Events
Students Present Research Discoveries
RALEIGH, N.C. (November 15, 2024) – Student researchers in Wake Tech's unique STEM Academic Research & Training (START) program presented their impressive discoveries to a large crowd Friday at the Fall 2024 Student Showcase.
From analyzing comets to studying the diversity of mosquito populations to designing plans to address food security and sustainability in the community, 42 students studying science, math and engineering at Wake Tech gained hands-on experience this semester as paid research interns in the START program.
The experience culminated with the popular showcase, where the student researchers shared their findings with faculty, staff and Wake Tech President Dr. Scott Ralls.
"The Student Showcase is one of my favorite events at Wake Tech," said Ralls. "I love to connect with students and learn about their exciting research. You all inspire us, and we know you have very bright futures!"
Rahi Patel, a student who is pursuing Associate in Science and Associate in Engineering degrees, said her research on ways to alleviate food insecurity really made an impact on her.
"I was so excited to see how local organizations are helping feed less fortunate members of our community. I really learned a lot about how these small groups are making a big difference."
Patel, a 19-year-old student from India, said this project was important to her.
"I know exactly what it feels like to grow up in a home where food is scarce. I want to take what I have learned and try to improve the lives of other people experiencing hunger."
Thanks to a $1.4 million grant from the U.S. National Science Foundation, along with contributions from Terracon Foundation, the Christman Company, Clancy and Theys, Brooks Pierce and DeLisa Alexander, the students are paid $1,000 for a 60-hour commitment on their research project. That commitment includes 15 hours of training, five hours of community-building and 40 hours of research. All students are assigned a faculty mentor.
Much of the research is completed in the state-of-the-art STEM Lab in Building H on Scott Northern Wake Campus and in labs on Southern Wake Campus. Many of the research projects involve collaboration with industry partners and local universities, such as North Carolina State University, Fayetteville State University and the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.
Six graduate students from the UNC-Chapel Hill Department of Cell Biology and Physiology attended the showcase to support the START interns and provided feedback about their posters and presentations.
To date, 565 students have benefited from the START program.
Research projects for Spring 2025 START interns are in the fields of biology, mathematics, 3D printing, geology and physics. More information is available.
