Cornell College summer research underway

Students on the Cornell College campus have finished the academic year and are transforming into full-time researchers for the annual Cornell Summer Research Institute (CSRI).

Forty students are working side-by-side with 20 faculty members on a variety of intensive research projects. The eight-week institute takes place May 21–July 13.

“Student-faculty research provides our students with a personalized education that promotes intellectual maturation,” said CSRI Director and Professor of Biology Craig Tepper. “This interaction fosters discovery-based and active learning and prepares students for the independence required to succeed in today’s complex workforce.”

Among many topics, the teams will be studying homelessness, eating disorder intervention, advanced systems for carbon dioxide capture, trends in human rights abuse, and monarch butterflies.

Students and faculty will gather to kick off CSRI at a picnic on Thursday, May 24, at 5:30 p.m. Students will introduce their research projects on the McGrane Terrace, outside of the second floor of the Thomas Commons. At the end of the institute, students will present their findings at a student symposium at 3 p.m. on July 11 and July 12 in the Thomas Commons, Hall-Perrine Room.

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

CSRI has been held on campus for four years with research projects on a variety of subject matters. Throughout the institute, participants also attend panels and discussions to help prepare them for life after college on topics such as applying for graduate school, selling your skills, and learning about research ethics.