Annual Poster Session Showcases Undergraduate Research

The Office of Research hosted its annual Undergraduate Summer Research Poster Session (USRA), where students showcased research conducted through the undergraduate research award program. The program provides students with opportunities to pursue summer research, deepen their intellectual inquiry and work closely with Cleveland State University faculty mentors.

Students develop research, problem-solving, analytical and communication skills while exploring topics related to their academic and professional interests.

Ben Ward, director of research development and innovation, says projects like these immerse students in real-world scenarios where they can apply the skills they have developed. 

“The undergraduate summer research experience builds critical skills in problem solving, analysis and working with a team”, he said.

Aida Calo, a sophomore in the School of Communication, worked with her peers and professor Richard Perloff, to study the relationship between TikTok influencers and their promotion of peptides. She said participating in the study had a profound impact on her academic experience at CSU.

“We got a lot of recognition for this study that we weren’t expecting,” said Calo. “It was a really good opportunity that I’m grateful to be a part of”. 

Students from the College of Business, College of Arts and Sciences, and School of Education and Counseling joined forces to research the well-being of refugees seeking shelter at resettlement centers. Their research examined clients’ sense of well-being and belonging and their relationships with staff at the centers. The students found that most refugees felt safe and developed a connection with staff members who were from the same country.

Lobobi Nasende, a senior in the College of Business, is an immigrant who aspires to become a therapist for immigrants and refugees. She said the research experience has helped her discover a passion for supporting people who share similar experiences. 

“I want to be a resource for them,” said Nasende. “Listening to them about their experiences, it just made me want to help them.”

Ward added that, in addition to working with peers and faculty, students had the opportunity to engage with President Bloomberg, Provost Sridhar and other members of the CSU Board of Trustees. He said the USRA program combines experiential learning with professional development, reflecting the university’s commitment to providing students with meaningful opportunities to grow academically and professionally. 

“The quality of the posters on display and the student presenters was excellent, and we are delighted with that,” he said.