Undergraduate Research Opportunities Database
Our database is a great resource in helping students find exciting undergraduate research opportunities at Penn State.
To get the best results, we recommend that you select all of the research areas that interest you. We also recommend that you conduct multiple searches.
Campus – Select the campus(es) where you would be interested in participating in research. Depending on the time of year when you are using the database, consider whether your location changes. For example, do you spend your summers closer to a different campus than where you regularly attend school?
Research Area – Select the area(s) of research that interest you most, keeping in mind that research is often interdisciplinary so it might be appropriate to select more than one area. For example, if you are interested in health you might want to search for opportunities in the physical sciences, life sciences, and nursing and health sciences, because these research areas could all be relevant to your interest in health.
Position Type – Select the position type(s) that are most appealing to you. If you prefer whether you earn credit versus being paid, be sure to narrow down the search results using this field.
Note: You may not receive academic credit and be paid for the same research experience in a given semester.
- “Work Study” is only available to students who have received a federal work-study (FWS) award. You can verify if you have an FWS award by visiting LionPATH and reviewing your "Financial Aid Summary.” If you do not have a federal work-study award, your mentor can also inquire with the Office of Student Aid - 814-865-6301 - to determine if you are eligible to be awarded one.
Mentors interested in creating an account or posting an opportunity should visit the Posting Undergraduate Research Opportunities section.
| Title | Description | Research Area(s) | Position Type(s) | Work Setting(s) | Updated Date | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dynamics of Plant Cell Walls |
Research opportunities are available in the Anderson Lab in the Department of BIology to study the dynamics of plant cell walls, with applicability to the sustainable production of food, materials, and bioenergy from plants. Our group uses a combination of molecular genetics, microscopy, and biochemistry to study how plants assemble, modify, and degrade their cell walls. |
Life Sciences |
Credit |
On campus |
August 29, 2024 | |
| The Role of Cognitive and Mathematical Structures in Problem Solving Process |
Our research group is interested in studying the cognitive role of mathematical aesthetics and strategic choices of problem solving solution methods and the relational role of item discrimination and difficulty. We examine how problem solvers' behavior might be affected or altered by elementary modifications of problem structures. This research position is open to undergraduate and graduate students. |
Education, Mathematics, Social and Behavioral Sciences, Statistics |
Paid, Volunteer, Work Study |
On campus, Remote, Hybrid |
August 1, 2024 | |
| Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning in Cyber-Physical Systems |
We apply state-of-the-art artificial intelligence and machine learning techniques, including deep learning and reinforcement learning, to solve challenging and impactful computational problems in complex cyber-physical systems, such as transportation and power systems, focusing on sequential decision-making under uncertainty and combinatorial optimization. |
Engineering, Information Technology and Computer Science |
Credit, Volunteer |
On campus, Remote |
July 26, 2024 | |
| Neuroscience research opportunities |
We are neuroscientists interested in understanding what happens in the brain during sleep and how fluid (blood, cerebrospinal fluid) flow is controlled in the brain. We use microscopy, imaging, electrophysiology, and molecular biology techniques in rodent models. More information on our research can be found here: Drew-lab |
Engineering, Life Sciences, Mathematics, Physical Sciences, Statistics |
Credit |
On campus |
June 3, 2024 | |
| Organic Chemistry |
In my lab we explore the synthesis and reactivity of novel heterocyclic compounds, which collaborators of ours screen for useful biological activity, such as against dangerous parasites. |
Physical Sciences |
Variable |
On campus |
March 30, 2024 | |
| Natural history collections - insects, arachnids |
The Frost Entomological Museum holds more than 1.3 million specimens of insects, spiders, mites, and related arthropods. These specimens are used in education, outreach, and research. There is an ongoing project to digitize these specimens -- i.e., transcribing and parsing their label data and/or imaging the specimens -- in order to make their data more accessible for research. Specimens sometimes also require repair (i.e., specimen conservation) and transition to new, archival storage. Altogether, these activities offer students opportunities to learn about natural history collection management, collections-based research, biodiversity informatics, museum ethics, and approaches for effective engagement and interpretation.... |
Agricultural Sciences, Life Sciences |
Credit, Volunteer |
On campus |
March 5, 2024 | |
| Research Assistant for the Cognitive Neuroscience of Eating and Obesity (CogNEATO) lab. |
Children from rural communities are at greater risk for obesity than children from more urban communities. However, some children are resilient to obesity despite greater exposure to obesogenic influences in rural communities (e.g., fewer community-level physical activity or healthy eating resources). We have two active projects looking to better understand pediatric obesity: 1) Study of Brain, Reward, and Kids' Eating (BRAKE): Identifying modifiable behavior factors that promote this resiliency could inform strength-based obesity prevention efforts. Eating habits are learned through reinforcement (e.g., hedonic, familial environment), the process through which environmental food cues become valued and influence behavior. Therefore, understanding individual differences in... |
Social and Behavioral Sciences |
Credit, Variable |
On campus |
February 12, 2024 | |
| Human impact on pollinator abundance and plant reproduction |
Pollinators play a hugely important role in both natural and human-controlled environments. Unfortunately, there are some indications that pollinator numbers are declining. This data comes primarily from honeybee populations, which are well studied due to their economic impact and ease of data collection. Less well studied are the native pollinators. These pollinators are more diffcult to study, leacing us without adequate information about the scope and severity of pollinator declines. I use Brassica rapa (called fast plants) to quickly and comparably measure pollintor abundance to answer a variety of questions including: are pollinators declining? are certain types of pollinators more at risk? what environmental factors affect the rate of decline? what are the effects of... |
Agricultural Sciences, Environmental and Geosciences, Life Sciences |
Credit, Volunteer |
On campus, Remote |
February 1, 2024 | |
| Genetic basis of plant traits |
For many important biological questions, an important step is often to determine the gene(s) involved in a particular trait. My research focuses on determining the genetic basis of herbicide resistance in weeds. By understanding which genes are involved we can better understand the evolutionary past and future of this trait, which impacts our food supply. The same methods I use in my research can be applied to many other traits that you may be interested in. Given that genetic data is often publically available, identifying genes of interest for a particular trait can be done in the comfort of your own home! The goal of this project is to give you hands on practice at bioinformatic techniques and interpretation. |
Agricultural Sciences, Information Technology and Computer Science, Life Sciences |
Credit, Volunteer |
On campus, Remote |
February 1, 2024 | |
| Astronomy & Astrophysics Research on Active Galaxies and Cosmic Surveys |
Professor Brandt's interests largely focus on observational studies of supermassive black holes (SMBHs) and cosmological X-ray surveys. Specific objects investigated include actively accreting SMBHs (i.e., active galactic nuclei: AGNs), starburst galaxies, and normal galaxies. The work utilizes data from facilities at the forefront of astrophysical discovery, including the Chandra X-ray Observatory, the XMM-Newton satellite, the NuSTAR satellite, and the Hubble Space Telescope. For further details, I would suggest you watch the following YouTube videos: * https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EnydeDe5oDo (X-ray Univ 2023 - XMM-SERVS) |
Physical Sciences |
Credit, Paid, Variable |
On campus, Remote, Hybrid |
January 10, 2024 |