UTRI & ARTISAN

(ARTISAN)

Acceleration Research Translation Integrated Student Ambassador Network

ARTISAN, an initiative within the NSF ART program, has been developed with the purpose to connect and involve students attending higher education institutions in translational research, raise awareness to the importance of research and technology translation to use-inspired applications of high societal impact, and enhancing educational experience through innovation and community engagement. This initiative aims to foster a culture of innovative and entrepreneurial thinking, transforming attitudes towards translational research within the student body that engages the community for use-inspired applications and economic impact.

How to Become an ARTISAN Ambassador

The U.S. National Science Foundation (NSF) supported ART Integrated Student Ambassador Network (ARTISAN) program recognizes undergraduate students who demonstrate excellence in research, innovation, and translational impact. ARTISAN Ambassadors serve as leaders in connecting academic research with real-world applications, industry partners, and community needs.

Ambassadors are selected from the highest-scoring participants in the NJIT Undergraduate Summer Research and Innovation (URI) Symposium and the Undergraduate Translational Research Internships (UTRI).

By becoming an ARTISAN Ambassador, students join a community of innovators and leaders committed to advancing research into real-world solutions with societal and economic impact.

Step 1 – Participate in URI or UTRI Programs. Applications are competitive and open to NJIT students from all majors.

• URI Undergraduate Summer Research and Innovation (URI) Program
  • A 10-week fellowship that provides undergraduate students from all disciplines with the opportunity to pursue faculty-mentored research.
  • Students present their projects at the URI Undergraduate Summer Research & Innovation Symposium at the end of summer.
  • The External Advisory Board evaluates projects for innovation, societal impact, and translational potential.
• Undergraduate Translational Research Internships (UTRI)
  • A 10-week internship program through the Center for Translational Research (CTR).
  • Students work on translational research projects with faculty and industry mentors.
  • Research results are presented at the URI Undergraduate Research & Innovation Symposium at the end of summer.

Step 2 – Compete at the URI Undergraduate Research & Innovation Symposium

• After working under the guidance of NJIT faculty and, for UTRI, also collaborate with Industry mentors all URI Fellows and UTRI Interns present their summer research at the end of the program during the NJIT Undergraduate Summer Research & Innovation Symposium in late July.
• Projects are evaluated by the URI/UTRI External Advisory Board of academic, industry, and innovation leaders.
• Scores are based on innovation, feasibility, translational potential, societal relevance, and overall presentation.

Step 3 – Achieve a Top Ranking

• The top 30 highest-scoring students (about 15%) across URI and UTRI presentations are inducted as ARTISAN Ambassadors.
• This recognition highlights students who demonstrate leadership potential, innovation skills, and the ability to translate ideas into real-world impact.
• Ambassadors represent the best of undergraduate innovation and serve as role models for their peers.

Step 4 – Complete ARTISAN Requirements
Selected students must:

1. Submit the ARTISAN Application/Registration Form.(Selected students will receive an invitation to fill out the form)
2. Join the ART Network Portal to connect with collaborators, researchers, industry, and community stakeholders.
3. Confirm attendance at the Induction Ceremony.

Step 5 – Engage as an ARTISAN Ambassador
As an Ambassador, students will:

• Participate in the ART Network Portal, sharing projects and building collaborations.
• Represent NJIT and the ART initiative in community and industry engagement activities.
• Promote innovation and entrepreneurial thinking among peers.
• Leverage resources to develop projects into market-ready solutions.

Current Student Projects

Below are the current ARTISAN Ambassadors and their projects. Each project includes a short description and a link to their presentation.

If you would like more information, please contact the NJIT Center for Translational Research (CTR) and we will direct your inquiry accordingly.

ARTISAN student Diandra Debnath

Diandra Debnath is a third-year Biology undergraduate student in the Honors College at NJIT. Currently, she is currently conducting research in the Zebrafish Neural Circuits and Behavior Lab under the guidance/mentorship of Dr. Kristen Severi. – Watch video. More details on ART programs and success stories can be found on the NSF ART Network Portal.

ARTISAN student Konstantina Alamani

Konstantina Alamani, just finished her first year at NJIT. She is a member of the Albert Dorman Honors College and is majoring in biology with a concentration in cell biology. Konstantina is interested in translational research because it enables us to apply scientific discoveries directly to impact the lives of others and benefit society. – Watch video. More details on ART programs and success stories can be found on the NSF ART Network Portal.

ARTISAN student Sudiksha Sahu

Sudiksha Sahu, an NSF ART (Accelerating Research Translation) program student ambassador and fourth-year architecture student with a minor in business at NJIT, discusses her research and innovation experience – Watch video. More information on ART programs and success stories on NSF ART Network Portal.

ARTISAN Induction Luncheon

We were pleased to announce your selection for induction into the NSF ART Integrated Student Ambassador Network (ARTISAN) program. To celebrate this achievement, the NJIT Center for Translational Research (CTR) hosted a formal induction luncheon ceremony:

Date: Tuesday, April 30, 2025, Time: 12:00 PM, Location: CKB 116

NJIT, As part of the NSF ART (Accelerating Research Translation) initiative in collaboration with the Technology, Innovation and Partnerships (TIP) directorate, the ARTISAN program connected students with translational research opportunities, promoted innovation, and fostered entrepreneurial thinking. This induction marked the beginning of your journey within the ART Network—a platform that linked students, researchers, industry professionals, and community stakeholders to drive use-inspired research and commercialization. This was a prestigious recognition to highlight on your resume, as it carried significant academic merit.

Student Members of 2025 Induction to ARTISAN
Accelerating Research Translation Integrated Student Ambassador Network
AT NJIT Center for Translational Research through the NSF Accelerating Research Translation (ART) Program

NSF ART Student Ambassador Network (ARTISAN) - Undergraduate Student Translational Research Presentation Workshop

ARTISAN, an initiative within the NSF ART program, has been developed with the purpose to connect and involve students attending higher education institutions in translational research, raise awareness to the importance of research and technology translation to use-inspired applications of high societal impact, and enhancing educational experience through innovation and community engagement. This initiative aims to foster a culture of innovative and entrepreneurial thinking, transforming attitudes towards research within the student body that serves the public good, both societally and economically.

The session was held on September 27, 2024, from 2:00-3:30PM EST remotely via Zoom

More information: View workshop agenda View video