UIC Business Sophomore Opeyemi “Yemi” Azuka Earns Prestigious NSF-Funded STEM Research Opportunity
Selected as a freshman for a highly competitive, National Science Foundation–funded STEM research program at UC San Diego, his experience exemplifies student success in action through early initiative and interdisciplinary learning.
UIC Business Sophomore Earns Prestigious NSF-Funded Research Opportunity
When Opeyemi “Yemi” Azuka arrived at UIC as an Information and Decision Sciences (IDS) major, he didn’t wait until junior or senior year to explore research. Instead, he applied—as a freshman—to one of the country’s most selective undergraduate research programs in STEM education.
That initiative paid off.
In summer 2025, Yemi was selected for the Virtual Education Research in STEM Academy (VERSA) at the University of California, San Diego, a nine-week National Science Foundation (NSF)-funded Research Experience for Undergraduates (REU). Only 12 students nationwide were chosen for the cohort, making selection both highly competitive and nationally prestigious.
What followed was an immersive research experience that expanded Yemi’s understanding of how students learn—and how research can drive change in STEM education.
What Is VERSA—and Why It Matters
VERSA is a multi-year research initiative designed to train undergraduates in discipline-based education research (DBER)—an emerging field that examines how students learn across STEM disciplines.
Supported by an NSF REU grant, the program immerses students in:
- Advanced research methods and data analysis
- Education research grounded in STEM fields
- Collaboration with faculty mentors at a top Research 1 institution
- Professional presentation and communication of findings
Participants begin and conclude the nine-week, hybrid program on UC San Diego’s campus and present their work at the UC San Diego Summer Research Conference—an experience typically reserved for upper-level undergraduates and graduate students.
Researching How Students Learn
During the program, Yemi partnered with another undergraduate researcher to examine how mind mapping—a visual learning strategy—can influence learning strategies and academic performance in electrical and computer engineering courses.
Using a mixed-methods research approach, the project explored how students organize information, regulate their own learning, and manage cognitive load in challenging STEM classrooms. The work introduced Yemi to key concepts in educational research, including self-regulated learning and cognitive load optimization, and showed how thoughtful instructional interventions can improve student learning outcomes.
Beyond the technical aspects of the study, the experience helped Yemi grow as a researcher. He strengthened his critical thinking and data analysis skills, collaborated closely with peers and mentors, and learned how to communicate research findings to diverse audiences. The team presented their work at the UC San Diego Summer Research Conference, sharing insights alongside STEM researchers from institutions across the country.
Reflecting on the experience, Yemi said, “Words can’t really describe my gratitude for this experience—I’ll never take this opportunity for granted.”
Why UIC—and Why IDS
Yemi chose UIC for its diversity, access, and strong connections between business and STEM. As an IDS major with a concentration in Management Information Systems, he is building a foundation that bridges technology, data, and organizational strategy.
His long-term goal is a career in cybersecurity, where data-driven decision-making and systems thinking play a critical role in protecting organizations. Experiences like VERSA, he says, confirmed his interest in using technology to solve complex, real-world problems.
A Message for Other Students
Yemi encourages students—especially early in their academic careers—to pursue opportunities even if they feel “not quite ready.”
Stay open to opportunities, even if they seem outside your comfort zone or you don’t feel you check every box. Programs like VERSA show the value of taking a leap of faith early in college.
Student Success in Action
From UIC classrooms to NSF-funded research at a leading Research 1 institution, Yemi’s journey demonstrates the power of UIC Business’s interdisciplinary education in action—transforming initiative and ambition into nationally recognized student success. By pursuing research early in his academic career, Yemi laid a foundation for continued growth, leadership, and impact.