Spring Break
Undergrad Research Rising Trend At UConn
Freesia Singngam
Issue date: 2/9/07 Section: News
For example, researchers in the dramatic arts may research new set design, and economic researchers may look at statistical analysis.
"As a research-extensive university, every faculty on campus is conducting research," Lease Butts said. "The good news for students is, no matter what your major is, your faculty [members] are conducting research."
Both faculty and students benefit from undergraduate students getting involved in research.
Joanne Conover, an assistant professor in physiology and neurobiology, typically has three or four students each semester to help her conduct research, she said.
Her work involves studying new neutrons in adult brains and stem cells.
"We're looking at how neuro stem cells may be used in injury and disease," Conover said.
Often, Conover keeps the same students to work in the lab for two to three years, she said.
She likes to include undergraduates in her work because "they bring a lot of energy to the lab," Conover said. "They research from a different perspective. Some of them are really talented."
Students understand that undergraduate research is good preparation for graduate school or their future work. Students can research in any discipline and start at any point, Lease Butts said.
"As a chem. major, undergraduate research is recommended," said Brian Matthew, a 6th-semester chemistry major who is graduating this spring. "On top of that, I knew I had to write a thesis for the whole honors part of this."
Matthew conducts research on biodiesel. He found work after he finished courses for analytical chemistry and his advisor invited him to work on a project with him.
"It's mostly an engineering project, but they need to find a way to monitor when the reaction to make biodiesel from the vegetable oil is finished, so I'm working on a monitor to do that," Matthew said.
Emilie Frank, a 4th-semester environmental science major, has been working in a lab with her faculty advisor for academic credit.
"As a research-extensive university, every faculty on campus is conducting research," Lease Butts said. "The good news for students is, no matter what your major is, your faculty [members] are conducting research."
Both faculty and students benefit from undergraduate students getting involved in research.
Joanne Conover, an assistant professor in physiology and neurobiology, typically has three or four students each semester to help her conduct research, she said.
Her work involves studying new neutrons in adult brains and stem cells.
"We're looking at how neuro stem cells may be used in injury and disease," Conover said.
Often, Conover keeps the same students to work in the lab for two to three years, she said.
She likes to include undergraduates in her work because "they bring a lot of energy to the lab," Conover said. "They research from a different perspective. Some of them are really talented."
Students understand that undergraduate research is good preparation for graduate school or their future work. Students can research in any discipline and start at any point, Lease Butts said.
"As a chem. major, undergraduate research is recommended," said Brian Matthew, a 6th-semester chemistry major who is graduating this spring. "On top of that, I knew I had to write a thesis for the whole honors part of this."
Matthew conducts research on biodiesel. He found work after he finished courses for analytical chemistry and his advisor invited him to work on a project with him.
"It's mostly an engineering project, but they need to find a way to monitor when the reaction to make biodiesel from the vegetable oil is finished, so I'm working on a monitor to do that," Matthew said.
Emilie Frank, a 4th-semester environmental science major, has been working in a lab with her faculty advisor for academic credit.
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