Youngstown State University students are gaining hands-on research experience, presenting their work to peers across Ohio, preparing for graduate study and careers in emerging technologies and being highlighted by the Ohio Supercomputer Center.
The Ohio Supercomputer Center recently featured the research presentations of two students advised by Feng “George” Yu, professor of computer science and information systems in YSU’s STEM college, from the Ohio Supercomputer Center’s 2026 Research Symposium. The annual event brings together faculty members, researchers and students from colleges and universities throughout Ohio to share work conducted using OSC’s advanced computing resources.
For Yu, bringing students to the symposium was an opportunity to help them take their learning beyond the classroom.
“We try to bring our students to this conference because it gives them the opportunity to learn and explore beyond the classroom,” Yu said. “Research allows them to use their knowledge to create something. It is a positive cycle for students to continue to learn and explore.”
Raya Jahan, a recent graduate of YSU’s Master of Computing and Information Systems program, presented research that used quantum computing concepts to improve error assessment for approximate query processing, a method used to analyze large datasets more efficiently. Her work explored ways to accelerate a computationally invasive part of that process.
Prasiddha Pokhrel presented research focused on using private blockchain technology to help protect sensitive data while enabling efficient data analysis. His project used IBM Hyperledger to create a secure environment for approximate query processing.
Yu mentors students by first learning about their interests, whether in blockchain, quantum computing, artificial intelligence or another field. He then works with them to identify a focused research problem, review relevant scholarly literature, conduct experiments and develop results for publication or presentation.
“We discuss a problem or direction we can work on together,” Yu said. “Then we do experiments, build results and write a paper for a scholarly conference or publication.”
Before the symposium, Yu reviewed the students’ posters and encouraged them to engage with other attendees. He said Jahan and Pokhrel confidently presented, answered questions and participated actively in conference sessions, including conversations with faculty and peers from other institutions.
“When they attend a conference, students can really immerse themselves in the experience,” Yu said. “I encourage them to talk to different people and make connections, which will be good for their doctoral study in the future.”
Both students plan to continue their education in doctoral programs. Yu said experiences such as the OSC symposium build students’ confidence, help them clarify their career goals and demonstrate that our master’s students can contribute to important research alongside peers from across the state.
Access to OSC resources expands what students can accomplish, Yu said. Through OSC’s web-based Open OnDemand platform, students can use high-performance computing resources, including graphics processing units, without the steep technical learning curve traditionally associated with supercomputing. Those resources support research and classroom learning in areas such as artificial intelligence, big data, cybersecurity, blockchain and quantum computing.
Yu encourages students at every level to seek out research opportunities early, connect with faculty members whose work aligns with their interests and share their work through publications, conferences and campus events.
“Go beyond your class, go beyond your textbook,” Yu said. “The more you do and the more you explore, the more you will find.”
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