GIRAFFE - Undergraduate Research Workshop in Graph Theory and Data Science

GIRAFFE Undergraduate Research Workshop

Dates and Workshop Description

June 22–26, 2026 at Winston-Salem State University, Winston-Salem, NC. This week-long workshop will engage undergraduate students and their faculty mentors in original research in the areas of combinatorics and data science. Participants will work in small research groups under the guidance of faculty mentors, culminating in written reports and oral presentations.

Overview

This workshop brings together undergraduate scholars and faculty mentors from multiple institutions for an intensive collaborative research experience. WSSU students and faculty will compose the largest contingent of participants, with additional participants selected through an application process hosted on MathPrograms.org.

Logistical Information

The workshop will be held on the campus of Winston-Salem State University from Sunday, June 22 through Saturday, June 26, 2026. Hotel accommodations will be provided for all participants. Faculty will have individual rooms, and students will be paired with a roommate prior to arrival.

Application Information

Applications are due by March 1, 2026. Applicants will be notified of acceptance by March 15, 2026. Apply here .

Travel Information

Participants are responsible for arranging their own travel to and from Winston-Salem, NC. Travel expenses will be reimbursed up to $200 upon submission of receipts. If this presents a financial hardship, please indicate this in your application.

Student Stipends

Each student participant will receive an $800 stipend in addition to travel reimbursement, per diem for meals, and hotel accommodations.

Sample Daily Schedule

The workshop follows the American Institute of Mathematics (AIM) workshop model, with substantial research time interspersed with professional development activities.

About GIRAFFE

Undergraduate research is a high-impact practice with measurable effects on student engagement, persistence, and post-graduate success. GIRAFFE seeks to foster community among undergraduate researchers in the mathematical sciences while strengthening WSSU’s reputation for scholastic excellence.

Suitability for Undergraduate Research

Combinatorics and data science require minimal prerequisite knowledge, allowing students to contribute meaningfully while learning tools alongside their research activities. These areas are highly active and position students well for graduate study.

Problems of Interest to Students

Combinatorics applies to real-world problems such as power distribution, disease transmission, and resource allocation. Data science problems will focus on healthcare in Forsyth County and sports marketing applications.

Intended Outcomes

Research Products

Each research group will produce a written report suitable for submission to an undergraduate research journal and present their work at the conclusion of the workshop.

Professional Development

Participants will gain experience in research presentation, technical writing, and collaborative problem solving while building professional networks.

Long-Term Engagement

This workshop is intended to establish a lasting tradition of undergraduate research collaboration among WSSU and its peer institutions.

Project Descriptions

Applicants will be asked to rank their interest in the following projects. Faculty mentors and students will be paired prior to the workshop.

Graph Theory Projects

Project 1: Vertex Fault Tolerant Zero Forcing

This project investigates vertex fault tolerance in zero forcing sets, with applications to quantum control and network monitoring. Students will explore open problems related to propagation time, throttling, and algorithmic bounds.

Project 2: Graph-Based Machine Learning for Image Classification

Students will explore representing images as graphs and applying graph neural networks to improve classification accuracy.

Data Science Projects

Project 3: Combinatorial Optimization in Supply Chain Networks

This project focuses on modeling supply chains as graphs and applying optimization techniques to improve logistics and efficiency.

Project 4: Analyzing Biological Networks Using Graph Theory

Students will analyze biological networks using graph algorithms to identify key components and interactions.

About Winston-Salem State University

Winston-Salem State University is a vibrant academic community dedicated to creative thinking, analytical problem-solving, and service.

Founded in 1892, WSSU is a historically Black constituent institution of the University of North Carolina offering a rigorous liberal education.

It all starts here.