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Undergraduate Research Club

URC LogoThe Undergraduate Research Club (URC) is a Registered Student Organization dedicated to promoting undergraduate research and creative activity at Kennesaw State University. Here are just a few things you can do as a member of the club:

  • Learn more about how to get started in undergraduate research, how to find a mentor, how to publish and present your results, and how to get funding for your project.
  • Help sponsor the Symposium of Student Scholars each year.

  • Our mission is to promote an environment of undergraduate research on campus, to advance and disseminate the theory and practice of research, to provide members with opportunities for professional socialization in a research environment, to promote research that benefits the community, and to foster relationships among like-minded peers who are also interested in research. URC is open to all KSU students.

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    • Date
      Time
      Location
      Topic
    • August 24, 2023
      5:30pm-6:30pm
      Academic Learning Center Suite 5500 or join online through Microsoft Teams
      Overview of Undergraduate Research at KSU
    • September 21, 2023
      5:30pm-6:30pm
      Academic Learning Center Suite 5500 or join online through Microsoft Teams
      Panel of Undergraduate Research Alumni
    • October 19, 2023
      5:30pm-6:30pm
      Academic Learning Center Suite 5500 or join online through Microsoft Teams

      Overview of Library Research Resources

      More Info

    • November 9, 2023
      5:30pm-6:30pm
      Academic Learning Center Suite 5500 or join online through Microsoft Teams

      Preparing for the Symposium of Student Scholars

      More Info

    • January 22, 2024
      5:30pm-6:30pm
      Academic Learning Center Suite 5500 or join online through Microsoft Teams

      Overview of research at KSU and upcoming research-related events

      More Info

    • February 19, 2024
      5:30pm-6:30pm
      Academic Learning Center Suite 5500 or join online through Microsoft Teams

      Panel of Undergraduate Researchers

      More Info

    • March 18, 2024
      5:30pm-6:30pm
      Academic Learning Center Suite 5500 or join online through Microsoft Teams

      Panel of Undergraduate Research Faculty Mentors: 

      Dr. Roneisha Worthy, Assistant Chair of the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering and Associate Professor of Civil Engineering

      Dr. Evelina Sterling, Interim Chair of the Department of Health Promotion and Physical Education and Associate Professor of Sociology

      Dr. Whitney Preisser, Assistant Professor of Ecology and Organismal Biology

      More Info

    • April 15, 2024
      5:30pm-6:30pm
      Academic Learning Center Suite 5500 or join online through Microsoft Teams

      TBA

     

  • The Undergraduate Research Club has conducted team-based research projects that are decided upon by the membership at the beginning of the academic year. Each team is led by either an officer or member who has experience in undergraduate research. The projects are presented at KSU's annual Symposium of Student Scholars.

    More information about the team-based URC research projects can be found here. 

    A quick guide to research, developed by URC officers, can be found here. 

    • Officially join the URC on Owl Life.
    • Connect with the Club in Microsoft Teams. This is where members communicate and meetings take place.
  •  Microsoft Teams: Click Here!
    Connect With Us
     

Officers and Contact Information

General inquiries can be sent to urc@kennesaw.edu 

    • Amelia Baker

      abake143@students.kennesaw.edu 

      I am currently a senior at Kennesaw State University working towards a degree in Industrial and Systems Engineering.  I was previously in the First Year Scholars Program where I worked with Dr. Roneisha Worthy on “Exploring the Use of Inducible Nitric Oxide Synthase to Enhance Compost Nitrogen Content,” which was then presented at the Symposium of Student Scholars in the spring of 2022. I am also entering my third year of being an Undergraduate Research Peer Mentor. Since starting at Kennesaw State University, I have been able to gain undergraduate research experience and familiarize myself with the Office of Undergraduate Research. In my free time, I enjoy reading, gardening, and baking. I would like to let incoming freshmen know that while undergraduate research can present challenges, it is rewarding in the end.

      • Mason Hipp

        mhipp3@students.kennesaw.edu 

        I am Mason Hipp, a sophomore at KSU. I am studying Professional Chemistry with a minor in Mathematics. I am honored to be serving as Vice President of Undergraduate Research Club (URC), because I believe they're more opportunities available for our R2 research school, Kennesaw State University (KSU). My current research project, of two years, is exploring the role of phosphorus bearing species in extraterrestrial environments. However, I have just had a switch in research mentors. Now I will be focused on the computational study of the structures and dynamics of gas-phased molecules that are relevant to atmospheric chemistry, origins of life theory, and astrochemistry.

        I believe URC should focus more energy and resources towards socialization between colleagues. Such interactions are important for undergraduate researchers, who are attempting to build a social network with other undergraduate researchers. After all, we are the culmination of the five people we spend the most time with. 

        Aside from my studies, research, and role as a teaching assistant, I enjoy being outside with my dog Allie. We go hiking almost every weekend. I am a logical problem solver, so I enjoy most board and card games such as Chess, Catan, Concordia, Magic the Gathering, Backgammon, etc. Personally, and professionally, I am fascinated by the origins of life in extraterrestrial environments and hope to study Astrochemistry in graduate school. I will prioritize URC members because hardworking individuals deserve to be recognized. 

        Although busy, I am in this role to serve URC members and any prospective undergraduate researchers. Therefore, do not hesitate to reach out to me should you have any questions. 

        • Kiara O'Neal

          koneal23@students.kennesaw.edu

          Hi Everyone! My name is Kiara O’Neal, and I am a sophomore Computer Science major. In my freshman year, I had the privilege of participating in the First Year Scholars Program, collaborating with Dr. Da Hu on “Enhancing Bridge Inspections using Drone Technology and Computer Vision”, a project that I was able to present at the 2024 Symposium and NCUR 2024.

          This year, I am thrilled to serve as the treasurer of the Undergraduate Research Club. In this role, I am committed to supporting and promoting research initiatives across disciplines. Outside of research, you can find me indulging in my love for reading and representing the club gymnastics team at KSU.

          If you have any questions about the club or are curious about research in general, please don't hesitate to reach out. I am always eager to engage in meaningful conversations and collaborate on exciting projects!

          • Chandler Keown

            ckeown3@students.kennesaw.edu 

            Hello, my name is Chandler Keown, and I am a senior psychology major with a minor in medical sociology, and I am looking forward to grad school as I will be graduating this fall semester. My end goal is to be a therapist for teens and young adults and in the meantime, I am looking to understand the theories and research behind the steps necessary to help someone in therapy. In fact, I am currently working as an RBT (Registered Behavior Technician) and will be able to implement these theories with my current patients. In addition, I am also curious about the nature of research that comes from other fields than that of just psychology. As your Secretary officer, I feel it is necessary to try and understand the world around me by listening to others and providing a welcoming space for others to make mistakes to learn and grow. I will do this by meeting each of you where you are and recognizing the different cultural, spiritual, or socioeconomic backgrounds that compose our campus. I hope to make the Undergraduate Research Club a welcoming and understanding environment where questions and learning can flourish. I feel it is worth mentioning that this is my first semester as the Secretary Officer, and I will not know everything immediately. So, let’s make mistakes together and learn to grow from them! 

            Outside of school, I love anything to do with puzzles or puzzle video games, as well as rock climbing, and anything to do with challenging myself to grow to learn more about myself and others. 

            I also work as a Team Lead for Learning Assistants and Supplemental Instructors and have previously been a Supplemental Instructor and a Learning Assistant for multiple different classes. So if you have any questions or need any recommendations for tutors or other study materials for any class, feel free to reach out!

            • Fernanda Herrera-Candanedo

              fherrer3@students.kennesaw.edu 

              Hello, my name is Fernanda Candanedo! I am currently a sophomore Biochemistry major on the Pre-med track here at KSU. I was previously a First-Year Scholar working with Dr. Cyril Okhio on “Brain Augmented Technology (BAT) and STEM-Peer Augmented Success & Support (STEM-PASS).” I presented the project at the American Society for Engineering Education (ASEE) in the spring of 2024 and at the Spring Symposium of Student Scholars in the spring of 2024. I am entering my first year as an Honors Peer Mentor for the Honors College at KSU. I have always been passionate about helping others and I hope to apply all the skills I have gained from Research and mentoring into my future career as a Physician!

              Outside of school, you can catch me participating in 5k’s as I love to run, as well as studying, cooking, going to concerts, and volunteering! I love anything that pushes me to my limit and challenges me. I find it fascinating to see how far the human body can endure, and I love to learn about myself and others through growth and challenges.

              Please do not hesitate to reach out to me if you have any questions, concerns, or just need someone to talk to!

              • Amy Buddie

                abuddie@kennesaw.edu

                I am the Director of the Office of Undergraduate Research and Professor of Psychology. I have served as the faculty advisor for the Undergraduate Research Club since its inception in 2011. I have been the faculty mentor for several of the club's research projects. If you have any questions about anything related to undergraduate research, please do not hesitate to reach out!

               

               

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