The Research Matching Process

Research

Sounds backwards, doesn’t it? You’ll need to start the research process by researching and reflecting on the subject area of most interest to you. No one else can decide this for you, and there may be two or three. Narrowing down your interest is the most important part of finding the right research match. In addition to searching our projects, you may want to go to the webpages for departments or colleges of interest like the Psychology department or the College of Medicine. Looking over numerous faculty profiles or searching for keywords like “neurology” or “diabetes” might help. Make a list of potential mentors to discuss when you meet with us by bookmarking them on our site. If you find some that aren't listed on our site, bring that list with you as well. We will be happy to contact anyone at the university on your behalf once we’ve established a relationship with you.

Sign up

Sign up by creating a Profile on this site, which you'll be prompted to do when you try to bookmark. You will decide how many hours you have per week for research and if this is the best term for you to do research. You can find tips on the Making a Profile page under Start Here.The entire research process is driven by you, so you decide when to move to the next step. You needn’t feel obligated until the match is actually made. Keeping in contact with us throughout the process is key! You can find even more information on our Research Blackboard under the organizations tab.  

Network

As you’re beginning the research process, talk to everyone about your desire to do research including peers, professors, family, and classmates. They might not have answers for you, but they can help you refine your search or, perhaps, offer ideas you hadn’t considered. They may recommend other people with whom you may discuss your interest. Don't be shy about talking to your professor; they may be great guides, if not potential mentors. Explore all your options on your search for the “perfect match” with a mentor.

Prioritize

Hopefully, you have narrowed your list of possible mentors. You may need to do more research. Once you have a list of two or three that you feel strongly about, write a few sentences for each on why you’re interested in their projects. You'll want to be sure to look at any links they have on their projects to their department pages. Be very clear about who they are and why you want to work with them. Contact us with this information at your earliest convenience by requesting a meeting. We'll then move to contacting mentors. Most mentors appreciate it when we contact them first so that they know you have our endorsement.

Meet

Often the first faculty member on your list will be glad to meet with you. Sometimes, her or his lab might be full or the project may be done. We will let you know if they’ve accepted your request to meet. Then, you will be given the go to contact them to set up a meeting. You’ll want to look your best. Business casual is the minimal attire for this informational meeting. You may prepare yourself by coming up with questions informed by your prior research. If everything is a go, the mentor may ask you to become part of her/his project. She or he may ask you to meet with other members of the lab staff or graduate assistants with whom you may work.

Match!

Once a match is made, you’ll let us know by completing a research update and stopping by to get your UR USF t-shirt. We will contact you, regularly, through Blackboard with publishing and funding opportunities, conference information and deadlines such as those for our Undergraduate Research Symposium in the Spring. Checking both Blackboard and this site for updates will keep you well informed. We also ask that you complete our surveys when we send them out once a term so we can better serve you and future student researchers. Again, creating a relationship with us through good communication will help you should anything come up with your research placement or should you need a recommendation one day. Please let us know how everything goes all the way through. Don’t be afraid to “bother” us; we’re here to help and advocate for you!