Cornell students dedicate summer to research

As college graduates compete to get the best jobs and positions in graduate school, one Cornell College program is setting students up for success by providing a unique opportunity to conduct undergraduate research.

Thirty-seven students are working side-by-side with 23 faculty members on a variety of intensive research projects during the third annual Cornell Summer Research Institute (CSRI). The ten-week institute takes place May 21 – July 29.

“Students working on independent summer research projects have the opportunity to engage deeply in their disciplinary interests,” said Cornell College Professor of Geology and Associate Dean Ben Greenstein, who directs the institute. “At the same time, CSRI students develop and refine the skills that employers most value in college graduates—critical thinking, communication, and the ability to work collaboratively. CSRI also provides a venue for students to interact with students and faculty from many different liberal arts disciplines and learn how the world is viewed through different disciplinary lenses. ”

The CSRI student-faculty teams will make new discoveries about everything from politics and psychology to science and engineering. Among many topics, the teams will be studying LGBTQ and youth homelessness, eating disorder intervention, media coverage of political campaigns, and a virtual-reality surgical simulator.

Students and faculty will gather to kick-off CSRI at a picnic on Thursday, May 25 at 5:30 p.m. Students will introduce their research projects on the McGrane Terrace, outside of the second floor of the Thomas Commons, located on the Cornell College campus.

At the end of the institute, students will also present their findings at a student symposium at 3 p.m. on July 26 and July 27 in the Thomas Commons, Hall Perrine room.

The institute is possible because of generous funding from the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation, the Hewlett Foundation, Dimensions, the Berry Career Institute, the Roger Gillette Student-Faculty Research Fund, and the Rebecca Joe Wearin Pulk Student-Faculty Research Fund.

For more information, please contact Cornell College Public Relations Director Jill Hawk at jhawk@cornellcollege.edu or 319.895.4232.