Undergraduate Research Experience

Earn hourly wages while engaging in research with college faculty and graduate students.

Conduct research in an area related to your interests with faculty, graduate students, and industry or government partners. 

Advice for Future Research Buffs

Palmer C. Dick-Montez (ME '23)

Anthropology minor, CU Boulder Engineering Fellow and University of Colorado Boulder Anthropology Club former Co-president
» Triple honors for mechanical engineering graduate

Research is an incredibly valuable opportunity for any undergraduate. Research opportunities are an incredibly valuable way to develop deeper connections with professors and interesting material. While it may seem intimidating to try to find open research labs, a lot of professors are very open to taking undergraduate students into their labs. Asking if there are positions available in a lab, or even just asking about a professor’s research, are great ways to try to get involved. I also wouldn’t shy away from trying to find research outside of CEAS if there is an interest in other fields. While the positions may be a bit more informal, many professors outside of engineering are open to working with students who are passionate about their given field of research, or even if students just want to get involved in research. From what I have seen, there are an incredible number of opportunities to get involved in research around campus, and it is a fantastic opportunity. When considering if research is a good path, I would highly suggest just being open. This applies to different opportunities or fields that may or may not have been of interest before. I decided to try the research opportunity my professor was offering, and it was a fantastic experience. I got the opportunity to drive my own research, find my own methods of analysis, and build deeper connections to both the field and my professor. Outside of improving my skills, the experience was an incredible insight into what it is actually like to do research and if I enjoyed it. My research experience helped to give me practical experience in a field that I have a growing interest in and made me start considering research as a potential career path. I would highly recommend any future students to at least keep an open mind, whether it is about doing research or other experiences and opportunities, because sometimes they can lead to unexpected places. Research can be a fantastic avenue of exploration from both a career and academic point of view, but beyond that, it can be personally fulfilling and rewarding.

Sydney Koehler (ME '23)

Space minor
» Mechanical engineering undergrad honored for research

Follow your passion, collaborate with diverse minds, persevere through setbacks, and communicate your research effectively. Embrace the unknown, stay true to your goals, and remember that the true reward lies in making a positive impact on the world. I am committed to continuing my pursuit of knowledge, innovation, and exploration. I carry the lessons and experiences from LASP with me as I look forward to contributing further to the fields of engineering and applied science.

Alexey Yermakov (CS & AM '23)

Guest speaker at the Isaac Newton Institute in Cambridge on research with global collaborators

My advice to future students boils down to making connections and don’t afraid to reach out to people you don’t know. Communication is incredibly important in any form of relationship. Talking to researchers, coworkers, classmates, and loved ones has helped me achieve things I didn’t know were options in my lifetime. I can only imagine where those connections, as well as new ones that await me, will take me in my future. Going to college puts you in a position to meet people who can support you in achieving your goals.

Catalina S. Bastias (BME '23)

Orthopedic Research Society Undergraduate Underrepresented Minority Travel Grant Award, Feb. '23

My advice for future students is to dive into the scientific world, learn about what inspires you and motivates you to go to campus every day and maybe, if you are like me, you will discover who you are, and you want to do next. For me that is research, research in women’s health.

I will say this again, always be curious, think outside the box, literally. Be willing to learn, to learn how to fail and gain experience from them, mainly learn about yourself. Be passionate and excited about what you are doing. As I leave CU, I encourage more students to take the initiative to be a part of this growing community. Learning to collaborate with different experts, students and mentors can be challenging but it is worth it. Trust me.

Behzod Mirpochoev (CS major)

Minor in Computational Biology

I have learned that collaboration and effective communication are the pillars of success in research. As such, I highly recommend young researchers to put in the effort and invest their time in developing tools that can benefit the research community as a whole. By doing so, we can make our research more accessible, impactful, and contribute to the advancement of our respective fields.

David Saeb (ChBE '23)

Minor in Music and American Medical Student Association Chapter President

For me, there hasn’t been an activity that I’ve genuinely involved myself in that I’ve regretted. I’ve joined a wide range of opportunities with broad communities of students. Each has taught me new skills and new perspectives. Especially in research, I came into CU planning to work on wet lab lab research but have ended up deep in computational modelling. I never expected to find a love for coding or to pursue a possible career in research. Ultimately, my biggest advice is to seek opportunities that are not only challenging, but also foreign and unfamiliar as those are where you learn and grow the most. This includes finding mentors who will support you and push you to continue learning and growing in your research.

Kiersten J. Maxwell (EnvEngr '22)

Student Speaker at the CU Hydrological Sciences Symposium (2022), CU Engineering Excellence Fund for SPUR Recipient (2021)

My advice to a future student would entail encouragement to be curious about their classes and the real world research their classes relate to. CU has phenomenal laboratories and funded research, and it is easy to become involved if you want to be. My research position in the McKnight lab started because I was curious about the algae work they did, and my curiosity and dedication have brought me opportunities unique to most undergraduates. I have found it important to have the ability to self-motivate and advocate for yourself because getting involved in research is reliant on reaching out and making connections. If you are able to pursue research, it is because you personally found interest and motivation to pursue it. This makes a research experience incredibly rewarding, stimulating and transformative for your growth as a person and student.

Cyrus Haas (ChBe '22)

Minor in Business, Engineering Honors Program, Global Engineering Residential Academic Program

My advice to future students interested in a successful undergraduate career in research is threefold: (1) seek out opportunities to start research freshman year, (2) persevere through research challenges, and (3) remember to take time for yourself. My first point addresses the fact that becoming comfortable and proficient with research has a steep and long learning curve. It has taken myself a very long time to understand my mentor’s research to a level that is necessary for making real scientific contributions. Second, the biggest lesson I have learned is that research consists more of failures than success. It is imperative to persevere through these challenges. Finding alternatives or working with mentors to determine new approaches is often necessary. Finally, I believe that taking time away from the research can be extremely beneficial, whether it be for a short time for a quick work-out or even a couple of days to think about other things and approach the research with new energy after taking time away. These three pieces of advice are what have helped me most as an undergraduate and can hopefully help others interested in research as they begin their undergraduate careers at CU.

Joelle Westcott (CivEngr '22)

Global Engagement Award Spring 2022, Research Awards for engineering photography and ways to improve soil stability in earthquakes

My first piece of advice is always apply and take a chance, it never hurts to try. I was originally hired at the Center for Infrastructure, Energy, and Space Testing (CIEST) lab, despite being such a young student, because I knew about photography. It turned out my understanding of photography translated to Particle Image Velocimetry (PIV) research where a high-speed camera tracks the movement of the sand particles and can result is displacement diagrams.

My next piece of advice is to be curious. I love asking questions and understanding the reasons behind various phenomena. The last piece of advice I have is to be a self-advocate. This means expressing the things you are interested in or asking to be part of a new project, my philosophy is it never hurts to ask, the worst that could happen is someone might tell you no.

Jackson Peoples (ChBe '22)

Physics Minor, Engineering Honors Program, Outstanding Junior Award Recipient, Donald F. Othmer Sophomore Academic Excellence Award Recipient

For undergraduates who are looking to get into research during their time here at CU Boulder, I would advise them to take the opportunity if they are ready for the commitment that it necessitates in order for it to be an enriching experience alongside the usual undergraduate curriculum. If they are ready for this commitment and can find a group that makes them feel welcome, research can be one of the best and most fulfilling components of their college experience, as it was for mine.

I learned that I have immense drive and that once I apply myself to something, I will not quit, no matter how challenging it is. This has allowed me to persevere through some of the most difficult problems I have faced in my undergraduate experience. I found it essential to not be afraid to ask others for help, which is a tough, but humbling, learned skill.

Julia Bendorf (ChBe '22)

Biomedical Engineering Minor, Neuroscience Certificate

My two pieces of advice for any future student who has a passion for scientific research: get into a lab as soon as possible in your undergraduate career and then expect to fail and have doubts throughout the process. On my first piece of advice, not only with this allow for you to figure out what sorts of research you do and do not like, but it will also allow for you to grow alongside your project(s) as you start to discover what it really means to be a researcher. On my second piece of advice, though scientific research is exciting, it is hard. Experiments will inevitably fail, and you will have to return to the drawing board again and again. Myself and many other undergraduate researchers who I have spoken to have dealt with painful imposter syndrome and the question of if we really have what it takes to pursue research. So, I will end this statement with a message to any future student who is excited and willing to put in the work to perform good scientific research: you are enough, and you can do it.

"This is what a researcher looks like"

Dr. Mark Hernandez Aerobiology Lab

Civil, Environmental and Architectural Engineering

Dr. Hernandez has been supporting Denver Public Schools to assess and improve indoor air quality in classrooms across the district. In 2022, Dr. Hernandez and the CU Boulder student interns are working to install Senseware indoor air quality monitoring equipment to measure key indicators such as Carbon Dioxide, Particulate Matter, Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs), temperature and humidity. The team will install 800 monitors in 160 schools this summer to provide monitoring data on 10-15% of DPS classrooms.
Reign Pagaran

Mechanical Engineering
Supervising professor: Michael Rivera

I'm from Palmer, Alaska! I enjoy hiking with my dad, playing improv piano, racking up hours in Kerbal Space Program, and experimenting with my own 3D printers via exotic materials. I've led an Alaska Native/ American Indian rocketry team to 2nd place, worked on a CubeSat project, a RockSat project, led the CU AISES chapter, and worked in the Idea Forge as a Prototyping Shop Smith. My goal is to develop, manufacture, test, and characterize a sustainable and flexible 3D printing filament, comparable to TPU.
Liam Masias

Computer Science and Computer and Electrical Engineering
Supervising professor: Torin Clark

I recently graduated from the Community College of Denver with an Associate's Degree in Computer Science. I was the Math Club President and Lab Assistant Leader of the Computer and Information Sciences Department. I plan to get involved with clubs at the University of Colorado - Boulder with music, math and science, and other interests!

My hobbies include reading for pleasure and learning, playing video games competitively (such as FPS, Fighting, and Strategy) and single-player games, and exploring the world with my friends. I enjoy having the balance of immersing myself in the worlds of others' imagination and getting involved with mine.

My research project is focused on creating an optimal team with a human and autonomous system for deep space missions. We do this by measuring three cognitive states, Trust, Mental Workload, and Situational Awareness, to monitor the human and the autonomous system adjusts itself to work well with the human's current state. We are also trying to understand the relationship with a human-autonomy team to create the most efficient, enjoyable, and independent dynamic for the human operator, especially when our space missions venture further into deep space and missions become more dangerous and communication has longer latency times with mission control.

My role is helping debug code, assisting with data collection, and having a literature review to assist in encouraging more approaches to understanding the relationship between the human and the intelligent system. I have been able to create a hypothesis that has not been looked into deeply in the subject; "How would the human's trust be affected if we are to tell the human that their monitored data is going into the autonomous system versus withholding that information from the human.

Abby Adams

Chemical Engineering
Supervising professor: John Crimaldi

I am a rising junior at CU, and when I am not studying or working in the lab, I have a few hobbies to keep me sane. I love to hike and be outdoors. I also am working on learning to play guitar. I work at the farmers market every Saturday selling pasta, so a new hobby of mine is cooking. I am currently working on a project called TADD. This project is military-funded and involves researching sensors that can detect explosives in vehicles. I am working on the membrane portion of this project. I am testing different membranes and how much odor they let out.
Justin Pedersen

Aerospace Engineering
Supervising professor: Penina Axelrad

I am a non-traditional student who enjoys running, hiking, and working on aero-projects in my free time. Right now I am working with a fellow under-graduate student to design and build a model airplane using control concepts we learned in our flight dynamics course. I look forward to graduating next May and looking for a research or engineering job in the defense sector. Oscillators are the name of the game. I am testing different methods of characterizing low power, size, and weight clocks using software defined radios. One of these methods involves using the ensemble mean of multiple cheaper clocks to steer another clock towards better frequency stability.
Jodie Truong

Chemcial Engineering
Supervising professor: Robert Davis

The research project that intrigues me is "Droplet Motion in Microchannels." I am drawn to this description because it offers an opportunity to apply my knowledge of fluid mechanics, particularly from course CHEN 3200. Exploring droplet microfluidics is appealing to me as it involves a field I've been eager to delve into as I have some background knowledge in biomedical engineering. The wide array of applications mentioned, such as targeted drug delivery, lab-on-a-chip devices, micro-chemical reactors, and emulsion generation, highlight the significance and versatility of this research area. I am particularly curious about how such complex concepts can be visualized and analyzed through imaging and 2D velocimetry. Although the topic seems intricate, I am confident in my understanding of viscosity and the Navier-Stokes equations in theory. The role I was informed of is doing drop experiments and image processing, as outlined in the project description, presents an exciting opportunity for me to deepen my understanding and practical application of these principles. Overall, I am eager to contribute to this research project as it aligns with my academic interests and offers a chance to further explore and apply my knowledge in a practical setting.

Outstanding Research Mentors

CU Engineering Undergraduate Research Opportunities gives students first-hand experience to learn from seasoned professionals in the field. These outstanding research mentors have helped students grow their professional networks and shared insider knowledge and wisdom about research.

CBEN, Sprenger Lab

“Emma's mentorship had such a lasting impact on my college experience. When I first met her, I was a young, inexperienced scientist simply interesting in immunotherapeutic research, but now she has inspired me and shaped me into an innovative researcher.

Through my research journey with Emma, I have realized that I want to keep doing research in my future. This has encouraged me to look into a different career path then I was initially planning and potentially pursue a PhD.

Having a close relationship with Emma and being a part of the whole lab dynamic allowed me to see myself entering that path.

Due to her mentorship, I was able to feel like I was making real impacts in science and that inspires me to keep going in research.”

Information Science, Burke Lab

“My mentor delivered clear, engaging training sessions, breaking down complex concepts into practical skills I could apply immediately.

They guided me with tailored advice, connecting me to opportunities that sharpened my expertise and boosted my confidence.

Their mentorship was transformative, giving me clarity and direction. It shaped my career goals and instilled resilience to pursue them.”

Information Science

“My mentor delivered clear, engaging training sessions, breaking down complex concepts into practical skills I could apply immediately.

They guided me with tailored advice, connecting me to opportunities that sharpened my expertise and boosted my confidence.”

ASEN, Katya Arquilla Bioastronautics Lab

“She made me feel at home immediately within the program and really went the extra mile to make sure I was interested in what I was working on. She connected me with anyone that could help me, allowing me to get the most possible done this summer.

Jasmin was the best mentor out of all the ones me or my friends had. She killed it.”

CSEN

“[He] provided valuable guidance throughout the training by sharing his expertise and helping me navigate the project’s challenges. While the research concepts were complex, his ongoing support encouraged me to explore and understand the material independently.

His mentorship fostered my independence and critical thinking. He challenged me to solve problems on my own while being there to guide me when necessary. This balance helped me grow technically and professionally, equipping me with skills that will benefit me beyond this project.”

ASEN

“Dr. Clark’s mentorship has been one of the most beneficial experiences of my life. I’d known since high school that I was interested in research, but I figured that I would go to graduate school and then work in industry.

After attending and presenting at the NASA HRP Investigators’ workshop in January, I knew I wanted a career in academia. This realization would never have occurred without the opportunities Dr. Clark gave me, and the support he continues to provide.

Working with Dr. Clark has given me the clearest vision of how I want my future to look, and he has given me the skills and support to make it happen, and I cannot thank him enough.”

BMEN, Borden Lab

“Will was always able to explain concepts relevant to our research in a simple and clear manner. He always encouraged independent thinking as undergraduates, such as creating our own experiments based on our findings in the literature or coding a simulation to answer questions that intrigued us.

Will was always there to answer questions, help us if something went wrong, and validate our results.

He was also very involved in creating our final presentations by running practice sessions, critiquing our slides, and providing suggestions on what to change either on our slides or in how we explained something.

I felt that Will truly wanted to support me on my projects and provide room for me to explore. He’s able to maintain a strong sense of direction for the student while also encouraging independence and curiosity.”

ASEN, Hayman Lab

“Nicole meant a lot to me. I learned so much from her and she was one of the MOST supportive, and kind people I have ever met.

She worked really hard to help me feel comfortable, and confident in the lab space. I have never had a mentor like this in any other job that has just been so willing to help someone learn and time out of their own day to support someone else. Even in the lab space I was never nervous cause it felt as if I had a friend there!!

It was scary meeting all my lab mates for the first time, but she helped to make me feel comfortable each time!

She has really influenced me to also get my masters and work at a lab in the future, and as I continue through college and start applying to masters programs, I know the first person I'd reach out to for support or guidance would be her!”

EVEN, Hannigan Lab

“Annamarie taught me how to be a better teacher and student by modeling her actions. Her demeanor - one that is always willing to help and befriend - is shared by much of the HAQ Lab and is one I was incredibly grateful for throughout the summer. In the future, I wish to act more like her in terms of my ability to mentor others, and potentially work with the HAQ Lab in the future.
 

Thanks to Annamarie, I'm considering moving towards an environmental focus with my academics / potential career. I also now know what a PhD in engineering really looks like and entails. I know so much more about academia, wildfires, and the research process and most of that is thanks to her.”

ECEE

“I'm a much different person and student now than before I met Prof. Gyenis. I've found my passion, and because of that, I am a lot better at my work, studying techniques, and I'm just more motivated than ever before.

He's also encouraging me to pursue a Ph.D. and is helping me navigate that application process and understanding what I should be evaluating schools based off in order to maximize opportunity/training in superconducting quantum computing.

Prof. Gyenis quite literally shifted my entire mindset about my degree, and I find joy and satisfaction in my work like never before.”

 

Educational Foundations, Policy, and Practice; Leeker Lab

“She completely changed the way I think about research. Before BLE, I didn’t realize how much I could enjoy qualitative work, but Alexis helped me find power and creativity in it. She taught me that research can be relational, healing, and a tool for justice not just data collection.

Because of her, I’ve come to see myself not just as a student, but as someone who can ask meaningful questions and contribute to knowledge in a way that centers care, identity, and equity.

Alexis’s mentorship meant everything. Her belief in me, and the way she made sure I was included, prepared, and supported, helped me realize that I do have a place in research and not just any kind, but the kind that actually changes things.

I now want to continue exploring work that blends science, social justice, and community, and that clarity is thanks to her.”

 

MCEN

“I am delighted to have had Professor Daniel Knight as my mentor this past year. His primary goal was my success, which I felt during all of our interactions. Even when going over the basics of research with me, Professor Knight approached our meeting with enthusiasm and kindness.

He was a mentor in the truest sense, pursuing my well-being and success at all times.

I have learned an incredible amount about research and am now the primary author on a published paper and am now considering graduate school as a result to pursue research further.”

 

ASEN, Sean Peters Lab

“He gives great ideas, opened my mind to outside the box ideas, helped me understand how to go through a design process, and great insight.

He gave me feedback so I would think outside the box, and his mentorship has helped me try to find out what I want to do.”

 

ASEN, Daniel Scheeres Lab

“Adrien’s leadership over the summer meant so much to me, allowing me to go from a nervous intro level astrodynamics student to a proud entry in the BAM program.

Through him I feel happy and confident continuing my work and being proud to show it off the family and future employers.

I also believe the connections I made with him and through him in the lab will be mentors I can lean on for the rest of my career.”

 

ASEN, Torin Clark Lab

“Taylor has been an absolutely amazing mentor throughout the year. Her research has made me interested in the field of bioastronautics and inspired me to learn more software skills.

It is her mentorship that made me want to continue this research for the summer.

She has greatly impacted my learning and development, especially in the software suite including MATLAB, Simulink, and LabVIEW. She has also helped hone my skills in writing scientific papers.”

 

CBEN, Carson Bruns Lab 

“His mentorship meant a lot to me—especially as a freshman navigating a new environment. He made me feel like I belonged and had something valuable to contribute.

His support has inspired me to pursue more research opportunities and potentially explore mentorship myself in the future.

He showed me that great mentors don’t just teach—they listen, guide, and believe in your potential.

Because of him, I feel more motivated and prepared to pursue a career in biomedical engineering with a sense of purpose and direction.”

 

ASEN, Allie Hayman Lab 

“Erin was very supportive throughout the entire SPUR process. She was very helpful, and I learned a lot about the research process from her, and she did a great job giving me interesting and challenging tasks throughout the summer.

I was super grateful that I got a SPUR mentor who really tried to help me learn and allowed me to help with all sorts of tasks. She was very active and engaged throughout the entire summer, which maybe is not so common.”

 

EVEN, Marina Vance Lab

“She is very knowledgeable and patient. She had a passion for the subject and was excellent in explaining new concepts.

She really inspired me to think about graduate school and air quality research.

Her dedication to the subject is unmatched and made me really appreciate her work.

Rileigh is the best, I would highly recommend her as a mentor.”

 

ECEE, Andras Gyenis Lab

“Pablo was extremely patient and trusting, and that allowed me to have full confidence in my work and therefore turn out ideal final results.

I will retain my position in the lab working with Pablo over the summer and next academic year, and due to his trust, I have a fantastic position where I get to continue learning more about superconducting qubit experimentation and continue building my microwave engineering and experimental research toolkit with hands-on experience and expert guidance.

Pablo's an excellent mentor and an even better friend.

His trust and patience have instilled a confidence in me that has propelled me to pursue a Ph.D. when I finish my Bachelor's degree. He literally shaped my future.”

 

EVEN, Marina Vance Lab

“She taught me how instruments worked and what was expected of me; always checked in on me, had pleasant conversations, and she provided comic relief.

She was fantastic, another inspiration to pursue graduate school.

Sophie is awesome!”

 

MCEN, Mike Hannigan Lab

“My SPUR experience was by far the best workplace experience I’ve ever had and one of my top experiences at CU. The major reason is because of Percy and the time, dedication and talent he commits to my lab, its research and his mentoring role.

My experience working with Percy as my mentor has allowed me to learn a very large amount in a small period of time and allowed me to develop as an engineer.” 

 

“Percy is the reason I'm considering so many different academic pipelines now - grad school, engineering ethics, engineering leadership, philosophy, quantum scholars - the list goes on. He is an exemplary student and mentor, and his passion for learning and teaching is contagious.

He wasn't even officially my mentor, but pretty much co-mentored me along with Annamarie Guth.”

 

ASEN, Torin Clark Lab

“Dr. Temple’s mentorship has allowed me to define my goals for my future and develop the skills and mindset necessary to achieve them.

If he had never suggested that I attended the NASA HRP Investigators’ workshop, and supported me both before and during the conference, I never would have realized that I want to pursue academia professionally.

Dr. Temple also gave me numerous opportunities to develop and strengthen my skills in academic writing, presenting research, and collecting and analyzing data.

I cannot thank Dr. Temple enough for the profound effect he has had on my future.”

 

Applied Mathematics

“Dr Vance was very helpful and knowledgeable in his guidance throughout the work we did throughout the year, as well as being a great mentor that stayed patient and kind throughout the entire process.

I am very grateful I got to work with Dr Vance this past year. He helped me realize my passion for the work we worked on and made me focus more on my future aspirations and goals.”

 

MCEN

“She aided in showing me how research is conducted and what to expect in a professional environment; checked in on me and made sure I understood assigned tasks clearly; and gave constructive criticism for how to improve my work.

It meant a lot, inspired me to take a second look at and seriously pursue graduate school.

Dr. Vance is fantastic!”