PREP: Information for students

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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 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

• 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

Participating mentors & projects for spring 2021 (applications due fall 2020)

• Won-Gyu Choi: Targeted gene-editing in plants
• Eric Crosbie: Analysis of food and beverage industries interference in health policy
• Ran Duan: Communicating climate change in the time of the COVID-19 pandemic
• Staci Emm: Native American Food Sovereignty
• Staci Emm: Nevada farm market demographic study
• Laina Geary: Electrocatalytic oxidation of molecules
• Colin Grudzien: Reproducible scientific software development for predictability
• Monika Gulia-Nuss: Developing an anti-tick vaccine
• K.D. Joshi: Analysis of unequal gender representation in information technology
• Sarah Keyes: Understanding how Western women’s suffrage impacted gender, race, and citizenship
• Jose Miguel Leon: The future of The Center
• John Louie: Assembling 3D earthquake modeling results for Nevada cities
• Julie E. Lucero: Understanding the impact of gentrification on housing security and health within local Latinx families
• Casey Lynch: Social impacts of robots in public and private spaces
• Sarah Mitchell: Intersecting identities and relationships study
• Ignacio Montoya: The Pyramid Lake dialect of Northern Paiute
• Tin Nguyen: Multi-omics data integration and cancer subtyping
• Jenny Ouyang: Analyzing effects of artificial light at night on animal function
• Maryan Raeeszadeh-Sarmazdeh: Engineering therapeutics for targeting of metalloproteinases
• Maryan Raeeszadeh-Sarmazdeh: Engineering stimuli-responsive therapeutics for developing novel therapeutics and drug delivery tools
• Teresa Schultz: Improving the University’s library spaces for first-generation students
• Mariann Weierich: Mechanisms of trauma-related phenomena
• Thomas White: Understanding the behavior of planetary interiors
• Jun Zhang: Developing a humanoid robot with artificial muscles

Selection process

Applications will be reviewed by Undergraduate Research and by mentors. Some opportunities may be able to fund two students on the same project. 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.
• Complete the post survey regarding the program.
• Attend the meeting offered by the Academic and Opportunity Support Programs Office.
• 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.

Student employment

An award of $1,800, 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 over a 15-week semester.

These projects will be conducted roughly between January 20-May 15 (finalized dates will be determined between the students and mentors). Students will be paid biweekly for hours worked during the spring semester.

Class presentation requirement

Students are required to present a brief synoposis of their research to a class they attend, and share information about Undergraduate Research programming. Students will submit a signed form by their professor to Undergraduate Research.

Symposium presentation requirement

Students will present their research findings in a poster format for the annual Undergraduate Research Spring Symposium. This event is attended by students, community partner organization representatives, university leadership, and members of the public.