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Research

All of our full-time professors participate in diverse year-round research, and there Calvin students find many opportunities to do research both on- and off-campus.

Undergraduate research is one way to demonstrate your passion and leadership to graduate school admission committees. Undergraduate research provides students who have a passion for science to develop scientific skills and an appreciation for evidence-based research early on in their careers. Students also get to know a faculty member who can write a strong letter on their behalf highlighting many personal attributes.

Work closely with professors to pursue your interests, take to the chemistry lab to make real discoveries, and even co-author publications as an undergraduate student.

Past summer researchers have participated in a wide variety of projects, including investigating the role of ubiquitination in Ras-driven signaling, studying faculty and student communication in science classrooms in Nepal, and exploring of metal binding peptides.

Research positions are available at Calvin during the summer, and preference is given to students who are planning to attend graduate schools or have a strong desire and passion for research. Information about Calvin's summer research opportunities will be made available in January with applications due the first week of February. Students will be notified in early March and will have to accept the position by early April.

For students interested in paid summer off-campus research opportunities, there are many opportunities available (see below). Please take note of the deadlines, as most places tend to have deadlines between January 2—February 15 or so. Off-campus research programs typically prefer sophomore and junior-level students, though some opportunities are available for freshman students as well.

Below are lists of places to look for if you are interested in summer undergraduate research. Most undergraduate research opportunities are paid opportunities to do research anywhere from 8-10 weeks and a student can be paid ~$5000-$6000 for the 10-weeks. Typically, applications also require 2 recommendation letters from your professors. The final weeks of the fall semester are a good time to explore opportunities and line up recommendation letters from professors before Christmas break. All the materials including recommendation letters must be submitted by the posted deadline.

The drop-down menus below contains lists of research opportunities. See the main research opportunities page for guidance and advice for applying.

Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM)

Pre-health

Government Institutions:

NIH: https://www.training.nih.gov/programs/sip
CDC: https://www.cdc.gov/fellowships/short-term/undergraduate.html
NIDA: https://www.drugabuse.gov/offices/office-nida-director-od/office-diversity-health-disparities-odhd/odhd-research-training-programs/nida-summer-research-internship-program

Research opportunities for International Students

Preparing Your Application for a Research Opportunity

1. Identify summer programs that interest you and compile required information in a spreadsheet (NOTE: most deadlines for competitive programs are between early-January to mid-February).

2. Identify 2 faculty members who can address some of the following on your behalf: potential for research, skills in the laboratory or class, collaboration in a classroom or laboratory setting, independence, self-motivated learning. Provide faculty members at least 2-week notice to prepare a reference letter.

3. Most programs require a research statement or statement of interest. This statement should address the following: skills you expect to obtain, ways this experience will benefit your education/career plans, skills you have that make you a good researcher, research experiences you have had (class, job, honors project, internship, etc.), skills you have applied or gained during a research experience, areas of research you are interested in pursuing.

Ask a faculty member, career services, or the rhetoric center to look over the statement before it is submitted. Give yourself enough time for revisions (at least 2-weeks prior to the deadline).

4. Some programs will ask you to send a brief and customized email to one (or more) principal investigator(s) to introduce yourself (highlight two or three things from item 3 above), demonstrate your interest in the work in the particular lab(s), and describe your summer availability. Do not send generic emails. Be sure to have another set of eyes look over your email before it is sent.

5. Apply to both on-campus and off-campus research programs if you are particularly interested in research. On-campus opportunities are in high demand and students pursuing research-related graduate programs often receive priority over students headed to professional programs in the health sciences.

6. If you are an international student on an F-1 visa, off-campus work requires authorization. You should not start work until you have received your I-20 with authorization. CPT is the most common authorization. An internship must be required for a class or major to qualify for CPT. Be sure to apply for CPT authorization 2-3 weeks before the summer program begins. Chem & Biochem and the Biology Departments have internship courses under which past international students have gained summer research experiences using CPT. See Calvin's immigration website for more information and for Calvin's immigration contact person. Also, watch this helpful video on CPT.

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