

Our long-term goal is to design, synthesize and evaluate the efficacy of novel pi-pi staple and potentially orally active peptide targeting the various proteins related to Alzheimer and Covid-19 diseases. This project has following two specific aims:

Aim 1.  To develop potent staple peptide mimetics: A pool of novel pi-pi staple analogues will be designed and optimized targeting Acetylcholinesterase (AChE) and main protease (3CLpro of SARS-CoV-2) which are major drug targets in Alzheimer鈥檚 and Covid-19, respectively. Computer aided design and solid phase peptide synthesis protocol will be employed. Secondary structure of these peptides will be elucidated by circular dichroism (CD) and NMR spectroscopy. Structural insights of the peptide binding and interaction with viral proteins will be investigated by hydrogen deuterium exchange mass spectrometry (HDX-MS). 

Aim 2. To evaluate toxicity, inhibition efficiency, metabolism and stability. Only peptides with no/minimal toxicity will be considered. To assess the inhibition efficiency, various assays will be conducted. In-vitro metabolic and stability assays will be performed. The best analogues will be improved by installing fatty-acid tag, sugar-complex, and cyclodextrin improving half-life, and oral bioavailability.

The expected outcome of this project is to develop peptide-based drugs to treat dementia and infectious diseases and advance our knowledge of how these peptides can be further improved.

This research training will help students to learn basic biochemistry, peptide synthesis, molecular modeling, mass spectrometry-based assay and gain experiences on performing interdisciplinary research, collecting, and analyzing experimental and computational data, interpreting, and presenting results, presenting in conference, writing, and publishing manuscripts. These diverse research experiences in peptide synthesis, molecular modeling and peptide characterization by liquid chromatography and mass spectrometry, and biological assays will help students to pursue their PhD on biomedical science, obtain their degree in MD/PhD or secure position in CDC, FDA, and pharmaceutical/biochemical industry

Student will do various tasks in the different phase of the projects including:

i) assignments
ii) reading and reviewing scientific articles
iii) performing computer aided peptide design
iv) synthesizing and characterizing peptides
v) acquiring and interpreting mass spectrometry-based inhibition and metabolic assays
vi) drafting poster, presentation, and manuscript.

Face-to-Face

Dr. Mohammad Abdul Halim, mhalim1@kennesaw.edu

My lab works on dodders, a group of parasitic "vampire" plants that don't have any leaves or roots. The entire plant is a tangle of orange vines that wrap around other plants and make connections to extract nutrients like a vampire before flowering and making seeds.  Some species are weeds that can do considerable agricultural damage to a number of crops, but others are very specific to habitats that contain the host species they prefer. 

This project will focus on a species found at elevations above 4000 feet in the Appalachian mountains from West Virginia south to a few scattered high points in the north Georgia mountains. The few Georgia populations are often small and only located in the coldest spots on the mountains where they are found.  We aim to determine how these populations are related to each other, reconstruct how the populations became localized at their current locations since the ice age, and determine whether low genetic diversity is a threat to the remaining populations in Georgia by comparing them to larger, healthier populations at higher elevations further north.  Populations of these parasites at the southern end of their range are likely to be good indicators of how future climate change may affect other high elevation species as well.

Skills that students will learn include:

• identification of plants and habitats in the field
• collection techniques for preservation of DNA
• specific techniques for germinating and growing the parasites and their hosts in greenhouse experiments
• molecular lab techniques involving pipetting such as DNA isolation, PCR, and running gels
• preparation of DNA libraries for high-throughput DNA sequencing
• analysis of DNA sequence data.

Field work will occur primarily in October.

Students will likely do DNA isolations and PCR weekly throughout the project.  

DNA library preparation will become more important later in the semester.  

Face-to-Face

Dr. Joel McNeal, jmcneal7@kennesaw.edu

In this project, the student will first do online research about Benford's phenomenon, and then about any group of functions related to the student's area of expertise. Any natural processes can be chosen for the research. Then the data will be compared to those of basic algebraic functions, and the closest one will be chosen for a further comparison. All the data related to the previously mentioned functions can be found in the article First Digit Probability and Benford's Law written by Irina Pashchenko. As the result, a conclusion about the nature of a particular process will be made in terms of the probability of its first digits.

Upon completing this project, students will be able to:

1. Use online resources for collecting data.
2. Organize collected data using an Excel file.
3. Perform data analysis using graphing software.

1. The student will do online research and prepare a report to the advisor every week or every other week.
2. The student will meet with the advisor every week or every other week to discuss what was done and future plans.

Hybrid

Dr. Irina Pashchenko, ipashche@kennesaw.edu

Eumelanin, the most widely recognized class of melanins, exhibits a characteristic brown-black hue and an abundance of documented properties such as UV resistance and antioxidant activity. As such, this pigment has seen a surge of interest in different industries, mainly medicine, cosmetics, and electronics. While eumelanin is traditionally sourced from the common cuttlefish, Sepia officinalis, this process suffers from a limited supply of cuttlefish and raises ethical concerns. Alternatively, the submerged fermentation of microorganisms is commonly used in industry for the production of various goods including antibiotics, enzymes, and organic acids. These processes are incredibly effective and, in many cases, render other methods of production obsolete. Numerous studies have reported successful biosynthesis of eumelanin from microorganisms, highlighting the potential for environmentally friendly and scalable production in this manner.

This project intends to employ submerged fermentation techniques using the white-rot fungus Pleurotus ostreatus for the production of eumelanin. This project aims to address common problems associated with upscaling by investigating and comparing eumelanin production in small working volumes (<1 L) and larger volumes (>1 L), as well as improve eumelanin yields by utilizing bioengineering techniques and optimization of P. ostreatus growth conditions.

• Attend weekly lab meeting (1 hour).
• Work with graduate student on learning basic skills.
• Conduct supervised and/or independent experiments based on the instruction of the PI and graduate student mentor.

Face-to-Face

Dr. Chris Cornelison, ccornel5@kennesaw.edu

Problem: The growing diabetes epidemic affected more than 30 million Americans in 2017; with a staggering economic cost of $327 billion in the United States alone. Among the many risk factors, studies have shown that excessive consumption of sugars is the main cause of type 2 diabetes and is implicated in many medical problems such as cardiovascular disease, obesity, and even some cancers. 

Rationale: Sweeteners derived from plant natural products have significant potential as dietary supplements because they are stable and non-caloric. More importantly, natural sweeteners could help patients who are diabetic, phenylketonuric (inability to break down an amino acid called phenylalanine), and/or obese reduce their sugar intake. Stevia is a natural high-intensity sweetener isolated from leaves of Stevia rebaudiana, a tender perennial herb native to semitropical regions of South America (e.g., Paraguay and Brazil). The leaves of this plant contain more than ten ent-kaurene diterpenoid glycosides composed of a steviol aglycone decorated with different numbers and types of sugars. Commercially available steviol glucosides have the characteristic bitter aftertaste of specific types of steviol glucosides, thus preventing widespread commercial use. The identification of new, natural, and low/non-calorie sweeteners and research of their biosynthetic pathways are essential to addressing numerous health issues.

Goals & Activities: The research objective is to manipulate the pattern of glycosylation and to improve the yield of desirable stevia compounds using 3D structure-guided protein engineering and mutagenesis techniques. The First-Year Scholars Program will support our biochemical experiments to understand how Stevia plants form various natural products and to alter essential enzymes in Stevia to generate new versions of noncaloric sweeteners by employing structure-guided protein engineering techniques. Additionally, this project aims to encourage students' learning motivations and achievement in STEM through the technology-based STEAM (i.e., STEM+Art) curriculum. 

The full research description can be found at 

The First-Year Scholars Program will offer the potential for re-engineered pathways in Stevia to produce tailored variants of commercially viable noncaloric sweeteners. Once the First-Year Scholars Program research team obtains the 3D structural information, we can look ahead to expanding our atomic-level insights to possible applications. If the research project is successful, the the First-Year Scholars Program-sponsored students will learn how to produce new versions of the noncaloric sweetener by altering the branched-chain glycosylation patterns and how to construct the Stevia biosynthesis pathway with improved yields of desirable steviol compounds.

The First-Year Scholars Program students鈥� experimental results will be measured and analyzed, and their work will be published in peer-reviewed biological and biochemical research journals. In addition, students will understand 3D molecular structures of proteins and cells through our VR-based education platforms. We envision VR & AR molecular modeling will help students understand STEM knowledge more intuitively. During this process, undergraduates will learn how to apply scientific ideas to real-life situations by creating VR & AR content and how to operate VR & AR hardware/software. Through this student-centered learning approach, undergraduates will actively engage in STEM for creative discovery research. 

Students in the First-Year Scholars Program will carry out their own research project, Biochemical and Structural Characterization of UDP-glycosyltransferases (UGTs) in the Stevia Biosynthetic Pathway.

As an independent researcher, each student will be responsible for performing the proposed molecular biology and biochemical experiments.

Undergraduate students will also team up with a graduate student to conduct protein expression, purification, and crystallography experiments. 

Face-to-Face

Dr. Soon Goo Lee, slee295@kennesaw.edu

Anthropogenic changes to the environment and globalization continue to drive arbovirus emergence and reemergence, resulting in spillover events. These events often initiate new zoonotic transboundary transmission cycles between vector species and amplification hosts. However, the mechanisms underlying arbovirus maintenance, emergence, and spillover into human populations are poorly understood.

My laboratory uses a multi-pronged approach that includes a combination of field and laboratory-based methods to identify and characterize emerging arboviruses (e.g., Zika, West Nile, and La Crosse viruses), determine the prevalence of virus infection in arthropods, vertebrate hosts and humans; investigate arbovirus vector infection and pathogenesis; investigate select aspects of vector biology in the context of mosquito development and fitness; and identify risk factors for acquiring arbovirus infection. The results of our investigations are used to inform mitigation strategies to help prevent the spillover of arboviruses into human populations and protect vulnerable populations from disease.

1) Define the terminology associated with research and theory in their field
2) Describe past research studies in their field of study
3) Articulate how their research study makes a contribution to their academic field
4) Locate primary and secondary sources related to their field of study
5) Develop a hypothesis
6) Collect data for a research study
7) Analyze, synthesize, organize, and interpret data from their research study
8) Work effectively as part of a team
9) Present their research/creative activity to an audience (e.g., poster, oral presentation, performance, display)
10) Develop time management
11) Develop self-confidence/self-esteem
12) Develop independent thinking
13) Develop problem-solving
14) Develop organizational skills
15) Develop leadership skills

1) Complete KSU safety training needed to conduct laboratory activities, including but not limited to General Lab Safety, Compressed Cylinder Safety, and Biological Hazards and Autoclave Safety.
2) Aid graduate students in areas of their research projects, including literature searches, experimental design, data collection, and data analysis.
3) Conduct individual research projects to present at KSU symposiums.
4) Maintain colonies of mosquitoes by providing sucrose to adult mosquitoes, blood-feeding female mosquitoes, collecting and storing mosquito eggs, hatching eggs, and rearing larvae to adults.
5) Conduct occasional field work to collect wild adult and larval mosquitoes.
6) Identify wild-caught mosquitoes to genus and species.
7) Pin wild-caught mosquitoes for future use.
8) Assistance with the maintenance and cleaning of laboratory facilities.
9) Attend laboratory meetings.

Face-to-Face

Dr. Andrew Haddow, ahaddow@kennesaw.edu

This project is primarily related to two thrusts of research.

Thrust 1: Synthesis and electrical characterization of single crystalline magnetic materials.

We know the magnetism can arise primarily due to two reasons (a) Electrical current such as in solenoid (b) Intrinsic electron spin such as iron, neodymium. Our research is focused toward the intrinsic magnetism due to electron spin. Therefore, we plan to synthesize single crystalline materials consisting of transition metals or rare earth metals that can have intrinsic magnetism due to unpaired electron spin. Single crystals are necessary to understand the intrinsic properties of materials. These intermetallic magnetic materials are often metals or semiconductors and can exhibit exciting electrical properties as well. The electrical properties relate to charge of electrons whereas magnetic properties relate to spin of electrons. Therefore, in some materials, the charge and spin properties are coupled together. Such coupling can give birth to new types of technologically useful phenomena. In summary, in thrust 1 we aim to synthesize single crystalline magnetic materials using transition metals or rare earth metals and study their electrical properties. The students will be connected to senior level undergraduate student.

Thrust 2: Synthesis and piezoelectric/ferroelectric characterization of insulating materials.

Piezoelectric and ferroelectric materials are used frequently in everyday life. Their uses ranges from BBQ lighters, medical devices to underwater sensors. These properties are intrinsically related to crystal structure of materials. In other words these properties are dictated by the arrangement of ions/atoms within the unit cell of material. Due to the requirement of formation of electrical dipole moment, these materials are highly insulating. Currently known best piezoelectric/ferroelectric materials contain health risking element, Lead (Pb). Therefore, there is a greater need for the lead free piezoelectric/ferroelectric materials. In this thrust, we will prepare lead free insulating materials that have good piezoelectric and ferroelectric performance at room temperature. We will use high temperature solid state synthesis method to prepare materials and study their performance using piezoelectric and ferroelectric tester. The students will be connected to senior level undergraduate student.

• The students will learn about physical/chemical properties of different types of metals, alloys, and oxides.
• The students will learn high temperature methods to prepare single crystalline and polycrystalline materials.
• The students will learn to test the phase purity and crystallinity of materials using powder and single crystal X-ray diffraction.
• The students will learn about creating low temperature and observe how the electrical properties of materials change when they are subjected to extremely cold temperature.
• The students will learn about low noise electronics.
• The students will learn about data acquisition, analysis, and presentation.

• At the beginning, with the help from mentor and senior undergraduates, the students will mix stoichiometric amount of materials using their molar ratio, mix them and put them in high temperature furnaces.
• After the reaction, the students will perform phase and crystallinity check with X-ray diffraction.
• They will prepare sample for electrical measurements (electrical wiring under microscope, sanding samples, soldering etc).
• They will collect the electrical data using low noise electronics and software.
• They will extract the data, make necessary plots, and discuss with mentor about the meaning of those data.

Face-to-Face

Dr. Chetan Dhital, cdhital@kennesaw.edu

The United States currently operates two ground-based interferometric gravitational wave detectors: LIGO Hanford, WA and LIGO Livingston, LA. These detectors made history in 2015 with the first direct detection of gravitational waves, marking the beginning of a new era in gravitational wave astronomy. Future detectors are planned which will extend the reach of the gravitational wave astronomy to even farther out into the universe. Such detectors must have even higher sensitivity than current LIGO detectors. To achieve this, along with the improvement in other detector technologies, the optical coatings used in these detectors must meet an exceptionally stringent set of requirements. These coatings require extremely low optical absorption, scattering, and thermal noise to ensure the detectors鈥� high sensitivity.

The current generation of optical coatings relies on amorphous materials, which are also under investigation for future detectors. Unlike crystalline materials, the atomic structure of amorphous coatings is significantly more complex, presenting unique challenges and opportunities for improving their performance.

In this project, first-year undergraduate students will utilize the supercomputing facilities at KSU to develop computer models of amorphous computing optical coatings and study their atomic structure. Through these models, students will explore the intricacies of amorphous materials, enabling them to predict and analyze the potential effectiveness of these coatings in future gravitational wave detectors. Through understanding the atomic structure of these amorphous coatings, we can assess their suitability and optimize their performance as a critical component in the next generation of gravitational wave detection technology.

1. Students will learn coding in python.
2. Students will develop skills to use supercomputing facility
3. Students will understand the atomic modeling -- a widely used tool in scientific research
4. Students will (potentially) make contribution to a scientific publication and will add to their scientific writing skill.
5. Students will learn data analysis, statistical inference making, and visualization.

Face-to-Face

Dr. Kiran Prasai, kprasai@kennesaw.edu