It’s not hyperbole to say that the challenges this generation of undergraduate students will have to confront are wicked—climate change, water scarcity, conflicts, and rapid technological change to name a few. It is at this precipice that institutions of higher education are being asked to prepare students for a world of uncertainty. Surely the moment calls for some level of curricular and pedagogical innovation; yet there is one foundational, educational practice that seems built for it: undergraduate research.

Some of the primary goals of undergraduate research are to foster the development of a suite of research, project management, and analytical and critical thinking skills, as well as a problem-solving mindset and resilience in the face of setbacks. Ultimately, the training and knowledge acquired through undergraduate research can be translated to any career field. What’s more, from undergraduate research projects are often borne the curiosity and drive needed to solve wicked problems.

Knowing how critical it is to incorporate and support diverse perspectives into research, the Office of the Vice President for Research and Innovation launched a new undergraduate research program called the Hui Undergraduate Research Scholars (HURS).  

 The HURS program builds on existing efforts at the University of Oregon to support students from historically marginalized communities in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM). The 12-month program supports students through a combination of financial support and professional development activities designed to enhance their research experience.  Fellowship recipients receive a $15,000 fellowship award and receive training in the areas of career preparation, research communication, and interpersonal skills development. 

“Choosing to apply to the HURS program is one of, if not the best, decision I have made so far in my undergraduate career. It has connected me with a cohort of students who inspire me, research mentors who have been incredibly supportive of me while I am navigating being part of a research lab for the first time, and a wealth of knowledge and firsthand experience that lectures cannot replicate.”

Valerie Owusu-Hienno ‘26, HURS fellowship recipient majoring in neuroscience and minoring in chemistry and global health

It Takes a Village

HURS links up with existing UO STEM pathway initiatives such as Students of Color Opportunities in Research Enrichment (SCORE), The North Star Project, Women in Science and Math Academic Residential Community (WiSM ARC), and programs like the McNair Scholars. Combined, these efforts represent a nascent ecosystem of support and resources that can serve as a launchpad into STEM majors, research, and careers. This ecosystem is rooted in the core tenant of efforts to broaden participation in STEM in higher education—training the next generation of scientists and leaders is everyone’s responsibility—and wouldn’t be possible without the dedication of the university community, including faculty, staff, senior leadership, alumni, and donors.

It is the faculty, postdocs, and graduate student mentors in the lab. It’s the program coordinators that provide advising and professional development training. It’s the university’s senior leadership that make the undergraduate research experience a priority. It’s the peer networks that enrich the experience. And it’s UO alumni like Tom and Cathy Hui, who provided the funding for the HURS program.  

Given the challenges the moment presents, proposing undergraduate research as one path forward may feel insufficient or small; yet, if we can’t do the small, foundational things well, there is less hope we’ll be able to execute on grander ideas. The HURS program embodies this philosophy. 

Overall, the philosophy of the lab is grounded in that we are here to achieve great science by supporting one another as people and as scientists. I tell everyone that the lab is a family; while we may have our occasional disagreements, we all must be grounded in a mutual respect for each other both scientifically and personally. We demonstrate this mutual respect by engaging with one another, in the lab, during lab meeting, and beyond the UO. If one of us achieves, then we all achieve.”

Diana Libuda, associate professor of biology

Meet the 2023 Hui Undergraduate Research Scholars

The inaugural cohort of scholars are conducting research in STEM labs across the University.  

Nayantara Arora 
Project Title: Vascular function in Alzheimer’s disease 
Lab: Aging and Vascular Physiology Lab 
Mentor/PI: Ashley Walker 

Gio Betancourt 
Project Title: The science of human action in response to earthquakes and other natural hazards 
Lab: Baldwin Lab 
Mentor/PI: Dare Baldwin 

Leah Gano 
Project Title: Perinatal contributions to children’s early neurodevelopment 
Lab: Developmental Sociobiology Lab 
Mentor/PI: Jennifer Ablow 

Vithika Goyal 
Project Title: Identifying population dynamics and biogeography of Bay Pipefish, Syngnathus leptorhynchus, in Oregon 
Lab: Cresko Lab 
Mentor: Hope Healey
PI: Bill Cresko 

Brittney Lee 
Project Title: Investigation of the role of the unstructured amino terminus of TBP in stress-responsive gene regulation 
Lab: Noma Lab 
Mentor: Sanki Tashiro
PI: Ken-ichi Noma 

Nicolas Lee 
Project Title: Characterization of novel mutants involved in sex-specific temperature sensitivity of chromosome structures in developing sperm
Lab: Libuda Lab
Mentor: Cori Cahoon
PI: Diana Libuda

Valerie Owusu-Hienno 
Project Title: A Functional Neuroimaging Approach to Understanding Adolescent Mentalizing Strategies 
Lab: Developing Brains in Context Lab 
Mentor: Victoria Williamson  
PI: Kathryn Mills 

Lawren Paris 
Project Title: biomolecular ion mobility-mass spectrometry and theory 
Lab: Prell Lab
Mentor/PI: James Prell 

Marcus Polk
Project Title: Constructing 729 nm Laser Lock Cavity for Quantum Information Experiments with Trapped Ions
Lab: Allcock Lab
Mentor: Sean Brundney
PI: David Allock

James Taylor
Project Title: Effect of neurotype identity of conversational partners on communicate success and speaking style
Lab: Speech and Language Lab
Mentor/PI: Melissa Redford

— By Karl Reasoner, Office of the Vice President for Research and Innovation