John Martinson Honors College

That’s a wrap on undergraduate research week📚👓🔬
We hope you enjoyed our undergraduate research week series highlighting the amazing work of our JMHC scholars! Their success wasn’t accidental, it started with a passion, a great mentor and a question!
The world needs your ideas next! Let’s start researching!

For our final research spotlight, we’re featuring Lauren Kudla, whose advice for anyone nervous about starting research is; just reach out!
Lauren cold-emailed several professors in the Forestry and Natural Resources department until she found the perfect fit in the Hook Lab. Now, she’s gaining hands-on lab experience-measuring, dissecting, and freeze-drying samples- that doubles as her scholarly project! Her work helps aquatic ecologists understand how fish are adapting (or struggling) in changing environments.

Our final stop for our undergraduate research week spotlight is to the Dominican Republic where Karina Peate has spent two years working alongside students from nursing, EEE, and Comp Sci to implement potable water systems in the La Vega region. Her experience proves that solving global challenges requires more than just one major- it takes a village (and a very dedicated team of Boilers!).
From a high school service trip to a leadership role in a multi-year research initiative, Karina is a true example of what it means to “Level up” at the John Martinson Honors College! 🚂

Ellie Ketchum had never worked with animals before, but after seeing a call for help in a campus newsletter, she took the leap! Now, she’s deep in data analysis, learning how to normalize statistics and find the patterns that help us understand mammalian metabolism! Pretty cool right?

Welcome back to Day 4 of our research series! Today we’re featuring Aarav Zutshi from the College of Engineering!
Aarav didn’t just complete a project, he invented a novel fluid metering technology for aerospace applications! Working with Zulu Pods and Professor Brandon C. Chynoweth, Aarav developed a component that allows drones and missile interceptors to stay lighter and fly faster- at 100x lower cost than what’s currently on the market!
Check out more presenters at the all this week in the PMU!

After a research internship in Germany, Maren brought her molecular biology skills back to to fight drug-resistant fungal infections! This research paves the way for new treatments for cancer patients and those living with HIV who are vulnerable to infection. You can catch her presentation this week in the PMU!

Meet Jenny Guan, our day 2 undergraduate research presenter and JMHC student spotlight!
Jenny’s journey started with a simple curiosity about servant leadership on social media. Now, she’s navigating the complex world of mission- driven publishing and cross-cultural research.
Jenny’s work reminds us that research isn’t just about lab coats, but conversations, collaboration, and figuring out how to make a meaningful impact in the lives of others!
You can read Jenny’s published work in the Wiley Online Library bit.ly/4vvBBoO

Our first student researcher spotlight: Navnoor Kaur Mutti. Her research is on how toxins damage brain cells. The spring undergraduate research conference is the 13th-17th. Catch in person and virtual presentations all the way till 4pm in the PMU ballrooms.

It’s undergraduate research conference week and all week long, we’ll be spotlighting some amazing student researchers who are pushing boundaries, asking the big questions and sharing their findings with the world!
Check back everyday to see if YOU are featured

Join your peers to celebrate Leveling Up in the JMHC and receive your pin for completing the Pathfinder, Rising Scholar or Honors Scholar level!

West Lafayette: Sun. Apr. 12, 10:00 am (open house until noon), Honors Hall (HCRN 1066)

Indianapolis: Fri. Apr. 24, 4:00 pm, Technology Building (ET 003)

Family and friends are welcome to attend and share in the festivities! We can’t wait to see you!