UR in the Loop - the Undergraduate Research Quarterly

This issue of UR in the Loop highlights how the University of Arizona is strengthening a culture of undergraduate research through collaborative leadership, innovative high-impact programs, and meaningful mentorship. Browse this issue and explore student and faculty achievements, learn how initiatives such as Vertically Integrated Projects (VIPs), Course-based Undergraduate Research Experiences (CUREs), and UR Ambassadors (URAs) are expanding access to experiential research experiences. Discover new UR microcredentials that prepare students for success in research and mark your calendar for the upcoming CURE Training Institute where you can learn how to turn your course into a CURE.

The spring semester’s flurry of UR showcases is wrapping up! Many hundreds of our talented undergraduates, from across disciplines, participated in celebratory events all this past month. At the VIP & CUREs poster session we announced the inaugural Transformative UR Mentoring Awards  in recognition of the time and talent invested in student success by other students, staff, faculty, and administrators. Your dedication is having a tremendous impact.

In this issue of UR in the Loop, read more about the Undergraduate Research showcases and events that took place throughout April and learn about  U of A programs that create research opportunities for students: ASEMS-STARS, TIMESTEP, and the "Tucson Matters: Making History" class offered by the Department of History. 

Welcome to the second issue of our quarterly newsletter, helping the U of A stay in the loop about amazing faculty, programs, and staff that provide transformational research experiences for undergraduates. Connecting students to the $1B of research activity at our top 20, public, R1, and land grant university is a high-impact practice driving student success – including acquisition of the skills and experiences employers seek and that set students up for fulfilling and impactful careers. Read this issue for examples of UR excellence, consider submitting a story for an upcoming newsletter, and keep an eye out for a more visible UR presence in the Bear Down Student Success District as well as for campus UR presentations during UR Week in late April. 

Universities were created to engage students in research, scholarship, and creative activities with faculty mentors, launching each new generation of leaders and innovative problem solvers. As a top-25, public, R1, and land grant university, opportunities for student learning and growth abound across campus and throughout the state, aligning our research, instruction, and outreach missions. Building on prior efforts  and programs at the U of A, we are committed to expanding access to research experiences for all students, aspiring to make undergraduate research a defining feature of each student’s journey. Transformative UR engagement is happening in every discipline, thanks to globally-renowned faculty and amazing staff colleagues. We want to shine a light on these U of A efforts and successes several times each year. With this quarterly newsletter, you are now in the loop about UR. We look forward to sharing additional examples of UR excellence in upcoming newsletters.