Please join us in welcoming our Undergraduate Research Academy cohort for the 2023 summer. These 24 student-faculty pairs will receive funding for their work on original research and creative works.
The Undergraduate Research Academy encourages students to expand their education beyond the classroom through participation in research and creative projects mentored by UCCS faculty. Academy students act as research assistants on meaningful projects identified by their faculty mentor. Through this opportunity, the students gain valuable experience (while being paid), and the faculty member’s research program goals are furthered.
The Undergraduate Research Academy is run by Jennifer Poe, Director of the Center for Student Research. The Center for Student Research was established in 2019 and has many resources for both faculty and student researchers alike.
Awardee: Kaylin Muller
Faculty Mentor: Colin Mahoney
“Trauma, Substance Use, and Biopsychosocial Outcomes Study”
Awardee: Brenda Cruz
Faculty Mentor: Kristen Rudd
“Evaluating the Impact of Socioeconomic Status: Under resourced communities shape parenting practices and children’s outcomes”
Awardee: Ellie McLane
Faculty Mentor: Diana Selmeczy
“The Role of Active Help-Seeking in Supporting Knowledge Integration”
Awardee: Alexandria Pavkov
Faculty Mentor: Tom Francis
“Developing a Neurodivergent Workplace Model”
Awardee: Melissa Mikolaitis
Faculty Mentor: Steven Bistricky
“Examining a Novel Self-Compassion-Based Intervention to Optimize Sleep and Health in Trauma-Exposed Individuals: Preparing for Graduate Study while Advancing the Knowledge Base”
Awardee: Lisa Wilkes
Faculty Mentor: Radu Cascaval
“A Machine Learning Approach to the Human Autoregulation Mechanism”
Awardee: Keaton Miller
Faculty Mentor: Roger Martinez
“Dark Archives: Citizen Science Mobile App”
Awardee: Lawrence Scafuri
Faculty Mentor: Ezio Iacocca
“Investigating the dynamics of a macroscopic artificial spin ice”
Awardee: Hayden McLaughlin
Faculty Mentor: Cindy Yee
“Machine learning classification of geostationary satellites for space situational awareness.”
Awardee: Judah Small
Faculty Mentor: Byeong Kil Lee
“Intelligent Branch Prediction Scheme for Emerging Workloads”
Awardee: Sarah Cooper
Faculty Mentor: Jess Kirby
“A scoping review of factors impacting the mental, social, and emotional wellness of college student-athletes in the U.S.”
Awardee: Jillian Raiger
Faculty Mentor: Judith Scott
“Anti-agesim and Communications Skills training for pre-service health professionals in preparation for working with older adults”
Awardee: Molly Breuer
Faculty Mentor: Joey Lee
“Exploration of the Validity and Utility of Wearable Physical Activity Devices”
Awardee: Clinton Green
Faculty Mentor: Jeremy Bono
“Investigating a novel role of RNA in fertility”
Awardee: Camden Trent
Faculty Mentor: James Kovacs
“Single Chain Variable Antibody Fragment as Lupus Therapeutic and Imaging Agent”
Awardee: Sara Anderson
Faculty Mentor: Janak Paudyal
“Colorimetric Detection of Dopamine Using Enzyme-mimicking activity of the use β-cyclodextrin-modified gold nanoparticles (β-CD-AuNPs)”
Awardee: Nikodemos Hughes
Faculty Mentor: Amanda Morgenstern
“Effects of Electric Fields on Electron Charge Density”
Awardee: Halie Martin
Faculty Mentor: Andy Klocko
“Characterizing the effect of Perfluorinated Compounds (PFCs) on microbial communities, the survivability of individual bacteria in the environment, and bacterial viability.”
Awardee: Alissa Ervin
Faculty Mentor: Ronald Ruminski
“Syntheses of Osmium(II) building block molecules for potential use in PhotoDynamicTherapy(PDT)”
Awardee: Alexander Ruiz
Faculty Mentor: Allen Schofstall
“Synthesis of a bis-triazole polyamide using ‘click chemistry’”
Awardee: Jackson Thorne
Faculty Mentor: Lynnane George
“Development of a Mars Rover Utilizing Decoupled Axis System Base”
Awardee: Jonathan Garbrick
Faculty Mentor: Lynnane George
“A Dual Approach for Developing Efficient Human Round Trip Trajectories to Mars and Ceres”
Awardee: Jonathon Glidden
Faculty Mentor: Christopher Foley
“Measurements of Brushless DC Electric Motor Design Torque Profiles”
Awardee: Sandy Camerena
Faculty Mentor: Jena McCollum
“Development of a Drone Based Robot for In-Space Servicing and Maintenance”