Participating in research allows you to gain knowledge and experience in a specific area of interest to you. In most cases, undergraduate students join research projects already led by faculty members; however, some students are able to initiate a research project and receive guidance from a faculty member.
In addition to addressing a problem that may be personal to you and your community, research allows you to build a diverse professional network of faculty and other student researchers. Research experience can help you choose a career path, adds project experience to your resume and prepares you to apply for grants and internships. Some students often author journal articles and present their research findings at conferences, which helps to prepare you for a career in research or academia.
Many faculty in the College of Health Solutions focus on translational science. Most health challenges have multiple layers (medical, geographic, environmental, psychosocial and cultural) and addressing just one factor often misses the most effective solutions. Translational teams connect university researchers with students, clinical and community partners, and industry innovators to do research that addresses community and individual health needs.
How do you get involved with research?
- Determine what research interests you.
- Find a faculty advisor whose research aligns with your interests.
- Register for course credit, if needed.
Determine your interests
- Talk to your instructors and other students about how they became involved in research and the projects on which they are currently working.
- Search for opportunities with CHS Translational Teams on the Community Placements Database.
- Review ASU News and attend research forums and faculty lectures on campus to learn about the research that is happening at ASU.
- Look at research opportunities in different departments and colleges across campus, including:
Find a faculty research advisor
- Review the Health Solutions faculty directory and ASU faculty research profiles to identify who is doing research in an area of interest to you.
- After reviewing their information and reading some of their publications, email the faculty with whom you are interested in working or stop by their office hours.
- If a faculty member is not able to work with you, ask for recommendations of other faculty with similar research interests who might be available.
Register for course credit
Undergraduate students
Most students who choose to receive course credit for their research enroll in CHS 494: Undergraduate Research. To register, email chs@asu.edu with your name, ASU ID number, the name of the faculty member who will oversee your research and the number of credits for which you would like to register. Each credit equals approximately 45 hours of work over the course of the semester.
Graduate students
Most graduate students are required to complete research credits as part of their plan of study. If you have any questions or need assistance registering for the correct research credit, contact your graduate support coordinator at CHSgrad@asu.edu with your name, ASU ID number, the name of the faculty member who will oversee your research and the number of credits for which you would like to register. Each credit equals approximately 45 hours of work over the course of the semester.
Research poster templates
Students are encouraged to use one of these research poster templates.
Additional resources
- ASU Provost’s Office - Undergraduate research
- National Institutes of Health (NIH) Summer Internship Program
- National Science Foundation (NSF) summer Research Experiences for Undergraduates (REUs)
Need some assistance finding research opportunities? Email us at: chsstudentresearchopportunities@asu.edu