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Research Opportunities
spring at umass

Explore Research by Major

Are you wondering about the amazing opportunities in your major? Explore the opportunities available in your major and get started with making the best of your experience at UMass Amherst and beyond!

UMass student in the plant lab

Explore On/Off Campus Research Opportunities

Are you seeking research opportunities within UMass Amherst or beyond? Discover our curated list of highlighted research opportunities.

umass in fall

Quicklinks to Majors

Wondering about the different majors at UMass Amherst? Explore our list of majors!

students discussing their research

Meet with OURS Mentors & Staff

Our experienced peer mentors and staff can help you find research opportunities both on and off campus. Schedule an appointment today!

Note: OURS will be open for appointments on Thursday, February 1st. Open appointment times will be posted on Navigate on Monday, January 29.

 

UMass in Spring

OURS Research Readiness Course

Interested in research? Not sure where to start? OURS has created a short self guided Research Readiness Moodle course that provides information about getting involved in research and guides you on ways to turn your interests into research projects. 

 

OURS Student Spotlight

Microbiology and Public Health

Emma Lutz headshot
My name is Emma Lutz, and I am a junior Microbiology and Public health double major pursuing a dual degree. I had my first experience with independent research at the T.H. Chan Harvard School of Public Health in Boston. I had the opportunity to research malaria, and I worked with a post-doc on constructing a late-stage gametocyte-specific fluorescent Plasmodium falciparum line. Currently, I am conducting an independent research project at UMass pertaining to the ability of house flies to vector the pathogen Chlamydia trachomatis. I originally became aware of my ability to participate in these programs through the OURS office at UMass, where people worked with me to find programs that fit my needs and requirements. The guidance provided by the OURS office facilitated my participation in paid internships, allowing me to gain valuable experience in the field I am interested in.
Emma Lutz headshot

Microbiology, minor in Spanish

 Linda Nguyen Profile
My name is Linda Nguyen and I am a junior microbiology major and Spanish minor. I was first introduced to Debra Phillis at the OURS office during my second semester of freshman year. Not knowing where to begin, Deb first learned about my interests and then skillfully compiled for me a list of professors conducting research pertaining to such themes. Despite not being able to find a lab that semester, Deb encouraged me to contact other professors. The following semester, I joined Dr. Rich’s lab at the Laboratory of Medical Zoology. Through this opportunity, I have had the chance to be both a research and lab assistant. Deb, always eager to help, helped me to narrow down different REUs and summer programs to apply to. Furthermore, she helped to edit my résumé and cover letter. As a result, I was accepted into my dream program as a scholar of the UMass Baccalaureate MD (BaccMD) Program at UMass Medical. I give my sincere thanks to Deb and the OURs office for their years of support. Without them, I may have missed out on these eye-opening and memorable learning experiences. I highly recommend this resource to anyone (any or no experience, any major) who wants to learn more about research and the myriad of opportunities available to you!
 Linda Nguyen Profile

Biology

Orett
Hi, my name is Orett Burke, Jr. and I am a junior studying biology. I have worked on an FDA-funded project in Dr. Zoeller’s lab. During my first semester here, I wanted to find an “REU” or internship that met my needs. Debra Phillis of the OURS office scrutinized several programs in order to find the program most suitable for me. She made an overwhelming process much easier through her persistence and dedication to helping me out. With her help, I was able to get accepted into the Institute for Cellular Engineering program at UMass Amherst. I am very grateful to have met Ms. Phillis because she assisted me in finding an opportunity that created my foundation in medicine.
Orett

Biochemistry and Molecular Biology

Shakirah
Following my first Introductory Biology class, I developed an interest in research. With no research experience at all, I had no idea where to even start so I sought out the OURS office. One of the advisors gave me hope that I would start somewhere and her hard work made finding a good research internship much less stressful. That summer I worked in the Antimicrobial Discovery lab at Northeastern University in Boston. After this incredible experience, I went on to work in Dr. Jerry’s lab here on campus where we study the role of estrogen and p53 in the development of breast cancer. Together with Deb, we found an opportunity and I ended up doing clinical research experience with Dr. Richard Possemato's lab at NYU School of Medicine, studying cancer cell metabolism. I had an independent project studying the effect of suppressing polymerase epsilon in tumorigenesis of high-grade serous ovarian carcinomas, the most common yet deadly subtype of ovarian cancer. I must say that I would not have been able to find such great programs without Deb and we are definitely fortunate to have the OURS office.
Shakirah

Psychology (Neuroscience) and Biochemistry & Molecular Biology

Stephanie
My name is Stephanie, and I am a pre-med student with a passion for translational medicine and clinical research. LRC brought me to OURS, which has played a critical role in my past internship applications. In particular, I am very thankful for Ms. Phillis’ help - from researching programs that align with my research interest to editing my resume and introducing me to alums with similar academic interests. With her continuous support in the past 2 years, I have been accepted to numerous summer research internships. This includes UMass Medical School, UCSF, UT Southwestern, Mayo Clinic, and Sanofi Genzyme. I have been an NIH research fellow under Dr. Jason Kim at UMass Medical School. I was given the opportunity to follow up on an exciting project about the linkage of breast cancer tumors and insulin resistance. I also interned at Sanofi Genzyme for clinical research on multiple sclerosis. Overall, OURS has played a major role in my research career, opening my door to valuable research opportunities. I received personal support that was tailored to my specific career goal and research interest. Thank you, OURS!
Stephanie

Political Science and Chinese with International Relations and International Scholars Program Certificates.

Tenzin
I first became acquainted with the OURS Office during the summer after my freshman year. Having just finished working as a research assistant for Prof. Sharrow of the Political Science Department that spring, I was eager to see what other research opportunities UMass had available which is how I came across OURS. After reaching out to Deb Phillis with my career interests and resume, she helped me to locate a research intern position with the local non-profit Verite in Amherst, MA. After submitting my application and completing a phone interview, I received the position. The research experience I gained with Verite was invaluable. Having successfully finished my internship with Verite, I later interned in Washington D.C at the Department of State in the Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights and Labor in the Office of International Religious Freedom.
Tenzin