Research Opportunities
Summer RISE Research Program
The Research in Science and Engineering program (RISE) consists of students from three different student success programs:
- The CNAS Scholars Learning Community program (first-years)
- STEM Pathways-Bridge to Research (transfers)
- DG Scholars/HHMI (students who took BIOL020)
RISE is a 10-week Summer research program that runs from late June to the end of August. Students are paid $5,000 and are expected to work 36-40 hours/week. RISE prepares participants for graduate and professional study by providing valuable research experiences, training, seminars, meeting with the Divisional Dean, and professional development workshops. The goal of RISE is to increase the number of outstanding students from diverse backgrounds to become acquainted with one of the most essential traits of a scientific career: Research.
Its primary objectives are to:
1) Provide preparation for graduate studies through a research experience in the mentor's laboratory and a variety of workshops
2) Provide a mechanism that fosters faculty/student interrelationships
3) Give the students a first-hand look at graduate opportunities at UCR
4) Assist the students in realizing their potential for graduate studies, in general, and at UCR, in particular
5) Expose the faculty mentors to the possibility of recruiting undergraduate research interns to their departments
DG Scholars
The Dynamic Genome (DG) Scholars group is funded in part by a Howard Hughes Medical Institute grant. This support is available to students who are enrolled in BIOL 20 through the CNAS Freshman Scholars Learning Communities program. USDA and HHMI grants and UCR matching funds support 25 stipends for rising sophomore graduates of the DG course. During the nine week program students will:
- Conduct original research on plants, including citrus.
- Be introduced to the business of science and learn about careers for science majors at Keck Graduate Institute.
- Work in groups developing a business plan to market a new medical device or an engineered crop.
CNAS Scholars Fellows
Students that successfully complete the CNAS Learning Communities program and have a strong interest in research are encouraged to apply as a CNAS Scholars Fellow for the summer following their first year, as a participant in RISE. We will select students based on their academic performance through Winter quarter, their application, research proposal, and the letter of support from their faculty mentor. Applications will open in January 2020 and are due at the beginning of April. Please see sample documents below for additional information on what to expect.
All RISE applicants should complete:
- The RISE application. Please see the sample document below.
- Interested students should contact a CNAS faculty member who must agree to serve as their mentor for the term of the RISE program. Students must obtain a faculty letter of support as part of their RISE application.
- A research proposal outlining the research you and your mentor intend to carry out. (2-3 pages, typed, double-spaced, with references, 1-inch margins, Times New Roman).