This page provides resources and opportunities for students pursuing research at UIS.
The following faculty have expressed an interest in mentoring an undergraduate student in a research, scholarly or creative activity. Students are encouraged to contact a faculty member directly, using the department link.
Topics & Mentors
| Mentor | Topic(s) | Dept. |
|---|---|---|
| Stamatis, Yona | Music research projects, anthropology/sociology of music, social justice issues | AMT |
| Martin, John | analyzing stellar explosions with Hubble YouTube: John Martin Studies the Large Star Eta Carinae | CBM |
| Bonacum, James | genetics of the chambered nautilus | BIO |
| Chen, Hua | C and N dynamics in restored wetlands | BIO |
| Lemke, Michael | microbial communities, aquatic ecology YouTube: UIS Biology Professor Michael Lemke Studies Biodiversity in Brazil | BIO |
| McEuen, Amy | tallgrass prairie restoration and management | BIO |
| Vazquez, Lucia | DNA barcodes for oak species, Plant Molecular Biology, Molecular Evolution, Antimicrobial Properties of Plant Extracts | BIO |
| Brown, Matthew | Economic History, Economic Reforms | CBM |
| Gupta, Shipra | Business Administration | CBM |
| Johnson, Stephen | biochemistry of toxins, mass spectroscopy of proteins | CHE |
| Klingshirn, Marc | green chemistry, ionic liquids | CHE |
| Morsch, Layne | Green organic chemistry, antimicrobial plant extracts ganizational climate | CHE |
| Dong, Lan | Asian American literature and culture, children’s literature, comics and graphic narratives YouTube: What The Graphic Novel Teaches About Social Issues YouTube: Lan Dong Studies Asian American Literature and Culture | ENG |
| Kent, Holly | Women’s Studies, Antebellum US History | HIS |
| Shapinsky, Peter | Maritime History, Pirates, Japan, Eastern Asian Popular Culture, Military History | HIS |
| Neginsky, Rosina | Literature, Theology and Art History (mainly painting and sculpture) UIS People-Neginsky, Rosina | LIS |
| Hadley-Ives, Eric | Social Work in cross-cultural contexts, Survey Research, Action Research | LNT and LIS |
| Chan, Hei-Chi | Number Theory, q-series, work inspired by Ramanujan | MAT |
| Rigsbee, Carolee | Strategic management in a supply chain context | MGT |
| Kurtz, Roxanne | Contemporary analytic metaphysics, liberal multiculturalism | PHI |
| Gilman-Opalsky, Richard | Political philosophy, social theory, history of ideology YouTube: Richard Gilman-Opalsky Researches Political Philosophy and Social Change | PSC |
| Miller, Michele | Social-Emotional Development, Temperament, Early School Readiness | PSY |
| Reinke/Pressley, Karen | Attention, Emotion, and electroencephalography (EEG) | PSY |
| Shen, Frances | Counseling Psychology, Multicultural and Diversity Issues, Asian American Psychology YouTube: Frances Shen Researches the Impact of Stereotypes on Asian Americans | PSY |
| Switzer, Carrie | Non-traditional students, motivation, barriers to education | PSY |
| Yoder, Marcel | Social psychology, self-enhancement, person perception, sport psychology | PSY |
| Fisher, Lynn | archaeology, landscape history, European prehistory YouTube: Students Study Ancient Farming in Germany | SOA |
Curriculum
Each department at UIS has different opportunities for students to engage in the research process. Speak to your academic advisor for specific details in your program.
For example, some departments have separate independent research courses (CHE 400, BIO 400). Others have a research methods course followed by an independent study course (PSY 302…). In some programs, a research project is required for departmental honors (eg. PSC). And the CAP Honors program requires each student to complete an interdisciplinary project for their senior thesis.
Whether or not your program offers a course in research, you can still earn college credit through Internship Services. The Internships and Prior Learning Services office has information on local internships that involve original research projects. Some of these internships pay students, and all of them qualify for ECCE Engagement Experience credit. You can even design your own internship project with a UIS faculty member to participate in research on campus.
Local Opportunities
Faculty collaborate with several local off-campus researchers. Opportunities are listed in the UIS Internships office.
- Southern Illinois University School of Medicine in Springfield
Contact Kristi Katcher (kkatcher@siumed.edu) in the Office of the Associate Dean for Research
COPLAC
UIS is a proud member of the Council of Public Liberal Arts and Colleges, which publishes a fall and spring edition of Metamorphosis: A Journal of Undergraduate Research, Scholarship, and Creative Activity. As a COPLAC member campus, UIS may submit outstanding student work for publication in Metamorphosis. Student work must be reviewed and approved by the URSP Committee, and will be submitted through the office of Undergraduate Research, not directly from the student.
Additional resources available through COPLAC are the Regional URSCA Conferences and Multi-campus Digital Liberal Arts Research Seminars. The research seminars cap at 12 students and applicants must be approved by their home campus.
Off-Campus Opportunities
Apply today for funding or research internships:
- American Chemical Society Research Opportunities for Undergraduates
- Lewis Stokes Midwest Regional Center of Excellence (subscribe to their email list or follow them on social media)
- Undergraduate Scholarships, Fellowships, and Research Experiences
International Opportunities
The UIS Office of Nationally Competitive Scholarships lists international and study away opportunities, which can include research programs.
Conferences and Publications
- Undergraduate Research Commons A showcase of outstanding undergraduate research.
- International Journal of Undergraduate Research and Creative Activities This journal represents a grass-roots effort to support and advance undergraduate scholarship in all academic disciplines at institutions across the country and around the world.
- ISAS The Illinois Academy of Science, which hosts an annual meeting where undergraduate students can present their research.
- Journal of Student Research The Journal of Student Research is an electronic, peer-reviewed, multi-disciplinary journal devoted to the rapid dissemination of current research.
- NCUR National Conferences on Undergraduate Research. Publishes proceedings.
- Check with your advisor about disciplinary conferences.
- Metamorphosis Metamorphosis is an online journal of undergraduate research published by COPLAC. Up to two students per semester from a member institution may be published. Contact Dr. Lucia Vazquez for instructions on how to submit a manuscript.
- Fine Focus The first microbiology research journal for undergraduate students.
- Sigma Xi the Student Research Conference for the national scientific research honor society.