Undergraduate Research: A Conversation with Dr. Andrew Sathoff
Research is the cornerstone of innovation. From modern medicine to smartphones, thousands of hours are spent on research to further our understanding of nature. Research seems inaccessible to most and it sounds like you need a PhD just to start thinking about it. But in reality, anyone can get involved in research. That’s especially true for undergraduates at DSU.
In this article, Dr. Sathoff talks about undergraduate research, how to start your research journey, some tips, and more.
Starting Research
For students eager to dive into research, the first step is simple: reach out to a faculty member. Faculty at DSU are enthusiastic about research and welcome students who show curiosity and interest. Dr. Sathoff encourages students not to be afraid of approaching professors — faculty are not there to judge but to support and guide students in their academic journeys. Furthermore, you don’t need a sophisticated proposal to start research. In fact, Many faculty members have projects ready and are simply waiting for students to join them. Even if a student has a big research concept, faculty help refine it into a manageable problem suitable for undergrads.
Furthermore, DSU provides a stipend of up to $500 for students in the Student Research Initiative (SRI) program. The students collaborate with a faculty member to write a research proposal, and those accepted into the SRI program receive a $500 stipend. The research project is showcased at the DSU Research Symposium, where they present their findings through posters and discussions.
The Symposium
The DSU Research Symposium is open to all students actively conducting research, not just those in the SRI program. To participate, students must submit an abstract — with this year’s deadline falling on a Monday prior to the event. The research seminar is on track to be held after the spring break with classes being cancelled for the students. This is an initiative by DSU to make it accessible for students to take part in the event and learn more about research without missing their classes.
What’s next?
This year’s undergraduate research seminar is filled with interesting research projects, conference talks and more. As this event is hosted annually, students can begin working on their research proposal to make it in time for next year’s research seminar. Students can even start contacting their faculty to see if they’ve some interesting project or come up with one of their own.
Final Words
For freshmen or any student unsure about how to begin their research journey, the advice is simple: start your research journey right now by talking to a faculty member. You don’t need a sophisticated research plan or even a topic. You just need a passion for something. Whether you’re interested in joining the SRI program or presenting at the symposium, there’s a place for everyone in DSU’s research community.
As Dr. Sathoff emphasizes, there is nothing wrong with starting small or having no idea about what to research. The faculty are there to help and sometimes all it takes to start a journey is an email.
