Ashhar Adnan
Wearable IMUs for Tracking Hemiplegic Gait
"The RES-MATCH program is a nice way for like-minded students and professors to connect and work on research that helps make the world a better place. During the semester, the program provided ample financial support to help achieve the project deliverables and allowed students to have a hands-on research experience."
Nur Arslan
Smartphone-Based Biosensors for the Point-of-Care Testing of Metabolites
"Overall, I felt the [RES-MATCH] project was an enriching experience. I have learned several useful laboratory and scientific skills, such as the performance and interpretation of spectrophotometry and proper instrument handling skills. This project was also an opportunity to strengthen existing skills, such as solution preparation and sample purification. I also believe that this project has introduced me to new concepts, such as chemical characterization methods, including SEM imaging and XRD scans, and helped me understand concepts discussed in my analytical chemistry course hands-on. In all, I believe this project has fortified my interest in chemistry and opened the door to the applications of chemistry in sensing."
Chandler Besse
The Impact of Field-Realistic Nicotine Exposure on Odorant Information Processing and Navigation in Bombus Impatiens (The Common Eastern Bumblebee)
"I am extremely grateful to have had the opportunity to work alongside Matthew Smith on this research project. It has been an incredible learning opportunity that has allowed me to develop new skills and improve existing ones. This project has opened my eyes to the broader applications of artificial intelligence and computer vision [that] I had never considered. Professor Smith was always enthusiastic and happy to answer my questions, leading to many insightful conversations. As an AI major, I have always been interested in research. This experience has nourished that interest and is pushing me further in that direction. Professor Smith and I have discussed methods to improve this experiment and develop the project further, so I am incredibly excited for the upcoming semester! This experience was invaluable; so, to improve RES-MATCH, I would suggest increasing the number of projects to allow even more undergraduate students the opportunity to explore research."
Dahee Chung
Functional and Genomic Clustering in the Colon
"Participation in the RES-MATCH program provided valuable experience in executing an end-to-end research project, from data preprocessing and statistical testing to machine learning and integrative modeling. The structured milestones and regular feedback facilitated steady progress, while the flexibility of the program allowed exploration of advanced methods."
Kaleb Ecklund
Porous Scaffolds with Tunable Swelling Properties for Drug Delivery Applications
"My overall impressions of the [RES-MATCH] program and my project specifically are positive. Over the course of the semester, I have gained multiple skills in hydrogel synthesis and cryogel synthesis. Furthermore, I have learned multiple ways in which these materials can be tested to determine their material and absorption properties. Lastly, I learned a significant amount about the general field of hydrogels, a field that I likely would not have had the opportunity to experience this early in my career without this opportunity. Many of the Ph.D. programs that I am applying to are performing interesting biomedical research through hydrogels, so I believe that this project has prepared me well to become a contributor in similar projects during graduate school."
Bethany Feather
Construction of Shielded Microfluidic Devices
"Overall, this project provided meaningful insight into the relationship between mechanical design, material selection, and microfluid fabrication requirements. The iterative design process highlighted the importance of understanding material behavior, 3D-printing constraints, and lab procedures when designing equipment for biomedical engineering applications. The design achieved during this semester establishes a strong foundation for continued improvements."
Christian Yvelisse González Aragon
Metabolic Pathway Characterization of Multidrug-Resistant Bacteria: Insights into Mechanisms of Persistence and Adaptation
"Participating in a microbiology laboratory for the [RES-MATCH] project allowed me to develop a wide range of technical and analytical skills. Throughout the project, I gained essential laboratory competencies, including biosafety training, sterile and aseptic techniques, cell culture maintenance, bacterial handling, cell infection assays, serial dilutions, bacterial colony seeding and harvesting, and quantitative CFU enumeration. Beyond the technical aspects, I also learned to analyze and interpret experimental data with greater confidence. MDR bacteria represent a serious global threat, and there is an urgent need to identify and test novel drug compounds as potential future antibiotics. This experience underscored the importance of developing new antimicrobial strategies. Even when the data [are] inconclusive and indicate that the tested compounds may not be effective candidates, it is equally valuable to evaluate and discard ineffective molecules in vitro, as this refines the search and directs efforts toward compounds with higher inhibitory potential. By narrowing down the most promising candidates, the research can advance toward testing in models that increasingly resemble human physiological conditions."
Yanwen Hu
Thermal Foot Therapy
"Overall, the project provided extensive experience in thermal analysis, CAD-based design, prototyping, and early-stage experimental evaluation, and highlighted clear engineering pathways for advancing [a] device toward functional clinical or consumer use. [The] RES-MATCH program was a great platform to connect with professor[s] about research opportunities."
Yslam Ismailov
Understanding the Physiological Limits and Health Outcomes of Indoor Heat Extremes and Cold Snap Exposures
"This research project significantly improved my research and analytical skills. The process of synthesizing a large body of scientific literature into a coherent narrative was challenging, yet rewarding. On a personal level, I have already begun incorporating some findings into my daily life, such as reconsidering practices such as frequent cold showers in light of research on the body's response to thermal stress."
Symthasree Koganti
Establishing a Gene Deletion Dual System to Produce Genetic Knockouts of Klebsiella Pneumoniae
"My time within RES-MATCH has been beneficial to both my lab skill set and my interest in research. This project under Professor Tuz’s mentorship provided a deeper look into current research and some methodology within genetic engineering. In addition, it built upon my previous experience with molecular biology techniques such as DNA extraction and gel electrophoresis, with training and execution of microbiological and aseptic techniques as well. Working with ligation and biotechnology methods (i.e., PCR) that were covered in classroom material provided me with a conceptual understanding in the context of addressing real-world concerns rather than a purely theoretical one. Beyond classroom material, being present in weekly lab meetings also allowed me to learn about other ongoing lab projects and new research on bacterial antibiotic resistance. As a student pursuing a career in health care, RES-MATCH has been a program that strengthened my interest in genetics and its applications."
Dominique Orbea
"This project provided me with highly valuable learning experience. I was able to gain hands-on experience in primary neuronal culture, immunohistochemistry, fluorescence microscopy imaging, laboratory etiquette, and essential lab skills. I benefited greatly from working under the guidance and expertise of Professor Tuz and developed a deeper understanding and interest in research. This project broadened my understanding of not only the theory of the pertinent biological concepts, but [also] of [how] theoretical principles learned in the classroom translate into experimental procedures in a formal laboratory setting. Overall, the program was very educational and gave me a strong foundation in laboratory practice that deepened my appreciation for the scientific process."
Merub Shaikh
A Human-Centered Design Approach to Safe Ambulation for Individuals with Hemiplegia: A Qualitative Analysis of Design Challenges
"My RES-MATCH experience has been deeply meaningful...The RES-MATCH program provided training in design-oriented qualitative research, emphasizing methodological rigor and empathy-driven inquiry. Through this work, I developed competencies in literature review synthesis, research gap identification, interview protocol design, IRB compliance, and consent-based data collection, strengthening my ability to conduct ethical, human-centered research. I thank Jennifer Shin for mentorship in interview design and guidance through the IRB approval process; Professor Nelson Rosa for continuous guidance, critical feedback, and constructive challenges; Mark Miller for insights on participant interaction and opportunities to observe and refine qualitative interviewing practices; and Kevin Meade for sharing perspectives on disabled communities and advising on disability-centered research framing."
Jiaxin Xie
Persistent Luminescent Nanophosphors for High-Sensitivity Detection of 17β-estradiol
"This research project taught me how each step in nanoparticle synthesis and [silica-COOH-related] surface coating chemistry could affect detection efficiency. I appreciated learning what real research feels like, because it is not only following a fixed protocol similar to the lab lectures in school, but requires critical thinking, independent reading, and flexible approaches. As a biology major getting into this bio-chem project, I realized the importance of interdisciplinary research and how biology and chemistry could potentially [combine] for developing more effective methods. As a first-year student at the beginning of this research journey, I am very grateful for Professor Mao, Yuchen, and everyone in the lab who helped me build up knowledge and supported me throughout this program. Thanks to the RES-MATCH program! To improve, I would hope that the program could be longer so students could continue their projects. There is always more to explore and new questions raised as we continue our projects. In general, I loved the opportunity to work under Professor Mao and enjoyed hearing about other lab members’ projects and their experiences in the research journey."