Students in Worcester State University’s Computer Science Department are gaining valuable real-world experience and skills through collaborative research projects with their faculty mentors. The university’s Aisiku Undergraduate Summer Research Fellowship program has played a key role in enabling these opportunities.
By challenging students to apply their knowledge to practical projects, Worcester State is ensuring graduates are ready to hit the ground running in their future jobs, Ali Al-Faris, assistant professor of computer science, said. “This experiential learning approach helps give students a competitive edge as they enter the workforce,” he said.
Al-Faris and his colleague, Nada Alsallami, associate professor of computer science, also encourage their students to present their work at conferences and events like the Celebration of Scholarship and Creativity and STEM Week at Worcester State and the annual Undergraduate Research Conference at UMass Amherst.
Three recent student projects in particular showcase the faculty’s efforts to engage students in impactful, industry-relevant work. Cameron Baron, Joshua Fife, and Ben Gelineau, all seniors, have presented the apps they created at conferences, including via Zoom at the prestigious Conference on Computational Science & Computational Intelligence in Las Vegas last summer. At that conference, these undergraduates were able to present their research alongside more advanced graduate-level students and have continued to perfect their projects throughout the academic year.
Top photo from left: Cameron Baron, Nada Alsallami, and Joshua Fife. Photo gallery above: Ali Al-Faris and Ben Gelineau, Al-Faris and Joshua Fife, Cameron Baron
The Asiku Grant funding enabled the three students to produce work of a high enough quality to be presented at the conference, said Alsallami. Baron worked with Alsallami to develop a “fake news detector” app using machine learning techniques. The project aims to help address the growing problem of misinformation online.
Baron said that being challenged by professors to take on a project like this is a “compliment” and shows that the professors have confidence in her. “It was an exciting learning experience,” she said of presenting her work at the Las Vegas conference. “I think it’s definitely a great opportunity, and I appreciate it.”
Fife, who also worked with Alsallami, created a mobile app to help Worcester State students find study groups and connect with on-campus tutoring resources. The app leverages smartphone sensors to provide location-based recommendations. It was also well-received at the university’s STEM Week showcase.
“It helped me get experience in real-world things,” Fife said. “I think it’s important because it helps prepare me for future jobs as opposed to just working on classroom assignments.”
Gelineau, who was mentored by Al-Faris, presented a project on using machine learning to generate original music compositions. The project combined his interest in music with his computer science studies, and the research experience allowed him to develop skills that are valuable beyond the classroom, like academic paper writing. He is studying music theory and plans to continue improving his app.
“I think doing a project like this is really important for my future,” Gelineau said. “It shows that I’m dedicated to my craft and improving over time, and it shows future employers that I have the chops to make it.”
Alsallami views these practical projects as important stepping stones to students’ future careers, because they build their presentation and problem-solving skills and foster a sense of pride and accomplishment in their work
“The students learn the basics in the classroom, but these research projects allow them to go in-depth on topics they’re passionate about and apply their skills to real-world problems,” she said. “It’s incredibly valuable for their development as computer scientists.”
“Dr. Alsallami and Dr. Al-Faris exemplify the faculty members at WSU who are dedicated to their students’ learning and ultimate success,” Linda Larrivee, dean of the school of science, technology and health, said. “Engaging students in research is a high-impact practice that enhances learning, retention, and preparation for careers and graduate school.”
The Dr. Imoigele Aisiku Undergraduate Summer Research Fellowship program provides support for STEM Faculty and undergraduate student research teams to participate in research for 10 weeks during the summer.
“The funding that they got over the summer from the Aisiku Grant was very helpful, because they can sit and focus on their studies, put their job aside a little bit and focus on developing their skills and working on important topics and tasks,” Alsallami said.
“Having this research on their resumes will be a huge advantage for these students as they look to secure jobs or apply to graduate programs after graduation,” Al-Faris said. “It demonstrates their ability to tackle complex technical challenges and present their work professionally.”
Alsallami and Al-Faris noted that the research projects have helped boost the students’ confidence and communication skills. What started as nervous presentations have blossomed into polished, engaging showcases of their work.
“I’m incredibly proud of how these students have risen to the occasion,” Alsallami said. “They’re not just learning computer science–they’re becoming true technology leaders, ready to make an impact.”
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