Congratulations to our Fall Project Pitch Challenge Winners!
Congratulations to UCI undergraduate UROP Fellows Diya Garg, Tristan Sodkomkum, and Laura Bautista for coming in 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place respectively in our Project Pitch Challenge! Kudos to all of our finalists for participating. Watch Pitch Challenge Audition Videos.
What is UROP?
The Undergraduate Research Opportunities Program (UROP), housed within the Office of the Vice Provost of Teaching and Learning, assists undergraduate students from ANY academic discipline to find research and creative on-campus opportunities with UCI faculty, or off-campus opportunities with industrial partners, national labs, and other universities. We also provide grants to support UCI faculty-mentored undergraduate research projects and creative activities during the academic year and summer.
Getting Started
New to UROP? It’s easy to get started by doing the following:
1. Attend a Workshop or watch the workshop recordings to learn about your options. Then use these tools to help you choose:
- How to Get Involved in Research Worksheet
- Faculty Profile System and Google Scholar
- Sample Faculty Email
2. Review the UROP Opportunities webpage
3. Stop by Drop-In Hours or come to the office if you have specific questions.
Meet with an Advisor
Schedule an appointment with one of our UROP Advisors today!
Ready to get started?
Student Spotlight
Fill out a survey to be considered for a future UROP Student Spotlight
Nicholas Choi
Nicholas Choi, a Mechanical Engineering major, describes himself as a hands-on learner, so getting involved in a research lab that allowed him to see the results of what he has learned has been a great part of his undergraduate education. He says, “my research changed my college life. It allowed me to confront challenging research questions and gave me a lot of confidence to achieve more.” Nicholas has demonstrated his passion for undergraduate research by serving as a 2022–2023 UROP Ambassador.
What advice would you give to a student interested in pursuing a faculty-mentored undergraduate research project or creative activity?
“Know that you are capable and try your best! Think about your passions and chose your research topic in an area that will help you grow.”
Faculty Spotlight
Fill out a survey to be considered for a future UROP Faculty Spotlight
Professor Abraham Qavi
Abraham Qavi, Professor of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, took part in research as an undergraduate at UCI. Since those experiences, he has tried to mentor undergraduate researchers at all levels of his career training. He recommends undergraduate research to help students refine their writing and communication skills, take ownership of their projects, and prepare for rigorous graduate and professional programs.
What do you look for and what are your expectations of undergraduates you select to conduct research under your guidance?
“I do not have requirements in terms of course work or knowledge coming into the lab—part of the joy of research is learning about new topics. With that said, having a growth mindset will enable researchers to really embrace the process and enjoy science!”
What recommendations and advice would you give students embarking on undergraduate research or creative projects?
“Be sure to find a laboratory that fits both your scientific interests as well as working styles. Every laboratory will have a different culture, and finding the right fit is incredibly important for your happiness and productivity throughout the process.”