oneColumn
Undergraduate Research
Welcome to the Office of Undergraduate Research
The Office of Undergraduate Research (OUR) at the University of North Florida (UNF) is open Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., or email us anytime at OUR@unf.edu.
The OUR provides services and support to UNF undergraduates who are interested in conducting research or creative research projects in any discipline and across all colleges, departments, and majors. Studies and experience show that actively engaging in undergraduate research or special projects under the guidance of a faculty mentor will expand your intellect, strengthen your resume or curriculum vitae (CV), and enhance your marketable skills.
OUR SPRING 2024 EVENTS
ARISE Abstract Submission Deadline
Sunday, July 14
ARISE
Friday, July 26
Congratulations to the May Undergraduate Researcher of the Month, Shannon Brew!
Shannon Brew is a senior majoring in Biology, with a concentration in Coastal and Marine Biology. Currently, Shannon works with Dr. Scott F. Jones, an assistant professor in the UNF Biology department who specializes in coastal ecosystem ecology research. While she has participated in numerous research projects throughout her undergraduate career, Shannon’s latest project evaluates whether created islands can form marsh migration pathways comparable to those found in natural uplands by using soil composition and organic matter to assess the function of the islands. While she has not yet published these data, Shannon has presented her project’s findings at multiple conferences across the country, including the 2024 Annual Meeting of the Southeast Estuarine Research Society (SEERS) in Savannah, Georgia, the 2024 Florida Undergraduate Research Conference (FURC) in Jacksonville, Florida, as well as UNF’s own on-campus symposia, ARISE 2023 and the 2023 Natural Sciences Poster Session. Additionally, Shannon participated in a Research Experiences for Undergraduates (REU) at the University of Central Florida in an aquatic biogeochemistry lab, which sparked her interest in soil science and led to her developing a standard operating procedure for quantifying active carbon in wetland soils using potassium permanganate. From this experience, Shannon was also awarded a National Science Foundation travel grant to present the findings from her REU project in Spokane, Washington, at the Society of Wetland Scientists Annual Meeting. When reflecting on her favorite part of her research experiences, Shannon particularly enjoys the camaraderie of fieldwork and the opportunity to “be surrounded by a wonderful team in a beautiful place while becoming ridiculously muddy and taking soil cores.” She advises aspiring undergraduate researchers to choose faculty mentors wisely and with an open mind, to stay curious, and be dependable. After she graduates this fall, Shannon plans to find a career that will allow her to share her passion and love for wetland ecosystems.2024 Undergraduate Mentor of the Year
Congratulations to Dr. John Hatle, Professor of Biology at the University of North Florida, on being named the 2024 Undergraduate Research Mentor of the Year! Haley Peters, the student who nominated him wrote “Dr. Hatle has a true passion for student success which is demonstrated through his clear effort in aligning research projects with students’ interests. Each individual experience under Dr. Hatle is unique but shares a common characteristic of being supported by a mentor who has an earnest interest in your development as a student." Dr. Hatle's award was presented as part of the 2024 Showcase of Osprey Achievements in Research and Scholarship (SOARS), held on Friday, April 19 at the Herbert University Center on the UNF campus.
Congratulations Dr. John Hatle on this impressive achievement!
UNF Undergraduate Research News
-
UNF Students SOAR With Research
The annual Showcase of Osprey Achievements in Research and Scholarship (SOARS) 2024, took place last week at the University of North Florida. -
UNF Biology Major Gains Real-life Experience as He Builds on His Passion for Research
When University of North Florida senior Alex Bartkowiak was a sophomore in high school, he became disinterested with the standard school curriculum. So, he dropped out of his public school after his sophomore year, convincing his parents to register him as a home schooler. -
UNF hosts the Florida Undergraduate Research Conference
The 14th Annual Florida Undergraduate Research Conference (FURC) — the largest multidisciplinary research conference available to undergraduate students in the state of Florida, was held at the University of North Florida this past weekend. -
Anthropology Major Researches Local Indigenous History
Senior anthropology major Victoria (Vic) Hayes unearthed her passion for discovery during the summer of 2022 while attending UNF's Archaeological Field School led by Dr. Keith Ashley, associate professor of anthropology. -
UNF Graduate Gets Free Ride to Harvard Medical School
Maria Encinosa, University of North Florida Hicks Honors College alumna, recently received a nearly full ride scholarship to Harvard Medical School to pursue her dreams of becoming a doctor.