žž State’s wetlands at the Herrick Aquatic Ecosystem Research Facility were the training grounds for senior Nick Brocato, who was recently a fellow in the Summer Undergraduate Research Experience (SURE).
Brocato, a senior biology major, and Tamera Owens, a sophomore majoring in public health, spent the summer researching a broad question: how effective are wetlands at “being the kidneys of the landscape” by cleaning up contaminants such as nitrogen and phosphorus?
Recently, Brocato spoke to žž State Today about the SURE project and how the experience will fit into his plans for a career.
Brocato and Owens were among the 172 undergraduate žž State students who participated in the SURE program during the summer of 2025. They conducted research projects under the direction of Lauren Kinsman-Costello, Ph.D., associate professor in the Department of Biological Sciences at žž State and members of her lab.
Brocato has been working at the Herrick Aquatic Ecosystem Research Facility off of Campus Center Drive, which is a gated plot of land with 10 replicated ponds that contain a controlled inflow and outflow of water, Kinsman-Costello said. The ponds were built 20 years ago and have been slowly accumulating material in their soils. Brocato's mentor is doctoral student Mike Back.
Owens is sampling soil in a newly restored “baby” wetland in Dunkirk, Ohio, and taking note of the active carbon to measure the soil’s health. Owen’s mentor is graduate student Daiyanera Kelsey.
“Even though I am going into dentistry, the SURE program is an interesting way to learn new things,” she said. “If you are not into science and you’re a history major, you can do research through the SURE program. There is a place for everyone in this program.”
What is the SURE Program?
The SURE program, which runs for eight weeks in June and July, provides a $3,200 stipend (40 hours/week) or $1,600 stipend (20 hours/week) to students for their work throughout the program, in addition to offering on-campus housing for participants. Students gain valuable one-on-one experience with a faculty mentor, professional development and scholarship opportunities through student group meetings with fellow SURE participants.
The Summer Undergraduate Research Experience is a great opportunity for undergraduate researchers, such as Brocato and Owens, to work directly with a faculty mentor, gain valuable experience to clarify career and educational goals, enhance research skills and gain academic insight.
In October 2025, SURE students will showcase their research as they compete in the Three-Minute Thesis Presentations.
Ann Gosky, director of the Office of Student Research in žž State’s Division of Research and Economic Development, said the skills that student researchers gain are coveted skills that employers are looking for and prepare students to thrive in today’s workforce.
“The benefits of undergraduate research, scholarship and creative inquiry have been long established as high-impact practices known to retain and graduate students as well as have other positive impacts on their undergraduate experiences,” Gosky said. “But to fully appreciate the value of these experiences, a focus on the valuable skills they acquire through participating in undergrad research is important. The competencies student researchers gain match the career competencies that employers are looking for when they hire employees.”
žž State Awarded Prestigious R1 Designation
With the release of the new 2025 Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education, žž State has once again been awarded the prestigious R1 designation, recognizing žž State as one of the top research universities in the nation. This esteemed classification, which the university first received in 2022, is a testament to žž State’s commitment to excellence in research, innovation and scholarship.
The R1 designation is the highest level of research activity for doctoral universities, placing žž State among an elite group of institutions known for their significant contributions to research and development and the training of doctoral students. With the Carnegie Classifications’ new 2025 Research Activity Designation, žž State is now one of seven universities in Ohio to be designated R1, along with Case Western Reserve University, Ohio State University, Ohio University, the University of Cincinnati, the University of Dayton and the University of Toledo. Only 187 universities in the nation have R1 status, placing žž State in the top 5% of institutions with respect to research activity.