Union County Review

Kean University is gearing up to celebrate its 16th annual Research Days conference from April 15-17, showcasing the work of over 1,200 students and nearly 50 faculty members across various campuses and academic disciplines. Kean President Lamont O. Repollet, Ed.D., expressed excitement over the event, emphasizing the university's dedication to academic excellence through research and creative work.

The event will feature a wide array of activities, including student research poster symposiums, presentations on urban research, live performances exploring research on women and homelessness, and discussions on designing chemical laboratories. Additionally, a new addition this year will be the Celebration of Faculty and Staff Scholarship, recognizing achievements and presenting awards for Faculty Research Mentors of the Year.

Reenat Munshi, Kean's Director of Student Research and Innovation, highlighted the significance of Research Days in honoring the research achievements of both faculty and students, providing them with a platform to showcase their work and engage with the academic community. Munshi emphasized the event as a forum for knowledge exchange, research collaboration, and professional development across disciplines.

The benefits of Research Days extend to students, offering valuable resume-building opportunities and boosting confidence for future career endeavors. Assistant Professor Camille Sherrod and Adjunct Professor of Psychology Christine Doyle shared their experiences mentoring students who will present their research at the event, showcasing a diverse range of topics from innovative building designs to athlete injury-related stress.

Sophomore Keith Fernandez, a computer science major, expressed his enthusiasm for the research process and the opportunity Research Days provides to share findings with the community and receive feedback. Assistant Professor Jun Cheng highlighted the event as a milestone for students, encouraging them to aim for national conferences and journal publications post-Research Days.

Amy Lynn Johnson, a senior environmental science major, emphasized the importance of sharing research findings with others, stating, "My passion is in research, and the most important part of research is sharing what you’ve discovered with others."

The Research Days website will go live on April 16, with events scheduled at Kean Ocean on April 15 and at Kean’s Union campus on April 16 and 17. For more information, individuals are encouraged to visit Kean’s Research Days webpage.