Deb Phillis
Director of the Office of Undergraduate Research And Studies (OURS)
I am the Director of the Office of Undergraduate Research And Studies. I have had many memorable experiences and met many amazing students along the way. I meet with students from all majors and levels of experience and I hear about their interests, goals, and stories. With that information, I help them find research or academic experiences in their field of interest. If you are looking for on-campus, off-campus or summer experiences, I am here to help you find opportunities.
If you are not sure if research is for you, or even exactly what research looks like in your area of interest, set up a meeting with OURS and we will help to answer those questions. I hope to meet with you and look forward to providing whatever help you may need.
If you are not sure if research is for you, or even exactly what research looks like in your area of interest, set up a meeting with OURS and we will help to answer those questions. I hope to meet with you and look forward to providing whatever help you may need.
Jamie
Neuroscience, Psychology, and Computer Science
Hi! I’m Jamie, a sophomore neuroscience track student planning to dual degree in computer science. I knew I wanted to be involved in research early on in my university career. Through the Biology Undergraduate Apprenticeships (BUA), I joined Normark Lab in my first semester as a research assistant. With my love of genetics and computer science, I began work on an independent bioinformatics research project there that I continued over the summer as part of the CAFE Summer Scholars program.
Now, I am also part of CoDe Neuro, the Cognitive and Developmental Neuroscience Lab. In the lab, I will be working to find the neurological basis for how we begin to process the abstract concept of numbers.
As an OURS Research Mentor, I hope to help students discover research areas they are passionate about and find labs that explore those interests. I understand both the desire to do research and the uncertainty around how to begin that process. Together, I am sure we can get you headed in the right direction!
Now, I am also part of CoDe Neuro, the Cognitive and Developmental Neuroscience Lab. In the lab, I will be working to find the neurological basis for how we begin to process the abstract concept of numbers.
As an OURS Research Mentor, I hope to help students discover research areas they are passionate about and find labs that explore those interests. I understand both the desire to do research and the uncertainty around how to begin that process. Together, I am sure we can get you headed in the right direction!
Heeya Returning Fall 2025
Psychology and Certification in Social Work
Hi! I am a junior pursuing a B.S. in Psychology along with a certification in Social Work under the Commonwealth Honors College. As someone deeply fascinated by and passionate about research, I am thrilled to be working as a research mentor for students at UMass. Being a student at UMass can be overwhelming at times due to the breadth of research opportunities offered in various areas of study. As a research mentor, I look forward to helping my peers navigate their journey and relationship with research based on their expectations, experience, and future aspirations. Being an avid user of the OURS myself, I recognize the importance of having support in navigating the nuances of research as an undergraduate and wish to provide the same for others.
I currently work as a research assistant in Dr. Dixon-Gordon’s Clinical Affective Science Lab which studies psychopathological domains within Borderline Personality Disorder along with examining the efficacy of mindfulness-incorporating therapy interventions, specifically Dialectical Behavioral Therapy. I am primarily involved in physiological and quantitative data coding and screening, analyzing questionnaire batteries, and conducting literature reviews for our upcoming projects and grants. I received the opportunity to join the lab via the Research Assistant Mentoring Program (RAMP) under the Psychological and Brain Sciences Department. Additionally, I also worked as a student visitor at the Institute for the Study of Resilience in Youth at McLean Hospital, where I engaged in vital quantitative and qualitative research aimed at incorporating resilience and socio-developmental learning within STEM curricula for middle school students.
As an OURS research mentor, I look forward to helping students find similar on and off-campus research experiences and simplify their journey within research!
I currently work as a research assistant in Dr. Dixon-Gordon’s Clinical Affective Science Lab which studies psychopathological domains within Borderline Personality Disorder along with examining the efficacy of mindfulness-incorporating therapy interventions, specifically Dialectical Behavioral Therapy. I am primarily involved in physiological and quantitative data coding and screening, analyzing questionnaire batteries, and conducting literature reviews for our upcoming projects and grants. I received the opportunity to join the lab via the Research Assistant Mentoring Program (RAMP) under the Psychological and Brain Sciences Department. Additionally, I also worked as a student visitor at the Institute for the Study of Resilience in Youth at McLean Hospital, where I engaged in vital quantitative and qualitative research aimed at incorporating resilience and socio-developmental learning within STEM curricula for middle school students.
As an OURS research mentor, I look forward to helping students find similar on and off-campus research experiences and simplify their journey within research!
Hayley
Biomedical Engineering and Chemistry
Hi! I’m Hayley, a third year Biomedical Engineering and Chemistry double major in the Commonwealth Honors College. I began my endeavors in research here at UMass in the fall of my first year and have been participating in groundbreaking projects spanning multiple fields since then. My current research in the Schiffman Lab combines my passion for chemistry with life sciences in engineering living systems.
Outside of the innovative research I’ve pursued at UMass, I’ve interned at Blueprint Medicines in Cambridge, working on optimization of pharmaceutical formulations of drug products. This industry experience enhanced my ability to apply techniques and knowledge outside of the classroom and expanded my network within the workforce.
This past summer, I participated in an REU (Research Experience for Undergraduates) at the Colorado School of Mines, and learned a vast amount about full-time graduate level research in computational biochemistry. I spent 11 weeks creating simulations to model and measure factors in bacterial metabolism of intermediates derived from carbon containing compounds in our atmosphere. This immersive experience working in a novel field has exposed me to real-world problems that can be modeled and solved in academia.
Becoming involved in research at UMass has been the cornerstone of my academic and professional development, and I aim to guide other students in building their foundation for success.
Outside of the innovative research I’ve pursued at UMass, I’ve interned at Blueprint Medicines in Cambridge, working on optimization of pharmaceutical formulations of drug products. This industry experience enhanced my ability to apply techniques and knowledge outside of the classroom and expanded my network within the workforce.
This past summer, I participated in an REU (Research Experience for Undergraduates) at the Colorado School of Mines, and learned a vast amount about full-time graduate level research in computational biochemistry. I spent 11 weeks creating simulations to model and measure factors in bacterial metabolism of intermediates derived from carbon containing compounds in our atmosphere. This immersive experience working in a novel field has exposed me to real-world problems that can be modeled and solved in academia.
Becoming involved in research at UMass has been the cornerstone of my academic and professional development, and I aim to guide other students in building their foundation for success.
Merin
Public Health with a Civic Engagement & Public Service Certificate
Hi! I'm Merin, a senior pursuing a B.S. in Public Health with a Civic Engagement & Public Service Certificate, and I am also a member of the Commonwealth Honors College. My interest in research began in high school. In this time, I was lucky to have the opportunity to work on public health projects ranging from global excise taxes to local school walkability. These experiences enhanced my research skills and fueled my passion for tackling complex public health issues, setting a strong foundation for my undergraduate research.
Currently, I am a researcher in the Riley Lab. In this role, I have contributed to a team focused on developing novel (and less harmful) treatments for acne. I also lead Team SciComm, which is dedicated to communicating our research efforts to the public. This includes creating educational content on topics such as antimicrobial resistance and the importance of maintaining a healthy microbiome. Additionally, this semester I am serving as the leader of our training program in the lab. This is an exciting opportunity to refine my skills in both research and teaching. Outside the lab, I interned at the Capital Area Food Bank, where I researched and reported on food insecurity and availability in the DC-MD-VA region. This was an interesting change of pace from my undergraduate lab experience and allowed me to explore public health from a new professional setting.
As an OURS mentor, I am excited to assist students in navigating their research journeys and identifying opportunities that align with their academic and professional aspirations. I understand the challenges of finding the right research fit, but also would love to encourage excitement in exploring all the amazing opportunities available on campus and beyond.
Currently, I am a researcher in the Riley Lab. In this role, I have contributed to a team focused on developing novel (and less harmful) treatments for acne. I also lead Team SciComm, which is dedicated to communicating our research efforts to the public. This includes creating educational content on topics such as antimicrobial resistance and the importance of maintaining a healthy microbiome. Additionally, this semester I am serving as the leader of our training program in the lab. This is an exciting opportunity to refine my skills in both research and teaching. Outside the lab, I interned at the Capital Area Food Bank, where I researched and reported on food insecurity and availability in the DC-MD-VA region. This was an interesting change of pace from my undergraduate lab experience and allowed me to explore public health from a new professional setting.
As an OURS mentor, I am excited to assist students in navigating their research journeys and identifying opportunities that align with their academic and professional aspirations. I understand the challenges of finding the right research fit, but also would love to encourage excitement in exploring all the amazing opportunities available on campus and beyond.
Anna
Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
Hi! My name is Anna, I'm a junior majoring in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology. Getting involved in research has been a priority of mine since starting college. I've interned at New England Biolabs the past two summers, working on enzyme engineering projects. I went through the whole workflow of assembling vectors, cloning, expression, purification and designing assays throughout my time at NEB. By the end of each summer, I presented my work to a seminar room full of scientists! This experience is what solidified my plan on pursuing a career in research and continuing onto graduate school upon graduating UMass. I am also a member of Dr. Rauch's lab here on campus, where we study the aggregation and spread of Tau, which is a leading cause of dementia such as Alzheimer's Disease. I have learned many techniques ranging from making a lentivirus to mammalian cell culture.
I wouldn't have been able to secure these opportunities without all the help from OURS, who not only helped me search for labs that fit my interests, but also helped craft my resume, reviewed my application, and was there to help whenever I needed it! OURS was a fantastic resource in my research career, and I hope new students are able to make good use of it too. I am excited to help students in their search for research.
I wouldn't have been able to secure these opportunities without all the help from OURS, who not only helped me search for labs that fit my interests, but also helped craft my resume, reviewed my application, and was there to help whenever I needed it! OURS was a fantastic resource in my research career, and I hope new students are able to make good use of it too. I am excited to help students in their search for research.
Sara
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology, Mathematics
Hi! My name is Sara, a first-year majoring in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology with a secondary in Mathematics. In the past, I’ve been able to immerse myself in different endeavors involving research ranging from sustainability in climate change to exploring correlation of study abroad and career success.
During high school, I was granted the opportunity to engage in graduate level research focusing on the field of computational and theoretical chemistry at NYU through a program called NYU GSTEM. I ran computer scripts to project soft-matter molecular simulations in order to assess the role of kinetic rates in colloidal gel formation. Gaining this practical experience early on has allowed me to apply such skills in my career. I recently just started working as an Undergraduate Research Assistant in the Kireev Lab within the Department of Biomedical Engineering, where I will be focusing on researching biomolecule detection in biosensors.
As someone who has utilized the resources OURS has provided to gain further research experience, I am super excited to be an OURS research mentor and guide undergraduates into developing a strong relationship with research while making it easier to seek these opportunities. Research is a broad concept, so I hope to inspire students to explore their horizons in finding an opportunity they love for future success.
During high school, I was granted the opportunity to engage in graduate level research focusing on the field of computational and theoretical chemistry at NYU through a program called NYU GSTEM. I ran computer scripts to project soft-matter molecular simulations in order to assess the role of kinetic rates in colloidal gel formation. Gaining this practical experience early on has allowed me to apply such skills in my career. I recently just started working as an Undergraduate Research Assistant in the Kireev Lab within the Department of Biomedical Engineering, where I will be focusing on researching biomolecule detection in biosensors.
As someone who has utilized the resources OURS has provided to gain further research experience, I am super excited to be an OURS research mentor and guide undergraduates into developing a strong relationship with research while making it easier to seek these opportunities. Research is a broad concept, so I hope to inspire students to explore their horizons in finding an opportunity they love for future success.
Yarah
Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Psychology (Neuroscience track)
Hi! My name is Yarah, and I am a junior double majoring in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, as well as Psychology on the neuroscience track, in the Commonwealth Honors College. My curiosity and passion for science have driven me to engage in research since my freshman year. I have spent most of my undergraduate research career in the Pak Lab, studying neurobiological mechanisms, and have been a part of the Integrated Concentration in STEM (iCons). Additionally, I serve as a science coordinator for a non-profit organization dedicated to translate the science into digestible tips on chemicals to avoid in everyday products that contribute to breast cancer.
This past summer, I interned at Novartis, where I characterized a cancer-dependent protein and presented my findings to scientists across diverse fields. Through my experiences in both industry and academia, I have deepened my love for research and aspire to pursue a career in molecular biology after graduation.
As an OURS mentor, I am excited to help students navigate research opportunities tailored to their academic and career goals. I look forward to supporting and guiding students as they take the next steps in their academic journeys.
This past summer, I interned at Novartis, where I characterized a cancer-dependent protein and presented my findings to scientists across diverse fields. Through my experiences in both industry and academia, I have deepened my love for research and aspire to pursue a career in molecular biology after graduation.
As an OURS mentor, I am excited to help students navigate research opportunities tailored to their academic and career goals. I look forward to supporting and guiding students as they take the next steps in their academic journeys.