-
The CCRA blog is authored by Columbia undergraduate researchers, who are invited to reflect on all aspects of the research process and their own undergraduate research experiences, beginning (but not ending) with the Core.
Category Archives: Summer Research
Interning in the Archives: My Experience at the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History
This summer, I had the exciting opportunity to intern with the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History (NMNH) as part of a program called Natural History Research Experiences (NHRE). Throughout my 10-week NHRE internship, I was able to prepare a … Continue reading
Posted in Archives, major research, Summer Research, Uncategorized
Comments Off on Interning in the Archives: My Experience at the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History
Fruit Flies and the Life and Times of Mitochondria
Around campus, when chatting research, I often say that my hours in the lab are spent “messing with flies.” While this is perhaps a stretch, it is not far from the truth. Most days begin with fly work: the necessary … Continue reading
Posted in STEM research, Summer Research
Comments Off on Fruit Flies and the Life and Times of Mitochondria
Independent Research is … “Independent”?
At 1AM on a random Wednesday in March, I opened my email to find that decisions for the Laidlaw Undergraduate Research and Leadership Scholarship Program had been released. Since I was in the midst of grinding my International Politics essay … Continue reading
Posted in Summer Research, Uncategorized
Comments Off on Independent Research is … “Independent”?
An Interview with Helen Ruger about the Laidlaw Scholars Program (Part 2)
Last month, I spoke with a Laidlaw scholar about her introduction to the program, her experiences with faculty mentorship, and the topic she chose to research in her first summer. This month, we’ll be discussing her second summer with the … Continue reading
Posted in major research, Summer Research
Comments Off on An Interview with Helen Ruger about the Laidlaw Scholars Program (Part 2)
An Interview with Helen Ruger about the Laidlaw Scholars Program (Part 1)
This month, I spoke with a friend and fellow Classics major about her experiences with the Laidlaw Scholars program. Below is the first part of our conversation, in which we talk about how she was introduced to the program, her … Continue reading
Posted in conference presentations, COVID-19, Faculty Mentors, major research, Summer Research
Comments Off on An Interview with Helen Ruger about the Laidlaw Scholars Program (Part 1)
Demystifying Office Hours
Welcome to the start of a new semester! I am in a bit of disbelief that this is the last one of my undergraduate Columbia experiences. I thought I would start off my posts this new year by unpacking possibly … Continue reading
Posted in courses, COVID-19, Faculty Mentors, major research, postgraduation plans, Senior Thesis, STEM research, Summer Research
Comments Off on Demystifying Office Hours
Research Symposium!
About two months ago, Columbia and URF hosted their annual Undergraduate Research Symposium, an event that allows students to showcase research projects they have been working on. It happened to coincide with Family Days Weekend, and I eagerly waited on … Continue reading
Posted in conference presentations, COVID-19, major research, Summer Research, Uncategorized
Comments Off on Research Symposium!
Classwork to Conference Presentation: Developing a Class Paper into a Conference-Ready Research Project
If you’re reading this blog, you’re probably interested in research as an undergrad. Also, if you’re reading this blog, you may not know where to begin. In this post, I hope to demystify the process some by outlining how I … Continue reading
Posted in courses, Senior Thesis, Summer Research, Uncategorized
Comments Off on Classwork to Conference Presentation: Developing a Class Paper into a Conference-Ready Research Project
Putting It All Together: Tools for an Organized Project
So your research project is finally underway: now what? For me, the natural next step is to get organized. I have compiled some of my favorite tips and tools for managing any type of project. For context, I am a … Continue reading
Posted in Senior Thesis, STEM research, Summer Research, Uncategorized
Comments Off on Putting It All Together: Tools for an Organized Project
“Useless” Research: Applying Research Skills to an Unrelated Summer Internship
In the spring of 2021, I attended a virtual undergraduate Classics conference and presented my research on Lucian of Samosata, a 2nd Century Greek satirist. In my paper, I focused on a text called On salaried posts in great houses, … Continue reading
Posted in Archives, New York City, Summer Research, Uncategorized
Comments Off on “Useless” Research: Applying Research Skills to an Unrelated Summer Internship