Undergraduate Research
We strongly encourage students to get involved in research early, as it’s one of the best ways to enhance your CV and build valuable skills. By engaging in research year-round, you’ll not only deepen your understanding of your field but also gain hands-on experience that sets you apart. Starting early gives you the chance to contribute to meaningful projects, work alongside experienced mentors, and develop critical thinking and problem-solving skills that will benefit you throughout your academic and professional journey.
With our strong faculty-to-student ratio, undergraduates have unique opportunities to engage in hands-on research throughout the academic year and summer. Access to cutting-edge labs and resources allows students to contribute to groundbreaking projects. Below, you’ll find a variety of exciting programs, testimonials from fellow students, and helpful information to help you picture yourself as a researcher at UD and start your own research journey!
Kayla Siciliano
Class of ’26
“Joining a lab taught me to be okay with making mistakes. When I first entered BME, I was always the type of student who strived for perfect grades and wanted everything to be flawless. But in the lab, I was told that making mistakes is part of the process—and those mistakes often lead to the best discoveries. Learning to accept mistakes and the unexpected results in data has been one of the most valuable things I’ve learned.”
Lindsay Gallagher
Class of ’26
“I work on immunoengineering and drug delivery, creating hydrogels that release proteins to support immune response and testing them in vivo for muscle and nerve regeneration. The real excitement came when we started getting quantifiable results, showing that our work was actually promoting regeneration and making real progress toward potentially impacting patient care in the future.”
Nikos Demetriou
Class of ’25
“One of the great things about UD’s BME program is the wide range of research opportunities available. I’m personally focused on research involving gold and polymer nanoparticles, but there are plenty of other options too, from muscular cell research to various types of analytical studies. No matter what area you’re interested in, there’s definitely research here for you to explore.”
Elaine Kachala
Class of ’26
“Joining a lab was honestly the best decision I could have made, especially since I had no idea what I wanted to do after graduation. I spoke with the graduate students in my lab, and when they asked about my end goal, I told them I wanted to work in research and development. They recommended that I should definitely pursue a PhD to achieve that.”
Sophia Burrowes
Class of ’27
“As a student researcher, I’m working with butterfly plots to track how a person’s gait cycle changes and how the center of pressure shifts while walking on an adaptive treadmill, with the goal of improving rehabilitation.”
Christopher Peters
Class of ’25
“One of the best things about the program is the sense of community. Since the class sizes are smaller, you really get to connect with your classmates. The professors are super supportive and always available if you need help. Plus, they do a great job of helping you explore potential career paths right from the start.”
Benefits of Research Experiences
Practical Application of Knowledge: Research Experiences offer students the opportunity to apply classroom theory to real-world research challenges, deepening their understanding of bioengineering concepts and bridging the gap between academic learning and practical experience.
Skill Development: Participating in research allows students to develop critical skills such as experimental design, data analysis, and proficiency with cutting-edge equipment and technologies, which are essential for their future careers.
Networking Opportunities: Research Experiences provide a chance to connect with professionals, researchers, and peers in the field, fostering mentorship relationships and exposing students to diverse perspectives that can enrich their academic and career paths.
Preparation for Advanced Studies: For students considering graduate school, research experiences strengthens graduate applications and makes candidates stand out in competitive admissions processes
Career Advancement: The hands-on experience gained through Research Experiences enhances a student’s appeal to employers, who highly value candidates with practical research experience and the ability to apply their knowledge in a real-world context.
Student Research Opportunities
Summer Scholars
The Summer Scholars Program enables undergraduates, generally sophomores and juniors, to conduct in-depth research or creative work with University faculty. Applicants must propose a research project of their own making. Students work on their projects full-time for ten weeks in the summer and present their research at the Symposium for Undergraduate Research and Creative Activity. Research is generally completed under the close supervision of a faculty member. Each Scholar will receive a stipend.
Winter Fellows
The Undergraduate Research Program Winter Fellows Awards are intended to enhance the educational experiences of undergraduate students at the University of Delaware. Students must be must be full-time students and engaged in research under the mentorship of a UD faculty member over Winter Session. With a competitive scholarship up to $500 to conduct research over the 5-week winter session, students may focus more attention and time, deepening their inquiry into a discipline or project with a reduced financial burden.
Summer Undergraduate Research Fellow
The Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowship (SURF) program is designed for students who are strongly committed to pursuing research careers at the PhD or MD-PhD level. Offered by universities and institutions across the country, SURF programs may vary in funding sources but all provide valuable opportunities for hands-on research. Students actively engage in research, collaborating with faculty and researchers on ongoing projects. This immersive experience allows participants to gain practical knowledge while contributing to meaningful scientific advancements.
Research Experiences for Undergraduates
Research Experiences for Undergraduates (REUs) are immersive programs designed to give undergraduate students hands-on research experience in their field of study. Students work alongside experienced researchers, contribute to innovative projects, and gain a deeper understanding of the research process. This practical experience not only allows them to apply theoretical knowledge but also enhances their critical thinking, problem-solving abilities, and overall understanding of bioengineering concepts. Opportunities are available at UD and nationwide.
Independent Study
Students can register for an independent study course for credit where they work with a faculty member to delve into a particular research project or undertake an in-depth study of a particular area biomedical engineering. Learn more about Independent Study.
Senior Thesis
Are you interested in an independent research or creative project? Does the idea of exploring a question or issue for which there is no fixed answer appeal to you? Would you like to complete a project that you can share with prospective employers and/ or graduate programs to which you apply? If so, writing a Senior Thesis is for you!