Program Overview

Introduction to the Birla Carbon International Scholars Program

The Birla Carbon International Scholars Program is a study abroad experience for undergraduate majors in the College of Science and Mathematics at Kennesaw State University. This program is made possible by a generous donation from Birla Carbon, the world's largest manufacturer and supplier of Carbon Black.

About the Program

Through the Birla Carbon International Scholars Program, students will have the opportunity to participate in a research collaboration between the College of Science and Mathematics at Kennesaw State University and the Birla Institute of Technology and Science (BITS) in Goa, India. This collaboration will allow students to learn about the community and culture in India while conducting research.

Requirements

To be eligible for the Birla Carbon International Scholars Program, students must:

• Be a full-time student pursuing a degree in the College of Science and Mathematics
• Be an undergraduate student who will not graduate until at least the Fall 2026 semester
• Have a minimum GPA of 3.0
• Be available and able to travel to BITS in Goa, India, from June 1st to July 15th
• Express interest in a project by submitting a completed online application and faculty recommendation letter by the deadline

Projects

Selected students will register for a research course and conduct research during the Spring 2026 semester with a faculty mentor. They will then continue their research in India during a six-week summer study abroad experience, registering for 3 additional research hours. The focus of the spring semester will be on learning techniques and conducting preliminary studies, while the summer experience will engage students in larger studies at BITS labs and writing up results for possible journal publication.

Flexible Gold-Silver SERS Substrate for Toxin Detection

This project involves designing a gold-silver nanomaterial-based stable and flexible SERS substrate for the detection of toxins and heterogeneous catalysis. Students will work with faculty mentors Dr. Bharat Baurah at Kennesaw State University and Dr. Narendra Nath Ghosh at Birla Institute of Technology & Science.

Design, Synthetic, and Technical Aspects

1. Synthesize silver and gold nanomaterials in aqueous media
2. Immobilize nanomaterials and fabricate SERS substrates
3. Characterize nanomaterials with XRD, SEM, TEM, EDS, TGA, FTIR, and UV-visible spectroscopies

Learning Outcomes

1. Knowledge of nanomaterial synthesis and design
2. Knowledge of advanced microscopic and spectroscopic techniques
3. Knowledge of low-cost detection of toxins and environmental remediation
4. Proficiency in data processing, interpretation, chemical drawing, literature review, professional communication, teamwork, and global collaboration

Tracing Epithelial Morphogenesis Across Species

This project involves dissecting signaling in epithelial morphogenesis and migration from Drosophila follicle cells to human cancers. Students will work with faculty mentors Dr. Dongyu Jia at Kennesaw State University and Dr. Angshuman Sarkar at Birla Institute of Technology & Science.

In Search of Topological Superconductors

This project involves searching for topological superconductors, exotic materials that may host Majorana zero modes. Students will work with faculty mentors Dr. Chetan Dhital at Kennesaw State University and Dr. Arnab Roy at Birla Institute of Technology & Science.

Deadlines

• Submissions will be accepted starting Monday, September 29, 2025
• Final submission deadline is Monday, November 3, 2025
• Selected recipients will be notified via email by Monday, November 24, 2025
• Upon notification of the award, students will have until Monday, December 1, 2025, to accept the position