Major(s): Exercise Science

Title of Research

Air Toxics in Wildfire Smoke

Inspiration for Research

My friend Rayana, who had done research in the academic semester, encouraged me to work at a research lab while I was looking for jobs in the summer. My passion for science made me more interested in answering questions that don’t necessarily have one.

The Big Picture

My research will allow me to understand the effects of harmful compounds roaming in the air that we breathe, caused by wildfires and other smoke sources. This way, we can raise awareness among people and ensure they take precautions to avoid such effects.

Major(s): Civil and Environmental Engineering

Title of Research

Laboratory Evaluation of Glass Fibre Reinforced Polymer (GFRP) Bars to Improve Joints in Natural Fibre Reinforced Concrete (NFRC) Pavements

Inspiration for Research

My interest in research was sparked by recognizing the need for innovative, evidence-based solutions to key construction challenges like sustainability and durability. Guided by an inspiring mentor who encouraged critical thinking, I’ve grown increasingly passionate about the work I’m involved in as an undergraduate research assistant. It’s been a rewarding experience to contribute to such a meaningful project.

The Big Picture

Incorporating flax fibers into concrete provides a sustainable alternative in construction by decreasing dependence on synthetic or steel reinforcements and promoting the use of renewable resources.

Major(s): Psychology

Title of Research

Investigating the Origins of Parkinson’s Disease: Pathways of Transmission in a Mouse Model

Inspiration for Research

My interest in research sparked from taking an Anatomy and Physiology class, and hearing all the different times my professor said, “We learned it *this* way when I was in school, but now we actually know it’s *this*”, absolutely blew my mind. The professor teaching my A&P class was only 5-10 years older than me at most, and so the sheer amount of scientific discovery over such a short amount of time amazed me! When I found out there was research at my school and in my department already, I cold emailed a PI who was doing things I found interesting, and I’ve been involved in research ever since!

The Big Picture

Glyphosate, usually in Roundup, is the most commonly and widely used herbicide in the world, and Parkinson’s Disease is the second most common neurodegenerative disorder, behind only Alzheimers. Two previously widely used pesticides, Paraquat and Rotenone, had their use discontinued due to the evidence that they induced and exacerbated Parkinson’s. Knowing that Parkinson’s disease starts in the gut, it’s imperative that we are able to research if the newest iteration of pest control used on our food is causing the same problems we’ve seen in our recent past with Paraquat and Rotenone. Understanding the progression and process of Parkinson’s Disease can also assist with earlier diagnosis, and a continuation of the effort to find preventative methods. Currently, diagnosis means the disease has been seeding in the brain of the diagnosed patient for years, emphasizing the importance of earlier detection and preventative mechanisms.

Major(s): Engineering Plus Emphasis Robotics & Systems Engineering

Title of Research

A New Two‐Factor Perceptual Model for Rapidly Estimating Balance and Complexity in Static HMIs

The Big Picture

The goal of this research is to decrease the barrier of entry for low level technical positions by decreasing the cognitive load on each individual user allowing non-technical workers to get a start in a technical field.

Major(s): Health Science

Title of Research

Unlocking the Neurochemical Secrets of Aging: Investigating the Impact of GABA Producing Probiotics on Healthy Aging

Inspiration for Research

I was inspired by my mentor, Dr. Kavita Sharma, who introduced me to the fascinating world of microbiology and its impact on human health. Her passion for scientific discovery and her guidance in the lab helped me see how research can be used to solve real-world problems. She encouraged me to ask deeper questions and explore how something as small as a bacterium could play a big role in how we age. Her support truly sparked my curiosity and commitment to research.

The Big Picture

The big picture of my research is to find a natural, accessible way to help people age gracefully. By studying how Lactobacillus lactis stimulates GABA production in the brain, we hope to prevent or reduce age-related conditions like anxiety, memory loss, and cognitive decline. If successful, this research could lead to simple, probiotic-based solutions that support healthy brain aging in communities everywhere.

Major(s): Psychology, Sociology

Title of Research

Investigation of the Association Between Developmental Disability Diagnoses and Recidivism Risk in a Juvenile Corrections Context

Inspiration for Research

What inspired me was how learning disabilities go unrecognized and the behavior gets punished instead of treated.

The Big Picture

Bring awareness about hidden disabilities that need assessments and interventions to be treated.

Major(s): Horticulture and Urban Agriculture

Title of Research

Exploring Innovative Approaches to Micropropagate North American Cloudberry (Rubus chamaemorus)

Inspiration for Research

What truly fuels my interest in research is an insatiable curiosity and a deep passion for learning. I am considerably compelled by the idea that nature holds endless secrets yet to be uncovered, and I am interested in being a part of the journey to reveal them.

The Big Picture

My research on micropropagation of cloudberries is focused on developing a reliable and efficient protocol that consistently produces the highest quality and largest number of plants. An optimized micropropagation method will ensure a consistent and uniform supply of plant material, facilitating advancements in research and promoting growth in the cloudberry industry. Considering the well-established health benefits of berry fruits and their widespread appeal across all age groups, the introduction of a flavorful, nutrient-rich berry would be a considerable contribution.

Major(s): Computer Science

Title of Research

Benchmarking Uncertainty Quantification for Deep Learning

Inspiration for Research

My interests lied in computers from my early age. and recent growth of AI made me curious how it works, and I wanted to do something. So, I reached out to my professor (Dr. Min Xian, who is now my research advisor) who suggested that if I was interested in contributing to make AI better, I should go for uncertainty quantification. His motivation came from his work related to medical AI and Trustworthy AI.

The Big Picture

The goal of my research is to make AI systems more trustworthy and reliable. I study different Uncertainty Quantification methods—like Deep Ensembles, Monte Carlo Dropout, LP-BNN, MAPLE, and Dirichlet Meta-models—and evaluate how well they can detect when an AI model is likely to be wrong. My experiments use image classification benchmarks like CIFAR-10 and Tiny ImageNet with deep learning models such as WideResNet and DenseNet. AI is already being used in high-stakes environments—from diagnosing diseases to powering autonomous systems. A model that simply gives an answer isn’t enough. We need models that can say, “I’m not sure.” By improving uncertainty estimation, my research helps pave the way for safer, more responsible AI—especially in sensitive applications like medical AI, where overconfident mistakes can have life-altering consequences. Through this work, I hope to contribute to a future where AI is not only powerful, but also transparent, accountable, and aligned with human needs—benefiting communities both locally and globally.

Major(s): Associates in Engineering

Title of Research

TNF, Farnesol, and the Mouse Gut Microbiome

Inspiration for Research

My girlfriend, who struggles with an autoimmune disease.

The Big Picture

Understanding farnesol and TNF is helpful since TNF is an inflammatory cytokine and farnesol can help reduce inflammation. The gut microbiome is extremely important as it creates 70% of our immune cells, and our lab looks into how the gut microbiome works with diseases like MS and diabetes.

Major(s): Criminal Justice

Title of Research

Neoliberal higher education influencing food insecurity in students

Inspiration for Research

People I’ve met in the Intermountain Social Research Lab and and Michael Kreiter’s class.

The Big Picture

My research started out as a way to push myself as a student. If it has an effect on my community I hope it is that we should all think critically about the systems we engage in such as higher education, or neoliberalism as a whole.