PREP: Information for students

Jump to important dates and application.

The University of Nevada, Reno Undergraduate Research office is offering a program aimed at providing undergraduate students with academic standing of freshman and sophomore the opportunity to get paid to work on a research or creative activity project with the guidance of a University faculty mentor. If selected, you will be paired with a faculty mentor on a project you identify. Each research experience will vary in tasks, schedule, and level of responsibility. Research work expectations and schedule will be developed with your faculty mentor. In addition to your research work, you will be connected with other students in the program through monthly workshops and activities hosted by the Academic and Opportunity Support Program Office. You will also present your research at one of the undergraduate research symposiums on campus.

Purpose of the award

The purpose of the program is to provide research and creative activity experiences to students who are first-generation and/or have been historically underrepresented in undergraduate research. In doing so, the program seeks to enhance the academic experience, educational outcomes, and future educational pursuits of students of all identities.

Program background

According to the National Survey of Student Engagement (2017) there are gaps in undergraduate research participation for students of diverse racial and socioeconomic identities.

Nationwide, students who identify as American Indian/Alaska Native, Black or African American, LatinX, Asian Pacific Islander, and first-generation report participating in research with faculty at lower rates compared to other students.

The program seeks to address these inequities by encouraging participation in undergraduate research for students holding these diverse identities.

Lastly, developing strong academic and social connections during the first years of college is critical for long-term student success, which is why the program focuses on first- and second-year students.

Why participate?

Getting involved in research is a life-changing activity that can improve your educational experience. Not only will you get to immerse yourself in your major, but also make important connections with your fellow students and professors. Major benefits include:

• Getting paid while learning about research
• Applying what you learn in the classroom to real issues
• Developing skills and knowledge that can help you be a better student
• Building a supportive community around you that includes faculty, staff, and fellow students
• Contributing to a team of researchers that are developing new knowledge
• Building experience to apply for other undergraduate research opportunities, the McNair Scholars Program, or even graduate school

Student eligibility

Students must meet all of the following eligibility requirements:

• U.S. citizenship or have a valid employment authorization document (EAD) permitting you to work in the U.S. (DACA students are eligible)
• Any incoming first year student who has been admitted and will be attending the University of Nevada, Reno
• Any student who is currently attending the University of Nevada, Reno with freshman or sophomore standing
• All majors welcome
• No GPA minimum, however, transcripts submitted with your application will be considered
• A complete application package submitted by the deadline
• Priority is given to underrepresented/educationally disadvantaged students
• Preference will be given to applicants who have not received a Pack Research Experience Program award in the past

PREP projects for fall 2025

• Eric Crosbie: Investigating health harming industries and analyzing corporate harm to public health
• Laura Crosswell: Exploring gender disparities, communication strategies, or vaccination messaging
• John C. Cushman: Enhancing water efficiency and bioenergy in arid plants
• Melody Huslage: Power-based violence in Hispanic/Latine communities in Nevada
• James M. Leonhardt: Exploring brand personality with large language models
• Ben Ma: Control biofilms in water infrastructures using innovative germicidal technologies
• Jenny Ouyang: Effects of artificial light at night on genome to phenome
• Marin A. Pilloud: Forensic anthropology: age estimation and deciduous teeth
• Richard Plotkin and Erika Gwin: X-ray flickering of a galactic black hole
• Elizabeth Pringle: Ecology of plant-animal interactions
• Claudia Rückert: Defining the cellular functions of the antiviral mosquito protein Bravo
• Philipp Ruprecht: Explosive volcanic activity in Southern Chile: comparing eruptions through mineral chemistry
• Richard Scott: Global variation in third molar agenesis
• Yftah Tal-Gan: Developing peptide-based tools to study streptococcal quorum sensing
• Christopher von Nagy: Shared history program: public history, museum, or oral history
• Mariann Weierich: Neurobiological and behavioral mechanisms of stress and stress-related disorders
• Benjamin Young: Exploring olfactory philosophy or research and publishing
• Jun Zhang: Lightweight and powerful wearable assistive robotics

Selection process

Applications will be reviewed by Undergraduate Research and by mentors. Interested students should contact undergradresearch@unr.edu if they have any questions.

Student expectations

• Attend the program orientation.
• Complete a “plan for research form” with your faculty mentor.
• Attend required workshops hosted by Undergraduate Research and broader campus partners.
• Present findings at the Wolf Pack Discoveries symposium.
• Complete the post survey regarding the program.
• Students and faculty mentors will have to complete two progress reports during the spring semester, attend two meetings with Undergraduate Research and provide a progress report.

Funding

An award of $2,250, provided by the University of Nevada, Reno, will go to the student in the form of salary as a student worker. Students will work approximately 10 hours per week at $15 per hour over a 15-week semester.

Workshop attendance requirement

Award recipients are required to attend workshops throughout the semester awarded as dictated by their acceptance agreements. Workshops will be hosted by Undergraduate Research and broader campus partners.

Class presentation requirement

Students are required to present a brief synopsis of their research to a class they attend and share information about Undergraduate Research programming.

Wolf Pack Discoveries symposium

Students will present their research findings in a poster format. This symposium is attended by students, community partner organization representatives, university leadership, and members of the public.

Written deliverable requirement

All awardees will submit a 4-page written deliverable to Undergraduate Research at the completion of their award. Students are encouraged to pursue publication with the Nevada State Undergraduate Research Journal or an alternate publication.

Proposal writing workshops for spring 2025

Register for one of our in-person workshops. Refreshments will be provided.

• Friday, March 7, 2025, noon-1 p.m.
• Tuesday, March 18, 2025, noon-1 p.m.
• Wednesday, April 2, 2025, 9-10 a.m.