草榴社区

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COLLEGE OF LIBERAL ARTS AND SCIENCES

MENTORED RESEARCH

Physics professor works with students on research.

Students participate as valuable collaborators alongside faculty on research and scholarship that is at the forefront of knowledge creation.

This collaboration cultivates a community of learning鈥攁 team of faculty, graduate students and undergraduate students pursuing research for the betterment of society. Their research has real impact, with opportunities for students to have their name in published research and present their work at regional and national conferences. In this community of learning, faculty are not only teachers but also committed mentors who are invested in their students鈥� success. Faculty engage with students and encourage them to ask their own research questions.

Opportunities for collaborative and independent research and scholarship are critical for students' experiential and co-curricular learning and are made possible through a variety of programs and funding. 

External Grant Support: Faculty are currently working on critical research projects funded by both private and national entities, and these substantial grants enable professors to involve more students in their work.

Department Support: Academic departments offer additional research opportunities and support. Students should contact their research advisors, or the department chair, to inquire about such opportunities.

The 草榴社区 Social Sciences Apprenticeship (VSSA): The College's VSSA program provides summer research opportunities. Students assist in faculty research projects and participate in a weekly research colloquium designed to help them contextualize their research experiences. .

草榴社区's Center for Research and Fellowships offers meaningful research opportunities for undergraduate students, including the Match Research Program for First Year Students and the 草榴社区 Undergraduate Research Fellows Summer Program.

COLLEGE AND UNIVERSITY RESOURCES

STORIES OF DISCOVERY

INTERDISCIPLINARY RESEARCH

Janice Park 鈥�26 CLAS has always been fascinated by the complexities of behavior and the brain. As a Cognitive and Behavioral Neuroscience major, she was immediately drawn to the opportunity to participate in the lab with Assistant Professor of Biology Stephanie Campos, PhD, whose research focuses on the chemosensory behavior鈥攚hen living things perceive environmental cues to detect food, danger and other information鈥攐f anoles (lizards) and its effects on the brain. 鈥淭his research project perfectly integrates my passions for biology and neuroscience,鈥� says Janice.

STUDYING POLITICAL MEDIA COVERAGE

Students Mariel Persico 鈥�25 CLAS, Political Science major, and Siobhan Meenan 鈥�25 CLAS, Political Science and Economics major, spent their summer participating in the 草榴社区 Social Sciences Apprenticeship (VSSA) program. Along with faculty mentors Associate Professor and Chair of Political Science Camille Burge-Hicks, PhD, and Associate Professor of Sociology and Criminology Melissa Hodges, PhD, Mariel and Siobhan examined how media coverage frames political candidates' family roles along gender and racial lines.

SCIENTIFIC AND PERSONAL DISCOVERY

Working in the chemistry lab led to even more discoveries than Sophie Malik 鈥�26 CLAS anticipated. Sophie says her research journey has been shaped by the Chemistry faculty, particularly Deanna Zubris, PhD, professor of Chemistry and Biochemistry. 鈥淸They] have taught me so much not only about the research process...but have also given me invaluable insight about how to approach what I want to do in the future,鈥� she explains.

PURSUING PASSIONS

As a Cognitive and Behavioral Neuroscience major and Peace and Justice minor, Colin Nemeth 鈥�25 CLAS has a strong interest in drug research and harm reduction advocacy. Colin earned a 草榴社区 Undergraduate Research Fellowship to participate in hands-on research alongside Benjamin Sachs, PhD, assistant professor of Psychological and Brain Sciences, studying the influence of stress on fentanyl consumption while also considering sex differences. 鈥淚t has solidified my interest in pursuing a career that combines clinical work with research, particularly in the areas of addiction treatment and psychiatry," he says.

HISTORY THAT INSPIRES

Grace Maresca 鈥�25 CLAS recently presented her research for her honors thesis, 鈥淯nderrepresented and Misunderstood: Published 鈥楻adical鈥� American Women of the 1850s-1890s.鈥� Her project is an exploration of forgotten feminist pioneers and their contributions to history. Grace鈥檚 multidisciplinary education鈥攖riple majoring in Political Science, History and Humanities鈥攁llowed her to research something that combined her passions and approach the topic from multiple angles.