Current Research Projects

 
The purpose of this page is to help undergraduates find faculty members who are looking for help on research projects. If you see a project you're interested in, click on "learn more" to find out the project details and then email the faculty member directly.  You can find archived projects by clicking here
 
  • Understanding the Complete Spectrum of the Left-Wing and Environmental Movement: A Data Driven Approach

    This research project aims to add to the understanding surrounding the degree and nature of terrorism, nonterrorist criminal activities, pre-incident behaviors, and failed/foiled plots perpetrated by those motivated by a left-wing and environmental ideology in the United States. More specifically, this project will utilize secondary sources (e.g., court records, media reports) to assess the modus operandi of left-wing and environmental violent extremists with a specific focus on indicators of malevolent creativity & innovation and criminal expertise.

    Project Field of Study:

    Sociology & Criminal Justice

    Faculty Mentor:

    Dr. Michael Logan

  • Prelicensure Nursing Students Attitudes toward Patients with Cancer Revisited


    Since cancer affects most families in America and the number of cancer survivors is growing, there is an urgent need to explore reasons why prelicensure nursing students lack the aspiration to care for patients with cancer on a Nationwide level; a study which has not been investigated previously.
    Intervention:
    This is a mix-method descriptive survey design study. Qualitative and quantitative data will be obtained through an original online survey with follow-up telephone interviews. Survey questions were derived from current nursing education literature. Recruitment will be conducted via a National Student Nurses Association email distribution.

    Project Field of Study

    Nursing

    Faculty Mentor

    Tracy Ruegg PhD ANP-BC AOCN

    Kawther Hamash PhD RN

  • Design of a compact high vacuum system with a semi-confocal Fabry-Perot cavity for Fourier transform microwave spectrometer

    A major difficulty in the rotational spectroscopy research is the vacuum system. The frequency band of molecular rotational motion lies in the microwave region with a wavelength of 1 -10 cm. A pair of big reflectors is needed to withhold the microwave beam pulse in the Fabry-Perotrot cavity. To achieve 1,000-10,000 reflections before the signals die off in a high-Q resonator down to 3 GHz, the two mirrors should have ~0.5 m diameters and need to be ~1 m apart to form a near confocal cavity resonator, which needs an even larger vacuum chamber to accommodate it. Since the O.D. of flanges is ~ 40% larger than the I.D., the vacuum system will be too big to pass the single open door for most KSU research labs. In view of this, I propose to build a semi-confocal Fabry-Perot cavity resonator which uses a flat disk reflector to take the place of one spherically curved mirror. This design not only enable us to use a half-sized vacuum chamber to accommodate the cavity but also allow us to use the flange itself as a mirror to further lower down the cost. The gold plating or coating will be used to improve the reflection and corrosion resistance of the flange-mirror. MATLAB and SolidWork will be used for calculations and 3D graphic design of the entire system. This is an interdisciplinary research project which integrates the powers of science and engineering technology.

    Project Field of Study

    Chemistry and Biochemistry

    Engineering

    Math

    Faculty Mentor

    Lu Kang

  • Georgia DPH campus sexual violence prevention initiative

    A new sexual violence prevention initiative is being piloted at KSU this year. The initiative involves gathering student input, experiences, and opinions that will contribute to recommendations regarding ways to decrease sexual violence on Georgia campuses. Students will be relied upon to help design data collection tools and methods. They will then work with other students to anonymously gather their opinions and experiences regarding sexual violence at KSU. This opportunity is open to all undergraduate and graduate students. Time requirements are flexible but not expected to exceed two hours per week on average. While this is an unpaid opportunity, students will benefit from real-world research experience addressing an issue that impacts countless students nationwide. The initiative is being directed by Dr. Kevin Baldwin of Applied Research Services, Inc. It is funded by the Georgia Department of Public Health and the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

    Project Field of Study

    Psychological Science

    Faculty Mentor

    Kevin Baldwin

  • Change a Legislative Narrative: A Negotiation Strategy

    This project explores the communication challenges within the legislative world. The purpose of this project is to establish the current narrative influencing lobbyist obstructions. Then, we will explore a new theoretical model for changing the narrative for negotiation success.

    Project Field of Study

    Communication and Media

    Faculty Mentor

    Robin Smith Mathis

  • Solar/LED Illuminated Sign

    Light travels within two parallel flat planes, just like in optical fiber, very well without scattering.  The project is to design, test and implement illuminated signs using LED lights in the background.  The result will be signs, Logos etc. for businesses or organizations, or uniersities, or even street intersections.  Imagine street signs/names well lit and clearly visible from a distance.  Using solar photovoltaic charging, these signs could be alive without power supply, like in rural roads.

    Project Field of Study

    Mechanical Engineering

    Faculty Mentor

    Mir Atiqullah

  • The Needs of the Counter Terrorism Workforce and the Utility of Existing Datasets

    The current project is two-fold, examining both the counterterrorism (CT) workforce and the academic literature to identify the most up-to-date technologies and datasets that the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) can provide its CT workforce. In doing so, this project has two primary objectives. The first objective is to understand better the data-related limitations and needs of individuals in the CT workforce. The second objective is to identify existing datasets related to domestic violent extremism (DVE) and targeted violence and synthesize that information in a helpful format for the CT workforce. The project offers guidance for formulating easy-to-use resources that can be shared across DHS partners and inform operational training. The output from this project will provide our counterterrorism workforce with actional intelligence.

    Project Field of Study

    Sociology and Criminal Justice

    Faculty Mentor

    Michael Logan

  • Subsurface Investigation using Groud Vibrations

    The project will involve creating a ground vibration data collection system using our existing geophones. A geophone is an accelerometer installed at the ground surface to capture the acceleration response of the ground to any seismic disturbance.  The data will be used to estimate the engineering properties of the soil and locate voids or soft spots in the ground.

    Project Field of Study

    Civil and Enviromental Engineering

    Faculty Mentor

    Adam Kaplan

  • Design and Construction of Ground Penetrating Radar Testbed

    Ground penetrating radars are used for subsurface exploration purposes, and for locating underground utilities. CEE department has multiple-size radars ready to be used for research. This project is about designing and building a controlled earth fill with known objects at known depths to be used as a test bed for research purposes. The testbed is a v shape ditch of 50 feet long and approximately 5 feet deep and located at the KSU Field Station. Basic training on using ground penetrating radars will be given. The project will involve a literature survey, design, and construction activities such as filling and compacting the soil.

    Project Field of Study

    Civil and Enviromental Engineering

    Faculty Mentor

    Adam Kaplan

  • Association of Hospital Unit Team Virtuousness Scores with Eight Hospital Unit Measures

    This ongoing study is exploring the relationships between hospital unit team virtuousness scores and eight hospital unit measures. Team virtuousness refers to a team climate in which virtues and character strengths are practiced, supported, and encouraged.

    Students who work on this study will help manage implementation of an online team virtuousness questionnaire and gather hospital unit data. A statistician will analyze the data to determine any associations between hospital unit team virtuousness scores and unit measures of quality of patient care, patient satisfaction, and unit staff engagement and turnover.

    Project Field of Study

    Nursing

    Faculty Mentors

    Lynn Varagona

    Nancy Ballard

  • STEM-PASS: Peer Augmented Success & Support using Brain Augmented Technology (BAT) Research

    Different cognitive skills are required during a teaching and learning exercise. Attention is an important variable to measure during this process because it plays a fundamental role in the accumulation of information with the stimulus of the learner’s memory during the assimilation of knowledge. The purpose of this research is to demonstrate the impact of 3D Immersive content used as a tool for stimulating student concentration when compared with the use of traditional D2L teaching and learning tools. 

    Project Field of Study

    Electrical & Computer Engineering

    Faculty Mentor

    Cyril Okhio

  • Epidemiological Modeling of MisInformation Diffusion on social network

    Characterizing the misinformation diffusion on social networks enables us to understand the properties of underlying media and model communication patterns. In this research project, we will use epidemiological modeling to study the spread of misinformation(rumors).

    Project Field of Study

    Mathematics

    Faculty Mentor

    Pengcheng Xiao

  • Genetics of healthier muscle aging

    Skeletal muscles play a vital role in everyday activities. With aging, muscle tissue accumulates detrimental changes, which negatively impact the quality of living and promote morbidity and mortality. Our lab studies muscles using the fruit fly - a useful model organism for genetic research. With this project, we would like to identify genetic conditions associated with stronger resistance of muscles to aging. We plan to screen multiple lines of flies to find those that demonstrate significantly better preservation of their muscle function during aging. Next, we will apply bioinformatics methods to identify genetic polymorphism (mutations) linked to this condition. Finally, we want to use the fly data to search for similar mutations in humans.

    Project Field of Study

    Molecular & Cellular Biology

    Faculty Mentor

    Anton Bryantsev

  • How air quality affects sport participants’ well-being: Soccer in the Streets near MARTA stations

    Soccer in the Streets is a non-profit organization for the metro Atlanta area’s recreational and community soccer programs. The Soccer in the Streets’ one notable program is StationSoccer. In this program, participants play soccer on the mini-fields built inside or near MARTA stations. For families with resource barriers to both travel and safe places that can accommodate soccer games, the “world’s first transit soccer league” enables metro Atlanta kids and adults to participate in sport activities and adopt healthy lifestyles. In 2020, approximately 1,700 youths and 200 adults participated in this program.

    Project Field of Study

    Exercise Science and Sport Management

    Faculty Mentor

    Dr. Kyu-soo Chung

  • STEM Peer Augmented Success & Support (STEM-PASS)-Using TI-Robotic Kits and EEG-enhanced Brain Augmented Technology Research

    The Brain Augmented Technology BAT aspect of this study will research event-related potentials (ERPs) which reflect the electrical activity of neurons that underlie cognitive and sensory processing. Our EEG and ERPs laboratory will enhance our ability to investigate the neural processes underlying, for example, attention, memory, inhibition, and language. The  in-house EEG  systems have high performance  relative  to  other systems.

    The supplied Texas Instrument Robotics System Kit will help students to: Learn software development methodology: Understand how to set up an Integrated Development Environment (IDE): Learn import and export Code Composer Studio (CCS) projects: Learn critical debugging information of memory usage and performance of the software on the TI-RSLK processor: and Learn to create a control system by combining the sensors with the actuators.

    Project Field of Study

    Electrical & Computer Engineering

    Faculty Mentors

    Dr. Cyril OKHIO
    Dr. Ted Grosch
    Dr. Austin Asgill
    Dr. Max North

  • Undergraduate Research Opportunity In The Field Of Population Genetics

    Population genetics deals with genetic differences within and between populations and is a part of evolutionary biology. It is used to detect genetic diseases and genetic risk factors for multifactorial diseases, understand diseases using insights obtained from genetic risk factors and treat diseases using these insights.   Theoretical population genetics bridges mathematics and evolutionary biology. The corner stone of  population genetics is the Kingman coalescent. Using a new calculus, fractional calculus, we introduced the modified version of Kingman coalescent, which we call fractional coalescent. In this research, you will learn how by using  Kingman's coalescent and fractional coalescent we could identify and understand the forces that produce and maintain genetic variation in populations. 

    Project Field of Study

    Mathematics

    Faculty Mentor

    Dr. Somayeh Mashayekhi

  • Maternal Reprogramming of Cellular Memory at Fertilization

    Students will be trained in genetics, bioinformatics, and cytological techniques as they investigate mechanisms that underlie maternal epigenetic reprogramming at fertilization.

    Project Field of Study

    Molecular and Cellular Biology

    Faculty Mentor

    Dr. Brandon Carpenter

  • Monitoring bird-building collisions on campus: Project Safe Flight Georgia (Georgia Audubon)

    Birds are vital to our everyday lives. They pollinate, they disperse seeds, they devour pests, and they bring us great joy and inspiration. However, birds are in trouble. While they face many pressures, one that is present on Kennesaw State University's campus is that of collisions with structures.  Between 365 million and 1 billion birds are estimated to perish each year from colliding with buildings in the United States, the 3rd leading cause of avian death. Bright lights at night, shiny glass exteriors, and transparent facades can be deadly as birds struggle determining what is and isn't a clear pathway during flight.

    Project Field of Study

    Ecology, Evolution & Organismal Biology

    Faculty Mentor

    Dr. Sarah Guindre- Parker

  • A Stride Towards Healthy Populations: A Mixed-Methods Study of Population Health Content in Prelicensure Nursing Curricular

    This exploratory sequential mixed methods study aims to investigate the extent to which population health content is integrated into prelicensure nursing curricula in the United States.

    Project Field of Study

    Nursing

    Faculty Mentors

    Dr. Modupe Adewuyi

    Dr. M'Lyn Spinks

  • Impact of Clinical Experiential Approaches During COVID-19 Pandemic on Pre-licensure Student Nurses' Dementia Care Competence

    This is a sequential explanatory mixed-method designed study. The purpose of the study is to evaluate the efficacy of the clinical experiential approaches being used by nursing programs during the COVID-19 pandemic with respect to pre-licensure nursing students' dementia care knowledge, skills, and attitudes.

    Project Field of Study

    Nursing

    Faculty Mentors

    Dr. Modupe Adewuyi
    Dr. Kathleen Morales
     
  • Confined Collective Migration of Breast Cancer Cells of Different Clinical Subtypes (Mechanical Engineering, Math, Biology, and Art)

    Cells utilize different mechanisms to migrate based on the microenvironments the cells reside in: on two-dimensional surfaces, cell migration is mostly driven by actin polymerization; in confined spaces, it can be driven by water permeation, which comes from polarized distribution of membrane ion channels and directional ion fluxes across the cell. We will study collective migration of breast cells with both mathematical and experimental approaches, along with a component of artwork, and have openings for undergraduate researchers. 

    Project Fields of Study

    Department of Mechanical Engineering
    Department of Mathematics
    Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology
    School of Art and Design

    Faculty Mentors

    Yizeng Li
    Glenn Young
    Eric Albrecht
    Craig Brasco

  • Machine Learning and Artificial Intelligence

    The Center for Machine Vision and Security Research (CMVSR) is pursuing innovative research projects falling in the areas of machine vision, pattern recognition, machine learning, convolutionary neural networks (CNN), artificial intelligence, and evolutionary computation.

    Project Field of Study

    Computer Science

    Faculty Mentor

    Chih-Cheng Hung

  • A Comprehensive Approach to Support the Requirements Analyst Before, During, and After Requirements Elicitation Interviews

    Requirements engineering is the set of activities concerned with determining and communicating the expectations for a new or modified product, and the contexts in which it will be used. Requirements elicitation, i.e., the practice of collecting these features, called requirements, is the first of these activities and is recognized as a critical and difficult stage in the development of software systems. Among the available elicitation techniques, interviews with stakeholders are the most commonly used in practice. However, a comprehensive approach to improve the effectiveness and the quality of requirements elicitation interviews has not been studied yet. This research aims at filling this gap by providing a set of novel techniques and tools to support the analyst before, during, and after the interview.

    Project Field of Study

    Software Engineering and Game Design

    Faculty Mentor

    Paola Spoletini

  • Atlanta's Immigrant Crossroads: Untapped Potential or Utilized Promise for Newcomer Integration

    Recently several municipalities in the Atlanta area have declared themselves “welcoming cities” to immigrants and refugees. Atlanta is a new immigrant gateway destination and a region at the crossroads of receptivity (Singer, Hardwick, and Brettel, 2008).

    Project Field of Study

    Geography & Anthropology, Social Work and Human Services

    Faculty Mentors 

    Paul McDaniel
    Darlene Rodriguez

 

©