Undergraduate students are an important and active part of research in Polymer Science and Engineering. Many of us benefitted greatly from the chance to do hands-on laboratory research as undergraduates, and seek to pass on the opportunity to experience the joys of discovering something completely new while learning to overcome the challenges inherent in scientific research. No previous research experience is necessary and highly motivated students from a variety of majors (including chemistry, physics, engineering, and biology) are encouraged to apply.

Participation in research in polymer science under the guidance of faculty research mentors is an exceptional opportunity for undergraduates to enhance their academic and professional careers. Interested students are encouraged to review the faculty research pages and directly contact the faculty member they are interested in working with to inquire about openings. Including a CV or resume and a brief description of research interests is recommended.

Biochem & Molecular Biology (BMB) '25
Santore Group Researcher
Sorrel Brooks image
Influence of dissolved polymer on bacterial interactions
Sorrel Brooks image
Biochemistry & Biophysics '27
Morris Group Researcher
Khue Dang photo
Investigating the amino acid sequence-defined properties of resilin-like polypeptides
Khue Dang photo
Chemical Engineering '25
Watkins Group Researcher
UMass collegiate M in maroon on gray
Alex Dawicki is a Biochemistry and Molecular Biology (BMB) '25 undergrad currently working in the Santore Research Group on "Characterization and testing of optical and electronic devices on transparent substrates."
UMass collegiate M in maroon on gray
Biology '25
Santore Group Researcher
Grace Fuller Image
Influence of dissolved polymer on bacterial aggregation
Grace Fuller Image
Chemistry '27
Bermudez Group Researcher
UMass collegiate M in maroon on gray
Reversing polyelectrolyte complexation
UMass collegiate M in maroon on gray
Biochem & Molecular Biology (BMB) '27
Morris Group Researcher
Emma Grosshart photo
Developing a fluorescence-based high-throughput assay for assessing enzymatic thermostability
Emma Grosshart photo
Microbiology '26
Santore Group Researcher
Mya Grossman photo
Adhesion mechanisms for solid - phospholipid membrane sheets
Mya Grossman photo
Chemical Engineering '27
Crosby Group Researcher
Drew Lawrence photo
Investigating and characterizing the alpha-helical behavior of biomimetic microfibers.
Drew Lawrence photo
Chemistry '27
Bermudez Group Researcher
ChanuLim photo
Deep eutectic solvent (DES) structure and polymer solubilization therein
ChanuLim photo
Chemical Engineering '25
Lesser Group Researcher
UMass collegiate M in maroon on gray
Development of a fully recyclable replacement for multilayer films through novel processing of semicrystalline polymers to generate highly crystalline isotropic constructs with enhanced mechanical properties and enhanced barrier properties
UMass collegiate M in maroon on gray
Chemical Engineering '25
Lesser Group Researcher
UMass collegiate M in maroon on gray
Development of a fully recyclable replacement for multilayer films through novel processing of semicrystalline polymers to generate highly crystalline isotropic constructs with enhanced mechanical properties and enhanced barrier properties
UMass collegiate M in maroon on gray
Biomedical Engineering '26
Crosby Group Researcher
UMass collegiate M in maroon on gray
Needle-Induced Cavitation (NIC) of biocompatible gels in 96-well plates
UMass collegiate M in maroon on gray
Mechanical Engineering '27
Morris Group Researcher
Brooke Oberlee photo
Investigating poly(ethylene terephthalate) enzymatic degradation mechanisms as a function of substrate and enzyme properties
Brooke Oberlee photo
Physics '27
Crosby Group Researcher
UMass collegiate M in maroon on gray
Investigating the influence of edge design on normal loading capacity of reversible dry adhesives
UMass collegiate M in maroon on gray
Chemical Engineering 'XX
Bermudez Group Researcher
UMass collegiate M in maroon on gray
Polysaccharides + enzymes in DES
UMass collegiate M in maroon on gray

For information about the ASCENDS summer Research Experience for Undergrads (REU) program, please contact: