What’s included below is only a selection of research opportunities currently available to undergraduate students. You are encouraged to read through these postings and contact mentors whose projects you are interested in.
This is not a comprehensive list of all the undergraduate research opportunities available at UGA, and many faculty have opportunities that may not be listed here.
Mentors may post a research opportunity to the list at any time throughout the year. Mentors, contact [email protected] to advertise a research opportunity.
Spring 2024
Who: Dr. Logan Fiorella
Department: Educational Psychology
Study Area: Cognition, Learning, and Instruction
Data advertised: December 7, 2023
We are looking for 1-2 undergraduates to assist with literature reviews, data collection, and data coding for experiments testing strategies to improve student learning. Students should expect to spend 4-6 hours per week throughout the Spring 2024 semester. Schedules are flexible.
Students majoring in psychology, education, or related fields are encouraged to apply. Students who assist in the lab may also have an opportunity to receive course credit, pursue their own research projects, and/or present their work as part of the Center for Undergraduate Research Opportunities (CURO) symposium.
If you are interested, please email Dr. Logan Fiorella ([email protected]) your CV/resume and a brief description of why you are interested in the position.
Who: Dr. Donald Leo
Study area: CURO / Georgia Power Electric Mobility Scholars Program
Department: UGA College of Engineering
Date advertised: November 15, 2023
The CURO / GA Power Electric Mobility Scholars Program provides stipends of $1,000 each to outstanding undergraduate students across campus to participate in faculty-mentored research. Awards are for one semester—either fall, spring, or summer.
The faculty mentor for this cohort will be Dr. Donald Leo ([email protected]). A representative list of topics is included below, and our goal is to have a broad range of disciplines in this cohort of CURO scholars. The list of topics is not meant to be exclusive and you may reach out to Dr. Leo if you want to obtain feedback on a topic that you would propose as the focus of your research experience.
Representative topics are:
- Assessment of community readiness and needs for e-mobility adoption,
- Grid optimization for increased utilization of electric vehicles,
- Technological enhances of electric vehicles and associated e-mobility infrastructure,
- The role of public policy in supporting adoption of e-mobility technologies and infrastructure,
- Economic analysis of e-mobility adoption,
- Creating sustainable circular economies for electric vehicles and associated components, e.g., battery reuse and recycling,
- Electric mobility adoption in rural communities with applications to precision agriculture.
Email Dr. Donald Leo ([email protected]) for more information.
Who: Dr. Assaf Oshri and Dr. Charles Geier
Study area: Building Resiliency and Nurturing Children’s Health (BRANCH) project
Department: Human Development and Family Science (Youth Development Institute)
Date advertised: November 3, 2023
What we are looking for: We are looking for 4-5 motivated undergraduate research assistants (URAs) from PSYCH 4980/BIOL 4960/HDFS 5950, interested in brain development and resilience to work on a longitudinal research project among low-income rural youth. URAs need to be highly motivated, hard-working, responsible, organized, science-loving and capable of working both independently as well as collaboratively with other research assistants. A weekly commitment of at least 9 hours, inclusive of various meetings, is expected. In addition, students may be asked to work during the weekends and after 5 p.m. Furthermore, a commitment spanning at least two semesters is mandatory. During this time students will be supervised by Drs. Oshri and Geier in collaboration with graduate research assistants.
Why training in YDI: This project offers an opportunity for students to gain hands-on experience in analyzing behavioral interactions between parents and children and its association with brain development. Additionally, students will have the unique chance to assist with and observe various aspects of the research process, including f-MRI scanning protocols, data collection, and management. This experience would be ideal for students interested in pursuing graduate degrees in research with children and families, including medicine. Prior research experience is not necessary.
If you are interested, please fill out the online application through YDI website (ydiatuga.com) or if you have any questions, please email student coordinators at YDI: [email protected] and [email protected].
Who: Dr. Kathryn Manis
Study area: LGBTQIA+ History and Archives
Department: Special Collections Libraries
Date advertised: November 1, 2023
We are looking for an undergraduate student to create an online research guide for the Richard Hudson Library of Gay Literature and History. The collection includes over 2000 books, several hundred of which are considered rare volumes, and a manuscript collection that features assorted ephemera, correspondence, and artifacts related to LGBTQ+ history and culture. 18th and 19th century European literary figures are most strongly represented in the collection, but as a whole, it covers several centuries, locations, and subject areas.
Because the collection is so large, it can be a challenge for researchers interested in Queer history to locate items of interest to them. Therefore, we are looking for someone to become an expert in the collection and to create a libguide that assists users in navigating the collection and understanding what it includes. Libguides offer summaries, spotlight highlights in the collection, provide tips and tricks to help users locate materials of interest, and connect collections to broader, related resources. There may also be opportunities to work with Dr. Manis on designing and delivering archival instruction utilizing the Hudson Collection and other LGBTQ+ history materials housed at UGA.
This opportunity is a good fit for anyone interested in archival research or careers, as well as those with subject matter interest and/or expertise in Queer history and culture. The student should be able to commit to an average of 5 hours per week in special collections in the Spring 2024 semester. There is the possibility of extending this project into additional related work in the Fall. There is no course credit attached to this role, but CURO Honors Scholars may request to be placed with this project and equivalent funding is available for interested students who have not received the CURO Honors Scholarship. Dr. Manis will support the selected student to present at the CURO symposium and identify other professional development opportunities related to this project.
To submit your interest or ask any questions, email Dr. Manis ([email protected]) with a brief cover letter (a few sentences is fine!) and CV/resume.
Who: Dr. H. Travis Ichikawa and Dr. Branson W. Ritchie
Study area: Applied Microbiology Projects
Department: New Materials Institute
Date advertised: August 14, 2023
The Industrial and Applied Microbiology Laboratory in New Materials Institute on campus is seeking undergraduate students.
Bacterial Gene Regulation Assay Validation: Dual fluorescent reporter genes are used to assess relative gene regulation levels in an assay system, the aim of the project is to validate the sampling methods, reproducibility, and sensitivity of the system. The project is suitable for students with working knowledge of bacterial gene regulation and have finished General Chemistry and introductory level Microbiology. This project will require >10 hours a week. Course credit may be available.
Project Assembly Volunteer: The volunteer will design and build a benchtop scale carbon neutral bioremediation experimental system. The volunteer must be proficient in the use of general and electric tools. Students who can spend 4 to 6 hours in the laboratory per week during regular business hours are encouraged to apply. This volunteer work can not satisfy course credit requirements.
Applied Microbiology Volunteer: The volunteers will monitor microorganisms using microbiology, molecular biology, and other assorted analytical methods. Students who can spend 1 to 2 hours in the laboratory daily during the operation hours are encouraged to apply. This volunteer work can not satisfy course credit requirements.
Interested students who meet above criteria can send a cover letter and resume to Travis Ichikawa, [email protected]. Qualified applicants will be invited to an interview. US citizenship requirement applies. Laboratory operation hours are Monday to Friday 9 am to 6 pm. NMI is located at 220 Riverbend Rd, Athens GA 30602. https://newmaterials.uga.edu
