By Sarah Tsuruo, OUR Peer Research Ambassador

Welcome to a week in my life, where I’ll take you behind the scenes of my research work. As a senior undergraduate researcher, I get to work more independently and you’ll see me zipping around the lab doing some pretty cool experiments on my own!

Having been involved in research since freshman year, I am currently a part of the Bolnick Lab in the EEB department where I’m working on my Honors thesis: analyzing the sex-specific immune-endocrine response in the model organism the Threespine stickleback. I’m interested in the immune response of the stickleback to parasites which triggers a fibrosis response, and its trade-offs with the endocrine pathway and sex hormones. In this lab I’m also continuing work from my SURF project, a manuscript about sexual dimorphism in lake-stream pairs with my PI and a former postdoc from the lab. Lastly, as an extension of the work from my clinical research internship at UConn Health last fall, I am finishing up a manuscript based off a pilot study and literature review I had completed with my PI, Dr. Reichenberger. Continue reading →

By Claire Fresher, OUR Peer Research Ambassador

Many kinds of research occur on campus. Each research lab is different and unique. As a mechanical engineering student I have had the privilege of working in two labs that have shown me two different sides of what research can look like while also showing me overlap between the two.

Similarities:
In both labs, and probably at any lab you’ll be a part of, communication is very important. In my labs, there are weekly group meetings where all the researchers come together to share what they have been working on and to ask questions if they are stuck or need guidance. These meetings are very beneficial to see where others are at or learn about the amazing things other researchers are working on. This is a time to ask for help, which can be very important especially when starting out in research and doing tasks and using materials that you may have never seen before. There are also graduate students in both labs that are always willing and able to sit down with you and walk through the hard steps of the process since they have probably already done it before. They are a great resource to use while doing research and in the future, if you plan to go to graduate school. Continue reading →

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 →