Illinois Office of
Undergraduate Research

blog posts

• RESEARCH OPPORTUNITY: Undergraduate Research Opportunity Analyzing Shedd Aquarium Water Samples

  Nov 5, 2020 9:00 am

  The NRES Fish ecophysiology lab (http://fishlab.nres.illinois.edu) is partnering with researchers at the Shedd Aquarium to better understand if water samples can provide information on the health of fish. Water samples from the aquarium have been collected for further analysis. We are seeking a motivated ACES undergraduate to assist a master’s student and to be involved in this exciting research project. This opportunity can be conducted online or in-person in the Spring (in-person preferred). Ideal candidate will have an interest in pursuing graduate school. Experience in R and lab work is a plus, but not required

  For more information and to apply, see full post.

• RESEARCH OPPORTUNITY: Undergraduate Research Assistant in Railroad Safety and Data Analysis

  Oct 28, 2020 9:00 am

  The Rail Transportation and Engineering Center (RailTEC) Rail Safety and Risk Group is looking for 1-2 hourly and paid undergraduate research assistants who excels in programming (Python, R, Matlab, VBA, SQL), ArcGIS, and statistics to assist in various railroad safety, risk, and data analyses projects. This is a position that will continue as long as the student is studying at the university as the RailTEC has been continuously taking on projects and thus will always need help from talented students.

  For more information and to apply, see full post.

• RESEARCH OPPORTUNITY: Illinois pre-selection for 2021 Mayo Clinic SURF | Apply by Nov. 8

  Oct 12, 2020 8:00 am

  If you are interested in pursuing a career in the biomedical sciences as an PhD or MD-PhD, Mayo Clinic’s Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowship is an excellent opportunity to work alongside scientists at one of the world’s leading biomedical research centers. Up to seven fellowships are reserved for sophomores and juniors nominated by a University of Illinois selection committee. Apply by Nov. 8 to be considered for this special pre-selection process.

• Publishing Opportunity: Seeking manuscript submissions for "Service Learning and Community-Based Research in a Time of Disruption" special issue (UJSLCBR)

  Sep 16, 2020 8:00 am

  The Undergraduate Journal of Service Learning and Community-Based Research is requesting submissions for a special issue of the journal entitled Service Learning and Community-Based Research in a Time of Disruption. How do students respond to disruption while participating in service learning or community-based research? This Special Issue of the Undergraduate Journal of Service Learning and Community-Based Research seeks to address students’ experiences with service learning and community-based research in a time of disruption. This Special Issue on disruption will focus on how disruptive events like the pandemic affect service learning and community-based research projects. Disruptive situations present new and unforeseeable challenges for students and can be associated with a variety of situations such as the current pandemic (COVID-19), civic engagement related to societal issues, natural disasters, and tragic events. The objective is to provide a bigger-picture view of disruption and consider strategies for addressing multiple intersecting concerns that inevitably exist within the context of any single situation (personal and societal). This is an opportunity for students to discuss and reflect on the challenges they faced, including failure to complete projects, as well as unique opportunities that may have presented themselves as the disruption unfolded during a service learning or community-based research experience—the disruption and response. For more information, please see full post.

• Fall 2020 - Undergraduate Research Support Grant and Conference Travel Grant - Applications being Accepted

  Sep 7, 2020 8:00 am

  The Office of Undergraduate is now accepting student applications to the Research Support and Conference Travel Grants for the Fall 2020 semester. For more information including how to apply for funding, please view the full article.

• Undergraduate Research Apprentice Program (URAP @ UI) - Undergrad Applications

  Sep 3, 2020 7:00 am

  The application for URAP @ UI, our undergraduate research apprenticeship program, is now open. Deadline for applications is October 9, 2020 at 11:59 pm.

• 2020 Undergraduate Research Symposium Award Winners!

  May 18, 2020 9:00 am

  Congratulations to our 2020 Undergraduate Research Symposium award winners! 

• We are live! Come visit the virtual 2020 Undergraduate Research Symposium!

  Apr 28, 2020 8:00 am

  Our virtual 2020 Undergraduate Research Symposium (URS) launched yesterday (Monday, April 27) and we're excited to see that the response has been overwhelmingly positive! There is still plenty of time to stop by and support our student presenters (URS will be live April 27 - May 1).

• Virtual 2020 Undergraduate Research Symposium

  Apr 13, 2020 8:00 am

  The 2020 Undergraduate Research Symposium will take place April 27 through May 1 and will be hosted through Compass2g. Our annual symposium celebrates undergraduate excellence and innovation in research at the University of Illinois and provides a great opportunity for the campus community to learn from our student scholars. 

  While we have been quite challenged by the scale of moving such a large event into a virtual medium, we are also inspired by the dedication of the Illinois community in supporting our students at such a historical moment.  We hope this online space, at the very least, honors the essence and integrity of our in-person event.

  When: Student video presentations will be on display April 27 through May 1. We will be hosting a 1-hour Zoom presentation to kick off the 2020 Undergraduate Research Symposium from 12pm - 1pm on Monday, April 27. Link will be posted below once it is available.

  Where: The 2020 URS will be hosted through Compass2g. To access the symposium, please follow the instructions at: https://go.illinois.edu/Accessing2020URS to enroll in the symposium "course". This will allow you to see the student presentations and provide feedback to presenters.

  Thank you for your continued support of our office and its symposium.

• Update on 2020 Undergraduate Research Symposium

  Mar 27, 2020 12:45 pm

  The Office of Undergraduate Research has cancelled the in-person Undergraduate Research Symposium and is currently working to move the symposium to an online format.