King’s College is proud to announce the award recipients for the 2026 Summer Undergraduate Research Program (SURP). Following a competitive review process, six outstanding projects have been selected for funding. These student-faculty teams will engage in intensive, hands-on research this summer, contributing to the vibrant academic culture of our campus.
2026 SURP Awardees & Projects:
- Lily Talukder (Biology) – Characterizing the Neuroinflammatory Effects of Coffee vs. Energy Drinks in Cerebral Brain Organoids (Mentored by Dr. Michelle Ash)
- Clemintine Mwefu (Criminal Justice and Sociology) – From Screens to Real Life: Narratives of Cybercrime Victims in Luzerne County, Pennsylvania (Mentored by Dr. Sean Blinn)
- Laura Nemeth (Health and Human Performance) – Development of an Iron Bioavailability Database (Mentored by Dr. Diane M. DellaValle)
- Michael Harrel (Theology) – The Ethics of Bible Study (Mentored by Fr. Daniel Issing)
- Justin Cabrera (English/Communications) – The Blight of AI on Younger Generations (Mentored by Dr. Megan Lloyd)
- Onur Haltas (Philosophy/Engineering) – Ethical Decision-Making in Global Water Infrastructure (Mentored by Dr. Regan Lance Reitsma)
Save the Date: Day of Scholarship The culmination of this summer’s research will be showcased during our Day of Scholarship in May 2027. This event serves as a campus-wide celebration of academic inquiry, where these SURP awardees and other student researchers will present their findings to the King’s community.
Join us in congratulating these students and their mentors! We look forward to their contributions to their respective fields and their presentations at the Day of Scholarship.
Questions? For more information about the SURP program or this year’s awards, please contact:
Ismail Haltas, PhD
Director of Undergraduate Research
ismailhaltas@kings.edu
