From Curiosity to Discovery: How Students Can Get Involved in Research

Walk into any DU classroom and you might find a professor discussing the same questions they’re investigating in their own research—sometimes alongside students sitting in front of them.

Thanks to DU’s teacher-scholar model, professors aren’t just lecturers—they’re active scholars who integrate their research into the classroom and involve students in their work. Across disciplines, undergraduates have an opportunity to participate in “signature work”: student-led research, scholarly, and creative projects in which they tackle problems that matter to them and the wider world with guidance from DU faculty.

Whether you're a first year still finding your path or a senior ready to dive deep, here’s your guide to getting involved in research at DU.

Why do research?

Before deciding on how to get involved, you may be asking yourself why you should even take part in undergraduate research. The answer is that research sharpens your skills, helps clarify your academic goals, and sets you apart for grad school or future careers. You’ll work closely with faculty mentors, build a portfolio of real-world experience, and maybe even co-author a publication or present at a national conference.

“There's the thrill of being part of a team or leading an investigation that leads to some new understanding of the world, and that's really the heart and soul of a liberal arts education,” says Anne DePrince, public good strategy and research associate vice provost.

For many students, getting involved early opens unexpected doors, such as discovering new areas of interest and exploring different career paths. 

Connect with professors

Do you have a particularly engaging professor in one of your classes? Drop by their office to talk about what they’re working on—or attend presentations by faculty or visiting scholars. If a professor knows what interests and motivates you, they can let you know about opportunities.

That’s what senior history major Katie Mittelstadt did. When Mittelstadt took a class with Professor Carol Helstosky, she was introduced to the More Than a Headstone project, which aims to increase public awareness of veterans’ stories. Mittelstadt then spent the summer creating biographies of veterans from suppressed communities like Nisei veterans (​​second-generation Japanese Americans who served during World War II), female veterans, and LGBTQ veterans buried at Fort Logan National Cemetery in Denver. 

“All of the professors are extremely helpful, and they want to support you,” says Mittelstadt. “If you're passionate about something, the research will come naturally. You just kind of have to let yourself try it out.”

Keep an open mind

Students often work with faculty in their own departments, but they can also work with faculty and mentors to collaborate between labs. Sophomore biological sciences major Abhia Lodhi initially wanted to pursue a pre-med track, but in the process of looking into research opportunities, she discovered a new interest in evolutionary biology through Professor Robin Tinghitella’s lab, which studies the evolution of crickets. 

In the lab, Lodhi took care of cricket populations and assisted with other tasks, including DNA extraction and gel electrophoresis. She enjoyed her work in the lab so much that she continued it beyond the summer with a work-study program.

Lodhi’s advice to other students is to take advantage of every opportunity to work in a lab. Students can find opportunities by asking their academic advisors, looking on Pioneer Careers Online—a student job platform—or attending networking events. 

“I realized how interesting labs truly were and how collaborative they could be,” Lodhi says. “I would never have known this had I not decided to apply for this program, and I never knew that I had such a thirst for knowledge until I joined the lab.”

Apply your interests

Lastly, there’s the straightforward path of applying to the research program that excites you most. That’s how senior psychology major Natalie Miller came to work in the Social Perceptions and Attitudes Lab under Max Weisbuch, studying social norms and gender identity and focusing on the exclusion of transgender individuals.

As someone who loves learning, she’s glad DU prioritizes research.

“There are just so many opportunities, like the Signature Work Grant, that are phenomenal,” Miller says. “I talk to my other friends at different universities, and they don’t seem as common as they are at DU. It can be overwhelming, but it's so worth it. I feel like I've grown tremendously throughout it.”

PinS (Partners in Scholarship) Student Signature Work Grants are awarded primarily to undergraduate work that fills a gap in existing research. Students can apply online; there is an individual form as well as a mentor plan form that is completed by a faculty member. There are various deadlines throughout the year, depending on the project and when funds are needed. 

See results

No matter how students dig into the studies, those who start their research early in their undergraduate career could follow their passion from a lab assistant to an upper-class research lead.

Students can also present their work at the Student Signature Work Showcase, an annual event held every May in the Community Commons, where presenters display their work to students, faculty, staff, and third-party partners such as nonprofit employers. The 2025 event featured 91 posters from 89 students across a wide variety of disciplines.

Additionally, the DU Undergraduate Research Journal is an annual, peer-reviewed publication of research articles from all undergraduate disciplines. Students are able to apply online, and a cross disciplinary committee of faculty and upper-class students will look over the submitted proposal to determine publication eligibility. 

Visit academicaffairs.du.edu/pursuing-public-good to learn more about undergraduate research.