Nearly 30 students participated in SUNY Polytechnic Institute's 10-week Summer Undergraduate Research Program (SURP), working alongside faculty mentors on projects spanning foundational science, engineering and artificial intelligence.

The program was coordinated by SUNY Poly faculty members Dr. Shing-Chi Leung and Marye Ianno and provided students with the opportunity to gain hands-on research experience while contributing to meaningful scientific discovery.

Harmony Kyle, who worked with Dr. Ahmed Abdelaal on a project estimating atmospheric ice loads caused by freezing rain, said the experience transformed the way she approaches problems. "Research has really helped me become more curious," she explained. "It taught me how to connect the dots, ask better questions and dig deeper into understanding the why and how behind what I'm studying."

Everett Groat, who conducted research with Dr. Kazi Imran through SUNY Poly's Center for Intelligent Manufacturing, said the experience provided valuable insight into what it takes to succeed as a researcher. "I learned not only the research process itself, but also the importance of being self-motivated, managing my time and approaching problems with a disciplined, methodical mindset," he explained. "Those are skills I'll carry with me throughout my career."

Mechanical engineering student Pierre-Alain Gbalou returned to SURP for a second consecutive summer, once again working with Dr. Leung. After researching earthquake prediction during last year's program, Gbalou stepped outside his comfort zone this summer to explore physics through DNA simulations and the manipulation of DNA.

"Each project has challenged me in a different way," Pierre noted. "This experience has made me more resilient, helped me develop new technical skills and given me a much broader perspective on research and problem solving."

The program also welcomed New Hartford High School student Nilansh Gupta, a rising senior who reached out to Dr. Leung seeking a research opportunity that paralleled SURP. Gupta worked on modeling orbital motion around a neutron star. 

"It was an incredible experience," noted Nilansh. "I developed stronger communication and time management skills, and it gave me a chance to work on research that connects directly with my interests in aviation and space."

Learn more about the Summer Undergraduate Research Program