As part of this summer’s College of Science and Health Summer Research Institute, four students worked on a project titled Where Should the Beacons Go? Using Math to Optimize Coverage. Guided by co-leads Emily Barnard and Javid Validashti, with support from graduate assistant Anjali Pasupathy, the student team of Talisa Green,Saadiya Janow, Shaima Khan Zada, and Abigail Walton explored how to position resource centers to provide the best possible coverage. 

Over the course of the five-week program, the group applied calculus, mathematical modeling, and data visualization to analyze placement strategies. By testing different error functions and approaches, they discovered how different models can affect overall performance. Along the way, they gained hands-on experience in optimization and graphing while connecting abstract math concepts to real-world problems. 

The Summer Research Institute also provided workshops on project planning, science communication, research ethics, and professional development, giving students skills to support both their research and future career paths. The project culminated in a final presentation and celebration on August 8.