Undergraduate Research Opportunities

The College of Arts & Sciences is dedicated to furthering research and innovation in our many different majors and disciplines. Undergraduate research is an amazing opportunity to work closely with faculty members to advance new knowledge and have a tangible impact on the world. By taking advantage of an undergraduate research position students can explore career options while also building new transferable skills.

Students can search opportunities by department, faculty name, and project summary.

Current CAS students who are also members of the Helen Hardin Honors Program are highly encouraged to utilize additional resources and opportunities offered through the Helen Hardin Honors College Undergraduate Research Database.

If you have additional opportunities, please visit the CAS Research Database to add your information.

Anthropology

Faculty	Project Summary	How to apply	Requirements	Compensation
Keri Brondo	Research assistance on impact of tourism and housing development on cultural and environmental change in Bay Islands, Honduras. Coding and analysis of interviews; building online cultural heritage exhibit; possible fieldwork opportunities in Honduras.	Email Dr. Keri Brondo at kbrondo@memphis.edu	No Prerequisites	No compensation; it would be purely voluntary
Michael Perez	Ethnography of music scene in Memphis	Email Dr. Michael Perez at mvperez@memphis.edu	Social science course with qualitative data and theory (basic)	No compensation; it would be purely voluntary

Biology

Faculty	Project Summary	How to apply	Requirements	Compensation
Amy Abell	Project I: Define the signaling/gene expression networks controlling the conversion of stationary epithelial stem cells to motile mesenchymal cells. Project 2: Discover new approaches to detect, treat, and prevent fetal growth restriction.	Interested applicants should apply directly to Dr. Amy Abell at anabell@memphis.edu. Please include a resume or CV and a paragraph about your research interests and career goals.	Applicants must have completed General Biology II (BIOL 1120/1121) and be at least enrolled in Cell Biology (BIOL 3130). Student researchers must work at least six hours per week in the lab for two consecutive semesters.	Please work with assigned faculty member to see if opportunities for internship or research credit are possible.
Bernie Daigle	One goal of the project is to apply statistical and machine learning tools to blood-based molecular and psychological measurements to accurately diagnose post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). A second goal is to use the same data to identify and characterize subtypes of PTSD.	Interested students should email Dr. Bernie Daigle their current CV and a one-page personal statement describing academic preparation, prior research experience, and future career goals at bjdaigle@memphis.edu.	Candidates should currently be enrolled in their second or third year at the University of Memphis in a degree program within the Departments of Biological Sciences, Computer Science, Psychology, Chemistry, or Biomedical Engineering. Desired qualifications include GPA >3.5 and some prior computer programming experience.	Please work with assigned faculty member to see if opportunities for internship or research credit are possible.
Jennifer Mandel	Conservation genetics of endangered plant species in the southeastern US.	Contact Dr. Jennifer Mandel via email at jmandel@memphis.edu.	BIOL 1110/1111, BIOL 1120/1121 completed	Please work with assigned faculty member to see if opportunities for internship or research credit are possible.
Duane McKenna	We involve undergraduates in all kinds of research that is undertaken in the McKenna lab.	Contact Dr. Duane McKenna by email at dmckenna@memphis.edu explaining what you are interested in and describing any relevant experience or coursework you might have completed. Also, please indicate your availability (possible days/times) for an in-person meeting to discuss your interests.	No experience necessary. Courses in genetics, ecology, or evolution are helpful, but not required. Students must be genuinely interested in nature, biodiversity, insects, plants, and ecology.	Please work with assigned faculty member to see if opportunities for internship or research credit are possible.
Philip Kohlmeier	Drosophila melanogaster fruit fly females can induce transgenerational temperature adaptations in their offspring. This project aims at dissecting the underlying neurogenetic and epigenetic mechanisms.	Send Dr. Philip Kohlmeier an email at pkhlmier@memphis.edu.	BIOL 1110/1111 completed, and all that is required is a high motivation to learn and apply neurogenetic tools	Please work with assigned faculty member to see if opportunities for internship or research credit are possible.
Emily Puckett	The lab has a diversity of projects in evolutionary and conservation genomics of bears, specifically American black, brown, and polar bears. Potential projects include identifying regions of selection in the genome, identifying the genetic basis of phenotypic traits, phenotyping samples, extracting DNA, and/or making genomic libraries.	Interested students should email Dr. Emily Puckett at emily.puckett@memphis.edu with information about why they are interested working in the lab, their major, and state their career goals.	There are no classification or course requirements to be considered for a position in the lab. However, preference will be given to 1) Biology majors (Earth Science with GIS skills will also receive preference), and 2) freshmen and sophomores. The biggest requirement is a commitment to the lab and yourself to show up and continually try as you will be required to learn many new skills.	Please work with assigned faculty member to see if opportunities for internship or research credit are possible.
Jaime Sabel	The Sabel lab focuses on biology education research, specifically on the use of various classroom tools and techniques in undergraduate biology courses. We use both quantitative (statistics) and qualitative (interviews and surveys) methods to investigate how students learn biology and how various aspects of courses influence student engagement and success. The goal of this work is to improve the design of biology courses to support students as they engage in learning biological concepts.	Email Dr. Jaime Sabel at jlsabel@memphis.edu to indicate interest.	BIOL 1110/1111 completed	Please work with assigned faculty member to see if opportunities for internship or research credit are possible.

Chemistry

Faculty	Project Summary	How to apply	Requirements	Compensation
Daniel Baker	I work on two major collaborative projects. The first utilizes computational methods to prioritize ligand discovery efforts for orphan and other understudied G protein coupled receptors. The second focuses on the synthesis, chemical characterization, and biological evaluation of novel fatty acid analogs as antibiofilm and combination antibiotic agents.	Email Dr. Daniel Baker dlbaker@memphis.edu	Chemistry majors and minors preferred but Biology, Biomedical Engineering, etc. students are welcome as well.	Please work with assigned faculty member to see if opportunities for internship or research credit are possible.
Timothy Brewster	Undergraduates work on an array of projects developing new inorganic catalysts for organic chemistry reactions. Students gain experience in synthesis, characterization, and general research methodology.	Email Dr. Timothy Brewster tbrwster@memphis.edu to set up a meeting to discuss research interests and opportunities.	CHEM 1110 (required) CHEM 1120 (required or currently enrolled) CHEM 3310 (recommended)	Please work with assigned faculty member to see if opportunities for internship or research credit are possible.
Nathan DeYonker	Our research focuses on two main threads: atomic-level enzyme modeling and astrochemistry. We apply computational chemistry software to solve exciting problems in both of these areas.	Email Dr. Nathan DeYonker at ndyonker@memphis.edu!	Can be taking CHEM 1120 or introductory Physics courses.	Please work with assigned faculty member to see if opportunities for internship or research credit are possible.
Charles Garner	organic synthesis and analysis	Email Dr. Charles Garner at cgarner7@memphis.edu	Ideally: chemistry major and already completed CHEM 3301/3311	No
Yongmei Wang	UG can participate in any active ongoing research projects in the group.	Email Dr. Yongmei Wang at ywang@memphis.edu	Good in math, tech-savvy	No

Computer Science

Faculty	Project Summary	How to apply	Requirements	Compensation
Lan Wang	The Networking Research Lab (NetLab) at the Computer Science department has a position for undergraduate students starting immediately. The student will work on the Named Data Networking project to develop a new Internet architecture.	Email Dr. Lan Wang at lanwang@memphis.edu.	Computer Science major COMP GPA of at least 3.5 Obtained A from both COMP1900 and COMP2150. Can work for at least one year. US citizen or permanent resident.	Please work with assigned faculty member to see if opportunities for internship or research credit are possible.

Earth Sciences

Faculty	Project Summary	How to apply	Requirements	Compensation
William Jackson	Help conduct field work, learn how to separate heavy minerals from sandstone and other rock types, analyze minerals for U-Pb age determinations.	Email Dr. William Jackson at wtjckson@memphis.edu	An interest in Earth Sciences	No
Daniel Larsen	Assisting with geologic mapping and sample analysis for a mapping project in southeastern California (pending funding) Assisting with geophysical and borehole log analysis in west Tennessee to characterize regional aquifers	Contact Dr. Daniel Larsen directly at dlarsen@memphis.edu	core geology courses, water-related courses in geology and engineering	Please work with assigned faculty member to see if opportunities for internship or research credit are possible.
Ryan Parish	Sampling, preparing and adding to a database of tool stone types from across the world that prehistoric people used to make stone artifacts. The project entails fieldwork, lab work, and analysis.	Contact Dr. Ryan Parish directly at rmparish@memphis.edu	An enthusiasm about the prehistory of the human race and an interest in stone tool technology.	Please work with assigned faculty member to see if opportunities for internship or research credit are possible.
Gary Stinchcomb	Most of these are currently unfunded: Mayan geoarchaeology, Veracruz, Mexico (unfunded) Miocene Kenya (possible funding) Pleistocene Gona geoarchaeology (unfunded) Modern soil greenhouse gas research (possible funding)	Email Dr. Gary Stinchcomb at G.Stinchcomb@memphis.edu	n/a	Please work with assigned faculty member to see if opportunities for internship or research credit are possible.

English

Faculty	Project Summary	How to apply	Requirements	Compensation
Sage Graham	Online gaming research project - collection and analysis of online game streams to assess multimodal influences on communicative practices.	Interested students should schedule a meeting with Dr. Sage Graham to learn about the project, then submit a proposal for how they will contribute, what their role will be, and their goals. sgraham2@memphis.edu	Must have completed or be registered for at least one upper division course in linguistics.	Please work with assigned faculty member to see if opportunities for internship or research credit are possible.
Donal Harris	A partnership with Memphis Public Libraries and DigMemphis to conduct archival research, digitize library materials, and write public-facing material to promote Memphis/regional history and library efforts.	Respond to a call for applications, seasonal and dependent on funding. Contact Dr. Donal Harris for more information: dfhrris1@memphis.edu	Humanities major or minor (English, Philosophy, World Languages, History)	Please work with assigned faculty member to see if opportunities for internship or research credit are possible.
Kathy Lou Schultz	This is an opportunity to study avant-garde literary and artistic movements by creators throughout the African diaspora, and to analyze the relationship of the arts to social change. Students will be research assistants and possibly co-authors.	Contact Dr. Kathy Lou Schultz via email at K.L.S@memphis.edu.	Upper division students in English, African American Studies, Women’s Studies, Art history, film, communication , philosophy. Other fields considered. Please have a minimum gpa of 3.5 overall and 3.7 in your major.	Please work with assigned faculty member to see if opportunities for internship or research credit are possible.
Leah Windsor	How does what we say reveal who we are? The Languages Across Cultures lab studies language patterns to help understand international politics, the relationships between people, and how language can help to predict future behavior and activities.	Email Dr. Leah Windsor at Leah.Windsor@memphis.edu	No prerequisites! Apply!	Students can get course credit through independent studies, and there is often grant-funded compensation for hourly student workers. I am available to supervise undergraduate Honors theses.

Institute for Intelligent Systems

Faculty	Project Summary	How to apply	Requirements	Compensation
Andrew Olney	Students will work on AI projects involved conversational interfaces (e.g., Siri, Alexa, etc.) Multiple projects are available, ranging from entertainment to educational applications.	Applicants should submit a cover letter, letter of reference, and unofficial transcript. Applicants who pass initial screening will be invited to interview. Contact Dr. Andrew Olney for more information: aolney@memphis.edu	Ideally, students will have some knowledge of a programming language. However, students with a strong interest in the topic are encouraged to get in touch even if they have no programming skills.	Please work with assigned faculty member to see if opportunities for internship or research credit are possible.

Mathematical Sciences

Faculty	Project Summary	How to apply	Requirements	Compensation
Thomas Hagen	Undergraduate research projects in Applied Mathematics and Analysis become available on a regular basis. Projects range from Mathematical Biology and Infectious Disease Modeling to Fluid Mechanics, Neural Network Theory, and applications with a combinatorial flavor. They typically last several weeks to a semester or two. It is expected that mentored students participate and compete in the annual Works in Progress Symposium and/or the annual Student Research Forum at the University of Memphis. Every research project should result in a publication in a scientific journal.	Email Dr. Thomas Hagen at thagen@memphis.edu Undergraduate research projects are strictly limited to students who	(a) have taken relevant undergraduate coursework with me; and (b) have successfully passed Calculus I and II (grade of B+ or better); and (c) have Mathematics as a major, second major or minor; and (d) are willing to learn or have experience with computational software (Matlab, Mathematica etc.); or (e) have been invited by me directly to work on a project. Undergraduate projects require a time commitment by all parties involved, usually several hours per week. If you are unable to invest the required amount of time, please do not ask for a project. Also, students who have had no previous academic interaction with me typically do not qualify.	Please work with assigned faculty member to see if opportunities for internship or research credit are possible.
Irena Lasiecka	Numerical simulations of solutions to PDE systems.	Contact Dr. Irena Lasiecka at lasiecka@memphis.edu	Math Real analysis, programming courses, numerical analysis.	Please work with assigned faculty member to see if opportunities for internship or research credit are possible.
Thomas Hagen	Undergraduate research projects in Applied Mathematics and Analysis become available on a regular basis. Projects range from Mathematical Biology and Infectious Disease Modeling to Fluid Mechanics, Neural Network Theory, and applications with a combinatorial flavor. They typically last several weeks to a semester or two. It is expected that mentored students participate and compete in the annual Works in Progress Symposium and/or the annual Student Research Forum at the University of Memphis. Every research project should result in a publication in a scientific journal.	Undergraduate students who (a) satisfy the stated qualification requirements, and (b) are interested in Applied Mathematics and Analysis, may reach out to Dr. Thomas Hagen via email at thagen@memphis.edu to make an appointment for further discussion.	Undergraduate research projects are strictly limited to students who (a) have taken relevant undergraduate coursework with me; and (b) have successfully passed Calculus I and II (grade of B+ or better); and (c) have Mathematics as a major, second major or minor; and (d) are willing to learn or have experience with computational software (Matlab, Mathematica etc.); or (e) have been invited by me directly to work on a project. Undergraduate projects require a time commitment by all parties involved, usually several hours per week. If you are unable to invest the required amount of time, please do not ask for a project. Also, students who have had no previous academic interaction with me typically do not qualify.	Please work with assigned faculty member to see if opportunities for internship or research credit are possible.

Philosophy

Faculty	Project Summary	How to apply	Requirements	Compensation
James Bahoh	We are building a new Philosophy internship program. Some internship opportunities are in place now, others will be available as the program grows.	Contact the Philosophy Department Internship Coordinator: Dr. Sila Ozkara at sozkara@memphis.edu	Students must be Philosophy majors to qualify.	Please work with assigned faculty member to see if opportunities for internship or research credit are possible.

Physics and Materials Science

Faculty	Project Summary	How to apply	Requirements	Compensation
Sanjay Mishra	Synthesis and characterization of novel magnetic nanoparticles and nanocomposites. Synthesis and characterization of supercapacitor materials for energy storage. Study of magnetocaloric materials for low-temperature cooling applications.	Contact Dr. Sanjay Mishra via email: srmishra@memphis.edu	PHYS 2110/2120/Modern Physics	Please work with assigned faculty member to see if opportunities for internship or research credit are possible.

Psychology

Faculty	Project Summary	How to apply	Requirements	Compensation
Kristoffer Berlin	CHILL Lab’s program of research in pediatric diabetes is focused on the cultural, familial, and behavioral factors that promote wellness and reduce morbidity among families made vulnerable to disparate outcomes given their positionality amid intersecting ecological systems of inequality/privilege. It is the mission of the CHILL lab to promote thriving in all children and families. In line with this mission, we work together on projects that personally and collectively matter to us, centering our values-based activities (research, teaching, service, and advocacy) most broadly on projects that attempt to promote equity and flourishing.	Email Dr. Kristoffer Berlin at ksberlin@memphis.edu	Some psychology courses and a passion for working with children, families, and communities.	Please work with assigned faculty member to see if opportunities for internship or research credit are possible.
Kathryn Howell	The resilience emerging amidst childhood hardships (REACH) lab examines pathways of risk and resilience among families and children exposed to traumatic events. We use this information to develop community-based, strengths-focused interventions for youth and families experiencing adversity.	Email Dr. Kathryn Howell at khhwell1@memphis.edu	Preference given to Psychology majors, students who can commit at least two semesters to the lab, students interested in working with children and families.	Please work with assigned faculty member to see if opportunities for internship or research credit are possible.
Deranda Lester	We study the neurochemistry of reward, motivation, attention, and anxiety. Undergraduates can be involved in real-time dopamine recordings in living rodents, plus brain dissection, electrode construction, histology, stereology, data analysis, behavioral tests, and more.	Email Dr. Deranda Lester at dbrewer@memphis.edu	These can be discussed. I'd prefer students to have taken Physiological Psychology (PSYC 3306) and/or Neurobiology.	Yes, Students can earn course credit. Some students are paid through the NeuroSTART Program www.memphis.edu/psychology/neurostart/
Philip Pavlik	Testing educational software and helping with existing experiments.	Email Dr. Philip Pavlik at ppavlik@memphis.edu	Qualified students will have strong math and computer skills and be highly motivated to apply them in educational projects.	Please work with assigned faculty member to see if opportunities for internship or research credit are possible.
Rory Pfund	I oversee a variety of research projects evaluating the effects of psychological treatments among individuals experiencing gambling disorder and substance use disorder.	Email Dr. Rory Pfund at rapfund@memphis.edu	Preference is given to students who completed PSYC 3010 and can commit to more than one year in the lab.	No funding: Please work with assigned faculty member to see if opportunities for internship or research credit are possible.
Helen Sable	Students work with a graduate student on the various projects going on in the lab. UG Thesis opportunities exist for motivated students.	Email Dr. Helen Sable at hjsable@memphis.edu	None - suitability determined upon interview	No funding: Please work with assigned faculty member to see if opportunities for internship or research credit are possible.
Nicholas Simon	Motivated undergraduate students are able to design small projects analyzing the effects of drug treatment or life experience on decision-making. In the past years, these have included the effects of early life stress on risk-taking and the effects of the psychoactive components in green tea on risk-taking.	Email Dr. Nicholas Simon at nwsimon@memphis.edu	Strongly encouraged to enroll in Physiological Psychology (PSYC 3306)	Yes, Students are able to apply to NeuroSTART, which provides financial support for summer research. https://www.memphis.edu/psychology/neurostart/index.php
James Whelan	We have a variety of studies on gambling and gambling-related harms.	Email Dr. James Whelan at jwhelan@memphis.edu or his assistant at esutton3@memphis.edu	Some exposure or knowledge about psychology and research methodology would be preferred.	Please work with assigned faculty member to see if opportunities for internship or research credit are possible.
Jia Wei Zhang	always have something going on. i am also open to working on projects that interests the student. not necessarily what I am already working on.	Email Dr. Jia Wei Zhang at jzhang11@memphis.edu	Highly Motivated	No Funding: Please work with assigned faculty member to see if opportunities for internship or research credit are possible.

Social Work

Faculty	Project Summary	How to apply	Requirements	Compensation
Elena Delavega	Administer surveys of people in poverty utilizing a cell phone or tablet and QR code or link. Organize poverty simulations and assist in poverty simulations.	Email Dr. Elena Delavega at mdlavega@memphis.edu	Willingness to learn and enthusiasm for the work.	Please work with assigned faculty member to see if opportunities for internship or research credit are possible.
Susan Elswick	I utilize many interns and students in my action-based research. Undergraduate students have worked with me before on research projects collecting and analyzing data, and I have published with undergrad students in the past.	Send Dr. Susan Elswick an email at selswick@memphis.edu and see if we have opportunities available.	Social Sciences degree helps (sociology, social work, anthro, psych, etc). It would be beneficial if they have had a research or intro to research and data collection course	Please work with assigned faculty member to see if opportunities for internship or research credit are possible.
Susan Neely-Barnes	I have a qualitative study on sibling loss in the developmental disability community that is unfunded. An undergraduate student could help with verifying transcripts and coding.	I don't have any funding for this opportunity, so I don't have an application process. Students could email Dr. Susan Neely-Barnes at snlybrns@memphis.edu.	Student must be very meticulous and invested in doing a good job. There aren't any course requirements.	No funding: Please work with assigned faculty member to see if opportunities for internship or research credit are possible.

Sociology

Faculty	Project Summary	How to apply	Requirements	Compensation
Wesley James	Program evaluation for health and education interventions in the Mississippi Delta.	Contact Dr. Wesley James via email: wljames1@memphis.edu	No course requirements, but students must have an interest in health, education, social predictors of these outcomes, and/or community level interventions.	Please work with assigned faculty member to see if opportunities for internship or research credit are possible.
Simranjit Khalsa	I am working on a project using content analysis of email communications to asses image management strategies of new religious movements (NRMs)	Email Dr. Simranjit Khalsa for further information at skhalsa@memphis.edu	A social science methods course	Please work with assigned faculty member to see if opportunities for internship or research credit are possible.

World Languages and Literatures

Faculty	Project Summary	How to apply	Requirements	Compensation
Vania Barraza	I am currently studying the connection between gendered public and private experiences and larger social and economic issues in contemporary Chile, as reflected in recent Chilean filmmaking.	Students will learn about independent cinema and Chilean historical and cultural issues. Email Dr. Vania Barraza at vbarraza@memphis.edu	SPAN 3301, SPAN 3303	Please work with assigned faculty member to see if opportunities for internship or research credit are possible.