Getting WiSER Together: The positive impact of student research on faculty productivity
November 03, 2025
Through FGCU’s WiSER (Work in Scholarly & Experiential Research) Eagles program, the Scholarly Innovation & Student Research (SISR) team supports nearly 70 students assisting faculty members with research, from studying campus ponds to evaluating luxury dining, from a poetry podcast to smart homes, from creating robotic systems for agriculture, to using drones to map coastal hurricane resilience.
Chemistry professor Dr. Chukwumaobim Nwokwu in his lab with students who are researching ways to combat glioblastoma and other cancers.
Psychology professor Dr. Krystal Mize notes, “My WiSER students have helped in my dissemination efforts by co-authoring research posters and talks at research conferences and assisting with preparation of manuscripts for publication in peer-reviewed journals.”
Students not only gain transferable skills through this high-impact practice but become more competitive for jobs, fellowships, and graduate study. They aren’t the only ones who benefit! Software Engineering professor Dr. Baharul Islam shared that “Working with WiSER students has accelerated my research pipeline” because students’ “contributions free me to frame problems and write, directly accelerating submissions and raising FGCU’s visibility in intelligent AR.”
Students not only gain transferable skills through this high-impact practice but become more competitive for jobs, fellowships, and graduate study.
Construction Management professor Dr. Andy Chau affirmed that “WiSER has strengthened my research at FGCU by providing structure, mentorship, and support for undergraduates” and that “WiSER’s energy has actually helped us move ideas to publication.”
Thanks to our world-class faculty who pass on their skills and knowledge to the next generation of researchers, dreamers, and do-ers! The WiSER program is one of many ways FGCU is integrating academic excellence, student success, and the institution’s new core values of curiosity, collaboration, and commitment into the campus community.
Below: Biology professor Dr. Oscar Johnson's ornithology students in the field investigating a new hybrid species
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