Center for Undergraduate Research and Fellowships

Last summer, recent graduate Eric Najera (C‘26) researched how Mexican immigrant communities responded to anti-immigration policies and rhetoric in the 20th century, a topic with both political and personal relevance. This research was supported by a Grant for Faculty Mentoring Undergraduate Research and his mentor, Dr. Hardeep Dhillon. Reflecting on his experience, Eric said, “Thanks to CURF and the Penn History Department, I was able to develop my research skills, apply what I have learned in lectures, and showcase how immigrants address legal challenges involving immigration and race.”

Click the link in our bio to read more about Eric's research experience.

Where do you even begin when you have a research task? This workshop featuring Alexandrea Glenn, Student Engagement Librarian, will focus on finding and selecting appropriate sources through the Penn Libraries web portal. Learn tips and tricks for finding the information you need and strategies for keeping track of the information you find - essential skills for research in ANY field!

Register at the link in our bio.

Last week, PURM students gathered in Van Pelt’s Research Data & Digital Scholarship Exchange (RDDSx) for a 2-day Data Carpentries workshop co-sponsored by CURF and . Students gained hands-on experience with tools for data management, data analysis, and data visualization.

Benjamin Franklin Scholar Annelise Do (W'27) interned at Turtleback Partners last summer with support from the Franklin Opportunity Fund. Reflecting on her experience, Annelise shared, "This internship gave me practical exposure and mentorship from experienced professionals, and it helped me connect classroom concepts (including what I’m learning in courses like FNCE 1008) to how decisions are made on the ground. I really benefited from seeing the real-world applications and interdisciplinary connections in real time; it gave me a better sense of which parts of finance interest me most going forward."

Read more about her internship experience at the link in our bio.

It can be tricky navigating the academic professional workplace, especially if it’s your first foray into the research world. Feelings of being an imposter or not feeling good enough can begin to surface. In this session with Lauren Cordova, Associate Director of Wellbeing Initiatives, we will discuss strategies for maintaining your health and emotional wellness, and provide details for the many resources available to you at Penn.

Register at the link in our bio.

Congratulations to all the students who received nationally competitive fellowships and scholarships this year! We're so proud of your hard work. If you're thinking about applying for funded opportunities to research, study, work, or teach English abroad, get started with our Fellowships Directory at the link in our bio.

What exactly are you, as a student researcher, responsible for knowing about how to act as an ethical participant in the acquisition, production, and dissemination of new knowledge? Faculty members will talk about what challenges they face in their own fields, what problems students might encounter, how to approach potential issues, and how we as scholars might be held accountable by society for the arguments we construct.

Access the Zoom at the link in our bio.

Congratulations to Demi Egunjobi and Eshaal Ubaid (both COL '28), who have have been selected for the Fulbright UK Summer Institutes, one of the most selective and prestigious summer scholarship programs worldwide. The program offers U.S. undergraduates the opportunity to participate in fully funded academic and cultural programs at universities across the United Kingdom.

The Fulbright UK Summer Institutes offer U.S. undergraduates the opportunity to engage in academic study and cultural exploration while building a deeper understanding between the United States and the United Kingdom. Participants are selected based on academic achievement, leadership potential, and cultural curiosity.

Demi Egunjobi, from Providence, Rhode Island, is pursuing a bachelor’s degree in health and societies in the School of Arts & Sciences and plans to minor in political science. She hopes to attend law school and pursue a career in public interest law focused on health inequities, civil rights, and legislative advocacy.

At Penn, Egunjobi serves on the Philanthropy Committee in Penn Traditions and is involved with Social Impact Consulting, the Netter Center Student Advisory Board, the Nominations and Elections Committee, and Community School Student Partnerships. Through these roles, she works to strengthen connections between Penn and the greater Philadelphia community.

Eshaal Ubaid, a sophomore in the College of Arts & Sciences studying political science with a concentration in international relations on the pre-medical track, was selected as a Fulbright UK Summer Institute participant. Through her academic and extracurricular work, Ubaid seeks to combine interests in healthcare, education, and public service to create more equitable systems and opportunities.

At Penn, Ubaid assists with neurobiological research in the Betley Lab and leads a free mentoring program for high school students. She is also involved in efforts to expand access to speech and debate education through nonprofit initiatives, including the Brooklyn Debate League, which supports underserved schools.

Recent graduate Jacob Cao (C‘26) spent last summer investigating the influence of dietary sugars on the gut microbiome with mentorship from Dr. Aaron Hecht (now at the Mayo Clinic) and Dr. Gary Wu (Department of Gastroenterology). This research was supported by a College Alumni Society Undergraduate Research Grant. Reflecting on his experience, Jacob said, “The greatest lesson of my research experience was that mentors shape scientists more than questions do.”

Click the link in our bio to read more.