More than 30 undergraduates at Fordham College Rose Hill just completed a summer full of research, mentorship, and exploration. The second annual FCRH Summer Research Program, which had its final presentations on August 1 and 3, provides its participants with a unique opportunity to dedicate the summer to a research project of their choosing. Students in the program are provided with a grant, the option for on-campus housing, and weekly lunches and events with the other members of the program. Topics for research projects vary drastically, with everything from fly-brain research in a lab to an analysis of disabilities in the Peanuts comics being fair game.
“They get the summer to actually focus on their research, instead of having classes or jobs or other things going on,” explained Christopher Aubin, Ph.D., Fordham College at Rose Hill faculty director for undergraduate research. “And they get to interact with other students outside of their disciplines, in a way where they’re watching each other generate knowledge.”
Students in the program worked closely with faculty to pursue topics that they find interesting.
“Everyone was very very helpful, and there were workshops if you didn’t know what you were doing, or if you needed help,” said Diana Paradise, a rising junior who worked on a psychology research project this summer. “It was a really great experience. I wouldn’t have been able to find what I found or learn what I learned without this program.”
Maura B. Mast, Ph.D., dean of Fordham College at Rose Hill, attended the presentations, and spoke to the students on day two.
“This program is amazing. I’m so excited that you all get to learn from each other and that we get to learn from you,” Mast said. “And I’m really grateful for [our donors’] support. We are able to fund this because we get amazing support from our alumni; they’re the ones who gave the money so that you could have this incredible experience.”
Hear from four of our summer scholars in in this video series, including the video below:
