Discovery Undergraduate Interdisciplinary Research Internship

Testimonials: Voices from DUIRI

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Experiences That Inspire

DUIRI was one of the most formative parts of my undergraduate studies. Working on the Mus2Vid project taught me that research is often trial and error, but finding the right direction is deeply rewarding. Leading the team helped me grow as a communicator and leader, while weekly guidance from Dr. Lu and Dr. Yun pushed us to think critically instead of relying on answers. This experience gave me my first full journey from idea to prototype, and I highly recommend DUIRI to students eager to challenge themselves through hands-on research.

- Haichang Li (Visualize Music Using Generative Models of Artificial Intelligence - DUIRI Fall 2024)

I had the opportunity to work with Dr. Austin Rory Cooper and Dr. Miriam Barnum on a continuation of the project Balancing Science and Society: Finland’s Solution to Nuclear Waste Management Using Onkalo, the world’s first deep geological nuclear repository. Their mentorship helped me refine my passion for nuclear waste management into a focused research question and guided me through the research process. DUIRI provided the chance to pursue my interests in an interdisciplinary environment, allowing me to better explore the intersection of law, policy, and engineering in the nuclear industry.

- Abigail Preston (WMD Non Proliferation: Perceptions and Norms - DUIRI Spring 2025)

Through DUIRI, I had the chance to work closely with Prof. Lu and Prof. Yun, whose mentorship was invaluable in shaping both the technical and creative sides of our project, Mus2Vid: Visualising Music. Our research explored how generative AI can transform music into real-time video, pushing the boundaries of how we experience and interact with sound. Along the way, I strengthened my skills in audio processing and AI-based video generation, while also learning how to collaborate across disciplines. It was a revolutionary experience that deepened my appreciation for research and showed me how we can push the boundaries of artistic expression.

- Utkarsh Bali (Visualize Music using Generative Models of Artificial Intelligence - DUIRI Spring 2025)

The summer experience working as a mentor was fabulous - the students were very dedicated to learning new skills and made important contributions to the project.
- Prof. Kristen Marie Bellisario (Wildlife Corridor - DUIRI Summer 2025)
 
Serving as a DUIRI faculty lead was an incredibly rewarding experience. Our 2025 project aimed to combine Large Language Models (LLMs) with explainable AI tools to create clear, actionable narratives for complex operational decisions. The undergraduate student on the team brought fresh ideas, strong technical skills, and enthusiasm, contributing meaningfully to both the design and implementation of the prototype. The DUIRI program provided an excellent structure for mentorship and collaboration, allowing us to make significant progress toward a real-world solution while offering the student valuable hands-on research experience.
- Prof. Pengyi Shi (Generative AI in Healthcare Supply Chain Management - DUIRI Spring 2025)
Stories and Snapshots
DUIRI Snapshots

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Questions?

Email us at duiri@purdue.edu