Environmental solutions take center stage at Symposium of Student Scholars

KENNESAW, Ga. | Nov 25, 2025

Kennesaw State University students presented their research findings Nov. 19-21 during the Symposium of Student Scholars, with a pair of award-winning projects discovering potential solutions to environmental challenges.

students pose with ksu mascot scrappy at the fall symposium of student scholars

Deep eutenic solvents, an alternative to harmful organic solvents, appeared in both first-place winners at Symposium, hosted by the Office of Undergraduate Research.

The first-place undergraduate winner was Saniya Samura with her project, “Development of Anti-Inflammatory Drug–Based Deep Eutectic Solvents for Ointment Formulation.”

Samura sought to solve several problems that are typically present in topical creams and ointments. Many times, these medicines don’t dissolve well and are unable to pass through the skin easily. Samura’s project is exploring how deep eutectic solvents (DES) may be more effective.

Using two common drugs, ibuprofen and aspirin, Samura combined these drugs with hydrogen bond donors to create DES. Her project showed positive results, proving that these special liquid mixtures could be used to make more efficient topical treatments, which will not only improve drug absorption but also do so using greener, safer options.

In the graduate category, Momena Begum earned first place with her project, “Efficient Removal of Polyfluoroalkyl Substances from Acquous Solution Using Hydrophobic Deep Eutectic Solvent.”

Begum is also working with DES but is using it to solve a different problem. In today’s world, man-made chemicals known as Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS) are commonplace.

These chemicals take ages to break down and end up piling up in the environment, including in water sources, which leads to trace amounts in living organisms, including humans.

Examples of everyday objects that contain PFAS include non-stick pans, cosmetics, cleaning products, food packaging, and firefighting foams.

It is possible to remove these chemicals from water, but it is expensive, unreliable, and requires a lot of energy.

With Begum’s solution, DES can be used to cleanse water in an environmentally friendly way, which is inexpensive, safe, and easy to make; their results showed that their different DES removed between 69% to 98% of PFOA, a common PFAS.

At the Symposium, attendees were able to attend poster sessions, oral presentations, and virtual presentations, all of which featured students from each of the nine academic colleges, showcasing all the ways students can participate in interdisciplinary research at KSU.

“This Fall Symposium was a great success,” said Director of Undergraduate Research Amy Buddie. “The students did a fantastic job of presenting their research; they were poised, confident, and knowledgeable.”

First-Place Graduate Student

Title: Efficient Removal of Polyfluoroalkyl Substances from Acquous Solution Using Hydrophobic Deep Eutectic Solvent

Student: Momena Begum (Chemical Sciences)

Mentor: Mohammad Halim, Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry

Second-Place Graduate Student

Title: A Wearable Multimodal Sensing System for Classification of Mental and Physical Stress States

Student: Fariha Alam (Interdisciplinary Engineering)

Mentor: Razvan Voicu, Department of Mechatronics Engineering

Third-Place Graduate Student

Title: Microfluidic Device for Infection Testing

Graduate Student: Viswa Teja Nukavarpu (Electrical and Computer Engineering)

Undergraduate Students: Connor Bhavsar (Mechanical Engineering), Manas Singh (Electrical Engineering), Florentin Toma (Electrical Engineering), & Davian Luna (Computer Engineering)

Mentor: Hoseon Lee, Department of Electrical Engineering

First Place Undergraduate

Title: Development of Anti-Inflammatory Drug–Based Deep Eutectic Solvents for Ointment Formulation

Student: Saniya Samura (Biology)

Mentor: Mohammad Halim, Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry

Second Place Undergraduate

Title: Decoding Early COVID-19 Responses Using Mathematical Modeling of Social Distancing Strategies Across Multiple Countries

Students: Suki Lewis (Biology), Sri Gunturu (Biology), & Katelyn Nguyen (Biology)

Mentor: Asma Azizi, Department of Mathematics

Third-Place Undergraduate

Title: La Bayadere: An Examination of the Romantic Era in the Modern Day

Student: Charlene Font (Dance)