Increasing global access to life-changing prosthetics — through human-centered 3D design. Examining newborn health patterns near chemical accident sites. Channeling performance and craft to inspire connection and community well-being. Engineering disaster-ready, solar-powered drinking water systems.
All are examples of how Mountaineers design, build and discover next-generation solutions and break new creative ground. Alongside committed faculty mentors, Appalachian State University undergraduate and graduate students alike contribute to meaningful research and innovative projects across numerous disciplines.
From April 15–22, App State is highlighting multiple student projects and collaborations — from rural health and education, to the arts, to business and the sciences — culminating in the annual Celebration of Student Research and Creative Endeavors on April 22.
As a Research 2 (R2) university, App State advances community-engaged research and creative projects, allowing students to innovate alongside expert faculty and staff. These projects move beyond the classroom, giving students the space to apply their training to complex, significant problems. In the lab, the studio and the field, Mountaineers are developing the high-level expertise and problem-solving mindset necessary for today’s most competitive industries.
Alumni frequently credit these experiences for providing the technical know-how and collaborative habits that set them apart in the workforce. Supporting this work is the Office of Student Research, which provides funding and assistance for Mountaineers to present at national conferences and publish original findings.
Through a collection of stories, videos and photos, follow Mountaineer students as they roll up their sleeves, test their creative limits and expand the boundaries of knowledge at App State and beyond.
Related: MBA student examines chemical accidents and newborn and maternal health
Biology graduate student Haley Martin ’23 ’25 conducts research on fruit flies.
Photo by Kyla Willoughby