Developing satellite communications, large language models and sustainable energy alternatives are just some of the ways Arizona State University students are addressing real-world challenges through hands-on research.
Students in the Ira A. Fulton Schools of Engineering at ASU have myriad opportunities to conduct research that creates tangible impact. Through individual projects mentored by Fulton Schools faculty members, undergraduate and graduate students are applying their classroom knowledge, building new skills and forging meaningful advances in the research themes of data science, education, energy, health, security, semiconductor manufacturing and sustainability.
In the Fulton Undergraduate Research Initiative, also known as FURI, participants conceptualize ideas, develop plans and investigate research questions during a semester.
Students participating in the Grand Challenges Scholars Program, or GCSP, can apply for additional funding to conduct research through the GCSP research stipend program. Conducting research is one part of the rigorous GCSP competency requirements designed to prepare students to solve the world’s most complex societal challenges.
These programs enhance students’ ability to innovate, think independently and solve problems in their communities. They also benefit from the technical and soft skills they gain, which prepare them for their careers and to pursue advanced degrees.
Each semester, students who participate in FURI and the GCSP research stipend program are invited to present their findings at the Fulton Forge Student Research Expo.
Meet the eight research participants highlighted below and more than 100 other student investigators at the Spring 2026 Fulton Forge Student Research Expo, which is open to the public, on Wednesday, April 22, 1 to 3 p.m. in the Memorial Union on ASU’s Tempe campus.
Alex Jaber
Alex Jaber, an electrical engineering sophomore in the School of Electrical, Computer and Energy Engineering, part of the Fulton Schools, is participating in FURI with Sun Devil Satellite Laboratory to develop communications systems for the SquidSat satellite.
How will your engineering research project impact the world?
My project will allow other universities and future students to more readily develop their satellites. This project is open-source, which allows future students to build the antenna with the design files without having to use the resources to develop the antenna themselves. The resources that would have been used on the development of the antenna can therefore be spent on improving the satellite, as well as the research being conducted through the satellite platform.
What has been your most memorable experience as a student researcher in this program? Did you have a particular “aha!” moment during your project?
My most memorable experience thus far has been the successes I have had with the programming and overall testing of my project. It has been amazing seeing a blinking light finally flash from my board after months of designing, testing and debugging. That light was the first indication that all the work I have put in has resulted in success. Moreover, I was able to achieve this without having to modify the circuitry in any significant way, which has been a good milestone as a printed circuit board designer.
How do you see this experience helping with your career/advanced degree goals?
This project has thus far taught me practical engineering skills, especially in working with electronic equipment and the reality of engineering design.
Chiya Goyal
Chiya Goyal, a biomedical engineering junior and GCSP student, says that the brain calls to her in a way nothing else ever will. She chose to research electrical resistance in subtypes of glioblastoma, one of the most aggressive forms of brain cancer, because it aligns with her interests, goals and expertise.
What made you want to get involved in this program?
I wanted to get involved in this program because it directly aligns with my long-term goal of pursuing dual medical and doctoral degrees in biomedical engineering, with a focus on neural engineering. I am deeply motivated by the challenge of understanding the brain’s electrical language and translating that knowledge into clinical solutions. This program offers the opportunity to bridge engineering and medicine, which is exactly the kind of interdisciplinary environment I hope to build my career in. I am especially drawn to research with clear translational potential, and working alongside Mayo Clinic postdocs provides exposure to the rigor and collaboration required in high-level biomedical research. Being part of this program represents more than just academic involvement — it feels like a foundational step toward the career I envision for myself in neural engineering and medical innovation.
Why did you choose the project you’re working on?
I chose to investigate electrical impedance signatures of glioblastoma subtypes because it integrates neuroscience, electrical engineering and cancer research. After gaining experience in the Neural Control of Movement Lab and learning about glioblastoma through related projects, I became particularly interested in how devastating and complex this disease is.
How will your engineering research project impact the world?
My engineering research project has the potential to impact the world by advancing how we diagnose and understand glioblastoma, which is one of the most aggressive forms of brain cancer. By investigating electrical impedance signatures of different glioblastoma subtypes, this project explores a noninvasive, quantitative approach to distinguish tumors based on their biophysical properties rather than relying solely on traditional pathology or genetic analysis. If successful, this work could contribute to the development of faster, more precise diagnostic tools that detect tumor heterogeneity in real time, helping physicians tailor treatments to individual patients.
Jamie Mbabazi Magezi
Jamie Mbabazi Magezi, a civil engineering sophomore participating in FURI, is focused on improving infrastructure in developing regions through geotechnical innovation. His work is inspired by real-world challenges in Uganda, where soil conditions and heavy rainfall contribute to major transportation issues.
How will your engineering research project impact the world?
If successful, my research could benefit not only Uganda but many regions facing similar issues. Even in places like Arizona or Texas, sulfate-rich soils are difficult to manage and often require expensive replacement. My work has the potential to improve geotechnical processes and reduce costs for large-scale projects.
Have there been any surprises in your research?
Not yet, as I am still in the early stages; though I anticipate that experimenting with different fungal strains may produce unexpected and promising interactions.
How do you see this experience helping with your career or advanced degree goals?
This research is providing me with practical engineering experience early in my academic career, even before I take formal geotechnical classes. It provides a strong foundation and a glimpse into the complexity of work in industry.
What is the best advice you’ve gotten from your faculty mentor?
Whatever you do in your research, be ready to defend it — and always be prepared to explain why.
Why should other students get involved in this program?
Research improves not only technical skills but also teamwork, communication and networking. It opens doors to opportunities and connections you wouldn’t otherwise have.
Daniel Fan
Daniel Fan, a first-year electrical engineering student, is exploring the intersection of artificial intelligence, or AI, and cyber-physical systems. His work focuses on applying agent-based AI models to real-world systems involving human interaction.
What made you want to get involved in this program? Why did you choose the project you’re working on?
I wanted hands-on experience with cutting-edge technology and an introduction to research and became interested in working on cyber-physical systems and AI, which combines my background in large language models and embedded systems.
How will your engineering research project impact the world?
My project explores cyber-physical systems where AI and humans work together. This could help uncover practical challenges in implementing deterministic systems where AI and humans interact — ultimately contributing to safer, more effective real-world AI applications.
How do you see this experience helping with your career or advanced degree goals?
I plan to pursue a master’s degree in electrical engineering, and this experience is giving me a strong research foundation. I’ve learned how to approach open-ended problems, interpret data and have even contributed to a research paper.
What is the best advice you’ve gotten from your faculty mentor?
Always stay positive, no matter the challenges you encounter.
Why should other students get involved in this program?
It’s an incredible opportunity to develop as a researcher, work closely with faculty and contribute to real-world impact even with limited experience.
Emily Carrillo Munoz
Emily Carrillo Munoz, a sophomore aerospace engineering student in FURI, is researching the mechanical stability of solar cells using a novel material called perovskite. Her work focuses on improving the reliability of materials used in semiconductor and energy applications.
What made you want to get involved in this program? Why did you choose the project you’re working on?
I was introduced to FURI through GCSP and became interested in sustainability research. After learning about perovskite solar cells, I was fascinated by their high efficiency and low mechanical stability, which led me to pursue this project.
How will your engineering research project impact the world?
My research focuses on quantifying fracture energy to understand material delamination. This could lead to more reliable semiconductor devices and more stable solar cells, improving manufacturing processes and renewable energy technologies.
Have there been any surprises in your research?
Before joining the lab, I didn’t realize how important mechanical testing is for solar cell stability. It changed my perspective on how these technologies are developed and improved.
How do you see this experience helping with your career or advanced degree goals?
This research helped me discover a passion for mechanical testing and gave me direction for my future career. It also strengthened my technical and analytical skills.
Lia Ryan
Lia Ryan, a robotics engineering student, chose to participate in FURI after joining the lab of Xin Xu, an assistant professor of engineering in The Polytechnic School, part of the Fulton Schools, where she became interested in batteries with solid-state electrolyte materials, which are battery material alternatives that enable safer, higher-density batteries. Her project focuses on exploring new applications of a novel material called lithium lanthanum zirconium tantalum oxide, or LLZO, particularly in the context of energy systems.
What made you want to get involved in this program? Why did you choose the project you’re working on?
I decided to get involved in this program after joining Professor Xu’s research group and participating in their LLZO research. I found working with the material interesting and wanted to see if there were other applications for it.
How will your engineering research project impact the world?
My engineering research project will impact the world by replacing toxic, waste-producing nuclear fission reactors with nuclear fusion reactors that produce very little waste and can generate more energy with less input material.
What is the best advice you’ve gotten from your faculty mentor?
The best advice I’ve received is to fully research the requirements for applications or opportunities, and to learn from others’ experiences to improve your chances of success.
Why should other students get involved in this program?
Students should get involved because it gives them early exposure to research as undergraduates before applying to doctoral programs.
Catlynh Nguyen
Computer science junior Catlynh Nguyen is exploring the applications and limitations of AI and large language models, or LLMs. Her research focuses on understanding how these systems work in practice and evaluating their performance in real-world scenarios.
What made you want to get involved in this program? Why did you choose the project you’re working on?
I wanted research experience before applying to graduate programs and to work on open-ended problems without clear answers. I chose this project because AI and LLMs are becoming central to many fields, and I wanted to understand them more deeply.
What has been your most memorable experience as a student researcher in this program? Did you have a particular “aha!” moment?
I expected the hardest part to be getting the system to work, but it turned out that defining what “correct” means and evaluating results are often more difficult. The research process has been much more iterative and messy than I anticipated.
How do you see this experience helping with your career or advanced degree goals?
This experience has helped me develop skills in writing, presenting findings and explaining ideas to different audiences. I’ve also learned how to manage long-term projects and work through ambiguity, which are essential skills for industry and graduate school.
What is the best advice you’ve gotten from your faculty mentor?
Approach this as research, not just engineering. It’s not just about building something that works, but about discovering something new and contributing knowledge.
Why should other students get involved in this program?
You learn how to approach problems differently and think independently. Unlike classes, there isn’t always a clear solution, which makes the experience simultaneously challenging and rewarding. You also gain mentorship from faculty who are invested in your work.
Kevin Shepard
Kevin Shepard, an engineering science sophomore, is conducting interdisciplinary research focused on electronic waste and material breakdown. His work examines how discarded products degrade over time and contribute to environmental impact.
What made you want to get involved in this program? Why did you choose the project you’re working on?
I began this project through GCSP and continued it in FURI. I’ve always been interested in how materials are manufactured and how they break down over time. With my background in microelectronics and my mentor’s work on micro- and nanoplastics, this interdisciplinary project on e-waste naturally aligns with my interests.
How will your engineering research project impact the world?
My project examines how e-waste breaks down over time and when it begins releasing harmful particles. The goal is to identify which materials degrade the fastest so that better, more sustainable material choices can be made in the future.
How do you see this experience helping with your career or advanced degree goals?
This experience has helped me understand what it’s like to conduct independent research and how to manage a long-term project. It has also connected my major and minor in a hands-on way by providing insight into graduate school expectations.
What is the best advice you’ve gotten from your faculty mentor?
My mentor advised me to carefully consider how my research interacts with industry and to choose materials that better represent the real-world problem I’m studying. This led me to reach out to companies for e-waste samples, which was something I hadn’t considered before.
Why should other students get involved in this program?
Programs like FURI, GCSP and MORE offer a unique opportunity to gain hands-on research experience early in your academic career. They allow students to explore ideas beyond the classroom, develop critical thinking skills and better understand what graduate-level research entails.
