Day in the life Posts

A Day in the Life of a Parasitology Undergrad Researcher

Thu, 19 Feb 2026 12:00:00 +0000

Have you ever wanted to do research but felt like you were too busy? I am here to tell you that even if you can only work in the lab, workshop, or field for a few hours a week, those hours are absolutely worth your time.

A Day in the Life of a Mechanical Engineering Researcher

Thu, 04 Sep 2025 12:00:00 +0000

This summer, I got to do something super exciting: build a flying spacecraft simulator.

A Day in the Life of an Occupational Therapy Researcher

Mon, 18 Aug 2025 12:00:00 +0000

My research uses a GPS-based tracking device to monitor the driving behavior of individuals with Alzheimer’s Disease and related dementia with the hope of reducing caregiver anxiety.

A Day in the Life of a Marine Biology Researcher

Tue, 05 Aug 2025 12:00:00 +0000

My summer research focuses on a group of phytoplankton that produces a potent neurotoxin responsible for harmful algal blooms.

An Economics Student’s Approach to Theoretical Research

Mon, 14 Jul 2025 12:00:00 +0000

Research for business and philosophy students looks very different than in the sciences.

From Questions to Answers: The Personal Impact of Research

Mon, 10 Feb 2025 12:00:00 +0000

The extent of what I do day-to-day is something the younger version of me never would have expected.

My Experience with In-Semester Research on Photocatalytic Methane Conversion

Tue, 12 Nov 2024 12:00:00 +0000

Conducting research as an undergraduate during the semester can be challenging but is ultimately manageable with discipline and time-management.

The Three Most Important Skills I Learned by Participating in Research

Tue, 29 Oct 2024 12:00:00 +0000

While participating in undergraduate research is often encouraged for a resumé boost or acceptance into graduate school, there is so much more to this experience than what meets the eye.

How Leprosy Changed My Mind

Thu, 03 Oct 2024 12:00:00 +0000

I never thought my research on leprosy would make me a skeptic. Nonetheless, my investigation led me to question foundational beliefs about my perception of history.

My Experience as a Biotechnology Research Apprentice

Tue, 17 Sep 2024 12:00:00 +0000

The most consistent piece of advice given to me by anyone who worked in research was to get into it as soon as possible, and do it as often as I could.

Studying in a Neuroscience Lab for the First Time

Wed, 11 Sep 2024 12:00:00 +0000

As a student studying to complete my Bachelor of Science degree in biochemistry, molecular, and cellular biology, I have always been interested in anesthesia.

Musical Tuning and the Joys of Liberal Arts Research

Wed, 04 Sep 2024 12:00:00 +0000

The opportunity to conduct research at the undergraduate level is invaluable. The process inevitably involves a deep-dive into some aspect of your broader field of interest—helping with your more traditional classes and academic pursuits while sharpening a host of scholarly skills such as close reading, clear writing, and locating and evaluating sources/data.

Late Nights and Early Mornings: Emphasizing the Importance of Research on Social Jet Lag

Tue, 20 Aug 2024 12:00:00 +0000

I am a rising senior at 91��Ƭ�� with a double major in Exercise Science and Nutrition. This summer, Nate Goodwin and I are conducting a research study funded by a Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowship (SURF) from the Hamel Center for Undergraduate Research.

The Science of Sleep: How We Investigate the Health Risks of Social Jet Lag

Tue, 20 Aug 2024 12:00:00 +0000

I am a rising senior in the Exercise Science program, and my colleague, Gabe Dennett, and I are conducting research with a Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowship (SURF) under the mentorship of Dr. Michael Brian in the Robert Kertzer Exercise Physiology Laboratory at New Hampshire Hall.

Ten Lessons from My First Field Season—the Practical and the Personal

Tue, 13 Aug 2024 12:00:00 +0000

This past spring, I was fortunate enough to be accepted to the Hamel Center’s Research Experience and Apprenticeship Program, and since then, I’ve been working on a project surrounding the heritability of nest characteristics in saltmarsh sparrows.

Why the Fear of Statistics Didn’t Hold Me Back

Fri, 05 Apr 2024 12:00:00 +0000

As a senior, I am close to graduating and am figuring out the next steps in my life. My goals have significantly changed, especially since starting my senior year. Undertaking different projects, in both the applied and research aspects of the field of psychology has broadened my views and changed my path. One thing that has changed along the way is my relationship with statistics.

Learning the Ropes to Write My First Research Proposal

Mon, 22 Jan 2024 12:00:00 +0000

Everyone starts somewhere. Before I applied to the Hamel Center’s Research Experience and Apprenticeship Program (REAP), I contemplated whether I was qualified.

What You Need for Successful Field Work

Tue, 19 Dec 2023 12:00:00 +0000

Anything can happen while conducting field work in the woods: sudden thunderstorms, rapid rivers, popped tires, sprained ankles, wildlife encounters, or getting lost.

Should Judges Use Artificial Intelligence to Inform Sentencing Decisions?

Fri, 22 Sep 2023 12:00:00 +0000

This summer I received a Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowship (SURF) from the Hamel Center for Undergraduate Research. As a philosophy major, my project—which I will turn into my senior honors thesis over this next school year—is on the use of artificial intelligence (AI) in judicial deliberation.

Becoming a Cancer Researcher in Ten Weeks

Fri, 08 Sep 2023 12:00:00 +0000

Becoming involved in research so early into your university experience can be intimidating, but I steadfastly believe that it is one of the best ways to gain a deeper understanding of subject matter that interests you, as well as grant you more confidence in your potential field.