Undergraduate Research Program

The Undergraduate Research Program at UNC Asheville encourages faculty-student research collaborations on projects of mutual interest in any discipline. The mentoring relationship developed through the research process is beneficial to both the student and the faculty member. Students have the opportunity to participate in the research from beginning to end, to go beyond the classroom experience and investigate an idea in great depth, to learn about the excitement—and frustrations—of academic research. This opportunity to work side by side with faculty members on professional research often allows students to share recognition at national conferences and in publications.

A leader in undergraduate research, UNC Asheville organized the first National Conference on Undergraduate Research in 1986, and this successful event attracts about 2,000 student researchers to different campuses annually. In 2006 UNC Asheville hosted the 20th anniversary conference for more than 2,400 students and faculty members from across the nation.

Getting Involved

The philosophy of the program is to have students participate fully in the complete research process, from selection of the study to design and implementation of the project, and to presentation and publication of the results. Some students have a research topic in mind and connect with a faculty mentor, and others join a faculty research project, making part of it their own.

In considering an Undergraduate Research project, think about what classes you have taken that most interested you. What questions were left unanswered at the end of the course? Talk to a faculty member who might have some of the same interests. Your academic advisor will help you with an initial faculty contact. From there, you and a faculty member will work together to set up a research program that both of you can support.

Sample Projects

Zev Friedman ’04 explored the psychological importance of interaction with nature.
Joshua Kelly ’03 traveled to South America to conduct research that helps inform the conservation strategies of rare and rapidly diminishing ecosystems.
Jean Shepard ’05 researched historical depictions of the female nude through the lens of contemporary theory. Her findings inspired her to produce a series of large-scale paintings that challenged preconceptions in this honored tradition.
Megan Spencer ’03, credits her undergraduate research in chemistry with strengthening her interest in calculus as she discovered its importance in testing hypotheses. She is currently pursuing a Ph.D. at Stanford University.
Jeannette Soon ’06 obtained a grant through the “Making and Meaning: Craft Arts in Practice, Experience and Theory” titled, “Inclusion in Politics and Art: The Development of an Inclusive Craft Aesthetic Theory,” and presented her research findings at NCUR 06.
Steve Stern ’05 and Josh Kelly ’03 traveled to Guyana, South America, to examine plant diversity and biogeography of the Upper Potaro Watershed.
Robert Tate’s research on the molecular dissection of the cancer-triggering mechanism of proteins was supported by a grant from the North Carolina Biotechnology Consortium that is administered by UNC Asheville’s Undergraduate Research Program.
Sai Vu ’04 used her understanding of multimedia arts and science to create a tutorial to assist those who are learning the Hmong language. She found a way to use cutting- edge technology to preserve an ancient culture that could be lost.
Ashley West ’05 did a cost-benefit analysis involving major Hollywood film studios, which landed her a job with a Big Four accounting firm in Los Angeles after graduation.
Anna Huntley ’07 (Biology) dissected snails (Goniobasis proxima) to determine whether a relationship existed between altitude and infection with a trematode parasite. She took samples of snails from different altitudes along three first-order streams in Pisgah National Forest.

Applying for Research Funding

The Undergraduate Research Program provides academic-year and summer research grants for students. Students apply by submitting a brief description of their research project and a budget plan to the Undergraduate Research Program Advisory Council, which selects the projects to be funded. Forms for grant submission are available from the Undergraduate Research Office, 124 Karpen Hall.

Conferences and Symposia

Communicating research results is an important part of the research process. Students who have worked on research projects, whether or not they were funded by the Undergraduate Research Program, are invited to present their results at one of two Undergraduate Research Symposia held on campus each year. The program supports students who are presenting the results of their research off campus. There are grants available for students and faculty to attend the Fall Conference of the State of North Carolina Undergraduate Research Symposium in Raleigh. Students and faculty can apply for a grant to attend the National Conference on Undergraduate Research held each spring at different campuses across the United States. Every other year, selected students receive grants to present their research in poster form to the legislators in Raleigh. Each year, UNC Asheville publishes The Proceedings of the National Conference on Undergraduate Research, a collection of student papers presented at the National Conference. In addition, UNC Asheville undergraduate research students publish The UNC Asheville Journal of Undergraduate Research.

Recognition as University Research Scholar

Students who have done research, presented it on campus and had it published in The UNC Asheville Journal of Undergraduate Research or another professional publication may qualify as University Research Scholars. With the approval of their advisor, their department chair and the Undergraduate Research Advisory Council, that designation is added to the student’s transcript and is announced at graduation.

What Our Students Say

“I have learned the value of research of all kinds, even those that are sometimes overlooked as “inconclusive” or unimportant. Also, I’ve realized what an enjoyable experience research can be when you have fun, interesting and supportive advisors. Before I started the project, I thought that I wanted to become a researcher and now I know that I do. It truly has been a wonderful and rewarding experience.”
-Anna Huntley ’07 (Biology)
College of William and Mary master's degree program (Biology)

The Making and Meaning: Craft Arts in Practice, Experience and Theory undergraduate research grant significantly changed my goals for graduate work. After participation in the project, I decided to pursue a graduate degree in women’s studies that focuses largely on interdisciplinary work. I feel that this experience introduced me to the creative potential of exchange across disciplines.”
— Jeannette Soon ’06 (Political Science)

“My research was a deciding factor in Ernst and Young hiring me. In the interview, they asked me what I thought was the biggest accomplishment of my life, and I said it was my undergraduate research. They wanted to hear about it, then offered me a job!”
— Ashley West ’05 (Management and Accountancy)
Los Angeles, California

More Information

Undergraduate Research Program
124 Karpen Hall, CPO #2170
UNC Asheville
One University Heights
Asheville, NC 28804-8509
828.251.6122