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Finding the Golden Path through Undergraduate Research

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UCSB ranks among the nation's great research universities. Its renowned faculty members have earned the highest honors, ranging from Nobel Prizes (five professors on campus have won for their work in chemistry, physics and economics) to the National Medal of Technology to coveted memberships in the National Academy of Sciences, the American Academy of Arts and Sciences, and the National Academy of Engineering. Hands-on research opportunities under the guidance of these outstanding professors are available in nearly every department on campus-or could be created-yet many undergraduates don't step forward. Why should this be?

Photo:JAMES COLÓN @ 2008

The answer, says Kevin Plaxco, associate professor of chemistry and biochemistry, is that some students still don't know these opportunities exist-and many more don't quite understand how valuable the experience can be. "Undergraduate research assistants have become a key element in many laboratories on campus," Dr. Plaxco says, "and undergraduate research provides a multitude of educational opportunities that simply are not available-or even possible-in the classroom." Whether a project is in a lab, library, or studio, ideas are born and tested and problems are creatively solved. The experience is both broadening and exhilarating.

Other students may miss out because they worry about having little or no research experience or insufficient academic depth, Dr. Plaxco continues. However, both he and Mary Nisbet, associate dean for undergraduate studies, in the College of Letters and Science, say neither concern is a reason to rule out research. "UCSB has an excellent record in terms of undergraduates, regardless of their major, participating in research and our faculty are very keen to work with undergraduate students," says Dr. Nisbet.

For his part, Dr. Plaxco has watched many research success stories develop from students' motivation. In one case, he says, "a student who was a microbiologist joined my heavily chemistry-oriented research group. She hadn't had all that much chemistry, but under the guidance of one of my graduate students, and motivated by a real enthusiasm for the work, she quickly came up to speed and made significant contributions to our research efforts. Everyone was happy with the experience-most of all the student, who not only received valuable training but rightfully took pride in having helped push forward our research program."

The research advantage

Professors and student researchers alike say that missing out on research and creative projects at a great research university is like throwing away half of the best possible undergraduate education-and an opportunity that won't show itself again. "When I heard about a faculty researcher who would be leading a summer excavation in Peru, I applied to join the team," says anthropology major Amanda Mummert. Amanda spent five weeks in south central Peru cataloguing and sorting skeletal remains of an ancient pre-Inca people. By using tools of bioarchaeology--a fusion of physical anthropology and archaeology--the researchers began to see how the people had been affected by social upheaval of the time. In summer 2008 Amanda returned for additional work on the project. "Another great thing about this field," says Amanda, who plans to go to graduate school, "is that you can do research all over the world!"

Whatever the discipline, "research experience has become a key part of many of our students' preparation for life after college," says Dr. Plaxco. "Demonstrable experience in undergraduate research, for example, has become an increasingly important element in grad school admissions." He recommends that science students join labs by the sophomore year or the beginning of the junior year. But, says Acting Vice Chancellor for Research Steven Gaines, who has worked with many undergraduates at the Marine Science Institute: "It's never too late to start doing research! It's also a way to get a sense of what it's like to work in the field-and the experience can be useful for a wide range of careers!" Student researchers typically work with a professor and often with graduate students and/or postdoctoral fellows; in the humanities and arts, many undergraduates pursue independent projects. All develop a sense of what working in the profession might be like, and learn to think critically, develop coherent ideas, and talk about them. Undergraduates also acquire skills that are invaluable professionally and personally: how to solve problems and how to ask the right questions.

Just do it!

How does a student find the right research situation? A good place to start is with the Office of Undergraduate Research and Creative Activities (URCA), which supports UCSB undergraduates in all the colleges by finding and funding research opportunities. They will answer all questions, help with applying for awards, and encourage students to go for the gold! For information about how to get involved in research, stories of students who did, funding opportunities, a complete list of contacts, and more, visit the new UCSB Undergraduate Research Web site at http://www.research.ucsb.edu/undergrad.