HomeCharacteristics of ExcellenceDisseminationCUR Appoints Dr. Stanley M. Lo as Editor-in-Chief of SPUR

CUR Appoints Dr. Stanley M. Lo as Editor-in-Chief of SPUR

The Council on Undergraduate Research (CUR) is pleased to announce the appointment of Dr. Stanley M. Lo of the University of California San Diego as the next Editor-in-Chief of Scholarship and Practice of Undergraduate Research (SPUR), effective June 1, 2026. SPUR is a multidisciplinary, peer-reviewed journal dedicated to advancing evidence-based practices, research, and innovation in undergraduate research published by CUR.

Dr. Lo brings an extensive background in undergraduate education, inclusive excellence, mentorship, and scholarly publishing to the role. He currently serves as Teaching Professor of Cell and Developmental Biology and Co-Director of the Joint Doctoral Program in Mathematics and Science Education at the University of California San Diego.

Lo expresses, “I am deeply honored to serve as the next Editor-in-Chief of SPUR. Early in my career, CUR Quarterly, the precursor to SPUR, shaped much of my professional thinking about mentoring, teaching, and course-based undergraduate research, so this role feels especially meaningful as an opportunity to give back. I hope to work with various CUR communities to broaden participation across disciplines and institution types represented in SPUR and to support authors, reviewers, and editors through transparent and developmental editorial processes.”

Throughout his career, Dr. Lo has demonstrated a strong commitment to advancing undergraduate research and evidence-based teaching practices. He has mentored more than 50 undergraduates, graduate students, and postdoctoral scholars, and has served in numerous national leadership roles, including as a National Academies Education Fellow and Mentor in Life Sciences, President of the Society for the Advancement of Biology Education Research, and Chair of the Gordon Research Conference on Undergraduate Biology Education Research. He also brings significant editorial experience, having served as an Editor for CBE—Life Sciences Education and CourseSource and on the Editorial Board of the Journal of Research in Science Teaching.

“Dr. Stanley Lo brings an exceptional combination of scholarly leadership, editorial expertise, and deep commitment to undergraduate education,” said Lindsay Currie, CUR’s Executive Officer. “His passion for inclusive excellence, mentorship, and advancing research-informed educational practices makes him an outstanding choice to lead SPUR into its next chapter. We are excited for the vision, innovation, and collaborative spirit he will bring to the journal and the broader undergraduate research community.”

CUR also extends its sincere gratitude to outgoing Editor-in-Chief Dr. Pam Mabrouk for her dedicated service to SPUR. Her stewardship helped strengthen the journal’s impact and visibility across the undergraduate research community.

For more information about SPUR, visit the CUR website www.CUR.org/SPUR.

Founded in 1978, the Council on Undergraduate Research (CUR) focuses on providing high-quality and collaborative undergraduate research, scholarly, and creative activity. Among the many activities and networking opportunities that CUR provides, the organization also offers support for the professional growth of faculty and administrators through expert-designed institutes, conferences, and a wide-range of volunteer positions. The CUR community, made up of nearly 700 institutions and 13,000 individuals, continues to provide a platform for discussion and other resources related to mentoring, connecting, and creating relationships centered around undergraduate research. CUR’s advocacy efforts are also a large portion of its work as they strive to strengthen support for undergraduate research. Its continued growth in connections with representatives, private foundations, government agencies, and campuses world-wide provides value to its members and gives voice to undergraduate research. CUR is committed to inclusivity and diversity in all of its activities and our community.

CUR focuses on giving a voice to undergraduate research with learning through doing. It provides connections to a multitude of campuses and government agencies, all while promoting networking and professional growth to its community.

By Todd Waggoner

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