Augustana student, Hiba Ansari, conducts summer research project

2013 Jul 25

This summer nine Augustana College students are participating in full-scale scientific research projects under the guidance of their faculty advisors, gaining experience to utilize in graduate school and careers after college. Each summer research project is funded through an Augustana Summer Student Research Fellowship.

A Clinton, Iowa, student, Hiba Ansari is working alongside Dr. Mamata Marme', advising coordinator and instructor in the business administration department. Ansari is a senior majoring in business administration-management.

Inspired to do a project on the Quad-Cities Muslim population, Ansari is combining the disciplines of geography and business statistics to initiate new programming to match the Muslim community demographics. Dr. Marmata Marme' encouraged Ansari to attach her interests to a relevant community matter; she chose the Muslim population in Eastern Iowa and Western Illinois, which is rapidly growing without accurate count or accommodation of demographic changes. Among her goals are to renew the contact directory of Quad-Cities Muslims and help initiate new programming such as camp retreats and other refugee integration efforts.

For a photo of Ansari, click here: http://www.flickr.com/photos/daisyhoang/9357418633/

To encourage students to immerse themselves in their subject matter and engage in hands-on practice, Augustana College provides students of all disciplines opportunities through the Summer Student Research Fellowships. The program encourages research or artistic projects under the guidance of a faculty member. Students may apply for a maximum stipend of $3,000, plus additional funding for project expenses. Students' contributions to these projects can inspire them to conduct even more cutting-edge research in their later years of study, and also direct them to the post-graduate field of study they would like to pursue.

About Augustana: Founded in 1860, Augustana College is a selective four-year residential college of the liberal arts and sciences. Augustana College is recognized for the innovative program Augie Choice, which provides each student up to $2,000 to pursue a high-impact learning experience such as study abroad, an internship or research with a professor. Current students and alumni include 146 Academic All-Americans, a Nobel laureate, 13 college presidents and other distinguished leaders. The college enrolls 2,500 students and is located along one of the world's most important waterways, the Mississippi River, in a community that reflects the diversity of the United States.