March 25, 2025

We're pleased to announce that five Drexel students have been selected as recipients for the 2025 DAAD Research Internships in Science & Engineering (RISE)! Through RISE, they will spend the summer conducting research at universities across Germany.

Before leaving for Germany, these students will spend the Spring Term working in research co-op positions at Drexel supported by the Research Fellowship Supplement Program, co-funded by Undergraduate Research & Enrichment Programs and the Steinbright Career Development Center.

Kiana Ahmari
mechanical engineering '27

Kiana Ahmari is a third-year student pursuing a Bachelor of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering with a minor in Chemical Engineering and Mathematics. Through her various research experiences, she has been able to narrow down her interests and future goals. She is currently a member of the Sales Laboratory, where she conducts research on Microbially-Induced Calcium Carbonate Precipitation processes and applications. Additionally, she is a member of Drexel's High-Altitude Balloon group, where she has worked on various projects including the Nationwide Eclipse Balloon Project (NEBP) and the High-Altitude Engineering for Astrophysics Research (HERA) Project.

Through DAAD-RISE, Kiana will be conducting research on Microbially-Induced Calcite Precipitation (MICP) in microfluidic porous media at the Universität Stuttgart in Stuttgart, Germany.

Kiana has been involved in the Pennoni Honors College through the Honors Program and as a 2023 STAR Scholar.

Kelly Baran
biological sciences '26

Kelly is a junior biology major with a minor in epidemiology, passionate about infectious diseases and vaccine development. Through her co-op experience at Century Therapeutics, she gained hands-on experience in translational research, which helped her identify her interest in a career in clinical science. After graduating from Drexel, she plans to pursue a PhD in immunology, where she aims to contribute to research on disease prevention and treatment. In addition to research, she is passionate about teaching and hopes to mentor and inspire future scientists in the field of immunology.

Through DAAD-RISE, Kelly will be working on a structural and functional investigation of the maturation and envelopment of Herpes-simplex virus 1 at Universität Hamburg.

Saffron Buscemi
custom-designed major '27

Saffron is a current third year at Drexel University, pursuing a custom-designed major in textile engineering and technology. Through this plan of study, she is concentrated within materials science and engineering, fashion design, and interactive digital media. She is passionate about being a part of research programs such as RISE, which allow her to expand her thinking, gain experience applying these skills, and take part in innovative work. She aims to use technology and nature-driven solutions to revolutionize the functionality of clothing, through projects focused on biomaterials, nanofibers, functional fabrics, and digital fashion.  

Saffron will be working in Zweibrücken, Germany at Hochschule Kaiserslautern. Within the project, she will be responsible for creating digital fashion and virtual reality components to an immersive biking simulation. 

In addition to her major, Saffron has been involved in the Pennoni Honors College through the Honors Program, the SuperNova Undergraduate Research Fellows Program, and as a 2023 STAR Scholar.

Sydney Rowley
custom-designed major '27

Sydney Rowley is an interdisciplinary student at Drexel University pursuing her custom-designed bachelor of science degree in environmental education. Her passions are rooted in environmental justice, eco-literacy, and community development. Her interest in environmental research was first piqued during the STAR Scholars Program, where she worked with Dr. Elizabeth Watson on a project related to sea level rise and coastal forests. Sydney continued to explore her passions for scientific communication and environmental education during her first co-op at LandHealth Institute, where she took the lead on marketing and communication and helped connect people of all ages with nature. Currently, she is a Sustainable and Just Future (SJF) Drexel Fellow working with other students at the university to integrate climate change education as a core competency for all students. In her free time, she enjoys playing on Drexel's Club Rugby Team, creating fiber art, and planning events for Drexel's Sierra Club.

Sydney will be joining Gwen Ottinger's Refinery Air Watch project for her next co-op. She is excited to then spend the summer at Universität Hamburg as a part of the Tidal Basin experiment researching how plant diversity can help coastal marshes fight climate change through the DAAD RISE program.

In addition to her major, Sydney has been involved in the Pennoni Honors College through the Honors Program and as a 2023 STAR Scholar.

*This announcement does not include one recipient who declined publicity.

DAAD RISE is a summer internship program for undergraduate students from North America, Great Britain, and Ireland in the fields of biology, chemistry, physics, earth sciences, and engineering. RISE offers unique opportunities for undergraduate students to work with research groups at universities and top research institutions across Germany for a period of 2 to 3 months during the summer.

The Research Fellowship Supplement Program (RFSP) is a partnership between Undergraduate Research & Enrichment Programs and the Steinbright Career Development Center to support students pursuing summer research fellowship opportunities while fulfilling co-op requirements.

Interested in applying for RISE? Contact UREP at fellowships@drexel.edu.