At Pace University’s Seidenberg School of Computer Science and Information Systems, undergraduate research is a cornerstone of the academic experience–one which not only provides students the opportunity to dive deeply into a research topic, but to make a contribution to the advancement of technology and its many uses in business and society.

In the past year alone, Seidenberg students and faculty have undertaken exciting and impactful research projects across a variety of fields. Seidenberg’s prominent summer research experience, the Seidenberg Summer Undergraduate Research Program (SSUR), gives students hands-on experience conducting and presenting cutting-edge work under the guidance of expert faculty.

Topics spanned in SSUR are diverse: from education technology to artificial intelligence. There are plenty of opportunities to pursue research at Pace University through SSUR or through the Pace University Center of Undergraduate Research . Programs like SSUR are designed to push students beyond the classroom by tackling real-world problems, developing technical expertise, and gaining valuable research experience presenting their work in academic settings and preparing for graduate school.

The 2024 SSUR included participation in the Computer Research Association’s (CRA) UR2PhD program, a standout initiative that bridges the gap between research at the undergraduate level and graduate and doctoral studies. As a technology school, Seidenberg recognizes the importance of growing the number of students pursuing advanced degrees, which lead to further innovation in technology fields, as well as strong leadership in research and academia.

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Advocating for Research on a National Scale

Undergraduate research fosters growth and innovation at the national and global level. The collaborative work undertaken by faculty and students enables great strides to be made in technology, healthcare, education, society, and across every industry and discipline. Much of that research depends on grant funding supplied by government agencies.

To that end, Pace faculty and students are leading conversations about the importance of undergraduate research at the national level. Two undergraduate students, Julia Tretyakov and William Koumbaros, and faculty member Christelle Scharff were recently selected to participate in the Council on Undergraduate Research’s (CUR) Scholars Transforming through Research (STR) Program, an initiative dedicated to research advocacy and policy development. Through this program, Seidenberg scholars will have the opportunity to engage with policymakers, promote research funding, and champion the role of undergraduate inquiry in shaping the future.

Pace Undergraduate Research: Four Teams, Four Projects

Four student-faculty research teams were selected to participate in the 2024–2025 Pace Undergraduate Research Program. The teams are currently collaborating on research projects that will culminate in presentations and research papers in April 2025.

Animations as Abstraction Helpers for Algorithmic Thinking

Faculty Mentor: Dr. Miguel Mosteiro | Student: Kara Cho

How can animations enhance the understanding of complex algorithms? This project explores innovative ways to use visual aids to help students grasp abstract computing concepts.

Enhancing Robotic Navigation in Complex Environments Using Large Language Models

Faculty Mentor: Jonathan Lee | Student: Chinmay Chandra

The intersection of artificial intelligence and robotics takes center stage as this research delves into how large language models can improve robotic navigation in dynamic environments.

Enhancing Education for Neurodivergent Students: The Role of Virtual Reality as an Inclusive Practice

Faculty Mentor: Dr. Tom Schmidt | Students: Andres Rodriguez, Ashley Pelegg

With a focus on accessibility, this project examines how virtual reality can be used as a tool to create inclusive learning experiences for neurodivergent students.

From Pixels to Patterns: Generative AI’s Impact on Fashion and the Runway

Faculty mentor: Dr. Christelle Scharff | Student: Kseniya Liavitskaya

Artificial intelligence meets high fashion in this exploration of how generative AI is reshaping the creative landscape of the fashion industry, especially in fabric patterns creation.

Getting involved in undergraduate research at Pace University

For students curious about getting involved in research, Seidenberg and Pace University offer many opportunities that service as an invaluable stepping stone to graduate studies, job opportunities, and beyond.

The Pace Undergraduate Research website is an excellent resource and Pace faculty members will be more than happy to share more about their research interests, opportunities, and more.

SSUR 2025 will be launched soon. Stay tuned!