Research
Want to present at a research conference?
Research at URS spans across a wide range of disciplines, from medicine and public health to engineering, psychology, criminology, and beyond. Through collaborative literature review projects, students work alongside their peers to investigate topics tailored to their interests while developing valuable research skills, including critical thinking, scientific writing, and public speaking.
Under the guidance of experienced Research Coordinators, students will learn how to explore scholarly literature, organize research findings, and contribute to a group project. Participants will also have the opportunity to present their research through poster presentations at conferences such as USF Health Research Day, the OneUSF Undergraduate Research Conference, and other undergraduate research conferences.
URS Research Impact
Growing opportunities. Expanding impact. Built by students, for students.
2024–2025 38 Projects
2025–2026 78 Projects
2026–2027 140 Projects
For Mentees
How URS Research Works
1
Join the GroupMe
Join URS GroupMe to be up to date.
2
Topics Posted
Research topics will be posted before registration opens so students can review the available projects ahead of time.
3
Registration Opens
Registration opens on September 14th. Students choose the project they're most interested in and try to secure a spot - spots are first come, first served.
4
Meet Your Coordinator
Each project already has a Research Coordinator assigned. When you select a project, you're also joining that coordinator's research group.
5
Review the Literature
Groups work together to review scholarly papers related to their topic - most projects involve a literature review, systematic review, or similar research-based project guided by the Research Coordinator.
6
Write Your Abstract
Students summarize their findings and develop an abstract to submit to a research conference.
7
Build Your Poster
After the abstract is accepted, students work on making a poster based on their research.
8
Present
Students present their poster at undergraduate research conferences.
What You Can Study
Project Categories
21 Psychology, Psychiatry & Behavioral Health
19 Neuroscience & Neurology
15 Immunology, Infectious Disease & Microbiology
14 Oncology & Cancer Biology
9 Cardiovascular & Vascular Health
9 Surgery, Orthopedics & Anesthesiology
8 AI, Data Science & Digital Health
8 Endocrinology, Metabolism & Nutrition
8 Public Health, Health Disparities & Healthcare
7 Genetics, Molecular Biology & Biomarkers
7 Dentistry & Oral Health
6 Humanities, Society & Ethics
4 Others
3 Reproductive & Women's Health
2 Anthropology, Archaeology & History
View the full list of topics for 2026-27 here.
Conferences & Presentation Opportunities
Where URS members present
Once your project takes shape, URS helps you take it beyond the lab and present it to an audience. Presenting builds confidence, earns you feedback from experienced researchers, and strengthens your application for grad school, med school, or industry. Whatever your experience level, URS supports members through abstract writing, poster design, and presentation practice.
On-Campus - great for a first presentation
OneUSF Summer Undergraduate Research Symposium USF's campus-wide summer poster symposium each July, across the Tampa and St. Petersburg campuses. Open to all majors and experience levels. OneUSF Undergraduate Research Conference A spring conference open to all USF undergraduates, including students within one year of graduating. USF Health Research Day USF Health's largest annual research showcase, with hundreds of presenters from medicine, nursing, pharmacy, and public health. A strong fit for health and bio projects.
Regional & National - great next steps
Gulf Coast Undergraduate Research Symposium A national symposium in Houston where students give a live 12–15 minute talk instead of a poster, with faculty coaching afterward. National Research Conference at Penn A student-run, two-day interdisciplinary conference at the University of Pennsylvania with poster sessions and a research-communication competition. National Conference on Undergraduate Research One of the country's largest undergraduate research conferences, open to every field and discipline. Florida Undergraduate Research Conference Florida's statewide undergraduate research conference, open to students across the state. Yale Undergraduate Research Conference Yale's undergraduate research conference, open to students from other universities. Harvard Student Research Symposium A research symposium at Harvard featuring poster and paper presentations from undergraduates nationwide.
See Us in Action
Research Groups in Action
URS at Penn (NRCP)
URS at Yale Undergraduate Research Conference
OneUSF 2025
OneUSF 2026
OneUSF 2024
USF Health Research Day
USF Undergraduate Research Conference 2023
URS at FURC
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Getting Started with URS Research
How do I join a URS project?
No experience is required to participate in URS and everyone who applies for a group is accepted! Join the URS GroupMe for instructions about how to sign up for projects on September 14th.
What if I don't have much experience in research?
That's okay! Many students join URS with little or no experience reading scientific literature. Research Coordinators guide members through the process of finding, understanding, and analyzing research articles. As the project progresses, members may contribute to writing sections of the project, but you'll receive guidance and feedback every step of the way. The idea is to assist you in gaining confidence and experience in research and presentation.
Do I need to know what I want to research?
Many students join URS without a specific research interest in mind. You can choose whatever topic interests you.
Can I explore topics outside my major?
Students from all majors are encouraged to participate, and interdisciplinary collaboration is a core part of URS.
How are research topics chosen?
Research Coordinators propose and develop project topics before recruiting members. As the project progresses, students collaborate to refine the research question, discuss new ideas, and contribute to the project's development. Although the main topic is predetermined, members are encouraged to share ideas and help shape the final project.
How many students are in one research group?
Research groups are generally formed by one research coordinator and 8 students.
How does Research Groups Work?
How big of a time commitment is a URS project?
In general these projects require 1-5 hours of work each week although it can vary between groups and between weeks. If you join a project it is essential that you can commit to fully participating until it is complete.
When are meetings held for each project group?
Meeting times are arranged around the schedules and availability of group members. Most groups meet online via Teams about once a week or every other week.
What happens during a typical URS research meeting?
Every meeting is different, but most involve discussing project progress, reviewing research articles, brainstorming ideas, assigning tasks, and planning next steps. As the project develops, meetings may also focus on writing, creating research posters, and preparing for conference presentations. Research Coordinators are there to guide members every step of the way.
What role will I have in a research project?
Every group member contributes meaningfully to their project's success. Responsibilities may include reviewing scientific literature, organizing and synthesizing research, contributing to writing, and preparing posters or presentations for conferences.
What skills can I expect to develop?
Through this experience, students gain skills in scientific writing, teamwork, literature searching, critical thinking, and public speaking.
What's the difference between a literature review and a systematic review, and which type of project will I work on?
A literature review summarizes and analyzes existing research to provide an overview of a topic and identify research gaps. A systematic review follows a structured, reproducible process to locate, evaluate, and synthesize all relevant studies using predefined methods. Many URS projects focus on literature reviews, while some use systematic review methodologies depending on the project's goals.
Joining and Eligibility
Are there any eligibility requirements to join a URS research group?
No. There are no GPA, class year, major, or prior research requirements to join a research group. Students from all backgrounds and experience levels are welcome.
How do I join the URS Canvas?
Use the URS Canvas enrollment link, then go to People → Groups to view and join available research groups. The Canvas link is also pinned in the URS GroupMe.
What if the project I want to join is already full?
You may contact the Research Coordinator and ask whether they are willing to accept an additional member or place you on a waitlist. Coordinators are not required to accept students beyond their listed group capacity.
Can I switch research groups after joining one?
Usually yes, as long as there are still open spots in another group. However, once most projects are full, switching may no longer be possible.
Are there any costs to participate?
No. Participating in URS research groups is completely free. Students are not charged any fees to join, and research group participation is unpaid.
Participation Rules
Can I join more than one URS research group?
URS generally prioritizes giving every student the opportunity to join one project first. If second-group registration opens later in the semester, URS will announce it through GroupMe and other official channels.
Can I participate in both a URS research group and the Mentorship Program?
Yes. Students may participate in both programs at the same time.
Can I join if I am graduating this academic year?
Yes. Students graduating in the spring can still participate, as long as they are able to remain involved through the project and presentation period.
Research Coordinators
What is a Research Coordinator?
Research Coordinators are the main point of contact for students in URS research groups. They are usually upperclassmen or recent graduates with prior research experience who volunteer to guide students through the research process.
What do Research Coordinators do?
Research Coordinators help develop project ideas, lead student research groups, guide literature reviews, support research planning and design, and help students prepare abstracts and poster presentations.
Will my Research Coordinator help me if this is my first project?
Yes. Research Coordinators are there to support students at different experience levels. They help make the research process more approachable by guiding the group step by step.
After Joining a Group
What happens after I join a research group?
Your Research Coordinator will contact the group and organize an initial meeting. During that meeting, they will explain the project, expectations, timeline, and next steps.
How will my Research Coordinator contact me?
This varies by coordinator. Most communicate through email or GroupMe. Coordinator names are listed next to each project in Canvas, and URS also provides a coordinator contact list.
What should I do if I have not heard from my Research Coordinator?
Give your coordinator at least one week after joining, especially if the group is still filling. If you still have not heard from them, contact them directly through GroupMe or email. If you cannot reach them, contact URS leadership so we can help connect you.
Do I need to contact my Research Coordinator first?
Usually, no. Coordinators are expected to contact their members, but students are also encouraged to reach out if they have not heard anything after the initial onboarding period.
When does the actual research start?
It varies by group. Most groups begin once enough members have joined, and the coordinator schedules the first meeting. Each coordinator sets the timeline based on the project and intended conference.
Conferences and Presentations
How long does a research project take to finish?
Research projects conducted at URS typically take about an entire academic year to be finished. Upon completion, students present the findings of their research at an undergraduate conference, like the OneUSF Undergraduate Research Conference in April, and may have the opportunity to present at additional conferences.
Can I publish the research I do with URS?
Depending on the quality and significance to publishers, the research can also have the possibility of being published in an undergraduate academic journal, if your coordinator chooses to do so and plans accordingly. It is key you ask your coordinator about that.
Can I present my URS project at a conference?
The goal for URS projects is to present them at conferences by the end of the school year. If you wish to present your project after the completion of the project, feel free to as long as your research coordinator is ok with it. Students have taken their projects beyond USF, including Harvard, Yale, Brown, and Penn undergraduate conferences.
What does a finished URS project look like?
Students typically complete a literature or systematic review, create a professional research poster, and present their work at undergraduate research conferences. Some projects may also continue toward publication or future collaboration.
Will everyone present their research at the end of the year?
The goal is for completed projects to be presented at one or more undergraduate research conferences, usually during the spring semester. The specific conference depends on the project and coordinator.
What happens if I stop responding to my Research Coordinator?
Students are expected to stay in communication with their group. If a coordinator repeatedly reaches out and receives no response, the student may lose their spot so another interested student can participate.
Still have a question? We're here to help!
Get in touchPoster Examples
What a finished poster looks like
URS members design and present polished research posters at symposia and national conferences.
Patidar et al., 2026
Click any thumbnail to preview
Past Project Highlights
What URS members have researched
Research Project
Effects of Food Prescription Programs on Blood Sugar Control in Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus
Research Project
Effects of Normothermic Machine Perfusion on the Risks of Postoperative Cardiac Complications in Liver Transplant Patients
Research Project
Impact of the Skin Microbiome on Clinical Outcomes in Adult Patients with Severe Acne or Atopic Dermatitis
Research Project
Applying AI to Bioengineered Pharmaceuticals
Research Project
Efficacy of Monoclonal Antibody Treatment on Lowering Infectious Disease Burden in U.S. Elderly Patients
Research Project
Evaluating Biomechanical Factors in Bone Fracture Healing and Contemporary Orthopedic Interventions in Collegiate and Professional Athletes
Research Project
Neurodegenerative Disease Risk After Cancer Recovery
Research Project
A Systematic Review of Racial Health Disparities in US Infant Cases of Respiratory Syncytial Virus
Research Project
CRISPR Cas9 Usage for Cancer Therapy
These are just a few highlights - URS members have presented at conferences across Florida and beyond.
See Conference Opportunities