Research Opportunities – Albright College

Research Opportunities

 

Undergraduate student research is thriving at Albright College. We encourage students in every major and concentration to take part in a variety of research opportunities, guided by faculty mentors. These are experiences that help you develop your skills at solving unscripted problems.  Research shows that these experiences are so important to your future success.  Do your interests lie in the social sciences, the humanities and the arts, or the natural sciences? You can engage in exciting research and creative activity in any of these areas.

Why Research?

By delving deeper into a particular area, you can:

  • discover the process of how knowledge is acquired in your field
  • apply classroom learning in real-life contexts
  • develop close working relationships with faculty members
  • gain insight into making valuable contributions to a field of scholarly study

How to Get Involved

2 Students working with Professor in labWe make it easy for you to get involved in research.

  • ACRE (Albright Creative Research Experience)
    Apply to become part of a student-faculty team that works together on research during the summer session or interim January term. Accepted participants receive a stipend and free room and board during the session. You might even present your research at a regional or national professional conference.
  • Honors Program
    Honors Program students complete a senior honors project involving some type of research. In addition to writing a thesis, you present your research to the Albright College community. Your project may possibly be combined with an independent study project, study abroad or Albright Creative Research Experience (ACRE) grant.
  • Independent Study
    Independent study allows you to investigate an issue of personal interest. You identify the topic or issue, coordinate the project with a faculty member and, if approved, study independently with faculty oversight.
  • Research-based Courses and Projects
    You will find opportunities to conduct research in a variety of courses at Albright College. Your faculty advisor and department chair will help you identify the possibilities for research in courses that interest you. For more information, please contact Kimberly Justeson, Director of Experiential Learning, at kjusteson@albright.edu or 610-921-7630.
  • Higher Education Council of Berks County Undergraduate Research And Creativity Conference
    The Undergraduate Research and Creativity Conference is an opportunity for undergraduate students attending Berks County institutions of higher education to share their research and creativity with each other and the community. The annual spring conference is sponsored by the Higher Education Council of Berks County (HECBC), which comprises of Albright College, Alvernia University, Kutztown University, Pennsylvania State University (Berks) and Reading Area Community College. Each of the five colleges hosts on a five-year rotation. Albright will host again in April 2025.
  • Check out our LibGuide for tips on everything from getting started to fine-tuning your presentation.
  • Research-based Internship Opportunities
    Speak to faculty in your department and schedule an appointment with a Career Counselor who can help you identify opportunities of interest to you.

Name of Program Location Description Accepted Years Benefits Other Requirements
Mickey Leland Energy Fellowship Several locations across the US Gain real-world, hands-on research experience with the Department of Energy’s (DOE) Office of Fossil Energy Sophomore, Junior, Senior Weekly stipend, potential for travel and housing allowance 2.8+ GPA, US citizen, full time student, 18 y/o
CHOP Research Institute Summer Scholars Program Philadelphia, PA Provide students with theoretical knowledge, practical training in academic research, and critical exposure to pediatric-focused research career trajectories under the direct mentorship of CHOP faculty Sophomore, Junior, Senior Stipend and housing 3.3+ GPA, US Citizen/Permanent Resident, full time student, interest in child health
Bridging the Gap Summer Research Program Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California Address the under-representation of minority students within medicine and the biological sciences through meaningful exposure to research and clinical programs Stipend, travel, housing Minority students, pursuing medical or graduate school
Smithsonian Institute Office of Fellowships and Internships Washington DC Gain hands-on practical experience through work with the museums of the Smithsonian Varies Varies
National Science Foundation Summer Research Experience Serveral locations across the US REU projects involve students in meaningful ways in ongoing research programs or in research projects specifically designed for the REU program Stipend, potential for travel and housing US Citizen, US National, or Permanent Resident
Science Undergraduate Laboratory Internship Several locations across the US Encourages undergraduate students and recent graduates to pursue STEM careers by providing research experiences at the Department of Energy laboratories Sophomore, Junior, Senior Weekly stipend, potential for travel and housing allowance US Citizen or Permanent Resident, 3.0+ GPA, 18 y/o
DAAD RISE Germany Germany Promote student exchange in natural science, engineering, and life sciences, and motivate students to learn more about Germany’s research landscape  and study opportunities Sophomore, Junior Monthly stipend, travel Full time student
APS/IBM Research Internship for Undergraduate Women and Underrepresented Minorities CA, NY, TX Provide students with the opportunity to work closely with an IBM mentor and work on research projects that match their skills and interests as well as the ongoing research programs of the laboratory Sophomore, Junior Paid, potential for housing grant funds STEM major, 3.0+ GPA, identify as a woman and/or underrepresented minority
Amgen Scholars Program UC Berkeley Provides outstanding science undergraduates with research experience and increases participants’ competitiveness as candidates for admission to prestigious graduate and professional institutions Sophomore, Junior Stipend, housing, meals, travel US Citizen, 3.2+ GPA, interest in pursuing post-graduate education
Higher Education Research Experience Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Tennessee Experience cutting-edge research and technical projects and develop hands-on skills while networking with mentors and ORNL scientists and researchers Sophomore, Junior Stipend, housing allowance, some travel costs 3.0+ GPA, 18 y/o
Nemours Summer Undergraduate Research Program (NSURP) Wilmington, DE Biomedical research for clinical, laboratory, or translational projects $4300 stipend  

 
Other research opportunity clearinghouses include:

Showcase Your Research

Once your research is complete you’ll want to take advantage of opportunities to show what you learned. We can help by proving support through:

Student Travel Funding

The Undergraduate Research Committee is pleased to announce that funding is now available for student travel to academic conferences. When awarding funds, preference will be given to students giving scholarly presentations or artistic exhibitions. Due to the limited funds available, a cap of $750.00 will be placed on each proposal. However, we ask that you itemize all your expenses regardless of the $750.00 cap. Please note that the College is no longer granting cash advances for Student Travel Funds so you will receive reimbursement after travel for your expenses.  In some cases, conference fees may be put on an Albright credit card.  Please contact Kim Justeson, 610-921-7630 kjusteson@albright.edu, for more information.

 

Students interested in applying for student travel funds should follow the procedure below:

STUDENT TRAVEL FUNDING PROPOSAL FORM

  • Interested students should, in consultation with their faculty sponsor, complete the proposal form first.
  • If your grant request is approved by the Undergraduate Research Committee, you will be sent an email by the UGR Chair with important information and links to the forms below that you will need to complete.

Prior to traveling:

ALBRIGHT COLLEGE INSURANCE WAIVER FORM

  • This form should be carefully read, initialed, and signed in appropriate spots and returned to Trudy Prutzman in the Chapel basement a few days BEFORE your travel.
  • If you fail to not complete the ALBRIGHT COLLEGE INSURANCE WAIVER FORM, you may not be eligible for reimbursements.

After your conference:

STUDENT TRAVEL FUNDS EXPENSE REPORT

Example of an itemized receipt

  • This form must be filled out within two weeks and submitted along with all itemized receipts (example above).  Any expenses submitted after one month from date of travel may not be processed.  
  • Only itemized receipts will be accepted to process reimbursements.
  • Students should request duplicate receipts from restaurants or hotels whenever possible.
  • If it is not possible to attain a duplicate itemized receipt, students should take a picture of the receipt, print it out and circle the items for which they were responsible.
  • We cannot guarantee reimbursement without itemized receipts.
  • Albright College will not reimburse students for any alcoholic beverages.
  • The signed and dated expense report form and itemized receipts should be scanned and submitted via email to Kim Justeson, kjusteson@albright.edu.

STUDENT TRAVEL FOLLOW-UP REPORT

  • Must fill out in order for your reimbursement check to be released to you.
  • This report is to be submitted within two weeks of your return.
  • Your travel expenses will be reimbursed only after your report has been submitted.
  • Any reimbursement check will be available from the Cashier on the second floor of the Camp Building two weeks after request is complete. Please note that checks not claimed within 90 days are voided.

Student Travel Deadlines

9/15, 10/15, 11/15, 12/15, 1/15, 2/15, 3/15, 4/15, 5/15. The May 15 deadline includes activities through September 15 of the next academic year.

Academic Poster Printing

The wide format printer is located in the basement of the Chapel. This printer is designated as an academic poster printer. Students will be permitted to print posters or other wide-format media for academic purposes only. Examples of academic purposes:

  • Presentations at off-campus academic conferences
  • Academic presentations on campus for events such as Honors Week
  • Class presentations when professors agree that the department will fund the poster printing (note: this activity will be limited to special circumstances to curtail unusually large volumes of printing)

In order to print a poster in the Chapel, students or professors should email the poster to kjusteson@albright.edu. The poster should be saved in a PowerPoint format with the dimensions of the document the size you would like the poster to be.

Please note that each poster will have a 2-3 business day turnaround time for poster completion so it’s very important that you plan accordingly.

Some Helpful Hints For Conference Poster Presentations

  1. Consult with your conference organizers on the allowable dimensions for your poster. Commonly poster dimensions will be approximately 42” width x 30” height. Also find out what type of surface your poster will be mounted to which will help you determine if you need to bring along thumbtacks or Velcro strips.
  2. Limit your text. Most individuals will not be willing or able to read a lengthy script.  Bullet lists are most appropriate (in certain cases). Your font size (within text or graphics) should be such that the poster can be easily read while standing 2 feet away. Typically a font size of 14 will accomplish this goal. The main title should generally have a font size ~30.
  3. Avoid flashy colors or overuse of color, especially solid color backgrounds which consume large amounts of ink, require longer drying times, and really do not enhance the poster.
  4. Consider placing an Albright Logo in one corner of your poster or as a faded watermark behind your images and text. Several options are available on the Albright intranet.
  5. Consider printing out an 8.5 x 11 version of your poster to hand out at the conference.
  6. The Washington NASA Space Grant Consortium has written a helpful guide providing general advice on poster presentations entitled “The Basics of Poster Design”.

Other helpful links:

Useful Links