In the last several years, donations from outside sources, comprised of  generous friends, alumni, and industrial partners, have allowed the BYU Computer Science Department to experience unprecedented growth in mentored research.  From the 2006-2007 academic year to the 2007-2008 academic year alone, the number of mentored research positions made possible by outside sources doubled from 30 to 61.  The expansion of mentored learning reflects the department’s goal to fulfill former-LDS Church President Gordon B. Hinckley’s hope that “very soon every student will have a unique BYU mentoring opportunity that will increase both the rate and depth of their learning.”

The opportunities to participate in mentored research in the Computer Science Department have opened up a variety of possibilities for students, undergraduates and graduates alike.  The funds provided allow students to work in flexible, on-campus jobs, earning money to provide for themselves and their growing families, while still remaining focused on their education.  Furthermore, research experiences deepen the students’ educations by allowing them to forge meaningful relationships with faculty mentors and familiarize themselves with the latest research methods and cutting-edge technology.  Through mentored research, even undergraduate students have had the opportunity to publish and present papers in major journals and conferences.

Kendell Clement, a senior in computer science at BYU, has been conducting undergraduate research with his advisor, Dr. Quinn Snell, since September 2007.  His research centers on open-source phylogenetic analysis, which integrates state-of-the-art alignment and search techniques to allow biological researchers to analyze DNA sequence data.  Kendell’s mentored research experience has altered his career goals, directing him towards a future in research.  “Working with my mentor,” he remarks, “has helped me develop many of the skills necessary for research.”  Kendell will present the research he has worked on with Dr. Snell at a conference in Boston at the end of October.

Brett Partridge is a graduate student participating in mentored research through the generosity of a BYU Computer Science Department corporate sponsor.  His research in Dr. Dan Olsen’s Interactive Computing Everywhere Lab has centered on Interactive TV, and is sponsored by Move Networks.  In his words, the work has allowed him to look at problems from multiple vantage points and come up with better, more efficient answers to real-world problems.

Through his mentored research experience, Brett has not only had the opportunity to take part in a complicated and involved research project, but he has formed relationship with his mentor beyond the typical student-professor interaction.  “Dr. Olsen,” he says, “has expressed personal interest into my life, my family, and my wellbeing.  We have had many private conversations ranging on topics form research to purchasing a home, and from parenting to serving in the Church.”  He concludes, “Having this type of relationship has only increased my educational experience.”

Brian Hill, a Senior Software Development Engineer with Microsoft Office, was recently acknowledged by his peers at Microsoft for “extraordinary achievement, leadership, and impact,” and awarded the 2008 Microsoft Technical Recognition.  As part of the award, Microsoft made a sizeable charitable donation in the Brian’s name to the organization of his choice, the BYU Computer Science Department mentorship fund.  Although he is not an alumnus from the department, Brian believes in forging relationships with universities and giving talented computer science students a jump-start on their careers.  Through mentored research, Brian finds students are able to get a test of real-work applications, which may apply directly to their profession or may simply foster a passion for the discipline.  From his experience in the computer science industry, Brian knows that technological industries experience constant change, and that it is therefore crucial for students to have good learning skills, which can be gleaned through the mentored research process.