S.T.A.R. (Student Training for Advancing Research)
S.T.A.R. is a recognition program created by the Office of Undergraduate Research. If you earn your S.T.A.R., that means you have completed a series of Undergraduate Research Workshops. Learn more on how you can earn your S.T.A.R. as an undergraduate!
Honors College ASH Scholars
Through the MU Honors College and Office of Undergraduate Research’s long-running ASH Scholars Program, undergraduates in the Sinclair School of Nursing can apply to be a part of a faculty-led, multi-year cohort of researchers who produce original scholarship on topics related to human-centered design.
IDEAS Lab: Inclusive Design, Empathy and Accessible Solutions
- Dr. Kerri McBee-Black (Textile and Apparel Management)
- Dr. Alisha Johnson (Nursing)
- Students in the Human-Centered Design project will work together with an interdisciplinary team of faculty and industry mentors to advance inclusive design and accessibility research, ensuring the needs of individuals with disabilities and aging are met. As part of the research team, students will play an integral role in all phases of interdisciplinary research, gaining valuable experience in research design, data collection, participant engagement and dissemination. Building upon the teams’ expertise in design, person-centered health care and technology, the project aims to co-create adaptive solutions that address the needs of individuals as informed by lived experiences and grounded in evidence-based practices.
How to Apply
To apply for this scholarship, log into ScholarshipUniverse – using your Mizzou assigned username and password – and search “ASH Scholarship.”
Honors College Discovery Fellows
As a Discovery Fellow, students begin research in their first semester. This scholarship program allows students to gain insight into the professional world, enhance their knowledge base and critical thinking skills, and better prepare themselves for their path after they graduate from Mizzou. These students also form an invaluable connection with their faculty mentor that can last for years and open other doors during their academic career. Students from all majors can participate in this research program.
Every Discovery Fellow is part of a research-based Honors College course that prepares them for their research placement. There are also ample opportunities for Discovery Fellows to share their work, including on the Mizzou campus through undergraduate research forums. For more information please contact Jen Schaffer at the Honors College.
Sinclair School of Nursing Essig Undergraduate Research Mentorship
The Ann Crowe Essig Undergraduate Nursing Research Mentorship Program is intended to encourage and support undergraduate nursing student participation in nursing and interdisciplinary research projects. Participation in this program allows the student to experience firsthand numerous aspects of nursing and health-related research with support from an experienced faculty researcher. The program will acquaint students with the research process and will serve as a stimulus for further investigation and education.
The program culminates with the preparation and submission of a written abstract to be presented at an on campus or regional research event. Presentation of the research project must be completed within 6 months of finishing the program. Examples of on campus presentation opportunities include Class Research Project Day (end of each semester), Health Sciences Research Day (November), or ShowMe Research Week (April). An example of a regional research opportunity is the Midwest Nursing Research Society Annual Research Conference.
Each participating student will receive an hourly stipend for working a maximum of 160 hours over the semester from the endowment in Mrs. Essig’s name. Alternative research opportunities may be available for applicants not selected for the Essig Mentorship on a space and funding available basis. For more information, please contact Dr. LeeAnne Sherwin, Director of Undergraduate Research and Honors Program.
ForagerOne
The Office of Undergraduate Research recently established ForagerOne. ForagerOne is a hub that connects faculty and all Mizzou students based on research interests. Students interested in research are strongly encouraged to activate their profile on ForagerOne.
Undergraduate Research Spotlights
Ramon Torres-Gomez, an Essig Fellow who worked with Dr. Elizabeth Anderson and Dr. Jane Armer. He is shown here presenting his poster at the 2026 MU Show Me Research Week.
Melinda Fauss, undergraduate student Discovery Fellow, displaying research poster titled “Evaluating the Lived Experiences of Older Adults with Fall-Monitoring Technology.”
Jossie Rood, undergraduate Essig Fellow, displaying research poster titled “Readability and Linguistic Analysis of Alcohol and Breast Cancer Risk Information from Generative AI Chatbots” and receiving the Undergraduate Research Award from the Health Systems, Policy, & Informatics RIIG at the 50th Midwest Nursing Research Society Annual Research Conference with her mentor, Dr. Robert Bautista.
Daniela Guido (R), undergraduate student Essig Fellow, and Friederike Albrecht (L), PhD student Sinclair Fellow, displaying research poster titled “Participatory Group Discussions of the ‘Vivendo Bien’ Study: Focus on Methods.”
Abigail Roessler, undergraduate student Essig Fellow, and her mentor, Dr. Knoo Lee, displaying research poster title “Understanding Lifestyle Changes and Restrictions for Caregivers of Patients with Alzheimer’s Disease and Related Dementia” at the 50th Midwest Nursing Research Society Annual Research Conference.
Rachel Trosky (center right), undergraduate Essig Fellow, presents her research poster at the Missouri State Capitol. She is joined by Dean Lori Popejoy, Dr. LeeAnne Sherwin, and Dr. Kimberly Powell.