UCSB UNDERGRADUATE RESEARCH

What Students Say

Recent research projects of some UCSB undergrads...

Caitlin Fong

Biology (CCS)

Angel Rodriguez

History and Philosophy

Mario Barela

Applied Mathematics

Niloufar Pourian

Electrical and Computer Engineering

Jose Lumbreras

Sociology

Shardé Davis

Communication and Feminist Studies

Kaila Hoppe

Theater and Dance

Jon Conway

Ecology, Evolution, and Marine Biology

Chris Axline

Physics

Lourdes Velazquez - Undergrad research led to inclusion as an author of a scientific paper

Biology, Physics, and Astronomy

Ashley Mar - UCSB mentorship program for high school students turned her on to research as an undergrad

Biology (CCS)

Sierra Simpson - Her hours studying the lowly nematode may help lead to drug delivery breakthroughs

Cellular and Developmental Biology

Peter Ramirez - Undergraduate research helped him win a full ride as a doctoral candidate

Biochemistry and Molecular Biology

Audra Kosh - Math and cultural anthropology interests led to research in both fields

Cultural Anthropology and Mathematics

Kenechukwu "Kenny" Akametalu - Testing electrical conductivity in new materials for semiconductors inspired him

Electrical and Computer Engineering

Ricardo Allamillo - A small-town upbringing didn't stop him from pursuing his research dreams

Mechanical Engineering

Duc Duong - Valuable lab experience from the start

A chemistry major, this Vietnam native took advantage of a number of research programs for undergrads and now plans a career in industry and, ultimately, teaching.

Sarah Horwath - Baby lobsters, geographic information systems & population genetics

The UC LEADS program provides entre for this aquatic biology major into two exciting - and diverse - summer research programs.

Sammy Davis - Going deep for coral research in Moorea

A student with a famous name and interests in French and aquatic biology decides to pursue scientific inquiry and teaching after an amazing research experience in Moorea.

Eileen Becker - A summer research cruise seals a future in the lab

Testing ocean water samples in the Santa Barbara Channel leads one student to a career in forensics.

Jeffrey Danciger - One student’s path to math happiness
A numbers person has some strategic approaches to school that every student can use.
Amanda Mummert - Paper trail to success
Who knew a research paper could mean so much--academic credit, funding, a conference, a chancellor’s award, a great job, and an edge on graduate school.
Kyle Anixter - An English major finds his future
A favorite book, a year abroad, a faculty mentor, a big idea—these helped a senior discover his calling.
Charis Anton - Based her college career on wide-ranging personal interests
An unstoppable scholar and artist is adamant about the path to a great undergraduate education: "Pursue everything that truly matters to you--and if you discover something new, just combine it all!"
Ana Arias - Engineering meets business economics meets nanotechnology
A senior switches from engineering to the social sciences and then lands a prestigious nanotechnology internship that bridges both.
Shine Ling - Doing significant science—before graduation
When this recent alum was a biology major at UCSB, his curiosity led him to investigate insect behavior in Costa Rica, bacteria in San Diego, marine organisms at UCSB, and wasps, figs, and evolutionary ecology in Panama. At his commencement he received UCSB’s prestigious Chancellor’s Award for Excellence in Undergraduate Research. What’s next?
Michelle Garde - 7,800-mile field trip
Summer vacation for one undergraduate meant spending eight weeks in Nepal doing intensive research and then some. Working in the Himalayas, a week’s walk from the nearest road, she did independent research under the guidance of the director of UCSB’s Institute for Crustal Studies, assisted a graduate student. and helped make a documentary film.
Karen Vasko - Extreme research
Very cool by any measure, a four-week expedition to Antarctica gave five undergrads, two graduate students, and their faculty mentor a chance to explore new areas of the ocean floor.
Susan Cohen - Tackling world hunger—molecule by molecule
Undergraduate research pays off in many ways—and a recent UCSB alum is proof of the concept. Her paid research in a molecular biology lab was scientifically important—a plus for her graduate-school applications. Admitted to the nation’s top Ph.D. programs, she is now at MIT.
Edward Barawid - Vision research on behalf of his dad
Because his father suffers from a rare eye disease that often leads to blindness, a sophomore made up his mind to join the lab of a world-renowned neurobiologist.