“If a tree falls in the forest and no one is there to hear it, does it make a sound?” The same question can be asked about research: If groundbreaking discoveries aren’t shared outside of academia, can they truly make an impact?  

Franchesca Vilmenay ’26 and her mentor, Paula Chaves da Silva — undergraduate research assistant and associate researcher, respectively, with Bentley’s Center for Integration of Science and Industry — have spent the last six months contemplating an answer. As participants in the Council on Undergraduate Research’s prestigious Scholars Transforming through Research (STR) program, the pair have been learning how to translate complex research into compelling narratives that can influence policymakers and drive meaningful social change. Their involvement was supported by a grant from the Valente Center for Arts and Sciences’ Undergraduate Travel Fund. 

“The STR program helps students develop and strengthen their professional skills in translating undergraduate research for public audiences,” says Chaves da Silva, who holds a PhD in morphological sciences and joined the Center for Integration of Science and Industry in 2021. “This goal aligns perfectly with our center’s mission to ‘understand the process by which science is translated for public value.’” 

Turning Research Into Action

Vilmenay and Chaves da Silva joined teams from 53 other U.S. colleges and universities for monthly online meetings, where they learned how to communicate effectively with media outlets, elected officials, funding agencies and other public policy stakeholders. The program culminated with a trip to Washington, D.C., in March, where the duo visited the Capitol Hill offices of Massachusetts senators Ed Markey and Elizabeth Warren and Representative Katherine Clark. During meetings with legislative staffers, Vilmenay and Chaves da Silva discussed research they’ve undertaken through the Center for Integration of Science and Industry, including a study exploring how pharmaceutical value is generated and distributed through public and private sectors.  

For Vilmenay, a double major in Finance and Health Industries, the opportunity to share her research with lawmakers proved eye-opening. “Before this experience, I wouldn’t have been able to envision how a business student like me could inform Congressional policy,” she explains. “The STR program pushed me to think deeply about the type of public scholar I can be, whether that’s as a non-partisan advocate, a policy entrepreneur or maybe even an expert witness in the future.”

Undergraduate Research and Experiential Learning

Beyond highlighting their own research findings, the Bentley team spoke to policymakers about the broader benefits of undergraduate research. “As someone who engaged in basic research early in my undergraduate years, I have seen firsthand how transformative these experiences can be in developing critical thinking, problem solving and communication skills,” Chaves da Silva says. She believes it’s vital for higher education institutions to continue offering students experiential learning opportunities like these, which help undergraduates “learn how to navigate complex systems and make evidence-based decisions.”

Vilmenay agrees: “Undergraduate research provides hands-on experience, equipping students with knowledge that goes way beyond any textbook.” Her own work with the center, she shares, “has not only enhanced my knowledge of biotech financing but also deepened my appreciation for the ethical dimensions of drug pricing and public health policy. 

“My experience with the STR program reinforced just how essential interdisciplinary study is — that being able to connect different fields and communicate across disciplines is a skill that truly makes an impact,” Vilmenay continues. “I truly believe that undergraduate research is a tool for empowerment. It allows students to apply what they’ve learned in the classroom to real-world challenges and gain the confidence to engage in high-level discussions across different industries.”  

Written by Molly Mastantuono for Bentley University; used with permission. Find the original article here.

Charmi Patel goes bone-deep behind the scenes at the Smithsonian Museum of Natural History

Charmi Patel’s interest in studying bone pathology in nonhuman primates was inspired by the disease trends, prevention and control class she took in her freshman year at Virginia Commonwealth University.

Last summer, Patel, now a sophomore who is majoring in health, physical education and exercise science with a concentration in health science, traveled to Washington, D.C., on two occasions to research primate bones at the Smithsonian Museum of Natural History with funding from VCU’s Undergraduate Research Opportunities Program. She believes pathological changes in the nonhuman skeletons, such as fractures and osteoarthritis, can offer insight into past behaviors and environmental stressors.

“Studying primate skeletons can reveal their behavior, ecology and evolution,” Patel said. “However, little research has been done on pathology in nonhuman primate museum collections.”

Results from the collection she studied showed that Cercopithecinae monkeys in captivity more likely died of natural or aging-related causes and were less likely to get injured since there were fewer stressful factors (such as predators or group aggression).

“Colobine monkeys were all captured in the wild by naturalists who likely trapped and shot the specimens, evident in fractures. The same was observed in the apes, in terms of fractures or broken bones from human intervention rather than natural deaths,” Patel said. “As for bone disease, 20% of the total sample has arthritis, bone disease, fused spine and bone growth, which means that as primates age, they are more susceptible to osteological-related diseases.”

She said these findings “should be included in the databases of museum collections in order to advance understanding and research.” 

Patel was “wonderful to work with,” said Marie Vergamini, a doctoral student in VCU’s Center for Integrative Life Sciences Education who served as Patel’s research professor and is part of the Rector Paleoecology Lab. “She had to learn medical knowledge at the ready. When we went to collect data, she was very diligent in inspecting every bone in the collection.”

Patel answered some quick additional questions about her experience as an undergraduate researcher.

What led you to this research?

I took a disease class my freshman year of college, and that’s what inspired me to do my research in osteological pathology in nonhuman primates. Although there may be some differences between monkey and human bones, the majority of our bones are very similar. It also brought up the questions, “What variation of death affects bone pathology in nonhuman primates?” and “What is the overall percentage of bone disease and fractures in bone pathology of these nonhuman primates?”

Beyond the research itself, what skills or connections have you developed through this project?

I gained multiple skills, such as time management, communication skills and analytical skills, which will assist me in the rest of my time at VCU as well as throughout my journey after graduation. I made a great connection with my Ph.D. research professor, Marie Vergamini, and I have learned many valuable skills from her that have and will assist me in growing personally and professionally.

What did you enjoy the most about this project?

The research project was enjoyable to me because it involved both student and professor collaboration, and topic inquiry and discovery. The sharing of thoughts and viewpoints promoted a spirit of unity and assistance among one another. The initiative also emphasized the significance of participating in talks with other scholars, encouraging significant contributions to the field and presenting discoveries.

What advice do you have for other undergrads on how to get involved in research?

My advice is to examine your interests. Give your academic passions and interests some thought. If you believe that your major doesn’t usually entail research, don’t be disheartened, because there are research opportunities in almost every discipline.

Think about how you can use research techniques on subjects that you are interested in. Make contact with faculty members who are conducting research in fields that interest you, either in your department or in departments that are related to them. Inform them of your desire to participate in research, and inquire about undergraduate student opportunities.

Written by Joan Tupponce for Virginia Commonwealth University; used with permission. Find the original article here.

Undergraduate research is more than just an academic exercise at Utah State University — it’s a defining experience that sets students on the path to discovery, critical thinking and professional success.

For many students, research provides hands-on learning that deepens their understanding of their fields and helps prepare them for their next steps — whether they’re entering the job market or going on to pursue graduate study.

Michelle Norman, a geosciences major in the College of Science and Peak Summer Research Fellow, exemplifies the transformative power of undergraduate research. Their work in the West Desert of Utah, where they analyzed 500-million-year-old fossils and geochemical anomalies, not only expanded scientific understanding but also shaped their future.

“Originally, I planned to conduct research at a familiar site,” Norman said. “But thanks to the Peak Fellowship, I was able to explore a new section I’d never been to before. That funding made all the difference — I collected over 100 samples and was able to critically assess the site in ways I never could have otherwise.”

Like many student researchers, Norman learned that science is rarely linear.

“When things don’t go according to plan, that’s when the important questions start being asked,” they said. “We found anomalies in the carbon and calcium levels of the rocks. At first, we thought they represented primary seawater chemistry, but as we analyzed further, we realized a secondary fluid source had altered them. That changed our entire research question. Science isn’t about getting the right answer the first time — it’s about figuring out the right questions.”

Beyond scientific discovery, research fosters independence, resilience, and intellectual curiosity. Communication studies and philosophy major Rosalie Mortensen, a Peak Summer Research Fellow from the College of Humanities and Social Sciences, used her research to investigate how Western students perceive the knowledge and cultures of the communities they visit during education abroad experiences.

“We analyzed interviews with students who had studied abroad, categorizing their responses to see if they viewed host communities as ‘superior,’ ‘inferior’ or as equals,” Mortensen said.

Her findings have been eye-opening.

“Applying postcolonial theory to real-world experiences has changed the way I think about global power dynamics and knowledge creation,” Mortensen said. “Research has strengthened my critical thinking and communication skills — skills that will serve me well as I apply for the Fulbright Scholar Program.”

A Tradition of Excellence

Established in 2019, the Peak Summer Research Fellowship provides funding that allows students to dedicate 10 weeks solely to research, removing financial barriers that might otherwise prevent them from fully engaging in their projects. The Peaks’ generosity to create and support this expendable scholarship has opened doors for students across disciplines, encouraging them to push boundaries and aspire to national scholarships and top graduate programs.

David and Terry Peak, longtime faculty members at USU, have been at the forefront of this movement. New York natives with a deep love for Utah’s wild places and cultural heritage, the couple have spent more than a quarter of a century mentoring students and elevating undergraduate research at the university.

David, a physicist specializing in computation in natural systems, has received numerous accolades, including the Carnegie Foundation’s Utah Professor of the Year recognition and the Goldwater Scholars Faculty Mentor Award. His book, Chaos Under Control: The Art and Science of Complexity, has introduced countless students to chaos theory, fractals, and the interplay between physics and the arts.

Terry, a professor of social work and director of USU’s social work program since 2003, has dedicated her career to mentoring students in human-subjects research. She has been recognized with the Center for Women and Gender Lifetime Achievement Award and the Faculty Advisor of the Year award for the College of Humanities and Social Sciences.

Together, the couple established the Outstanding Undergraduate Researcher Award in 2008 and, later, expanded their support by creating endowments for the Undergraduate Research Mentor of the Year and the Joyce Kinkead Honors Thesis of the Year Prize. Their enduring contributions have strengthened USU’s reputation as a leader in undergraduate research.

The Future of Undergraduate Research at USU

As USU celebrates 50 years of undergraduate research in 2025, faculty and students alike are looking ahead to how research opportunities will continue to evolve. USU’s Associate Vice President for Undergraduate Research Alexa Sand emphasizes the importance of building on the momentum the Peaks have helped create.

“The Peaks have been unwavering in their support for undergraduate research, not only through their mentorship, but through their financial contributions,” Sand said. “Their generosity has played a crucial role in shaping USU’s research culture, and we are now working to build a long-term endowment to further expand these opportunities.”

Joyce Kinkead, who served as vice president for Undergraduate Research from 2000 to 2011, and as a faculty member of USU’s Department of English from 1982 to 2023, highlights the broader impact of undergraduate research.

“Undergraduate research is the application of what students learn in their classes,” Kinkead said. “Engaging directly in research makes theories real. Additionally, they benefit from working with a faculty mentor who invests in their knowledge-making and success. Student research develops critical thinking, problem-solving and communication skills that are essential in both professional and academic settings.”

Kinkead also acknowledges the Peaks’ lasting contributions to undergraduate research at USU.

“For over 30 years, both Terry and David Peak have been role models for other faculty who see their passion and investment in student learning,” Kinkead said. “Their legacy is not just in the students they have mentored but in the culture of research excellence they have helped establish at USU.”

For students like Michelle Norman and Rosalie Mortensen, the immersive research experience they gained through the fellowship has been invaluable.

“Without this support, I wouldn’t have been able to fully dedicate myself to my research,” Norman said. “Their belief in undergraduates pursuing ambitious projects has been integral to my success.”

Throughout their years at USU, David and Terry have enriched the academic lives of countless students, shaping the next generation of researchers, scholars and professionals.

As their legacy continues, the Peak Summer Research Fellowship and their many other contributions ensure that USU remains a leader in undergraduate research for years to come.

Written by Maren Aller for Utah State University; used with permission. Find the original article here.