Student-Faculty Research at Illinois College
Students at IC are bridging the gap between knowledge and practice, diving into projects that cover a wide range of topics – from ghost orchid research related to the environment to interpersonal communication studies that could help win football games.
There are many options for completing undergraduate research at IC that you won't find at other colleges. Working with faculty and staff, you can design a project that fits for your schedule and goals and learn about the many available options for funding.
Research at IC is happening in many places — like labs, libraries, archives, computer labs, in the field, studios, theatres and even remotely. Students have the opportunity to present their research on campus or at national conferences, often in front of leaders in their field.
The benefits of research goes well beyond building your resume. You will Graduate READY with confidence and insight into your field while building valuable critical thinking and problem solving skills. For students who want to stand out to a hiring manager or graduate school admission counselors in the future, research experience is a must.
2026 Summer Student-Faculty Research Projects
- Addiction, Decision Making, and Neurofeedback in Behavioral Health Research
Faculty :: Yu-Hua Yeh, Psychology
Project: This research program studies behavioral health using surveys, mathematical models, and brain-based technology. One project examines patterns of substance use and smartphone use among Illinois College students to track how these behaviors change over time and to understand what makes this student population unique.
A second project focuses on how people make decisions when outcomes are delayed or uncertain, such as choosing between an immediate reward and a larger reward later. By modeling these choices mathematically, this research helps explain individual differences in decision-making that are linked to addictive behaviors and may inform better intervention strategies.
A third project explores the use of virtual reality within a neurofeedback framework that measures brain activity using EEG. Participants can see their brain activity in real time and learn to regulate it, allowing researchers to create more immersive, real-world–like experiments and develop innovative behavioral interventions.
Open to all students - no preqrequisites.
Yeh Neuroscience Lab at Illinois College
Starts either May 11 or June 1.
- How White-Light Lasers Work: A Computational Study of Supercontinuum Generation
Faculty :: Ashiq Rahman, Physics
Project: This summer research project focuses on using computer simulations to understand how ultrafast laser pulses propagate through optical fibers and generate extremely broad spectra of light, a phenomenon known as supercontinuum generation. Supercontinuum light sources are widely used in applications such as biomedical imaging, spectroscopy, optical communications, and precision measurements.
The student will work closely with the faculty mentor to explore and understand a pre-written Python code based on the split-step Fourier method, a standard numerical technique used to model pulse propagation in optical fibers. Rather than writing code from scratch, the emphasis will be on learning how the simulation works, modifying physical parameters, and exploring how different effects—such as dispersion, nonlinearity, and pulse shape—influence the resulting spectrum.
Over the course of the 10-week program, the student will run simulations, visualize results, compare different scenarios, and gain hands-on experience in computational modeling and scientific data analysis. The long term goal is to use the results from the analysis for a conference presentation / co-authored publication next year. This project is well suited for motivated undergraduate students interested in computational physics, optics, engineering, materials science, programming or applied mathematics. Prior experience with Python is recommended. Training and close mentorship will be provided throughout the summer.
Applicants should have completed Physics II course and calculus. Prior experience with Python programming and differential equations is preferred. Students should have a strong interest in computational modeling and scientific data analysis.
Starts either May 11 or June 1
- Guns, Ganja, and Conditional Rights
Faculty :: Yorkow Oppon-Acquah, Political Science
Project: This project explores an important and timely question in American politics: Should individuals who use marijuana be allowed to own guns? While marijuana use has become more accepted and legal in many states, federal law has historically restricted gun ownership for marijuana users. This creates a real-world debate about rights, responsibility, and fairness.
Rather than focusing only on marijuana or gun policy, this project asks a broader question: Do Americans believe that constitutional rights apply equally to everyone, or do they think some rights should depend on personal behavior? Using secondary survey data from the Pew Research Center and the General Social Survey (GSS), as well as data collected for the supervisor's dissertation, we will examine how people make decisions about who “deserves” certain rights and how concerns about safety, responsibility, and social norms shape public opinion.
This project is a good fit for students in political science, pre-law, sociology, and criminal justice. However, curiosity, motivation, and willingness to learn are more important that prior experience.
Starts June 1
- Building Better Chemical Reactions
Faculty :: Jocelyn Lanorio
Project: What if we could make the chemicals used in medicine, materials, and everyday products in a cleaner and more sustainable way?
This research project explores how smarter chemistry can reduce waste, lower costs, and support healthier systems for people and the planet.
Students in this project will work on developing and using reusable catalysts, materials that help chemical reactions happen efficiently without being thrown away after one use. Many important chemical processes rely on expensive and limited metals. This research focuses on creating more affordable and environmentally responsible alternatives, including using safer reaction conditions such as water or ethanol instead of harsh organic solvents.
Prerequisite: CH 103 or CH 110
Inorganic Chemistry at Illinois College
Starts May 11
- DNA barcoding of Endangered Orchids and their Mycorrhizal Fungi
Faculty :: Laura Corey, Biology
Project: We will be using DNA barcoding techniques to characterize endangered orchids and their mycorrhizal (root) fungi. We will use core molecular biology techniques (DNA isolation, PCR, agarose gel electrophoresis, and DNA sequencing) to answer questions such as the species identity of populations of orchids on different Hawaiian islands and the genetic relationship between populations of the ghost orchids in Florida and Cuba. These techniques will also be used to determine the identity of fungi that best promote orchid germination in support of reintroduction efforts.
Students should have completed a college-level biology or chemistry course.
Starts June 1
- Longitudinal analysis of human cranial development
Faculty :: Miranda Karban
Project: In this project, students will select a specific region or anatomical structure of the human skull for analysis. Using digitized X-ray images, students will collect quantitative measurements to examine how the shape of the selected structure changes throughout childhood and into early adulthood. Students may also investigate the presence of sexual dimorphism by comparing shape variation between males and females. The project is designed to be flexible, allowing students to pursue individual interests while developing a deeper understanding of human skeletal anatomy and growth patterns.
No prerequisites; basic knowledge of the human skeleton is preferred, but not required
Human Biology Lab at Illinois College
Start May 11
- Global Maternal Health Prototypes for use in low-resource environments
Faculty :: Lisa Murray, Engineering
Project: In many low-income countries, women and children do not receive adequate healthcare services. This is due to a lack of resources, inadequate maternal education, and the extreme costs of medical equipment. I have partnered with Hospital Sisters Mission Outreach to develop low-cost prototypes for a photo therapy machine and infant warmers that will address the high mortality rate of infants in low resource areas.
Open to all students - no preqrequisites.
Starts May 11
- Resilience and Identity Development among College Students and Healthcare Providers
Faculty :: Elizabeth Rellinger Zettler, Psychology
Project: This summer, students in the Developmental Lab will be able to choose among three major research projects.
- In 2024, student researchers collected data from healthcare providers. This work was continued in the fall of 2024 and expanded to include college students. This summer, student researchers will conduct literature reviews and develop hypotheses that can be tested using this data set. Primary tasks include data reduction, descriptive and inferential statistical analyses, and writing brief papers for presentation.
- This spring, we are exploring multiple forms of resilience among student athletes. For instance, some student athletes show physical resilience on sport-related tasks even when injured. Some also show resilience in the classroom by excelling in challenging courses. However, some student athletes show commitment to one of their roles (students or athletes) to the detriment of the other role. This summer, student researchers will conduct literature reviews to form specific hypotheses related to this topic. They will collect additional data and engage in data cleaning, scoring, and reduction techniques. Then they will conduct preliminary tests of their hypothesis. By the end of the summer, they will have posters ready for presentation.
- This summer, a project examining the impact of identity development on resilience in college students will begin. Students will conduct literature reviews to develop appropriate hypotheses and methods for testing these hypotheses. By the end of the summer, they will complete an IRB proposal so that data collection can begin in the fall of 2026.
Completion of PS 243 and either PS 275 or PS 276 preferred
Starts on June 1
- Examining the Impact of an 8-Week Structured Literacy Tutoring Program Using the UFLI Curriculum on K–2 Students’ Early Reading Skills
Faculty :: Suzanne Kell, Education
Project: Early literacy skills are critical predictors of long-term academic success, yet many K–2 students struggle with foundational reading skills such as phonemic awareness, phonics, and decoding. Research consistently demonstrates that explicit, systematic instruction grounded in the science of reading is especially effective for early learners and those at risk for reading difficulties.
The University of Florida Literacy Institute (UFLI) Foundations curriculum is a structured literacy program designed to provide explicit, cumulative instruction in phonics and foundational reading skills. The purpose of this project is to investigate the effectiveness of an 8-week structured literacy tutoring program using the UFLI Foundations curriculum on the early reading skills of K–2 students. A secondary purpose is to examine how participation in the tutoring program influences undergraduate education majors’ understanding of explicit, systematic reading instruction.Open to students majoring (or planning to major) in Elementary Education, Sophomore standing or higher and have successfully completed ED 267 Foundational Literacy
Starts on June 1 - 3 students (2 students)
- Lambi Learns About Community: Paramedic and Emergency Service Providers Perception of the "Lambi Learns About Addiction" Intervention for Drug Endangered Children
Faculty :: Samantha Smith, Psychology
Project: Lambi Learns About Addiction is a preventative program designed to support kids whose loved ones struggle with substance use. The book/stuffed animal combination aims to help kids who are drug endangered develop emotional awareness, regulation, and decision-making skills. The program is designed to be utilized in any situation where a child service worker is interacting with children exposed to substance use, including occasions where EMS and Paramedics are on the scene. To date there are no studies examining how these workers perceive Lambi Learns, or how useful they feel the program is. For this project, we will be providing local EMS and Paramedic workers with Lambi kits and following up to assess their opinions on wide scale usability and feasibility. This will be done by administering short surveys and conducting individual semi-structured interviews.
Open to all students - no preqrequisites.
Start either May 11 or June 1.
- Belonging at Illinois College
Faculty :: Marilyn Markel
Project: This project examines how campus events and student life contribute to students’ sense of belonging and social connection at Illinois College (IC), both today and historically. Research shows that belonging impacts engagement, motivation, resilience, and mental health outcomes in higher education. But less is known about how specific campus events, organizations, and traditions have shaped belonging at a single institution over time.
The project will identify how campus organizations and events have evolved over time and how this has impacted belonging, analyzing whether attending campus events is associated with greater social belonging and social capital. We will also analyze which organizations and events are most impactful, and who participates in them. We will start with institutional data utilizing the IC archives to examine how student life, campus culture, and inclusion have evolved from the ~1870s to the present.
By comparing past and present experiences, the project aims to better understand how belonging and participation vary across student groups and how campus culture influences inclusion and belonging over time. Findings may inform future campus programming and contribute to broader discussions of student life and belonging in higher education.Open to all students - no preqrequisites.
Starts on June 1
- Effect of different types and duration of controlled breathing on cognitive performance among college students
Faculty :: Prasanna Acharya, Kinesiology
Project: Controlled breathing—the intentional regulation of inhalation and exhalation—is a core component of mindfulness and meditative practices known to reduce stress and improve mental well-being [1]. Beyond emotional regulation, controlled breathing may enhance cognitive performance by modulating autonomic and cortical activity. Deep, rhythmic breathing stimulates the vagus nerve, increasing parasympathetic nervous system activation and heart rate variability (HRV), both of which are associated with improved attention and emotional control [2,4].
Specific techniques such as equal breathing, box breathing, and 4-7-8 breathing have been linked to improved cerebral oxygenation, executive function, and reductions in stress and negative affect [5,7]. These physiological changes may shift arousal toward an optimal level that supports cognitive performance. However, much of the existing research examines mindfulness as a combined intervention, making it difficult to isolate the cognitive effects of controlled breathing alone [6]. Additionally, limited research has compared different breathing techniques or examined whether the duration of breathing practice influences cognitive outcomes in healthy young adults.
To address these gaps, the present study consists of two parts conducted in college students: Study Part 1 examines the acute effects of different controlled breathing techniques on selective and sustained attention, while Study Part 2 investigates the influence of breathing duration on cognitive performance.Open to all students - no preqrequisites.
Starts May 11
- Regenerative Mechanisms in Tadpoles (X. laevis)
Faculty :: Paul Hamilton, Biology
Project: My research lab uses tadpoles of the frog Xenopus laevis as a model organism for investigating the regenerative mechanisms of tissues and organs. Using lab techniques commonly used in cell, molecular, and developmental biology, we explore the deep question of why specific tissues and organisms possess the ability to regenerate, while others do not. Our primary system is the lens of the eye and its ability to regenerate from the cornea epithelium after its complete removal. Ongoing research topics include the investigation of genes expressed during the regenerative process, the development of the corneal stroma during metamorphosis and its impact on the regenerative process in mature cornea, and how hair cells of the lateral line system respond to drugs known to be ototoxic.
This project is open to all students; however preference will be given to students who have completed BI 207 or who have completed more science electives in related areas.
Lens Regeneration Research at Illinois College
Start May 11
- Global at Home: Intercultural Communication and Youth Organizations in the United States
Faculty :: Blessed Ngoe, Communications
Project: Young people in the United States increasingly engage with global cultures through diaspora-linked organizations, community initiatives, and youth-facing institutions, often without direct experience of the societies these cultures originate from. This project examines intercultural communication in U.S.-based organizational and community settings where cultural difference, global inequality, and youth aspirations intersect.
The project focuses on qualitative analysis of public-facing organizational communications (such as websites, mission statements, and social media content), observational fieldnotes from public events, and reflexive analysis of how young people interpret and communicate across cultural differences. As preparation for future iterations of the project, students will develop and pilot interview instruments and recruitment strategies, establishing a foundation for interview-based data collection in subsequent phases pending IRB approval.
This project is open to all students. Those interested in communication, business, global studies, anthropology, or qualitative research are especially encouraged to apply.
Starts on May 11
- The Impact of Government-Paid Prices on Inflation Internationally
Faculty :: Sam Levey
Project: Surprisingly, inflation is still something of a mystery to economists: there are a wide range of theories on what causes or moderates it, but the evidence is limited and extremely difficult to evaluate. In this project, we will research price statistics derived from government spending in multiple countries in order to ascertain how the prices paid by the government influence the general level of prices across the economy over time. This follows recent theoretical work suggesting that government prices may play a central role in an inflationary process.
Students must have taken EC 105. Preferably they would have taken EC 318 as well, but this is not strictly necessary.
Starts on May 11
- Movement Patterns and Social Communication of Bats in Illinois
Faculty :: Bryan Arnold, Biology
Project: Bats are critical to the health of temperate ecosystems as they are the main consumers of nocturnal insects, many of which are agricultural pests. Understanding their movement patterns is important as this allows biologists to enhance and protect bat habitat. For this project, we place bat recorders in different locations in Siloam Springs State Park. These recorders are programmed to record the high frequency sounds that bats produce as they fly by the microphone, allowing us to measure activity in different locations in the park. The recordings are analyzed using software which identifies the species that produced the call. We have collected data at the park for the past five years allowing students to investigate how various factors influence bat activity including temperature, humidity, habitat type, and prescribed burns as well as study long-term changes in populations of endangered and threatened bat species. We also use the recordings of “feeding buzzes” produced by bats to examine foraging behavior and analyze calls bats make when communicating with other bats, termed "social calls", so we can understand the function of the different sounds produced by different species. Part of this research also includes surveys of bats using mist nets and genetic research techniques including DNA extraction and PCR.
Open to all students - no preqrequisites.
Bat Research at Illinois College
Starts May 11