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 whether socioeconomically, geographically, or racially. 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, first-generation or low-income 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 2026

• Emily Berthelot: Measuring fear of institutional authority: development and validation of micro-level scales of institutional authority
• Kristin Bivens: Understanding student attitudes, concerns, and perspectives concerning generative artificial intelligence at the University of Nevada, Reno
• Laura Blume: Tracking violence against public figures in Central America
• Eric Crosbie: Investigating health harming industries and analyzing corporate harm to public health
• John Cushman: Improving sustainable Cactus pear productivity for bioenergy production under hot and arid conditions
• CJ Greer: Operetta and musical theatre scenes
• Sarah Haigh and Debbie Davis: Aphantasia and face recognition: Why the rush?
• Andrew Hess: Seasonal changes in wool fiber diameter
• Melody Huslage: Human trafficking in Nevada
• Eunkang Koh: Learning printmaking as an art tool and utilizing the tool to connect with communities
• Paul Kwon: A group intervention for first-generation college students
• Mahdi Mehrtash: Using renewable energy to reduce pollution in mining
• Nicholas Murray: Diagnostics of sport-related concussions
• Andrew Nuss: Insect physiology lab
• Arina Pismenny: Emotions, solidarity, and resilience
• Andrey Sarantsev: Financial econometrics
• Facundo Scordo: Lakes as sentinels of global environmental change: Wildfires, hydroclimate, and human impacts
• Carina Seitz: Particles in Lake Tahoe and water clarity
• Erin Stiles: Islam, inheritance, and legal pluralism in Cape Town, South Africa
• Benjamin Young: Philosophical analysis of the role olfaction plays in our sense of self

For online students in Las Vegas

• Most Tahera Naznin: The effect of different LED light spectrums on phytochemical accumulation in leafy vegetables grown in a hydroponic indoor vertical farming system

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.

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. Please refer to our AI policy for any questions regarding the use of AI in proposals/written deliverables.

Proposal writing workshops for spring 2026

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

• Wednesday, Feb. 25, 2026, 6-7 p.m.
• Wednesday, March 4, 2026, noon-1 p.m.
• Wednesday, March 11, 2026, 4-5 p.m.