Lehigh Summer Research Expo Showcases Students' Innovative Projects

Provost Nathan Urban looks at a student poster during the annual Summer Research Expo at the Mountaintop Campus. Photo by Tim Cox.

While the Marcon Fellows engage in a diverse range of projects that address critical societal issues, other programs at Lehigh, like the STEM-SI program, provide students with hands-on experience in applying academic research to real-world challenges.

Chad Kusko, director of operations at the Institute for Cyber Physical Infrastructure and Energy, said, "The STEM-SI program offers students a valuable opportunity to apply their classroom knowledge in a laboratory setting. It helps them develop a framework, approach and resilience that are essential for a successful research career."

"Whether these students ultimately pursue graduate school or a career in research, they will acquire a unique skill set that will benefit them in any professional endeavor they choose," Kusko added.

Similarly, Tyler Groft, director of the Baker Institute, highlighted the importance of practical experience and skill development for students.

"I have been working with Hatchery students for six weeks, so I am familiar with their projects. However, it's essential for them to practice presenting their ideas and research to others. Learning how to keep their message fresh while discussing it repeatedly is a valuable skill, and they will gain this experience from the Expo," Groft explained.

Attendees at the Summer Research Expo test out virtual reality headsets. Photo by Christa Neu.

The Expo offered a glimpse into the wide-range of undergraduate research conducted at Lehigh during the summer. Many of these research projects will continue to develop throughout the academic year.

Eric Burton '26, along with Sophia Pham '27, Devin Pombo '26, and Mathurtion Rajendrackumaar '27, presented "STEM Visualizations," a project supported by the Mountaintop Summer program. The project aims to develop an online simulator that enhances the engineering lab experience and improves students' ability to study and analyze complex systems. Building on the success of the Digital Lab Twin (DLT) module, already part of Lehigh's chemical engineering curriculum, the team seeks to further advance engineering education.

"The Expo provided us with a valuable opportunity to communicate our research to people from different backgrounds and with varying levels of knowledge," said Pham.

"We were used to presenting in class settings. At the Expo, by discussing our project repeatedly, I learned how to adjust my language based on people's reactions, questions and the words they used. This experience helped me deliver our message more effectively to individuals with different levels of academic knowledge," Pham added. "This is a skill that will benefit me in the future as well."

The students, working with Srinivas Rangarajan, associate professor of chemical & biomolecular engineering, and Joseph Menicucci, associate chair and teaching associate and professor of chemical & biomolecular engineering, began the project as part of Creative Inquiry's Mountaintop Summer program.

"The Summer Research Expo provides opportunities to celebrate and showcase the diverse and interdisciplinary nature of Lehigh's academic community," said Bill Whitney, assistant vice provost for experiential learning programs. "This year's Expo demonstrates our campus commitment to fostering innovation and excellence across all fields of study. In the summer months, students can take deeper dives into their projects, advance solutions to complex problems and create meaningful impact."

Story by Haidan Hu