Cadet Research News
![Josie Freeman '23 works on her laptop computer](/media/content-assets/images/news/2020-2021/Freeman-1-275x300.jpg)
“Memes are just an interesting concept.” That’s what Josie Freeman ’23 has to say about her Summer Undergraduate Research Institute project, “Motivation for Memes.”
![Maj. Steve Knepper and Maddy Moger '20 discuss her research on fairy tales.—VMI Photo by Mary Price.](/media/content-assets/images/news/2017-18/SURIFairyTalesMoger2019MLP0006-1-400x266.jpg)
Maddy Moger '20's summer research project has involved a deeper look at the "whys" of classic fairy tales, using a psychoanalytic approach.
![Andrew Broecker, VMI Class of 2022, prepares to fly a drone while Dr. Hongbo Zhang looks on.—VMI Photo by Kelly Nye.](/media/content-assets/images/news/2017-18/SURISoybeans201917KN[2]-400x270.jpg)
An interdisciplinary project involving the biology and computer science departments could help a local soybean farmer produce higher yields.
![Maj. Paul Ackerman ’93 explains the watering system on the CPTF green roof to Maria Vargas ’22 and Dr. Tanjina Afrin.—VMI Photo by Kelly Nye.](/media/content-assets/images/news/2017-18/SURIGreenRoof201906KN-1-400x266.jpg)
Is the green roof on the Corps Physical Training Facility saving VMI money? A cadet investigates.
![Maj. Steven Knepper and Krystal Graves discuss her summer research project on the Iliad.—VMI Photo by Mary Price.](/media/content-assets/images/news/2017-18/SURIIliadGraves2019MLP039-1-400x266.jpg)
Krystal Graves '20 is delving into the ancient past to learn about ancient and modern views of war.
![Tristan Howard ’20 and Col. Barry Cobb discuss Howard’s research on staffing needs for healthcare.—VMI Photo by Mary Price.](/media/content-assets/images/news/2017-18/SURIHowardCobbECBU2019MLP0011-1-400x266.jpg)
Two cadets are working on summer research projects that could save money for healthcare systems.
![Annika Tice builds rock sculptures with middle school girls.](/media/content-assets/images/news/2017-18/GirlsCamp2018KN206-1-400x266.jpg)
At the new Girls Leadership Exchange Camp, hosted by VMI cadets and faculty, local girls learn about academic opportunities available to them in the STEAM fields.
![](/media/content-assets/images/news/2015-16/SmithsonianResearch2016JRR0057list.jpg)
A summer project is organizing, stabilizing, and preserving part of the vast collection of nematodes at the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History.
![Sam Hudson '17 shows a flash card to a research subject.](/media/content-assets/images/news/2015-16/ExerciseLabSamHudson2016JRR0008LIST.jpg)
Summer Undergraduate Research Institute project looks at how physical exertion affects self-control.
![Professor and two cadets in lab](/media/content-assets/images/news/SURIHarrisonLab2016KN28List.jpg)
Chemistry assistant professor Maj. Dan Harrison '05 and two cadets research ways to make fuel from carbon dioxide in Summer Undergraduate Research Institute project.