Welcome! This portfolio is part of my submission for the Undergraduate Research Certificate at Thompson Rivers University. The Undergraduate Research Certificate is a credential that can be earned in tandem with any undergraduate credit program offered by Thompson Rivers University. The credential formally recognizes the research knowledge, skills, and abilities acquired by students during their undergraduate educational journey at TRU.
INTRODUCTION.
Hello, my name is Bensly Pierre. As a final-year Computer Science student at Thompson Rivers University, research has been at the heart of my academic and professional career. What started as an individual research project has grown into a passion for mentoring, collaboration, and knowledge-sharing.
My research began with the Undergraduate Research Experience Award Program (UREAP), where I conducted a study on databases. This experience introduced me to research design, literature reviews, and data analysis, setting the stage for my future work.
From there, I became a Research Hub Ambassador, helping other students understand the value of undergraduate research. This role eventually led me to become an Undergraduate Research Ambassador, where I took on more responsibility in mentoring and advocating for research initiatives at TRU.
Wanting to dive even deeper, I completed a co-op as a Learning Strategist under the guidance of Kate Fagervik and Dominique Hazel. In this role, I helped develop resources for the TRU Research Hub, collaborated on Open Educational Resources (OERs), and facilitated workshops. Around the same time, I participated in the Students as Partners Fellowship, working alongside peers to co-create meaningful learning experiences.
My involvement in research continued as I became a Research Assistant in the Research Hub for two semesters, contributing to a range of interdisciplinary projects. I also took on the role of a Research Coach for the COOP 1000 course, guiding students in developing research questions and engaging in collaborative inquiry.
Recently, I’ve had the opportunity to share my research findings at events like the In a Nutshell Undergraduate Research Conference and Strike the Match. These experiences have reinforced my ability to conduct research, communicate ideas, and apply my findings in meaningful ways. Completing the Undergraduate Research Certificate is a reflection of my commitment to fostering a strong research culture at TRU.
THE STANDARDS.
This section highlights my foundational knowledge of research methodology, ethics, and proposal development. Through various courses and research programs, I have gained insight into statistical analysis, technical communication, sociological perspectives, human-computer interaction, and cybersecurity.
Research Methods Courses
- STAT 2000 – Introduction to Statistics (Fundamentals of statistical analysis and hypothesis testing)
- CMNS 2290 – Technical Communication (Professional engagement and presentation of research material)
- CMNS 3600 – ST: Body Art as Communication (Exploring qualitative research in sociocultural contexts)
- SOCI 1210 – Introduction to Sociology II (Research methodologies in social sciences)
- COMP 3260 – Computer Network Security (Researching cybersecurity threats and mitigation strategies)
- COMP 3451 – Human-Computer Interaction Design (User research and usability testing)
- COMP 4930 – Professional and Ethical Issues (Ethical considerations in research)
- COMP 4480 -Directed Studies in Computer Science (Independent research under faculty mentorship)
- COMP 4980 – ST: Behavioral Biometrics (Advanced research on security applications)
- COMP 4980 – ST: Ethical Hacking (Investigating thoroughly researched security vulnerabilities and ethical hacking techniques)
These courses have equipped me with the skills to design research studies, analyze data, and understand ethical considerations.
Proposals
The following research proposals demonstrate my ability to formulate research questions, outline methodologies, and justify the significance of my studies. From undergraduate research applications to directed studies and course-based projects, these proposals reflect my ability to plan and execute research effectively.
Communicative and Cultural ExpressionDownload
Research Ethics Certificate (TCPS 2)
During my Co-Op as Learning Strategist at the Research Hub, I completed the Tri-Council Policy Statement (TCPS 2) Research Ethics Certificate further solidifies my commitment to conducting ethical research and ensuring the responsible treatment of human participants in academic studies.
tcps2-eptc2-certificateResearch Programs
Beyond coursework and independent projects, I have actively participated in various structured research programs that have enhanced my skills in research design, data analysis, and knowledge dissemination:
- Undergraduate Research Experience Award Program (UREAP) – Conducted an independent research project, focusing on enhancing Oracle Database performance through access-pattern-based data archiving.
- Research Coach – Provided guidance to students in a COOP 1000 course, helping them develop research questions and methodologies for a workplace-focused study on curiosity and confidence.
- Undergraduate Research Ambassador – Acted as a peer mentor and advocate for student research engagement, assisting in workshops and research-related initiatives.
- Research Hub Ambassador – Supported research initiatives and created a welcoming environment within the TRU Research Hub.
- Research Assistant – Worked on various research projects contributing to online module development and student outreach.
- Directed Studies – Conducted a faculty-supervised research project on data lifecycle management in the context of membership management systems.
- CO-OP Learning Strategist – Applied research methodologies to design and develop resources that support student learning in co-curricular settings.
Through these experiences, I have developed a comprehensive understanding of the research process, from formulating research questions to disseminating findings. These opportunities have also reinforced my ability to engage in interdisciplinary research, collaborate with faculty and peers, and contribute meaningful insights to my fields of study.
A crucial aspect of research is the ability to critically assess existing literature and draw meaningful insights from it. This section showcases my engagement with academic writing, literature reviews, and the evaluation of prior research across multiple disciplines.
Research Methods Courses
- ENGL 1101 – Introduction to University Writing
- COMP 4980 – ST: Behavioral Biometrics
- COMP 4930 – Professional and Ethical Issues
- CMNS 2290 – Technical Communication
- CMNS 3600 – ST: Body Art as Communication
Courses such as ENGL 1101 (Introduction to University Writing) and CMNS 2290 (Technical Communication) have refined my ability to interpret, synthesize, and critique academic sources. Similarly, advanced computer science courses, such as COMP 4980 (Behavioral Biometrics) and COMP 4930 (Professional and Ethical Issues), have deepened my analytical skills in evaluating research within my field.
Reports, Papers & Literature Reviews
The following literature reviews, research papers, and annotated bibliographies demonstrate my ability to engage with scholarly sources, assess their credibility, and extract key findings to support my own research inquiries.
Beyond understanding research theory, this section presents my practical application of research methodologies. Through various projects, I have designed and conducted studies, collected data, and implemented research frameworks. This section demonstrates my ability to apply research techniques in real-world settings, particularly in human-computer interaction, software development, and database management.
Reports
The included reports highlight:
- User experience testing from the Research Hub Kiosk Project, where I designed and executed a usability test procedure.
- Requirements elicitation and evaluation for software development, showcasing how I gathered and analyzed stakeholder needs.
- UREAP research methodology, where I detailed the process of conducting research on database performance optimization.
This section illustrates my ability to interpret research findings, conduct data analysis, and derive meaningful conclusions. A strong researcher must not only gather data but also critically assess its implications.
Reports
The reports in this section provide evidence of:
- Quantitative and qualitative data analysis, particularly in the UREAP project and user evaluation for the Research Hub Kiosk.
- Drawing insights from user research, identifying usability challenges, and proposing design improvements.
- Synthesizing findings into actionable conclusions, demonstrating how my research informs decision-making and future developments.
Through these projects, I have refined my analytical thinking and ability to translate research findings into practical solutions.
Research gains its true value when shared with others. This section highlights my efforts in disseminating research findings through conferences, presentations, and knowledge-sharing platforms.
In A Nutshell 2025
I had the opportunity to participate in In A Nutshell 2025, a platform designed for students to present their research in a concise and engaging manner. My presentation focused on Biometric Authentication Based on Digital Signature Dynamics, a research project exploring the security and efficiency of behavioral biometrics for user authentication. This experience allowed me to refine my ability to present complex ideas in a clear and compelling way, emphasizing the practical applications of my research in cybersecurity.
I also received an In A Nutshell Certificate (see below), recognizing my contribution to the event and my ability to effectively communicate research findings.
Nutshell-CertUndergraduate Research Conference 2025
As part of Research Week 2025, I participated in the Undergraduate Research & Innovation Conference, a premier event showcasing student-led research. This conference provided me with a platform to share my work through both a poster presentation and a lecture presentation, enabling me to engage with a diverse audience of student researchers, faculty members, and industry professionals.
In the poster presentation, I presented my UREAP-funded research on Enhancing Oracle Database Performance via Access-Pattern-Based Data Archiving. This research aimed to improve database efficiency by analyzing user access patterns and optimizing data storage. The poster format allowed me to visually summarize my methodology, key findings, and the practical implications of my research.
In addition to the poster, I delivered a formal lecture that explored the real-world applications of my UREAP project. My presentation focused on how data archiving techniques could benefit organizations of all sizes by improving performance, reducing costs, and ensuring efficient data lifecycle management. This experience strengthened my public speaking skills and my ability to engage with technical and non-technical audiences alike.
Directed Studies Presentation
My Directed Studies under the supervision of Dr. Mridula Sharma allowed me to expand on my UREAP research by exploring data lifecycle management in the context of membership management systems.
During my presentation, I outlined the technical components of my research, discussed the challenges of managing large-scale membership databases, and proposed solutions for optimizing data storage and retrieval.
Research Hub Online Modules
As a Learning Strategist and Research Assistant, I contributed to the development of the Research Hub Online Modules, a series of digital resources designed to support students in developing strong research competencies. These modules cover essential topics such as literature reviews, research methodologies and more.
Contributing to these modules allowed me create valuable learning resources that empower students to navigate the research process with confidence.
Human Computer Interaction Presentation
As part of COMP 3451 (Human-Computer Interaction Design), I delivered a 15-minute presentation on the Research Hub Kiosk App, a user-centered digital platform designed to enhance research engagement at TRU. My presentation covered:
- The development process and user-centered design principles applied during the project.
- Key insights from user experience research, including usability testing and iterative design improvements.
- The importance of research-informed application development, ensuring that digital tools align with user needs and behaviors.
This experience also helped me refine my virtual presentation skills, as I had to adapt my content for an online audience, ensuring clarity, engagement, and accessibility.
Research-Hub-Kiosk-App-Presentation-PPTREFLECTIVE ESSAY.
Engaging in research has been one of the most transformative aspects of my academic journey. Through coursework, independent projects, and knowledge mobilization efforts, I have developed not only technical expertise but also critical thinking, problem-solving, and communication skills.
This reflective essay explores my evolution as a researcher, highlighting the challenges I faced, the strategies I employed to overcome them, and the key takeaways that have shaped my approach to inquiry. From understanding the fundamentals of research methodology to applying findings in real-world contexts, each experience has reinforced the value of curiosity, perseverance, and collaboration in the pursuit of knowledge.