This position will support the publication of a book on the topic of the politics of disability and the US care crisis. The writing relates to the ways ableism (or the devaluation of disability) is embedded into every aspect of our culture and society, which then translates into such things as a lack of care infrastructure and the resulting dependence on the unpaid care work of family members. I am looking for a student who can assist with fact checking for the book, which is an important process in all researched/journalistic writing. Duties will include but aren’t limited to:
Checking cited references
Cross checking field notes
Learning how to use citation software
Creating bibliographies
General support
Student Qualifications
Qualifications:
Experience with research
Knowledge of fact checking processes
Preferred Qualifications:
Experience working for the school newspaper or in other journalistic endeavors
How to Apply
Please email your resume and a brief write up of why you think you are a good fit for this opportunity to Professor Laura Mauldin (laura.mauldin@uconn.edu.
Mentor: Laura Mauldin, Associate Professor
Department: WGSS/SCI
Email: laura.mauldin@uconn.edu
Timing: Fall 2024, Spring 2025
Campus: Storrs
Meet Michela Brown ’25, an OUR Peer Research Ambassador majoring in Biological Sciences and minoring in Animal Science and Molecular & Cell Biology.
What is the focus of your research?
I am conducting research in animal science in Dr. Kristen E. Govoni lab, where we are studying how a mother’s diet affects the growth and development of her offspring, specifically in sheep. Our goal is to identify differences that could enhance livestock health and production. My project specifically examines changes in the liver of the offspring related to their mother’s diet. I have recently been gaining new experience in Dr. Rachel O’Neill’s lab to learn new techniques.
Why did you get involved in research?
I first got involved in research because I am part of the honors program and thought it was a requirement to get involved. I didn’t get into research until my sophomore year, which helped me realize that research was something I truly wanted to pursue, not just a program requirement. My perspective shifted when I had the opportunity to shadow a graduate student in a lab I was interested in. That experience made me genuinely excited about the possibilities for my own research. Continue reading →
As an undergraduate research assistant at ECOM (Expression, Communication, and the Origins of Meaning Research Group), you will play a key role in organizing conferences and talks, contributing to the smooth execution of these academic events. You will also assist with research activities, particularly in conducting literature reviews to support ongoing projects. Additionally, if you have skills in website design, you will help maintain and update the ECOM website, ensuring it effectively communicates our work and events to the academic community. We are especially interested in students from philosophy, psychology, neuroscience, linguistics, or related fields, as this role offers valuable experience in both research and event coordination, along with the opportunity to enhance your digital skills.
Availability: Must be available to work approximately 9 hours per week, with some flexibility to accommodate key event dates. Specific times will be discussed during the interview process.
Student Qualifications
Academic Background: Must be an undergraduate student majoring in philosophy, psychology, neuroscience, linguistics, or a related field.
Research Skills: Ability to conduct thorough literature reviews, with a strong emphasis on critical thinking and synthesis of academic materials.
Event Coordination: Interest in or experience with organizing academic events, such as conferences and talks, is preferred.
Technical Skills: Basic proficiency in website design and maintenance is desirable but not required.
Communication: Strong written and verbal communication skills are essential for coordinating with event speakers, team members, and managing public-facing content.
Teamwork: Ability to work collaboratively in a team setting, as well as independently on assigned tasks.
Attention to Detail: Must be detail-oriented, especially in tasks related to research, event planning, and website content management
How to Apply
Interested students should submit the following materials to apply for this research opportunity:
CV/Resume: Include relevant academic background, coursework, and any previous research or event coordination experience.
Short Statement: Provide a brief statement (no more than 300 words) explaining your interest in this position, any relevant skills or experience you bring, and your availability.
Please send your application materials to Utku Sonsayar utku.sonsayar@uconn.edu
Mentor: Dorit Bar-On, Professor
Department: Philosophy
Email: dorit.bar-on@uconn.edu
Timing: Fall 2024, Spring 2025
Campus: Storrs
The Ruka Lab in the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering studies prosthetic and robotic grasping, manipulation, and controls. This position is a research experience focusing on end-effector and test object design. In addition to end-effectors, the choice of test objects is important to comprehensively validate the invention. Working on this project entails designing, building, testing, and iterating using 3D modeling software and additive manufacturing techniques. The student will be expected to work approximately 10hr/week and will primarily include independent design work and regular weekly meetings to discuss progress. Submitting work for publication will be contingent on good progress and interest from the student.
Student Qualifications
Experience with Solidworks or other 3D modelling software is necessary. Experience with MATLAB is a plus, as is experience with prosthetics and robotics, but not necessary. Those without prior research experience are encouraged to apply, so long as they are excited to work on creative hands-on design projects that they will help bring to life.
How to Apply
Please email Professor Yuri Gloumakov (yuri.gloumakov@uconn.edu), and include your year, major, classes you have taken related to design and engineering, a design portfolio (if you have one), how many hours per week you would like to work, and a brief description of why you are interested in this position. Attaching a resume is optional.
Mentor: Yuri Gloumakov, Assistant Professor
Department: Electrical and Computer Engingeering
Email: yuri.gloumakov@uconn.edu
Timing: Fall 2024, Spring 2025, Summer 2025, Ongoing
Campus: Storrs
Meet Naomi Benningfield ’25, an OUR Peer Research Ambassador majoring in Molecular & Cell Biology.
What is the focus of your research?
Within my molecular archaeology lab with Dr. Hartman, we focus on creating a comprehensive understanding of the past through a range of studies. The Nesher Ramla project that I participate in analyzes enamel samples from herbivore teeth through isotope ratio mass spectrometry. In doing so, we hope to reconstruct the paleoclimate of the site. Currently, I am working towards assessing the eco-physiological response of equids to the last glacial climate change. During my time at Hartford Hospital, we focused on a range of prospective and retrospective clinical studies within anesthesia. My main focus was on opioid reduction and pain management. Continue reading →
Meet Hansuja Chaurasia ’26, an OUR Peer Research Ambassador majoring in Allied Health Sciences and minoring in Spanish.
What is the focus of your research?
Currently, I am involved in the Kienzler Lab in the chemistry department. We work with photoswitches, which are molecules that change shape when interacting with light. I am working on the synthesis of light-sensitive calcium channel inhibitors. I recently have been helping out with research in the Duffy Lab in the Allied Health Department, working on promoting nutrition and oral health in toddler populations.
Why did you get involved in research?
I got involved in research because I loved the idea of applying the things I’ve learned in my academic career to an actual scientific experience. I wanted to see firsthand what the scientific method is like in the real world, and how new discoveries and knowledge are made. Research allows me to dive deeper into topics I’m passionate about, to ask questions and challenge myself, and to contribute to the overall advancement of scientific knowledge, even in a small way. Continue reading →
Lucie Lopez ’24 Majors: Psychological Sciences and Spanish 2023-24 OUR Peer Research Ambassador
Research Journey
When I first got to UConn, I was not confident in my ability to succeed. However, after three years as an undergraduate, I can confidently say I believe in myself. One reason for this change is my experience in undergraduate research. As a first-year student, I barely knew what research was, which made the experience of getting started very intimidating. Nonetheless, I felt pressure to get involved with research, especially since I was potentially interested in graduate school. So, I took a leap of faith during my first semester and reached out to a faculty member. That led me to the first stop on my research journey as an undergraduate research assistant with Dr. Rhiannon Smith in the Social Emotional Development Lab. My next stop led me to participate in the Social Sciences, Humanities, and Arts Research Experience (SHARE) program as an apprentice and work with Dr. Peter Chen in the Department of Geography. Lastly, I wanted to combine these fields into a project of my own, which led me to the UConn IDEA Grant program. Continue reading →
In recognition of the pivotal role that mentors play in supporting undergraduate research and creative activity, the Office of Undergraduate Research is pleased to announce the recipients of the 2024 Mentorship Excellence Awards. These awards recognize two faculty members – one in a STEM field, and one in a non-STEM field – and one graduate student who exemplify the ways in which outstanding mentors challenge and support their students, enabling them to take intellectual risks and achieve milestones they might not have initially envisioned being able to reach.
Please join us in congratulating Ashley Helton, Ryan Talbert, and Olivia Corvino on their selection as this year’s Mentorship Excellence Award recipients. The awards were presented on Friday, April 12, 2024 during the Frontiers in Undergraduate Research Poster Exhibitions at Storrs.
2024 Mentorship Excellence Award winner Ashley Helton, Ph.D., Associate Professor of Natural Resources & the Environment
Ashley Helton, Associate Professor, Natural Resources & the Environment
Professor Helton was nominated by a number of her students. The following text is excerpted from one nomination.
The majority of my strong undergraduate scientific skill set has in large part been shaped by Dr. Helton’s mentorship. From the beginning, Dr. Helton has set aside time for regular one on one meetings for scientific discussion and support, in addition to including me in her graduate laboratory meetings. Rather than try to keep me in my lane, she always encouraged me to fly high, encouraging me to attend postgraduate courses even though I myself was an undergraduate. She has always welcomed and encouraged my scientific questions. She presented me with scientific literature to build my knowledge base. She provided me with the opportunities to read manuscripts and write some of my first scientific literature. She helped me consider and apply for avenues of scholarship I did not know were available to me. She has invited me to multiple scientific network forums. I always feel Dr. Helton has my best interest at heart and I was moved when she actively sought out an additional internship for me because it shows she genuinely cares about the trajectory of my career. I will always be grateful for the time I have with Dr. Helton. – Anonymous
Ryan Talbert, Assistant Professor, Sociology
Professor Talbert was nominated by Joseph Annan-Kingsley ’24 (CLAS), Samantha Gove ’24 (CLAS), and Kyle Makalusky ’24 (CLAS). The following text is excerpted from their nominations.
2024 Mentorship Excellence Award winner Ryan Talbert, Ph.D., Assistant Professor of Sociology.
Dr. Talbert pushes and challenges his students to take their work and their own skills to the next level. He encourages his students to take their creative work to the next step as he often finds various venues for his lab students to present at. Throughout the three semesters that I actively participated in the lab, Professor Talbert never failed to support student inquiry, challenge students to take next steps in their research, and especially develop a holistic view of his students’ short-term and long-term goals. Dr. Talbert has had an impact on my undergraduate success and my early professional life far greater than can be expected from any mentor. Dr. Talbert crafted an environment that allowed creativity to be nurtured among each student, especially when it came to academic writing skills, which fostered a sense of innovation and collaboration.
Dr. Talbert is undeniably the most incredible mentor I have known as an undergraduate student at UConn. As a graduating senior, I have spent a lot of time in the past few months reflecting on my time in college. I am humbled to say that I have accomplished far more than I could have ever dreamed of in my time in college, and I am certain of the fact that I would not have accomplished a majority of those things without the mentorship of Dr. Talbert.
Olivia Corvino, Ph.D. Student, Nutritional Sciences
Olivia was nominated by Jonatan Schmitt ’24 (CAHNR). The following text is excerpted from Jonathan’s nomination.
2024 Mentorship Excellence Award winner Olivia Corvino, Ph.D. student in Nutritional Sciences.
Olivia has also taken a serious interest in orienting my lab work towards my career goals. During the time we have spent together, I have expressed to her that I am using this research opportunity to enhance my understanding of nutritional science, and I don’t see myself working in a lab environment in my career, so the methods and procedures that we follow can feel outside the scope of my nutrition application. I had told this to my Ph.D. students/teachers in the past, but Olivia has most significantly adjusted my lab experience to meet my academic goals. In addition to helping me understand the science behind each step in the procedural research process, Olivia puts significant emphasis on the research analysis conducted at the experiment’s end. She takes timeout of her schedule to ensure that I have a complete understanding of how the factors we implemented influenced the outcome. I will often ask long open-ended questions to further my understanding, and Olivia remains patient, connecting all the dots in my head until I feel satiated. She has helped to orient me to the different types of nutrition research which has helped me better understand where in this world of research I belong and will be more (or less) fulfilled. Her genuine care for my progress is evident in every interaction, and I feel incredibly fortunate to have such a dedicated mentor by my side.
Congratulations to the 2024 award recipients! The Office of Undergraduate Research thanks the undergraduate students who nominated their faculty and graduate student mentors as well as the Peer Research Ambassadors who served on this year’s selection committee.
Emma Beard ’24 Major: Molecular & Cell Biology; Minor: Physiology & Neurobiology 2023-24 OUR Peer Research Ambassador
My Journey:
Most of all, I believe that my undergraduate journey has taught me the value of patience, resilience, and exploration. Starting college in the middle of a pandemic was an incredibly difficult experience. I came to UConn with goals of what I wanted to achieve as an undergraduate and felt frustrated when reaching those goals felt impossible. I knew in high school that I wanted to be involved in undergraduate research, but with the pandemic keeping campus closed, that goal was put on hold. Once campus opened up again, I had a hard time finding a lab to join on-campus, and began to worry that, as I approached the halfway point of my undergraduate studies, it would be harder for me to find a lab willing to spend the time to train me.
Luckily, I was able to join the Health Research Program the summer after my sophomore year, which has had an incredible impact on my growth as a researcher. I would not have been able to have this opportunity without the experience of my first two years. If I had joined a lab at Storrs, I would never have gotten to learn about the fascinating research at UConn Health. Even if I had joined the HRP one year earlier, I might not have met my research mentor. By waiting until after my sophomore year, I had the opportunity to take courses in cell biology, a part of the MCB major I was initially disinterested in, and discover my enthusiasm for the subject. I have now been a member of the Department of Cell Biology at UConn Health for two years! Continue reading →
In my previous blog post “Tips for Starting an Independent Research Project”, I provided advice on developing a self-driven research project. While the pursuit of independent projects is undeniably valuable, the reality for many undergraduate students seeking research involves participation in collaborative research. Solo projects need funding and resources, which can be hard to obtain alone. Collaborative projects often offer more accessible routes into research, leveraging existing resources and established teams. This could be through a research lab or joining a professor’s ongoing study. In this blog, I will explore key tips for successful collaborative research projects, drawing from personal experiences and lessons learned.Continue reading →
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