Illinois Office of
Undergraduate Research

blog posts

• Kick-off Event for 2021 Undergraduate Research Symposium

  Apr 27, 2021 7:00 am

  To all members of the Illinois community, we hope you will take some time to visit both Undergraduate Research Week events and the Symposium and witness the hard work of our students, and we invite you to provide encouragement and feedback on their presentations. For a full list of events taking place during Undergraduate Research Week, please view the full digital program at:  https://undergradresearch.illinois.edu/researchweek.html.  

  The Symposium will be on display April 26 thru April 30 through ForagerOne, our host platform. To protect the intellectual property of the presenters and their mentors, the Symposium is restricted only to those with an active University of Illinois email address. To register and view the event, please go to: https://go.illinois.edu/URS2021.

  We hope you will drop in, engage with our students, and come away inspired!

• We are live! Come visit the 2021 Undergraduate Research Week and Virtual Symposium!

  Apr 26, 2021 7:00 am

  To all members of the Illinois community, we hope you will take some time to visit both Undergraduate Research Week events and the Symposium and witness the hard work of our students, and we invite you to provide encouragement and feedback on their presentations. For a full list of events taking place during Undergraduate Research Week, please view the full digital program at:  https://undergradresearch.illinois.edu/researchweek.html.  

  The Symposium will be on display April 26 thru April 30 through ForagerOne, our host platform. To protect the intellectual property of the presenters and their mentors, the Symposium is restricted only to those with an active University of Illinois email address. To register and view the event, please go to: https://go.illinois.edu/URS2021.

  We hope you will drop in, engage with our students, and come away inspired!

• RESEARCH OPPORTUNITY: MechSE

  Apr 16, 2021 2:45 pm

  We are the Saif Lab in MEL 2210. Our project investigates the role of tumor stiffness and cell forces on metastatic progression in colorectal cancer. We perform traction force microscopy (TFM), RNAseq, PCR and other experiments to study the cross-talk between cancer and stromal cells. The student will perform cell culture, make polyacrylamide gels for TFM, prepare samples for RNAseq or PCR etc. We have recently developed a new sensor for measuring cell forces in 3D matrices. The student is likely to assist in that project as well. Students who are familiar with cell culture are preferred.

  For more information, including how to apply, please see full description.

• RESEARCH OPPORTUNITY: Gene Editing and Treatment of Neurodegenerative Disorders

  Apr 6, 2021 12:00 am

  The Gaj Lab (https://gaj-lab.bioengineering.illinois.edu/) is looking for an undergraduate research assistant who will work on assessing the effects of gene editing technologies on spatial memory and reference learning in a mouse model of Alzheimer’s Disease. We are seeking a highly motivated undergraduate student to assist a PhD student and to be involved in harnessing the potential of one of gene technology’s sharpest tools: CRISPR systems. The only qualities the candidate requires are interest in our research and the motivation to learn multiple lab techniques. This research opportunity is open to any major and level of expertise.

  This is an ongoing opportunity, including Spring and Summer 2021. For more information, please read full post.

• RESEARCH OPPORTUNITY: Postoperative cognitive dysfunction in a mouse model of aging

  Apr 5, 2021 11:00 pm

  TIME SENSITIVE: The research opportunity involves behavioral and biochemical experiments in a project aimed at studying postoperative cognitive decline in aged mice and in a novel mouse model of hippocampal aging. The student would do molecular biological, biochemical and behavioral experiments to study cognition in genetically modified mice. Experience in a life sciences lab would be an advantage. Willingness to work with mice. Students with majors in biology, psychology or related subjects may apply. This opportunity is for two months full-time in the summer, e.g. July and August 2021. The hourly rate is $11.00 per hour. The PI plans to apply to a NIH program to provide this salary support. A biosketch of the student would have to be included in the application. Therefore, interested candidates are invited to contact the PI by e-mail (urudolph@illinois.edu) as soon as possible, at the latest by April 6, 2021.

  For more information, please see full post.

• Four Days Left - Apply NOW to Present at 2021 Virtual Undergraduate Research Symposium!

  Mar 16, 2021 7:45 am

  Make sure to apply soon for the opportunity to present at the 2021 Virtual Undergraduate Research Symposium (URS), set to be on display April 26 - April 30, 2021. The URS is the signature event of Undergraduate Research Week (April 25 - May 1), and brings together students, faculty, and staff from all disciplines on the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign campus to learn more about undergraduate research and its potential to change the world. During the week, we will host pre-recorded oral and poster presentations, including creative performances, through our online symposium platform. Students will have the opportunity to engage with the campus community to discuss their findings through a built-in forum.

  All undergraduate students currently involved with research are eligible to present. For more information on URS, including answers to frequently asked questions, please visit: http://undergradresearch.illinois.edu/symposium.html

  The deadline for applying to the Virtual URS is March 19, 2021, at 11:59 pm. No late submissions will be accepted.

• Image of Research -- UR Edition

  Feb 22, 2021 1:00 pm

  The Image of Research — UR Edition competition is a multidisciplinary competition celebrating the diversity and breadth of undergraduate student research at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. All undergraduate students are invited to submit entries consisting of an image and brief text that articulates how the image relates to the research.

  “Research” is defined broadly to include creative and scholarly work in all fields. The image submitted can represent your work either concretely or abstractly. Perhaps it is an image of your research itself, an activity related to your research, or the impact of your research. In addition to the image, you will submit a short narrative (between 100-200 words) that articulates the connection between the image and your research. 

  • First prize: $300
  • Second prize: $200
  • Additionally, there may be up to two honorable mentions.

  Deadline:  Friday, March 19, 2021 

  Learn more about the competition details and get tips and tricks for visualizing your research by attending our workshop! 

  Workshop #1: Friday, 3/5 from 2-3pm https://forms.illinois.edu/sec/78251811  

  Workshop #2: Friday, 3/12 from 12-1pm https://forms.illinois.edu/sec/1548212894 

  For more about competition details, visit: http://publish.illinois.edu/imageofresearch/undergraduate-image-of-research/undergraduate-competition-details/ 

   

• RESEARCH OPPORTUNITY: Community-Academic Scholars Initiative Projects Announced

  Feb 8, 2021 11:30 am

  The Community-Academic Scholars Initiative matches undergraduates with a faculty mentor and a community partner to address issues affecting our community. Students will be able to read through project descriptions to identify the projects on which they think they can have the greatest impact. This year’s program will include fourteen powerful projects from faculty across the University of Illinois that address a range of topics, including the impacts of COVID-19, poverty and social inequality, nutrition, physical activity, social-emotional learning, LGBTQ health, technology and aging, racial disparities, Veterans’ issues, and the role that forest preserves play in community and individual health. This is a Summer 2021 research opportunity.

  For more information and to apply, please see full blog post.

• Spring 2021 - Undergraduate Research Support Grant and Conference Travel Grant - Applications being Accepted

  Feb 1, 2021 8:00 am

  The Office of Undergraduate is now accepting student applications to the Research Support and Conference Travel Grants for the Spring 2021 semester. For more information including how to apply for funding, please view the full article.

• RESEARCH OPPORTUNITY: Info Session for 2021 Community-Academic Scholars, 11/11/2020

  Nov 6, 2020 5:00 pm

  The Community-Academic Scholars Initiative is a 10-week summer program that empowers undergrads to pursue community-based research in Champaign County. Scholars will learn about and rank their preferred projects during the application process. Join us Wednesday, Nov. 11, 6 - 6:45 p.m. to learn more about the program and application process, hear examples of past projects, and find out how scholars are matched with projects. The info session will be recorded, so please be sure to register even if you can't make it. We will notify you when the recording is available. Learn more about the program and register: http://go.illinois.edu/communityscholars

  For more information, see full post.