Ebrahim Kayali selected for summer research program at Emporia State University

2015 Jun 18

Their classmates might have gone home for the summer, but for 19 Emporia State University undergraduates, this season is the perfect time to work on research as part of the 2015 ESU Summer Undergraduate Research Program.

The program, ESURP, seeks to fund the university's very best undergraduate students in a high-impact learning experience under the mentorship of dedicated faculty members.

Ebrahim Kayali, a senior Computer Science major from Aleppo, Syria, plans to research "Making piezoelectricity more accessibly using shoes and doormats" with faculty mentor Dr. Kamal Lamsal.

"The selected projects exemplify the themes of 'collaboration' and 'authenticity' and form mutually beneficial partnerships between faculty and students," said Dr. Tim Burnett, associate professor of biology and chair of the Undergraduate Research, Scholarship and Creative Activities committee. "ESURP creates an impactful, mentored learning environment for undergraduates while supporting the pursuit of scholarly productivity by the faculty."

Grants of up to $7,000 that support these projects include faculty summer salary, student compensation and a generous supply budget. The program is supported by Kansas IDeA Network of Biomedical Research Excellence (K-INBRE), the Honors College, ESU Research and Grants Center, Office of the Provost, the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, School of Business and the Teachers College.

Kayali's work is sponsored by the Undergraduate Research Scholarship and Creative Activities committee .