Office of Undergraduate Research
Mission
The Office of Undergraduate Research helps students take learning beyond the classroom through hands-on projects that build curiosity, confidence, and critical thinking. We support research in all majors including projects that create new knowledge, solve real-world problems, offer fresh interpretations, or produce creative works and performances. Through these experiences, students grow as independent thinkers, innovators, and lifelong learners ready for graduate school and professional success.
What to expect in research
- Being involved in research may count as an internship experience in some departments, while in other departments it is considered an additional co-curricular activity outside of regular class hours
- Participating in research requires strong time management skills. To make meaningful progress, plan to dedicate around 10 hours per week to your project.
- What you do will look different depending on your field and where you are in the process. You might start out organizing archives, entering data, or learning new lab skills. As you gain experience, you could move on to writing about your results, running analyses, presenting your work, or even designing your own study. Every project is different—and that’s part of what makes research exciting!
Our Services Include:
- Student Advising and Mentorship
- One-on-one advising to help students identify research interests and match with faculty mentors.
- Research Skill Development
- Workshops focusing on research development, presentation, and the publication process
- One-on-one and group based professional development
- Learn how your research skills can prepare you for success in graduate school
- Summer Research
- Structured program with benchmarks and objectives
How to get started
To get started, please book an appointment with our Director of Undergraduate Research.
After your meeting, please complete the application below.
Staff
Carrie R. Underwood, Ph.D., Program Director
Carrie was born and raised in a small town in middle Tennessee and acquired her BA in Women’s Studies and Psychology from University of Tennessee as a first-generation college student. She then moved to Las Vegas to earn her master's and Ph.D. in Experimental Psychology from University of Nevada, Las Vegas. Prior to directing the office of undergraduate research, she directed Iona’s McNair Scholars Program. She is excited to continue helping students get excited about research and prepare for graduate school. In her spare time, Carrie enjoys spending time with her dog, watching reality TV, and playing board games.