2026 SURE Participants
More than 25 Carthage students have been selected to conduct research with faculty this summer as part of the 2026 Summer Undergraduate Research Experience.
SURE has been a hallmark of the Carthage experience since the mid-1990s. The undergraduate research initiative first began in the natural sciences but now includes all academic disciplines at Carthage. Each summer, between 20 and 50 students are chosen to participate. Selected students spend 10 weeks on campus researching with a faculty mentor. Students receive a stipend, on-campus housing, a meal plan, and a research budget.
Chemistry
Jack Currier ’29
Peter Nitiss ’27
Katherine Rieckmann ’28
Project: Synthesis and Study of 1,8-Disubstituted Carbazoles
Mentor: Prof. Alec Brown
Computer Science
Hope Johnson ’28
Project: From Text to Visual: Designing a Cybersecurity Tool Based on Current Phishing Tactics
Mentor: Prof. Elizabeth Zak
Economics/Finance
Samuel Riano ’27
Project: Pricing the Unpaid: Monetizing Ecosystem and Social Costs of Hydropower
Mentor: Prof. Yuan Niu
Education
Madelyn Bochat ’27
Katherine Mahoney ’27
Project: Neurodiversity in Higher Education
Mentor: Prof. Nina Weisling
Engineering
Ian Bigelow ’29
Project: Effects of Preparation Method on Surface Force Behavior of Monolayer MOS2
Mentor: Prof. Kathryn Hasz
Maximillian Majenga ’28
Project: Validating and Updating Online Website and App Tool to Utilize in Thermal-Fluid Applications Including EGR 3400 Thermal-Fluids Course
Mentor: Prof. Murat Dinc
Angela Parker ’29
Project: Modifying and Enhancing Innocrate Modules
Mentor: Prof. Jessica Lavorata
Maurice Vega ’29
Project: Design, Prototyping, and Educational Applications for Injection Molding
Mentor: Prof. Jessica Lavorata
Environmental Science
Joy Schultz ’27
Project: Balancing Root Symbionts: The Relationship Among Agricultural Crops, Mycorrhizal Fungi, and Nitrogen-Fixing Bacteria
Mentor: Prof. Tracy Gartner
Exercise and Sport Science
Layne Rund ’28
Project: Match Demands of Semiprofessional Soccer
Mentor: Prof. Tony Pustina
Healthcare Education
Jasmin Tapia ’28
Project: Key Factors Influencing Retention and Progression Among Latino Students in Health Care Education
Mentor: Prof. Rebecca Triana
History
Aaron Payne ’27
Project: Containment and Its Critics: A Critical Analysis of Strongpoint Containment
Mentor: Prof. Eric Pullin
Marketing
Benjamin Thomas ’27
Project: AI Integration Within Marketing/Social Media
Mentor: Prof. Lisa Franklin
Psychology
Madeline Jarzyna ’27
Blaine Soltwedel ’29
Project: Is It Right To Be Disgusted? Development of a Measure of Moral Disgust
Mentor: Prof. Sara O’Brien
Space Sciences
Linus Bangert ’29
Project: Modal Analysis of the Intuitive Machines IM-3 Mission Flight Tanks
Mentor: Prof. Kevin Crosby
Nathaniel Cabrera ’27
Cecilia Degenhard ’29
Leena Maryanski ’29
Karl Sanchez ’28
Ella Stugelmeyer ’28
Project: Microgravity Ullage Detection / Universal Payload Interface
Mentor: Prof. Kevin Crosby
Maya Griffin ’29
Sofia Worley ’29
Project: Microgravity Ullage Trapping Technology
Mentor: Prof. Kevin Crosby