Fairmont State Receives Grant to Fund STEM Research Program
Fairmont State University has been awarded $22,055 each year for three years in grant
funding from the West Virginia Higher Education Policy Commission’s Science, Technology
& Research (STaR) Division’s Summer/Semester Undergraduate Research Experience (SURE)
program. This award will fund undergraduate-led research within Fairmont State’s College
of Science and Technology and other campus departments with related research opportunities.
The project, entitledIncreasing Undergraduate Research Opportunities at Fairmont State University, aims to improve student success and career readiness in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) fields by supporting undergraduate research projects, graduate school preparation, and networking opportunities. Students will be able to participate in undergraduate-led research projects supervised by faculty mentors. Each participating student will receive a $2,000 stipend for conducting research and meeting with mentors.
Kristy Henson, Assistant Professor of Forensic Science, developed the project proposal and will serve as Co-Principal Investigator on the project with Principal Investigator Michael Davis, President of Fairmont State University. Other faculty who will lead undergraduate research projects include Andreus Baur, Rachel Cook, Derek Dewig, Kelley Flaherty, Mark Flood, Deb Hemler, James Long, Jamie Miller, Matthew Scanlon, Ganga Sharma, Bishnu Sedai, and Kristen Winter.
“Undergraduate research gives students opportunities outside of the classroom and shows them a sneak peak of what they can do after graduation,” said Henson. “They get to work alongside their professors as a colleague and network with other researchers in their field.”
STaR’s Summer/Semester Undergraduate Research Experience (SURE) Program helps colleges and universities provide research experiences to undergraduates in STEM fields. “We are proud to be taking part in WVHEPC’s SURE program,” stated Davis. “Participating in undergraduate research has a transformational impact on students, which is what we strive to provide at Fairmont State.”
“Students who take part in meaningful research have higher retention rates and are more competitive in respect to graduate school and career placement,” added Henson. “When students succeed, the University succeeds.”
