A Studious Summer

By Grace Collins '22, August 11, 2023

H&S Summer Scholar Showcase celebrates innovation and creativity.

As part of the Summer Scholars program, Mikayla Tolliver ’24 (far left) spent her summer writing a novel with the help of Joan Marcus, assistant professor of writing.

Nandini Agarwal ’25 (right) focused their research on quantifying sources of methane, with the help of a drone.

(Photos submitted)

Like many of their classmates, 40 specially chosen students in the Ithaca College School of Humanities and Sciences earned a bit of extra money prior to the start of the Fall 2023 semester. These summer jobs were a bit different though, earning money to collaborate on groundbreaking research on far-ranging topics such as optical tweezers and augmented reality.

The Summer Scholars program gives H&S students the chance to collaborate closely with faculty mentors, Summer Scholars engage in research, scholarship, and creative inquiry projects. With topics spanning from optical tweezers to augmented reality, some projects are independently designed by the Scholar, while others join ongoing faculty-led research projects. The program is designed to leave Scholars with skills to carry with them throughout their professional lives — skills such as public speaking and translating research findings into accessible, engaging presentations.

These skills were put into practice at the inaugural H&S Summer Scholars Showcase, held in Emerson Suites on July 27. Scholars presented verbal and poster presentations, sharing progress and findings from their summer with the campus community.

Nandini Agarwal ’25 worked with Eric Leibensperger, assistant professor of physics and astronomy, to take measurements of methane in the air. (Photo submitted)

It’s no surprise that as an environmental science major, Nandini Agarwal ’25 would opt for a research project that allowed them to spend significant time outdoors. They spent the summer working on a research project led by Eric Leibensperger, assistant professor of physics and astronomy, that seeks to quantify the sources of methane in New York State.

Agarwal’s work involved visiting the sites of sources -- like dairy farms, landfills, and salt mines -- and taking on-ground measurements of concentration of methane in the air. Then, they would use online mapping software like R and QGIS to analyze the data collected.

“It helped me understand in a more real sense what environmental field work entails and how there are many moving parts to that process, from setting up equipment to data analysis and presenting findings,” they said. “Typically, in even the most hands-on class, back-end work is cut down and students work on compiling information or on condensed processes. This was different – I felt a closer responsibility towards the work I was doing.”

The H&S Summer Scholars program didn’t just allow Agarwal to feel a closer connection to their work -- it also deepened their connection to the Ithaca community.

“Typically, in even the most hands-on class, back-end work is cut down and students work on compiling information or on condensed processes. This was different – I felt a closer responsibility towards the work I was doing.”

Nandini Agarwal ’25

“This summer, I have attended more local events, visited the public library more often, and volunteered at local gardens. At the Showcase, the presentations helped me learn more about other students’ interests and passions and I felt a strong sense of connection with my peers,” Agarwal said.

For Mikayla Tolliver ’24, faculty collaboration was one of the highlights of the program. Tolliver, a writing major, spent the summer writing a novel and conducting research on diversity and representation within the young adult fantasy genre.

“This allowed me the opportunity to pursue my passion, conduct meaningful research, and have a chance to educate others on the importance of diversity in my chosen genre,” Tolliver said. “An internship or job would not have made it possible to gain necessary work skills and work on my own writing project and learning.”

Working closely with Joan Marcus, assistant professor of writing, Tolliver was able to receive extensive feedback on her work.

“Summer Scholars has helped me discover that this is what I want to be doing and has given me the opportunity and skills to realistically imagine what it would be like to be a professional writer.”

Mikayla Tolliver ’24

“She had tons of helpful and inspirational feedback and tips for me,” she said. “It was an honor to work with her one-on-one for an extended period of time. This is something that is not typically possible during the academic year. Summer Scholars has helped me discover that this is what I want to be doing and has given me the opportunity and skills to realistically imagine what it would be like to be a professional writer.”

Suryash Malviya ’26, a physics and astronomy and computer science double major, spent the summer working with Matthew Price, associate professor of physics and astronomy, working to capture the cosmos. His research project centered around making use of the college’s new astrophotography cameras to generate images of outer space.

“I always loved talking to [Price] about the philosophical aspects of sciences, and I felt he was someone I would want to work with over the summer,” said Malviya. “I wanted to fully immerse myself in the work I was doing without splitting my time between taking classes and working.”

Suryash Malviya ’26 was able to use college equipment to generate images of outer space.

(Photo submitted)

However, obstacles stood in the way of completing the project as originally planned. Heavy layers of smoke from Canadian wildfires obscured the night sky, rendering any photos from the camera unusable.

That wasn’t going to put a stop to Malviya’s research, though. He quickly pivoted to create three-dimensional composite images of space, learning new software and skills in the process. At the Summer Scholar Showcase, he presented those graphics to the oohs and ahhs of the audience.

“Eight weeks is a very short time to complete these projects, but with mentor guidance and support from the program, the Scholars achieved great results. It was especially gratifying to hear how excited the Scholars themselves were to share their work and to see how they chose to present their work in ways that reflected their personalities.”

David Brown, associate dean of curriculum and admissions for the School of Humanities and Sciences and Summer Scholars program director

“I will always remember this summer as the time I learned to quickly adapt to new situations,” he said. “This philosophy plays equally well in life and in academia.”

The Showcase was a success, with students, faculty, and guests alike celebrating the work.

“We hope that the Scholars learn the research or creative process for their discipline areas and that they take the time to reflect on those experiences intrinsic to the process,” said David Brown, associate dean of curriculum and admissions for the School of Humanities and Sciences and director of the program. “We want them to learn how to handle setbacks, breakthroughs, and the management of expectation associated with it all. Eight weeks is a very short time to complete these projects, but with mentor guidance and support from the program, the Scholars achieve great results. It was especially gratifying to hear how excited the Scholars themselves were to share their work and to see how they chose to present their work in ways that reflected their personalities.”