Getting Involved in Undergraduate Research

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Research is a great experience to build your skillset and resume during your undergraduate years, and you can get involved right on campus as early as freshman year! I have been involved in a research lab since my sophomore year, and it has helped me acquire new abilities in my area of interest. Not only that, but it has provided me with something that I am deeply involved in and passionate about to place on my resume and discuss during interviews. Research at Purdue is often done through a professor’s lab under the guidance of a professor or graduate student mentor and is typically done for pay or course credits. Getting involved in undergraduate research is a great opportunity, and there are many ways to do it at Purdue!


Purdue Office of Undergraduate Research

The Purdue Office of Undergraduate Research (OUR) is a great place to start if you’re interested in research. They host multiple events and seminars; many focused on how to get involved in research or providing a platform for those involved to share their work and experience. I personally have participated in the Fall Undergraduate Research Conference, presenting a poster summarizing my work in the kinesiology department at Purdue. Presenting at the conference gave me a chance to not only put together a research poster and summarize my work so far but also share my work with others and practice my public speaking skills. Attending these conferences are free and right on campus, making it a great chance to explore the research other undergraduates are participating in and ways to get involved.


Research Fairs

Many clubs and colleges host “research fairs,” or events where professors or mentors looking for students to assist in their lab gather and discuss their ongoing projects and what they’re looking for in an undergraduate researcher. The Honors College’s Research Matchmaking Fair is where I first heard about my current lab and connected with my professor! Events like these make research extremely accessible to undergrads that are excited about research but may not know where to start.


Summer Research Programs

Undergraduate research is not just limited to the school year! There are multiple programs at Purdue, the biggest one being the Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowship (SURF). SURF is a paid 11-week summer research experience where students work with either faculty or graduate students on their project at the West Lafayette or Indianapolis campus. The projects cover a wide variety of topics not limited to engineering, making interdisciplinary research a tangible option. SURF also hosts professional development seminars and workshops to grow your skills outside of the lab as well. Finally, at the end of the summer, all participants present their research at the SURF research symposium, giving participants a chance to practice their public speaking skills while sharing their work with fellow researchers. Overall, summer research programs provide a great chance for students to participate in research outside of the school year, where they can dedicate more time to the project in the absence of coursework.


Reach Out to Professors Directly

One of the simplest ways to get involved in undergraduate research is to reach out to professors who’s work you’re interested in! A polite email can go a long way, although not every professor will have an opening in their lab. Still, taking the first step and reaching out lets them know that you’re really interested and that you take initiative, often making a lasting first impression. To find those whose research might be your speed, it’s helpful to visit the faculty page of whatever school/college you would like to conduct research in. These pages are often broken down by research interest, and by clicking on the faculty member, you can most likely find their projects and even contact information to reach out. Sometimes the best thing you can do if you’re interested in something is ask how you can get involved!



All in all, Purdue has a plethora of ways to get involved with undergraduate research. From the OUR to SURF, Purdue has plenty of programs to help you find your research path and take that first step to participate!

Gabi Layman, BME

Recruitment Project Committee


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