Transformative Research, Undergrad Impact
This summer, Baylor students Emily Zimmer and Ishaan Patel are busy with elite internships in the field of engineering. Zimmer, a senior mechanical engineering major is working in Fort Worth with Jacobs, an international engineering powerhouse. Patel, a senior biomedical engineering major, interns at SpaceX.
Both are pursuing careers in their dream fields—and both say their experiences in undergrad research at Baylor—one of only 13 schools ranked in the top 30 in both undergraduate teaching and research— played a role in getting them where they are.
Transformative Research
Their mentor, Lulin Jiang, Ph.D., is a highly regarded engineering leader working on highly competitive projects funded by the National Science Foundation, Department of Defense and more. Her work demonstrates “transformative potential” to convert waste into energy using a flexible fuel injector she developed. Dr. Jiang’s work takes her from Waco to Washington, D.C., where municipal and federal partnerships look to transform the methods by which cities burn waste and generate clean energy. No matter where her work takes her, however, she’s never far from her role as a mentor to the undergrad students who engage in hands-on work on her projects.
"I wholeheartedly believe what the Bible says in 1 Timothy 4:12: ‘Don’t let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example,’” Jiang says. “I believe we are called to ‘fan into flame the gift of God (2 Timothy 1:6).’ When I was a student, I was blessed to always be encouraged by my mentors, and I humbly hope to pass that on—lifting up the younger generation, entrusting them with important work, polishing their leadership skills by assigning them to lead subtasks, and providing a research platform to fan into flame their gift of God. Though they are young, they can and have already vividly testified to the world about 1 Timothy 4:12."
During her time in Dr. Jiang’s lab, Emily has helped design concepts for the fuel injection projects, and says she was able to “apply fluid mechanics concepts before taking the course.” She further contributed to injector design, created inner burner structures and works on a Department of Defense project aimed at improving soldiers’ quality of life.
Patel moved from assisting with experiments to designing experiments, has run troubleshooting for a variety of lab needs, learned about paper writing for lab applications and grown as a test engineer.
Both credit those experiences as playing a key role in receiving their internships, and Zimmer has a job offer lined up for when she graduates.
“Dr. Jiang is an incredibly understanding and compassionate mentor who challenges you enough to make sure you know what you’re doing,” says Patel. “I have learned so much in her lab, and the connections I’ve made have led to great experiences in my internship.”
Adds Emily, “Dr. Jiang is the kind of mentor who celebrates your progress and offers encouragement and genuine positivity. My experience in her lab has opened several professional opportunities.”
A Key Component of the Undergrad Experience
Stories like Emily and Ishaan’s are compelling—but so are those of many other students at Baylor who are gaining a competitive edge in their future field by engaging in elite research as an undergraduate.
Baylor is one of only 52 private universities in the nation ranked as an R1 institution—the top designation offered to universities across the nation. This means Baylor is big enough to conduct a high-volume of high-level research. Faculty, however, remained focused on mentorship and student opportunities not found at every R1 university—and that provides Baylor students with a leg up on the competition (and is a key reason Baylor is ranked in the top 30 nationally in both undergraduate research and teaching alongside universities like Yale, Michigan, Princeton and Stanford).
“At Baylor, we deeply value a transformational undergraduate educational experience,” says President Linda Livingstone. “It is rewarding to have our peer institutions and others continue to recognize Baylor’s dynamic and distinct undergraduate programs that impact our students’ success and learning.”
Learn more about undergraduate research at Baylor. Baylor’s Office of Engaged Learning helps lead efforts to connect undergraduate students with research opportunities in the field of their calling, or that align with interests they hope to further realize. Numerous research fellowships and programs further elevate undergraduate research as a key Baylor differentiator.