From: Office of Undergraduate Research, Scholarly, and Creative Activity
Date: July 24
Subject: URSCA Newsletter, Vol. 10: July 24, 2026


URSCA NEWSLETTER, VOL. 10 July 24, 2026
URSCA Newsletter vol. 10, July 24, 2026 [URSCA logo]

Upcoming Events and Opportunities

Undergraduate Research Ambassador Virtual Q&A

Research Ambassador Q&A

Curious about doing research as an undergraduate? Join our Undergraduate Research Ambassadors for a virtual Q&A and get all your questions answered! Whether you are looking to get started or are already in the midst of a project, these experienced peer leaders can help you navigate the next steps. All JHU undergrads are welcome! Drop into the Zoom room any time between 7 and 9 pm. Register here for the Zoom link.

Hopkins Summer Research Symposium

Summer STEM research showcase August 5
 

URSCA is hosting the annual Hopkins Summer Research Symposium on Wednesday, August 5, from 10am-12pm in Mudd Atrium. This symposium features undergraduate students who have spent the summer conducting research in labs across the university. All are welcome to attend!

If you are interested in presenting a poster, fill out this form by Friday, July 31. Spaces are limited and not guaranteed, so please sign up quickly!

The program will be finalized on August 1st and shared on our website and on Hopkins Groups shortly thereafter. Stay tuned! 
Workshop: Research Poster Presentation Run-Throughs

Rehearse your poster presentation

Whether you are planning to participate in the Hopkins Summer Research Symposium or getting ready for another conference, come practice presenting your poster in front of a friendly audience of experienced peers. Our Research Ambassadors will be on hand from 7-9 pm on Wednesday, July 29, to give constructive feedback to help you shine! This workshop is open to all JHU undergraduates, as well as visiting undergraduate researchers participating in summer programs at Hopkins. Register here.

Virtual Workshop: Finding a Lab and Securing a Position

Secure your lab spot for the fall!


In this popular monthly workshop, our Undergraduate Research Ambassadors will give a brief presentation on what to consider when looking for labs and how to find the right fit, and will then lead a workshop on writing effective emails and nailing interviews to secure your spot. They will also provide one-on-one consultations to help match you with the right lab, get your email wording just right, and practice answering interview questions. Open to all JHU undergrads and suitable for anyone looking to join a lab in any capacity!

This workshop will be held on Zoom on Thursday, August 6, from 7 to 8:30 pm. Register here. 

External Opportunities

National Research Conference at Penn 

Applications due: August 15, 2026
This annual student-run conference at the University of Pennsylvania welcomes undergraduate researchers in the fields of:
  • Biological Science
  • Physical Science and Engineering
  • Social Science
  • Humanities
  • Business 
The 2026 conference will be held on October 2nd and 3rd and will feature keynote speakers, graduate school admission panels, a communication challenge, and networking in addition to the student poster sessions. 

Researcher Spotlights

Bennett Ross

Tyler Fellow Bennett Ross '28 recently penned a blog post for the Tyler Center describing the motivations for his summer research project that will take him to archives in Senegal and The Gambia. Click here to read the feature, entitled "Following the Senegambia Confederation's Paper Trail."

Catherine ThompsonCatherine Thompson '27 got a head start on her international Tyler Fellowship project, as she was already in Australia studying abroad! Read her first chronicle of her independent research on indigenous youth and the carceral system in Victoria here.
Freddy Wu

Tyler Fellow Freddy Wu '29 is embarking on a research trip to Italy, where he will study ancient Roman recipes and their resonance in contemporary cuisine. Click here to read his first Tyler Center blog post about how he will go about his study and what he hopes to discover!

Video still of Alessia Iannuzzi in the labUniversity Fellow and Undergraduate Research Ambassador Alessia Iannuzzi '27 was recently featured in a KSAS video explaining her research on the human retina. Click here to watch it!
Dua Hussain

Recent graduate and 2025-26 Dr. Saraf Memorial Awardee Dua Hussain '26 has been accepted to present her URSCA-funded research project, "Mujhe Depression Hai: (Mis)translations and Mental Health Training in Pakistan," at the American Anthropologist Association Annual Meeting this fall in St. Louis, Missouri.

Dua, an incoming medical student at Sidney Kimmel Medical College in Philadelphia, plans to continue doing her research throughout her career in medicine. "It has opened my eyes to how much colonialism still impacts medicine, as well as how small things can heavily impact patient care," she shared. "I hope to one day help fix those systemic issues as a physician!"

Read more about Dua's project here.

Get in Touch!

Meet with an Undergraduate Research Ambassador: Book an appointment here
Self-enroll in our Canvas resource repository: Undergraduate Research Resources
Follow us on Instagram: @jhu_ursca

Email us your general inquiries: ursca@jhu.edu 

Visit us in our office: Wyman Park Building, Suite 350 

Team URSCA, with photos of our staff and student ambassadors

Research Poster Presentation Run-Throughs on Wednesday, 29 July 2026 At 7:00 PM. No image description provided

EVENT

Research Poster Presentation Run-Throughs

clock Wednesday, July 29
7:00pm - 9:00pm
Location pinGilman 134, Wyman Park Building, Suite 350, Baltimore, MD United States
CalendarAdd to Google Cal, Outlook, Yahoo, iCal

Are you an undergrad participating in the Hopkins Summer Research Symposium (or another conference) in August? Come practice presenting your poster in front of a friendly audience of experienced peers. Our Research Ambassadors will give constructive feedback to help you shine! This workshop is open to all JHU undergraduates, as well as visiting undergraduate researchers participating in summer programs at Hopkins! Drop in any time between 7 and 9 pm.

REGISTER
Undergraduate Research Ambassador Q and A on Thursday, 30 July 2026 At 7:00 PM. No image description provided

EVENT

Undergraduate Research Ambassador Q&A

clock Thursday, July 30
7:00pm - 9:00pm
Location pinOnline Event
CalendarAdd to Google Cal, Outlook, Yahoo, iCal

Curious about doing research as an undergraduate? Join our Undergraduate Research Ambassadors for a virtual Q&A and get all your questions answered! Whether you are looking to get started or are already in the midst of a project, these experienced peer leaders can help you navigate the next steps. All are welcome!

REGISTER
Hopkins Summer Research Symposium on Wednesday, 05 August 2026 At 10:00 AM. No image description provided

EVENT

Hopkins Summer Research Symposium

clock Wednesday, August 5
10:00am - 12:00pm
Location pinMudd Atrium, Wyman Park Building, Suite 350, Baltimore, MD United States
CalendarAdd to Google Cal, Outlook, Yahoo, iCal

Annual symposium featuring STEM research posters by visiting undergraduates participating in the Amgen Scholars, BioREU, and Rowland Summer Research Fellowship programs, as well as JHU undergraduates conducting independent summer research in labs across the university.
REGISTER
Virtual Workshop: Finding a Lab and Securing a Position on Thursday, 06 August 2026 At 7:00 PM. No image description provided

EVENT

Virtual Workshop: Finding a Lab and Securing a Position

clock Thursday, August 6
7:00pm - 8:30pm
Location pinOnline Event
CalendarAdd to Google Cal, Outlook, Yahoo, iCal

Suitable for anyone hoping to join a lab in any capacity! Our Undergraduate Research Ambassadors will give a brief presentation on how to find the right fit, and then lead a workshop on writing effective emails to secure your spot. They will provide one-on-one consultations to help match you with the right lab and to get your email wording just right! Open to all JHU undergrads. This same workshop is being offered on June 24, July 14, and August 6.
REGISTER