Middle Tennessee State University

Nine Middle Tennessee State University undergraduates and one faculty member are participating in prestigious National Science Foundation Research Experience for Undergraduates, or REU, grant programs this summer.

Middle Tennessee State University's Chair of Excellence in Urban and Regional Planning, or COE-URP, embarked on a novel journey this past year through its Scholars Program, a pilot initiative to provide undergraduate students with research opportunities related to explosive growth in the Midstate region. The program, which began last August and spanned the entire academic year, concluded earlier this month when participating students presented their research on key urban planning challenges in Middle Tennessee.

A record 32 Middle Tennessee State University undergraduate students presented their wide variety of research projects at a national level at the National Conference on Undergraduate Research in Long Beach, California, this spring.

Middle Tennessee State University geosciences faculty recently landed a National Science Foundation grant that allowed a grad research assistant and undergraduate to assist with a climate literacy study.

A recent graduate and an alumni from Middle Tennessee State University used their MTSU education and opportunities for research to land one of the National Science Foundation's most prestigious and long-established research fellowships.

As the emerging field of data science becomes an everyday part of industry and the modern job market, associate professor and researcher Ryan "Seth" Jones from the College of Education is taking a lead in developing best practices and frameworks for getting K-12 students well-versed in the topic.

Middle Tennessee State University senior religious studies and nursing double major Eli Ward swept his arm over the five striking, colorful stained glass images depicting the stories of faith and perseverance of the patients he worked with for his research project. It was one of the almost 200 projects showcased recently inside the Student Union Ballroom at Middle Tennessee State University's 18th annual research exposition that culminates "Scholars Week," a premier research expo each spring giving students like Ward the opportunity to present their wide range of projects and passions to the campus community.

The Office of Research and Sponsored Programs administers University funds to directly support mentored undergraduate research through Undergraduate Research Experience and Creative Activity grants. Awards range from $500 for beginners to $3,500 for experienced Middle Tennessee State University student researchers.

Middle Tennessee State University's College of Education is working to make student research more of a focus and priority. "Research in education is vital to ensuring that we are giving our children and young people the highest quality of education for their future and to make sure our teachers feel confident in providing that for them," said Bonnie Barksdale, assistant education professor and active researcher who helps support research within the college.

Middle Tennessee State University's Undergraduate Research Center is sending undergraduates to participate in a national research program for the second straight year to collaborate with other undergrads from across the country, to advocate for undergraduate research with government stakeholders and more.

Middle Tennessee State University undergraduate, STEM-based researchers recently showcased their talents, met Tennessee. Gov. Bill Lee and toured the halls of state government at the annual Posters at the Capitol event in Nashville, Tennessee. The MTSU group of nine joined undergraduates from public universities across Tennessee at the Cordell Hull Building to share their projects spanning from cancer treatment to local waterway pollution.

Middle Tennessee State University's Quantum Science Initiative is taking more giant leaps with two new grants - totaling more than $1 million - from the National Science Foundation to expand research, education and inclusivity in quantum education.

Kathryn Blankenship, Middle Tennessee State University professor in the Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology program, and Victoria Trevino, a program senior who plans to pursue medical school, were guests on this month's "Out of the Blue" television magazine program to discuss the program and its opportunities for undergraduate research.

Last week's sixth annual Open House undergraduate research event, organized by Middle Tennessee State University's Undergraduate Research Center, burst with curiosity from attendees and passion from student researchers and their wide variety of presentations.

Eight MTSU undergraduates took their research projects across the pond to the annual World Congress on Undergraduate Research, also known as WorldCUR, at the University of Warwick in Coventry, England, earlier this spring.

MTSU recently sent 16 undergraduates to participate in the National Conferences on Undergraduate Research and one student, Janna Abou-Rahma, was part of the team that won a highly competitive challenge putting her in the top 1% of hundreds of applicants. More commonly known as NCUR, the annual conference took place this April at the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire.

MTSU recently sent 16 undergraduates to participate in the National Conferences on Undergraduate Research and one student, Janna Abou-Rahma, was part of the team that won a highly competitive challenge putting her in the top 1% of hundreds of applicants. More commonly known as NCUR, the annual conference took place this April at the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire.

Eleven MTSU undergraduates will head out both close to home, across the country and beyond this summer after qualifying for prestigious National Science Foundation Research Experience for Undergraduates, or REU, grant placements. The government-funded REU Sites program provides research opportunities for undergraduate students, according to the National Science Foundation website. Each site hosts about 10 students, who work on a specific research project with host-university faculty and other researchers for about six to 10 weeks. Funds cover stipends for the students' work and often will pay for students' travel and housing as well.

Middle Tennessee State University physics major Ariel Nicastro of Franklin, Tennessee, has been selected from about 200 applicants to participate in the 2023 Training and Research Experiences in Nonlinear Dynamics, a summer research program also known as a research experience for undergraduates or REU. Training and Research Experiences in Nonlinear Dynamics, or TREND, is a 10-week undergraduate summer research program in nonlinear dynamics at the University of Maryland in College Park, funded by the National Science Foundation. This year's program will take place from May 30 to Aug. 4. Nicastro will be among 12 undergraduate researchers from across the country. For more, go to https://mtsunews.com/freshman-lands-major-research-role/.