Undergraduate Research

Begin as early as your freshman year

Dejenae Smith
BS biological sciences ’27
Goldwater Scholar Dejenae Smith combines ecology, evolution, and genomics as she explores urbanization’s morphological impacts on pollinators and herbaceous flowering plants. Dejenae aspires to become a climate scientist.

Kai Doron
BS environmental science ’28
Kai Doron joined an international research project on fossil Pentastomatids, a bizarre group of archaic parasites. The team used advanced imaging techniques to gain insight into how these organisms lived, grew, and survived in the seas of ancient Europe.

Taslim Sabil
BS teacher education ’28
Gilman Scholar Taslim Sabil studies kindergarten readiness and the role of play in early childhood education. Taslim will study abroad in Ghana to explore community-driven approaches to development and the role of culture and history in shaping sustainable change.

Matthew Soesanto
BS biological sciences ’26
With support from a Fulbright grant, Matthew Soesanto will study the symbiotic relationships between siphon fish –which glow in the dark– and their bioluminescent symbionts in North Sulawesi, Indonesia.

$Jahzeel Martinez, BS physics and mathematics '28$

Jahzeel Martinez
BS physics and mathematics ’28
From lipid modeling to neutrino flux prediction, double major Jahzeel Martinez traces the order between quantum mechanics, statistical modeling, and philosophical inquiry.

What is research?

It isn’t just for natural science students who want to experiment in a lab or do field work — it’s for anyone who wants to investigate a topic or academic discipline on a deeper level under the mentorship of a faculty expert. Undergraduate research and creative experiences are available for Drexel’s College of Arts and Sciences students across all majors and most minors in the humanities, natural sciences and social sciences beginning as early as your first year.

Questions? We are eager to hear from you!

GAIN EXPERIENCE FIND A MENTOR GET FUNDING JOIN A PROGRAM

Quicklinks

Drexel Undergraduate Research & Enrichment (UREP)

Undergraduate Research – Drexel

Research – College of Arts and Sciences

Allison Choong, BA sociology '28, received the 'quick pitch' grand prize during Drexel's 2024 Week of Undergraduate Excellence.

Gain experience

Opportunities abound for College of Arts and Sciences students to pursue hands-on experience in research, entrepreneurial pursuits and creative work. Many of our students receive research awards for their work and are published in academic journals — some even in their freshman year.

Apply for a research fellowship or scholarship, conduct an independent study on a topic of your choice, join a faculty or group project, apply for a research co-op, take a research-based course elective, or conduct lab work.

The possibilities are limitless!

Allison Choong, a sociology and criminology dual major '28, pitched her project ‘Safiya Speaks Up!’ at the 2025 Global Solutions Summit in Berlin, Germany, where she was among 15 finalists selected out of over 700 applicants.

Star scholar Nicolas Otero-Powell showcasing a research project.

Find a mentor

One of the most important steps in a student’s career as an undergraduate researcher is finding a faculty mentor. Faculty mentors are a source of support and guidance, both in the research setting and in guiding future endeavors by providing advice on graduate school or potential career paths.

Undergraduate research, creative and entrepreneurial experiences enable students to gain skills while clarifying their academic and professional goals. When students work one-on-one with faculty, it allows them to build lasting relationships with renowned experts.

Biology major Nicholas Otero-Powell’30, built a DNA barcode library for lichens collected at Down House, Charles Darwin's estate. Nicholas' mentors include postdoctoral researcher Dr. Annie Evankow and lab technician Jenny Mann.

Alyssa Luby, BS physics '28, is getting closer to her goal of using nuclear fusion to produce clean energy through her co-op with the Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory.

Get Funding

Drexel Mini Grants and Travel Grants
The Pennoni Honors College offers Undergraduate Research Mini Grants that encourage students to gain hands-on experience while they build vital skills.

The College of Arts and Sciences Undergraduate Experience Fund
The helps qualified students with majors in the College access rewarding activities with assistance of up to $750. Students can pursue an opportunity outside of the classroom including, but not limited to: Academic conferences, study abroad, and civic engagement.

Questions? Please email Zac Joseph, Executive Director of Development, at Zachary.Joseph@Drexel.edu, or call 215.895.2138

Alyssa Luby, BS physics '28, is getting closer to her goal of using nuclear fusion to produce clean energy thanks to funding from the U.S. National Science Foundation (NSF) that supports her work on the BL3 experiment.

Join a Program

What can you learn from undergraduate research? The good news is you don’t need to have it all figured out. Drexel has programs that will support you in finding meaningful research opportunities.

Students who participate in research as undergraduates stay curious and true to themselves – they have a greater sense of community, gain hands-on experience in the field that they’re interested in and build on their achievements.

Arts and Sciences Undergraduate Research Support (ASURS) scholars present lightning talks and posters.

College of Arts and Sciences DrexLab Program

DrexLab promotes hands-on involvement in research and scholarly activities for undergraduates enrolled in a College of Arts and Sciences major or minor. Successful applicants receive $1500 in funding over six months for three to five weekly work hours and get matched with a faculty mentor or PhD candidate in the College. Students in good academic standing who do not receive course credit for other research endeavors are encouraged to apply. Students gain vital skills through field experiences, laboratory settings and special workshops on using qualitative data, statistical analysis, preparing a case study, conducting community outreach projects – and so much more.

Each cohort of the College of Arts and Sciences DrexLab scholars present lightning talks and posters to demonstrate their projects.

��Vlog student Khristina Cabrera, BA English

Drexel STAR Scholars Program

��Vlog’s Students Tackling Advanced Research (STAR) Scholars Program is an opportunity for highly motivated first-year students to engage in an early faculty-mentored undergraduate research, scholarship or creative experience during the summer after their freshman year. This competitive program encourages students to take a hands-on approach to their education. STAR Scholars earn a stipend and live in free on-campus housing for the summer term as they complete 350 hours of faculty-mentored activity.

Learn more

Khristina Cabrera, BA english ’28, presented “ (Strong and Independent Women),” at the 2024 STAR Scholars Summer Showcase.

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