KENNESAW, Ga. | Mar 14, 2025

As she began her first year at Kennesaw State University, information systems student Fareedah Ashiru had not thought about conducting scholarly research as a freshman – much less the type of impactful research that could help people live healthier lives.

That changed one day in the first-year colloquium she was taking as a student in the KSU Journey Honors College. Her professor outlined the many academic and experiential opportunities available to first-year students at Kennesaw State, and Ashiru was intrigued that she could be involved in undergraduate research so early in her college career.

Ashiru explored research opportunities through the First-Year Scholars Program in KSU’s Office of Undergraduate Research, and she was selected to assist with a study led by Sungchul Jung, an assistant professor in the Department of Software Engineering and Game Development and the director of the Immersive Empathic Interface (IEI) Lab. The research uses virtual reality technology to simulate a gym environment, with the goal of developing innovative at-home workout experiences and reducing the risk of muscle harm due to inefficient use of real exercise equipment.

“It’s an amazing feeling to be a part of a project that could potentially improve someone’s life,” Ashiru said. “This is the first project I have worked on that can have a potential impact so large. I’m just grateful to be included.”

Ashiru, now a sophomore, was drawn to the research because she found virtual reality interesting and wanted to enhance her technological skills while pursuing her information systems degree. She applied for the research role even though Jung is in the College of Computing and Software Engineering and Ashiru’s major is within a different academic college, the Coles College of Business.

“I thought, this seems like a fun opportunity where I can learn technical skills and have a good time while I'm learning,” Ashiru said. “I didn’t expect to be picked because I had no experience in tech. The first person I called was my mom and I said, ‘I can’t believe I got it!’”

Jung acknowledged that he wasn’t sure what to expect since it was his first time working with a freshman student on his research, but he was impressed by Ashiru’s attitude and work ethic. He mentored Ashiru in weekly meetings and guided her in his IEI Lab, as she learned the particulars of research such as understanding protocols, gathering and cross-checking data, and giving demonstrations.

By the end of her freshman year, Ashiru was presenting the research at KSU’s Spring Symposium of Student Scholars in April 2024. She is now in her second year on the project, as an Undergraduate Research and Creative Activities scholar.

Fittingly for a research endeavor related to health and fitness, Jung used an athletic analogy to describe Ashiru’s commitment to their work.

“I think of Fareedah as a marathoner rather than a sprinter,” Jung said. “I know that year-long research is not easy for freshman students, and they may want to take a break after the completion of the First-Year Scholars Program, but Fareedah was still eager to learn and conduct research. I believe her research motivation and attitude will be a great resource for her academic success.”

While Ashiru professed to having no technical expertise when she began, that’s certainly no longer the case. She is at home in the lab, as she studies whether using virtual reality can alter people’s perception of how much weight they’re lifting during a workout.

Participants in the study wear a virtual reality headset while holding a lightweight dumbbell in one hand. With a gym setting simulated in the headset, Ashiru virtually varies the weight of the dumbbell and measures the person’s physiological signals in response to the changes.

“I have learned so much about myself through this experience,” Ashiru said. “I have learned that I’m more of a hands-on learner and that communication is key in working on a project. Also, this experience is invaluable because it gives me an edge in the job market and can be an icebreaker during networking events.”

– Story by Paul Floeckher

Photos by Darnell Wilburn

A leader in innovative teaching and learning, Kennesaw State University offers undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral degrees to its more than 47,000 students. Kennesaw State is a member of the University System of Georgia with 11 academic colleges. The university’s vibrant campus culture, diverse population, strong global ties, and entrepreneurial spirit draw students from throughout the country and the world. Kennesaw State is a Carnegie-designated doctoral research institution (R2), placing it among an elite group of only 8 percent of U.S. colleges and universities with an R1 or R2 status. For more information, visit kennesaw.edu.