Ann Arbor Times

Eastern Michigan University (EMU) has named 18 undergraduate students as recipients of the 2024–2025 Symposium Undergraduate Research Fellowship (SURF). The fellowships, approved by the Board of Regents on April 17, are intended to support student research and creative endeavors guided by faculty mentors.

The SURF program, initiated in 2006, promotes collaboration between students and faculty across diverse fields including biology, political science, communication, and information security. Each fellowship provides a $1,000 stipend for students and allocates up to $1,000 for faculty mentors to cover project-related costs.

Support for the program comes from private donations, encompassing contributions from alumni, individual donors, foundations, and corporate partners who value developing future scholars and professionals. Since its inception, the program has awarded fellowships to more than 270 students.

Students awarded for the 2024–2025 academic year presented their research at the EMU Undergraduate Symposium on March 28. This annual event highlights student achievements in research and creative work.

The student recipients, their mentors, and research project areas for this year include: Alyssa Amos with faculty mentor Jonathan Hall in Biology; Baharia Azad under Ebrahim Soltani in Political Science; and Micah Bookout with Robert Erlewine in Jewish Studies (History & Philosophy), among others.

Eastern Michigan University, established in 1849, serves over 13,000 students offering various degrees through multiple colleges. The university is recognized for its excellence, diversity, and practical education focus.

More information about EMU and updates can be found at emich.edu and EMU Today.