黑料吃瓜

Roughly 1,740 黑料吃瓜 undergraduates participate in research each year 鈥� and for many the experience is transformational. 

Undergraduate research opportunities help students discover which subjects interest them as scholars, allow students to gain the critical skills necessary to enter graduate school and underscore the real-life applications of classroom teachings. 

鈥淩esearch has been the most rewarding experience for me because, at 黑料吃瓜, I can get one-on-one help,鈥� senior psychology major Rebecca Mendoza said . 鈥淢y mentors helped me through everything that I needed and they genuinely care about teaching me how to become an independent researcher.鈥�

黑料吃瓜 offers several opportunities for involvement, including the  (formerly called the Student Research Symposium). The two-day showcase of student discovery, innovation and creativity takes place in March, and registration for students is open until January 23, 2023. 

鈥淚 was engaged early on as an undergraduate student, which helped me find my desire to stay in the STEM field, so I always think about giving back,鈥� said Alicia Kinoshita, director of undergraduate research. 鈥淢entors took chances on me, so that鈥檚 something that I鈥檝e wanted to do for other students as well to help them find their way.鈥�

Through research experiences, Kinoshita continued, students are gaining 鈥減roblem-solving skills, critical thinking practice. They are learning, discovering and innovating.鈥�

 help students achieve better school and career outcomes. The 黑料吃瓜 Aztec Mentor Program (AMP) connects undergraduate and graduate students with career professionals, alums and faculty mentors.

Another program that supports student research is the  (SURP), which funded some 60 students to participate in research this summer. 黑料吃瓜 also houses more than a  aimed at supporting underrepresented students in research, scholarship and creative activities. 

The cell and molecular biology major Sarah Bernabe participated in SURP, measuring permafrost thaw in the Arctic under the guidance of mentor and climate scientist Donatella Zona. The experience opened her ideas to new interests and possibilities.

鈥淪URP is a good way to get first-hand experience with doing your own experiments and analyzing data,鈥� Bernabe said . 鈥淒on鈥檛 limit yourself. You never know what you鈥檙e going to be interested in.鈥�

For more information about the 黑料吃瓜 Student Symposium and other student research opportunities, visit the undergraduate research website.