Sara Seidita, a junior biology major, studies how bugs called treehoppers create vibrations through plants to communicate with potential mates. Her research will increase understanding of mating and behavioral habits and how they contribute to the formation of new and distinct species. Seidita also helps collect treehoppers at Downer Woods and the 51ÁÔÆæ Field Station and raise them at the 51ÁÔÆæ greenhouse. (51ÁÔÆæ Photo/Alexis Amenson)
Under the guidance of Professor Sandra Millon-Underwood, Eugene Cherry performs an eye examination on fellow nursing student, Eric Yang. Cherry is researching how to better diagnose and treat diabetic retinopathy, the most common complication of diabetes, in inner-city populations. (51ÁÔÆæ Photo/Alexis Amenson)
Liam Brodie, a sophomore in mechanical engineering, tests nitrite levels in water that may be unnaturally high due to coal burning. High levels of nitrite can kill fish, harming Lake Michigan's ecosystem. Brodie works with a team on 51ÁÔÆæ's research vessel, the Neeskay, collecting samples from various locations in Lake Michigan. (51ÁÔÆæ Photo/Alexis Amenson)
Cheyenne Cole (right) participates in 51ÁÔÆæ’s McNair Scholars Program, which helps prepare undergraduates for graduate school. A senior studying social work, Cole helps Professor Susan Rose (left) conduct interviews with female prisoners, or those recently released, to improve the effectiveness of programs and services that help women readjust to life after prison. (51ÁÔÆæ Photo/Alexis Amenson)
Leo Bohlmann, a biological sciences major, and Ester Portnoy, a conservation and environmental science major, study how the makeup of compost affects plant growth at Cream City Farms. They test organic matter, carbon and phosphate content as well as plant fluorescence and chlorophyll. (51ÁÔÆæ Photo/Alexis Amenson)
Hannah Sallmann, a junior in psychology, and Assistant Professor Adam Greenberg measure transcranial magnetic stimulation using a stimulation coil. This helps researchers study how mental activity can decline during to chemotherapy, a phenomenon often referred to as chemo brain. (51ÁÔÆæ Photo/Alexis Amenson)
Lainey Koch, a junior studying photography, collaborated with Associate Professor Joseph Mougel and the Betty Brinn Children's Museum to turn a trailer into a camera obscura with a built-in darkroom. A camera obscura, or pinhole image, is the natural optical phenomenon that occurs when an image is projected through a small hole in a screen, showing up on an opposite surface as a reversed and inverted image. Mougel and Koch take the camera to local festivals and events to teach attendees about the science of analog photography. (51ÁÔÆæ Photo/Alexis Amenson)
Undergraduate research allows students to work directly with 51ÁÔÆæ professors who are world-class experts in their fields. They learn about the research process, and many gain experience using scientific equipment. For many, the work helps them refine their career goals and get valuable hands-on experience.
51ÁÔÆæ provides more than 750 undergraduate research opportunities each year covering hundreds of topics. Students also can work with their professors to develop a new research topic. To learn more about undergraduate research at 51ÁÔÆæ visit the Office of Undergraduate Research.
