The Goldwater Scholarship is a prestigious scholarship program that seeks to recognize and support college sophomores and juniors that are dedicated to research in natural sciences, mathematics, and engineering. This scholarship is awarded to students who are seen as the next generation of research leaders. Ashley Agatep, a junior Environmental Science and Policy major and Honors minor, was one of the 2026 Goldwater Scholarships recipients. Since her first
While everyone was stuck at home during the 2020 COVID lockdowns, Emry Sottile was spending their days working on their research for the Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowship (SURF) Program that was being held on Zoom at the time. What started as a jumpstart on their master’s thesis turned into Sottile’s career in academia and a pursuit of a PhD. Sottile graduated
Ali Sidun (’16) is an Environmental Science & Policy major, who, not coincidentally, enjoys spending time at the Corona Del Mar tide pools. In fact, this Hawaii native chose to attend Chapman University, in part, because it was as much like her home state
The Office of Undergraduate Research and Creative Activity (OURCA) has some amazing funding opportunities for Chapman students. Yes, that’s right—money to support great student ideas and ambitions! OURCA’s most intensive and comprehensive program is the Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowship (SURF), which supports a group of undergraduate students who are pursuing individual research and creative activity
Often, the research topics that fascinate us come from personal history. Because her parents are from Iran, Samira Amirazizi (Psychology, ’18) was interested in studying the brain functions of bilingual speakers. The focus of her research has a lot to do with her own life, and she finds it particularly relevant in current society. With
Biology major Kathy Tavakoli (’16) loves research. Even while taking eighteen credits every semester, going to the lab is an escape, a relief from the other stress of school. She spent last summer indulging in her love of research in the lab of Dr. Keykavous Parang at the School of Pharmacy, and she received funding
The Office of Undergraduate Research and Creative Activity ( OURCA ) officially announces the OURCA Ambassador program! OURCA Ambassadors are a group of outstanding undergraduates from a variety of disciplines who have participated in OURCA programs. They’ve worked with OURCA either through the Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowship ( SURF ) or
People often associate undergraduate research with the sciences, but there are opportunities for every field and discipline. Rose Mackenzie (’17) is pursuing a double major in Theater Studies and Philosophy, and a minor in Women’s Studies and she spent the summer researching with the Office of Undergraduate Research and Creative Activity’s SURF program. The prestigious