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�ۿ۴�ý students’ research shared at National Conference on Undergraduate Research

Two groups of students from The College of �ۿ۴�ý had their research peer-reviewed and published at the April 7-9 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. “Can Gen AI Tools and Basic Prompting Training Enable Non-STEM Students to Complete Field-Specific Coding Tasks?” was the work of Akhmad Mamirov ’26, a computer science major, and Laura Park ’27, a biology major. The research of computer science majors Habiba Hye ’25, Tasin Saifulah ’25, and Faiaz Azmain ’26 resulted in the project, “Sentiment Analysis in Software Engineering: Evaluating Generative Pre-trained Transformers.”

Mamirov and Park completed their work as Sophomore Research Assistants with Dan Palmer, professor and chair of computer science, and Christina Welsch, Robert Critchfield Chair of English History. The purpose of the artificial intelligence research project was to determine if a non-computer science student could program with generative AI. The AI for Creative Computing class, which was offered this spring, proved it was possible. “We have a class full of non-computer science students who are writing big programs in their field of interest with zero programming knowledge. They are leveraging generative AI to make this happen,” Palmer said.

For the project, Akhmad first helped Park develop background information in coding to apply prompt engineering skills to solve a problem. Then they successfully worked independently to analyze a large dataset of ship manifests provided by Welsch, indicating a non-computer student could code using generative artificial intelligence.

“Having our research accepted and then presenting at the conference was an extremely valuable experience for me,” Park said. “It was a once in a lifetime opportunity to be part of something I never knew I would have the chance to do. She saw hundreds of posters by other undergraduates from across the world and spent time with �ۿ۴�ý peers in majors different than hers.

Faiaz Azmain ’26, Habiba Hye ’25, Tasin Saifullah ’25 completed research on ways to parse large amounts of text in software ecosystems.

The work by Hye, Saifulah, and Azmain, advised by Heather Guarnera, assistant professor of computer science, was the culmination of a research project in Guarnera’s course Software Ecosystems. They evaluated ways to parse large amounts of text in software ecosystems, including evaluating several large language models.

The conference, which welcomes thousands of students from around the world, promotes undergraduate research, scholarship, and creative activity in all fields of study from institutions of higher learning. Undergraduate student achievement is highlighted, and models of exemplary research, scholarship, and creative activity are featured.

“Students get to experience a scientific conference, showcase their research, and talk with others who are doing research in their field,” Palmer said. “They have the chance for completely unexpected collaborations and inspirations.”

Laura Park ’27, Habiba Hye ’25, Tasin Saifullah ’25, Professor Dan Palmer, Faiz Azmain ’26, Akhmad Marimov ’26 attended the 2025 National Conference on Undergraduate Research.

Top featured image: Akhmad Marimov ’26 and Laura Park ’27 answer questions about their research in AI programing for non-computer science majors.

Posted in Homepage Featured, News on May 20, 2025.