Student Research
Why participate in student research?
Have you ever imagined yourself being involved in the creation of new knowledge or the discovery of new ways of understanding? It’s pretty exciting.
Engaging in research is a chance to become more actively involved in your education through intellectual inquiry and experiential learning. It is an opportunity to explore your chosen field as well as other fields of interest in new ways, and an opportunity to develop the skills employers want (for example, teamwork, problem-solving, critical thinking and communication). Just as important, these experiences will help you to learn methods for collecting and analyzing data and how you can use research findings in your future careers. Finally, research experiences can help you make critical decisions about whether you will attend graduate or professional school.
There are several types of faculty-led research experiences
Researchers always have a research mentor, which could be a faculty member, graduate student or post-doctoral fellow. In many cases, they are part of a faculty-led research team that includes graduate students and undergrads. Some students are able to contribute to a journal article or conference presentation in which research findings are disseminated at professional meetings.
- Students are highly encouraged to participate in research as assistants to faculty-led projects during the academic year.
- Students are also encouraged to participate in research as assistants to faculty in CAHS, in other UC colleges, at CCHMC, or other universities or during the summer months.
Approaching a faculty member about your research interest
Before contacting a faculty member about your research interest, you should prepare (similar to the way you would prepare for a job interview). Do an online search and learn more about the faculty member’s research. Start with their website and published articles or published books. Start by reading their abstracts (summaries) of their journal articles. If you have taken a class from the faculty member, think about what it was that sparked your interest in their research. Think carefully about the strengths and talents you would bring to their research team. Be prepared to talk about your previous work experiences and how what you have learned can benefit the faculty member. The work you have done before may not be research related, but the faculty member will want to know that you have been successful in the work place; that were timely, consistent, and dependable, etc. Be able to share with the faculty how you can help them rather than only discussing how working with them will help you. If you need support, contact your program director. Additional questions can be answered by the CAHS Associate Dean of Research.
The UC Office of Undergraduate Research
The UC Office of Undergraduate Research is a great resource with helpful information about getting started in research. Also, consider joining the Undergraduate Research Society which is a student group who support each other in their research journeys by networking, celebrating achievements, sharing their experiences, etc. Finally, plan to present your research at the Undergraduate Research Showcase in April. This is a great opportunity to share your research and learn how discuss it with others who are not familiar with research.
Funding an academic year undergraduate research experience
Students may participate in research projects for course credit, as volunteers, or as paid research assistants. Sometimes faculty ask students to volunteer for a semester before considering them for a paid position.
Some faculty have research grants that can support undergraduate research. However, not all faculty have research grants and not all research grants can support undergraduate researchers. If your faculty mentor does not have grant funds to support your effort, ask your faculty research mentor for ideas about professional organizations or agencies related to your work. Sometimes these organizations offer scholarships and grants to undergraduate students.
Your research mentor and/or the college’s Associate Dean for Research may also be able to share resources for travel support if you are presenting your work at a conference.
Be prepared to “cobble” together your funding—you may not find one source that will provide all of your funding. However, you might find small grants that would pay for a portion of your expenses. Prepare a spreadsheet that outlines your anticipated expenses
Funding summer undergraduate research experiences
UC undergrads have the opportunity to apply for one of several Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowships (SURF) Programs. These programs are for undergraduate science students interested in scientific research and thinking about a career in research. SURF Programs are designed for all undergraduates though it’s easier to get a placement if you are an upcoming sophomore, junior or senior. Most SURF programs require that applicants be US residents. SURF programs are paid full-time (40 hr/week) 10-week program starting immediately after the Memorial Day holiday through the first Friday in August.
Some programs are competitive entry while others allow for students to self-match with a mentor (meaning a student can reach out to a mentor before submitting their application). Generally speaking, candidate SURF students are matched with an appropriate faculty mentor based on mutual research interest. The mentor’s and intern together then design a specific research project within the context of the research focus of the mentor’s laboratory or research group.
There are many SURF programs each with their own mentor lists, requirements and matching processes. When applying for SURF, applicants will be invited to prioritize and select 3 of these programs based on their interests. Please look closely at these requirements before applying. The CAHS Associate Dean of Research will hold a workshop to help students wanting to participate in summer research to learn how to prepare a competitive application.
Finally, UC is not the only university that invites undergraduate researchers to spend the summer with them. The American Association of Medical Colleges has a great resource.
Graduate student research opportunities are housed within the program. Reach out to your program director for all current research opportunities.
Student research events
Each year, the College of Allied Health Sciences showcases student research at our annua CAHS Scholarly Showcase. Undergraduate and graduate students from each discipline work hard throughout the year to make waves in their field by conducting research projects in their classes. The CAHS Scholarly Showcase allows everyone in the College of Allied Health Sciences to come together to celebrate research in an interdisciplinary way.
Students create research posters and they share their research with students, faculty, staff and friends of the college.
The CAHS Scholarly Showcase has become a tradition in the College of Allied Health Sciences since the college was formed. It has grown from the hallways of French East hall to our new space in the Health Sciences Building and every year the celebration keeps getting bigger!
The CAHS Scholarly Showcase is held at the end of each spring semester in conjunction with the Undergraduate Scholarly Showcase.
The Undergraduate Scholarly Showcase is for undergraduate students (except for students in Advanced Medical Imaging Technology and Medical Laboratory Science.) Review the 2024 Proceedings to get an idea of the types of research students our engaged in.
The CAHS Scholarly Showcase event is for graduate students and students in Advanced Medical Imaging Technology and Medical Laboratory Science.
Melinda Butsch Kovacic
Professor and Associate Dean of Research , CAHS College of Allied Health Sciences
G60J HSB