Symposium Undergraduate Research Fellow Program
Extending the Educational Experience
The SURF program, supported by generous donor contributions, offers outstanding students the opportunity to enhance their educational experience and academic passion beyond the classroom.
Additional Information
History and Creation Expand dropdownIn 2006, supporters of the Undergraduate Symposium identified an opportunity to further support student research at a more engaged level. Through the dedicated efforts of Dennis M. Beagen and Jill Hunsberger, the SURF program was established. Program Structure Expand dropdownSelected student fellows collaborate with a faculty mentor in their chosen field of study. SURFs engage in research or creative projects that are of mutual interest to both the student and the faculty mentor. Financial Support Expand dropdownAs part of their award, students receive $1,000, distributed as $500 in the fall semester and $500 in the winter semester, directly to their student account. This amount serves as recognition of their placement as a SURF and can be spent at the student’s discretion.
Additionally, up to $1,000 can be allocated to support the student’s unique research experience or project. The use of these funds must be approved and monitored by the faculty mentor to ensure compliance with University spending and reporting procedures. All SURF support funds must be utilized by May 1 of the current academic year. Any unused funds will be reallocated for future SURF opportunities and will not be available beyond the deadline.
Duration and Renewal Expand dropdownSURF positions are awarded for one year, with the possibility of renewal. Presentation of Work Expand dropdownAs a culmination of their work, SURFs are required to present at the Undergraduate Symposium, held annually in March.
Contact Us
We’d be happy to answer any questions you may have regarding the Symposium Undergraduate Research Fellows. You may call or email:
Amy Bearinger
Event Coordinator Undergraduate Symposium
About The SURF Program
Is The SURF Program For You? Expand dropdownThe SURF Program Is For You If:
- You are an outstanding scholar that is currently enrolled or you are ready to enroll at EMU from high school or community college.
- You are motivated to delve into a research passion from the very beginning of your collegiate career at EMU.
- You are ready to work with a distinguished EMU faculty member, one-on-one.
- You are eager about the opportunity to share your research results with your peers and the larger University community.
Program Benefits Expand dropdownSelected student fellows are:
- immediately matched with a distinguished faculty mentor in the chosen field of study.
- engaged in a research project that is of mutual interest between the student and faculty.
- provided with a $1,000 stipend to support their project, in addition to their accepted scholarship amount ($500 in fall and $500 in winter term of the award year).
- awarded for one year with the possibility of renewal.
- featured in EMU’s distinguished Undergraduate Symposium as a culminating experience.
Meet The Fellows
Alyssa Amos, Biology
Johnathan Hall, faculty mentor
William Fennel SURF Endowment
Baharia Azad, Political Science
Ebrahim Soltani, faculty mentor
Bank of Ann Arbor, sponsor
Micah Bookout, Jewish Studies (History & Philosophy)
Robert Erlewine, faculty mentor
EMU Center for Jewish Studies, sponsor
Nicole Briese, World Languages
Carla Damiano, faculty mentor
Tom Layher, sponsor
Murron Bustetter, Chemistry
Jeffrey Guthrie, faculty mentor
Dykema, sponsor
Valentina Calderon Perez, Economics
Matthew Schaffer, faculty mentor
Ed & Suzanne Jakeway, sponsor
Lukas Gebhardt, Jewish Studies (Political Science)
Jeffrey Bernstein, faculty mentor
EMU Center for Jewish Studies, sponsor
Emma Gower, Biology
Jin Bo, faculty mentor
Dale and Gloria Heydlauff & AEP, sponsor
Alex Kreps, Communication, Media and Theatre Arts
Dennis O’Grady, faculty mentor
Molly Luempert-Coy & DTE Energy Foundation, sponsor
Afnan Mansour, Occupational Therapy
Renuka Roche, faculty mentor
Retirement Income Solutions, sponsor
Ella Markel, Arts Management
Susan Booth, faculty mentor
William Fennel SURF Endowment
Carson McCoy, Exercise Science
Catherine Gammon, faculty mentor
Retirement Income Solutions, sponsor
Margot Moffa, Special Education & Communication Sciences and Disorders
Rebecca Louick, faculty mentor
Tom Sidlik, sponsor
Ryen Padilla, Biology
Aaron Liepman, faculty mentor
William Fennel SURF Endowment
Kaz Reszetar, Biology
Katherine Greenwald, faculty mentor
Dykema, sponsor
Alexander Simion, Information Security and Applied Computing
Samir Tout, faculty mentor
GameAbove EMU, sponsor
Aubree Vipond, Biology
Anne Casper, faculty mentor
In Honor of Anthony & Lois Evans
Loani Rea Williams, Social Work
Sarah Shea, faculty mentor
Paul J. Watson Fund for SURF Support
Jason Grigsby Expand dropdown
Undergraduate Research Fellow, Electronic Media and Film Studies
Jason Grigsby recently returned with his wife and six-year-old daughter to his Ann Arbor roots. Now an EMU student, he served 10 years in the U.S. Army. As an Infantry Sergeant, he was stationed at Ft. Riley, Kansas; Baumhoulder, Germany and Bosnia-Herzegovina (peace-keeping operation); Ft. Irwin, California (Desert Warfare Trainer OPFOR); Zanesville, Ohio (army recruiter); and Ft. Carson, Colorado (armorer).
A transfer student from Washtenaw Community College, Grigsby’s Symposium research project will create a music video of an original song he wrote, produced, engineered and arranged, entitled, “As We Assimilate.” The lyrics assert, “...we of one mind, we of one will, we of one soul, we of one dream.”
He is excited to expand his technical expertise from audio recording engineer to include video production and editing with the assistance of his faculty mentor, Dr. John Cooper.
Katie Murcko Expand dropdown
Undergraduate Research Fellow, Biology
Katie Murcko is a graduate of Napoleon High School in Ohio. Her high school graduation was quickly followed by two weeks on campus in July to get her "feet wet" with on-site biology research. She set spider traps in the Paint Creek Wetland with other EMU students and described her experience: "I was sweaty, sticky and itchy, but as I walked out of the cattails, I saw two Great Blue Herons flying over some trees. They kept circling around each other, diving, landing on branches, and I thought through how, at a basic level, they were a collection of molecules – that everything can be traced back to a microscopic level."
Although her current research with Dr. Cara Shillington is working with spiders – and yes, she does have a pet tarantula – she would like to become a marine biologist and study sharks.
Matt Gudenau Expand dropdown
Undergraduate Research Fellow, Construction Management
A graduate of Roseville High School and Macomb Community College, transfer student Matt Gudenau has committed his research to focus on design and construction to minimize building waste. Faculty mentor, Professor Ben Ilozor recognizes the importance of the topic to the field of construction management from both a cost-saving and environmentally-friendly perspective.
Gudenau is a member of Eastern Construction, a construction management student organization here at EMU. His post-degree goal is to build his experience by working with a major construction firm and then operate his own company. To this end, he plans to participate in a summer on-the-job internship that will allow him to put his Symposium research into practice.
Nicole Brown Expand dropdown
Undergraduate Research Fellow, Social Work
A graduate of Washtenaw Technical Middle College, Nicole Brown entered EMU with 47 credit hours toward her degree in social work.
Born in Queens, New York, Brown moved to Ypsilanti six years ago. Her long-term career goal was set after she had the life-changing experience of watching the birth of her cousin. She will complete her bachelor's degree in social work prior to attending medical school to become an obstetrician.
She is working with faculty mentor, Professor Bonnie Miller, on a project to plan and coordinate an alternate spring break at a volunteer facility in Violet, Louisiana assisting with post-Katrina reconstruction. This project reflects Brown’s commitment to impact her community. She is also actively engaged in the community service organizations, Washtenaw Area Teens for Tomorrow (WATT), Ypsilanti Youth Empowered to Act (YYEA), the Ozone House Drop-In Center, and Teen Center Without Walls (TCW2).