Nearly two dozen undergraduate researchers examining everything from intertribal dynamics to gut bacteria to feminism in modern Irish literature have been recognized with undergraduate research awards.
“These awards provide an opportunity to celebrate the accomplishments of our undergraduate scholars, who continue to expand the depth and breadth of their research and creative activity,” said Karl Reasoner, program manager of the Undergraduate Research Opportunity Program, which supports faculty-mentored research and scholarship for students in all disciplines.
“Students who are involved in research early on in their college careers see many gains down the road, and we look forward to seeing where their careers will take them in the years to come,” he said.
The Undergraduate Research Opportunity Program handed out two sets of undergraduate awards and jointly coordinated a third set of awards known as the Presidential Undergraduate Research Scholars with UO Presidential Chair in Science and professor of chemistry Geraldine Richmond.
Eight UO undergraduate students majoring in chemistry, physics and the earth sciences were selected as 2017-18 Presidential Undergraduate Research Scholars. The program is designed to engage students in faculty-mentored research while providing education and training in communicating research, career preparation, ethics and global science outreach.
The program emphasizes engaging students from populations underrepresented in particular fields of research and was created through funding provided by Richmond’s appointment as Presidential Chair in Science.
Scholars receive a $5,000 research stipend during the academic year. Visit the Presidential Undergraduate Research Scholars website for a full list of scholars.
Additional undergraduate research awards included the Vice President for Research and Innovation Undergraduate Fellowships, which are designed to stimulate promising undergraduate research and scholarly activity under the mentorship of UO faculty members. The awards went to 10 students in disciplines ranging from chemistry to history to earth sciences.
Undergraduate fellows receive a $5,000 stipend to support their work during the summer. Visit the VPRI Undergraduate Fellowship website for a list of awardees.
Awards were also handed out to four UO undergraduate-graduate student teams receiving the Peter O’Day Fellowship in Biological Sciences. Teams consist of one undergraduate and a graduate student mentor. The inaugural award supports immersive, intensive and rewarding opportunities for highly motivated students to perform research.
The fellows receive a $5,000 stipend to support their work during the summer. Visit the O’Day Fellowship website for a list of fellows.
—By Lewis Taylor, University Communications