Boosting Opportunity

Studies show that undergraduate students who participate in research activities under the guidance of a faculty member or mentor are more likely to finish college. That’s one reason why UTA has tripled its investment in specific undergraduate research opportunities.

“Engaging students in original scholarship is time-intensive and expensive, but the outcomes are overwhelmingly positive, leading to more student success and an increase in the number of students interested in pursuing graduate school, including medical school,” says Kayunta Johnson-Winters, director of undergraduate research and an associate professor of chemistry and biochemistry.

Under her guidance, UTA increased the number of students in its Undergraduate Research Opportunity Program (UROP) and Undergraduate Research Assistant Program from about 30 to 100 students per year. In both programs, students work with faculty mentors on original research, allowing them to gain important professional skills while earning a stipend for their work.

“UROP gave me the opportunity to connect with a mentor and provided me the financial support to pursue a research project,” says Omar Elkassih, a senior studying microbiology. “I was able to work to address health disparity through the genetic engineering of a bacteriophage. It was an amazing experience that jumpstarted my future in research.”

Watch an episode of Discovering the Maverick Factor on undergraduate research with Dr. Johnson-Winters.