By Oreoluwa Olowe, Peer Research Ambassador

I got started with research the second semester of freshman year. As a Mechanical Engineering major there are activities organized to allow students to get a better understanding of research or come up with ideas they wish to pursue. This was where I was introduced to my first research experience.

I decided to work on improving or developing knee braces for athletes with my fellow engineers. It was an amazing experience working with 5 other mechanical engineering students for Professor Jason Lee. I was able to develop relationship and technical skills outside of my classes. Continue reading →

By Mukund Desibhatla, OUR Peer Research Ambassador

As a Physiology & Neurobiology (PNB) major, I have always been surrounded by the expectation of joining a PNB lab. While my classmates quickly joined labs with professors within their majors, I struggled to find mentors who would be a good fit for my interests.

Feeling discouraged, I reached out to my PATH mentor, who is also a PNB major. He shared similar frustrations but ultimately joined research in the psychological sciences. Although his mentor was a faculty member outside of his major, the professor’s compassion and guidance helped my friend foster a genuine interest in the study of brain-behavior from a different lens. Continue reading →

By Ariana Rojas, OUR Peer Research Ambassador

Hearing about undergraduate research can be both exciting and intimidating. You may be asking yourself: What does undergraduate research look like? Can I get involved in research? Do I have to be an upperclassman to do it? Is it too late to start?

Undergraduate research was a completely foreign topic for me. I knew it existed, but I didn’t think it was feasible for me. And, when I realized that I could start undergraduate research, I was afraid that I was too late and already missed my chance to start, as a second semester sophomore. After I transferred from the Stamford campus, I felt like I was already behind. I knew what undergraduate research was in Stamford, but I didn’t think it was attainable. When I transferred to Storrs, I felt overwhelmed by the process. I almost didn’t even apply for my first position, and REU program, because I felt that I wasn’t qualified or accomplished enough to apply. Looking back, I am so happy that I took that first leap into research and I’m hoping to share with you how you can get involved too. Continue reading →

By Lily Zhong, Peer Research Ambassador

So you’ve heard UConn is an R1 research institute with boundless opportunities to get involved in undergraduate research, but a few questions start to pile up and overwhelm you: how do I know if research is right for me, how do I know what I’m interested in, what will I be learning, what even is research? If you’re anything like me, these were all questions I asked myself as an eager incoming first-year student with no prior experience in research. While my story may not be, and most likely is not the exact same experience as the next undergraduate researcher, I’m hoping that sharing a bit about my research adventure will shed light on some of the ways research can transform your undergraduate career. Continue reading →

By Maria Latta, Peer Research Ambassador

As the summer approaches, many of us are looking toward job and internship applications. If you are engaging in undergraduate research or creative projects, how can you use them to get a job or internship that doesn’t involved research? Often times students apply for jobs or internships related to their major or future career that don’t specifically include a research component. That doesn’t mean you can’t highlight the transferable skills that you have developed through undergraduate research in resumes and interviews to ultimately land you an offer. Continue reading →

By Mary Vlamis, Peer Research Ambassador

Since you are browsing through the UConn Office of Undergraduate Research webpage, I will assume you have intellectual curiosity. If learning new things and investigating fascinating issues excite you, you may be finding ways to keep your mind stimulated while you are stuck at home for an indefinite amount of time. I know I am nervous about having nothing to do besides online classes…even my research is on hold due to COVID-19, as I’m sure many of your projects are too. Have no fear, my fellow nerds, I have a few suggestions for you! Continue reading →

By Ian Sands, OUR Peer Research Ambassador

The beginning stages of research primarily consist of planning. That planning may pertain to a variety of things such as budget, timeline, procedure, and even how you plan to communicate the findings of your study. What may be most important to consider, however, is the inevitable reality that no research plan goes perfectly as planned a majority of the time. These research complications may come in many forms, ranging from the classic inconvenient delay of supply delivery all the way to a less common sudden campus closure due to a global pandemic. Whatever the roadblock is, every researcher must maintain patience, adaptability, and resilience to overcome the complications they are experiencing.

Here, I will talk a little about the types of roadblocks you may experience as a researcher and the methods I have developed to continue progress during these times. Continue reading →

By Abigail LaFontan, OUR Peer Research Ambassador

Applying to graduate school can be an intimidating process, but learning to use your research as a tool can boost your confidence and the power of your application or interview. I just finished applying to and receiving decisions from several law schools so, with my personal experience fresh in mind, I’m going to highlight some of the factors, related to my research experience, that I found to be most important during the graduate school application process. Continue reading →

By Mary Vlamis, OUR Peer Research Ambassador

So you are interested in doing undergraduate research in the social sciences. You’ve taken a few introductory courses, a topic has sparked your interest, and you want to be a part of the creation of knowledge! Woohoo! Now what do you do? You’ll find tips and tricks on contacting faculty and networking on the Office of Undergraduate Research website under the student section. Running parallel to the process of finding a research opportunity is the process of developing skills to contribute to a research project. These three tips will help you stand out as a potential research assistant because they will show that you are dedicated to becoming a helpful part of the research process: Continue reading →