The final presentations of this year's H. Milton Stewart School of Industrial and Systems Engineering (ISyE) Summer Undergraduate Research Scholars Program provided a captivating glimpse into the research endeavors of our talented college students from participating colleges and universities. 

Over the course of ten weeks, these students engaged in full-time research under the mentorship of ISyE faculty, culminating in presentations that showcased their creativity and commitment.  

Inside the Summer Research Experience: 

Eligibility: 

• Located in the Atlanta area (note: program does not provide housing to participants) 

• Rising juniors and seniors (who will not have graduated by May) majoring in engineering, math, science, computing, or a related field  

• 20 hours per week for ten weeks 

• $3000 stipend  

Each student worked with a top ISyE professor who guided them through their projects. 

Spotlight on Emerging Scholars: 

Swara Viswanadha, Georgia Tech, Rising Second Year Business Administration 

Swara was inspired to join the program because her brother participated in a previous year and encouraged her to apply. During her project, she worked on ways to improve optimization methods.  

"I started with no programming skills, which was tough," she said. Her mentor, an expert in optimization, helped her learn Python. Swara now wants to study data analytics.  

Her tip for future students? "Once you are given your research assignment, use tools like Google to learn the basics before you start." 

Marena Keys, Carnegie Mellon University, Rising Junior Math Major 

Marena discovered the program through her mentor, Dr. Aris Winger. During her project, she focused on using AI to generate images from text prompts. This hands-on experience allowed her to delve into the intersection of mathematics and artificial intelligence, broadening her research horizons. 

"I wasn’t great at coding before, but I learned a lot," Marena shared. This experience has not only enhanced her skills but also sparked her interest in pursuing graduate studies in the field. 

Her advice to future students? "Don’t be afraid to try new things and embrace the challenges." 

Anna Park, Georgia Tech, Third Year Industrial Engineering 

Anna joined the program after hearing about it from a professor. She researched how to allocate servers in queues effectively. With help from a top ISyE professor, she learned a lot about research. Anna advises future students to "keep an open mind and be ready for surprises." 

Congratulations to all the participants on a successful summer, and we eagerly anticipate the future contributions these budding researchers will make in their academic and professional journeys. 

Read about current and past projects here.