October 31, 2024
Research is at the heart of Mizzou. From your very first day on campus, you鈥檒l have the opportunity to dive into hands-on experiences, collaborate with top-tier faculty and make discoveries that change the world. Learn more about how to get involved.
Abbie Lankitus / University of Missouri.
Oct. 31, 2024
Contact: Brian Consiglio, consigliob@missouri.edu
At the University of Missouri, it鈥檚 easy to get involved in research 鈥 even as early as your first day on campus. And you don鈥檛 always need lab coats and pipette tubes. As the state鈥檚 flagship university, Mizzou offers research opportunities that span disciplines such as music, nursing, history, agriculture, geology, anthropology, education, engineering and beyond. And 鈥渓aboratories鈥 at Mizzou include everything from farms, museums, forests and libraries to exercise classes, national parks, horse barns and even virtual environments.
Getting involved in research helps you develop mentoring relationships, earn wages and launch your career 鈥 all while developing critical thinking, teamwork, problem-solving and other skills that will serve you for life.
If you鈥檙e not sure where to look or how to get started, you鈥檝e come to the right place. Here are four ways to take advantage of opportunities at Mizzou 鈥 a leading research university and member of the prestigious Association for American Universities 鈥 and some advice from current student researchers.
1. Attend undergraduate research workshops via Zoom
Explore research from the comfort of your room. Each month, the Office of Undergraduate Research (OUR) offers an online workshop about 鈥淕etting started in undergraduate research and creative scholarship.鈥 Other topics include responsible and ethical conduct of research, research communication and research careers across employment sectors. Upcoming workshops are on and are led by experienced Mizzou faculty, staff, graduate students and alumni who want to help set you up for success.
2. Become S.T.A.R certified
Become a research star. The Student Training for Advancing Research (S.T.A.R.) program is a recognition opportunity designed to equip you with the knowledge base you need to excel in research from day one. By attending five or more undergraduate research workshops, you can earn a 鈥淪.T.A.R.,鈥 an achievement that enhances your resume and sets you apart, opening doors to future opportunities.
3. Connect with a department-specific faculty research liaison
Find the right mentor and unlock your full potential as a researcher. At Mizzou, we know that great guidance can make all the difference in your academic journey. That鈥檚 why faculty members from more than 60 academic departments have stepped up to help you connect with a research mentor. While these liaisons are just a sample of the incredible support you鈥檒l find across campus, they鈥檙e a perfect place to start as you search for opportunities and someone to help connect you with a mentor on your research journey. Here is the full list of Mizzou research .
4. Stay informed and earn while you learn.
Stay in the know. The is a one-stop shop for resources on internships, stipends and jobs, as well as applying for fellowships, summer programs and graduate school. When you sign up for the OUR , the news lands straight in your inbox.
Student success story: Brett Boney
A sophomore chemical engineering major from Springfield, Missouri, Brett Boney came to Mizzou because of its reputation as an active research university.
鈥淭he faculty at Mizzou are very encouraging, welcoming and supportive,鈥 she said. 鈥淭hey want you to learn and grow in their labs. It is inspiring to be surrounded by people who want to make a difference.鈥
Boney conducts research in the lab of Bret Ulery, an associate professor in the College of 糖心Vlog传媒 and researcher with NextGen Precision Health. The lab focuses, in part, on analyzing novel polymer-based products to ultimately improve regenerative medicine.
鈥淚 looked online for bioengineering labs and emailed Dr. Ulery to ask about opportunities to join his lab,鈥 she said. 鈥淲hat I enjoy most about working with Dr. Ulery is that he truly wants to help students succeed. Rather than expect us to know everything right away, he wants us to be hard workers who are ready to learn.鈥
For students interested in getting involved in research, Boney recommends looking for labs that align with their interests, whether that is nutrition, medicine, computer science or history. A good place to start is Mizzou鈥檚 department-specific . She also suggests establishing relationships with your primary investigator and other students in your lab as early as possible.
鈥淪tarting early allows you to quickly identify your strengths and weaknesses,鈥 Boney said. 鈥淏y building critical thinking and problem-solving skills, as well as learning how to persevere through challenges and roadblocks, the skills you learn through research will help you regardless of your future career path.鈥
This story was originally published by .
Prepare for your future at a university with opportunities for hands-on research experience as an undergraduate. !