Each summer, Calvin University’s School of Natural Science & Mathematics offers nearly 80 students an immersive, hands-on research experience alongside expert faculty mentors.
From how proteins are transported in cells to cysteine-tyrosine post-translational modifications in proteins, making riboflavin-based molecular beacons to cyclic peptide drugs, developing metal-organic frameworks to environmentally benign polymer manufacturing, Calvin students pursue questions that matter. As a student, you will begin preparation for a research experience, if desired, at the start of your first semester. As a summer researcher you will perform hands-on, intellectually-engaged experiments.
These experiences cultivate curiosity by inviting students to ask meaningful questions, test ideas, and contribute to real discovery. Along the way, students build employable skills in teamwork, communication, data analysis, problem-solving, scientific writing, and professional presentation.
Summer research also strengthens students’ credentials through mentored experience, technical training, and opportunities to present their work. Whether students pursue immediate post-B.S. employment, graduate study, or professional programs in medicine, health, education, or other fields, Calvin research helps them prepare with confidence, purpose, and practical experiences.
student researchers participate in roughly 40 different projects.
of full-time research, with a paid stipend.
of projects are fully funded.
Carnegie Research Classification
Calvin’s designation as a Research College and University (RCU) by the Carnegie Classification recognizes what students experience here every day: excellent teaching and active research working together. Calvin is one of only five Council for Christian Colleges & Universities (CCCU) institutions with a Carnegie research classification and leads CCCU institutions in the number of Goldwater Scholars, one of the nation’s top honors for undergraduate researchers in science, mathematics, and engineering.
For students, that means exceptional mentoring, meaningful discovery, and strong preparation for graduate school, professional programs, research careers, and employment after graduation.
Take a Tour of Our Research Lab
Student Experience
- Community: Share lab spaces, take part in a collaborative culture, and build connections through fun activities.
- Mentorship: Partner with faculty mentors and work together daily.
- Presentation Experience: Share your findings with fellow scientists and the Calvin community at the Natural Science and Mathematics Summer Research Poster Fair.
- Career Impact: Build your resume, prepare for grad school, and maybe even have your research published!
Incredible research opportunities
Calvin students are highly competitive in national research scholarships for undergraduates, like the Goldwater Fellowship. Calvin has the 3rd highest Goldwater Scholars in Michigan (only behind Univ. of Michigan and Michigan State) and the largest number of Goldwater Scholars in the CCCU. This is evidence of the high-quality research mentorship provided at Calvin.
We got to study a completely new compound that nobody has ever heard of before, and then we got to write a paper about it. It was a great team experience.
