On Friday, Aug. 18, more than 60 UCR students gathered at the Alumni and Visitors Center for the 2023 APRO Summer Research Symposium to present their research findings, engage in discussions with mentors and peers, and partake in a daylong celebration of their participation and work in the program. 

It was the culmination of the Mentoring Summer Research Internship Program (MSRIP), an eight-week paid, intensive program designed to equip UCR undergraduate students with diverse perspectives for success in graduate study. It offers participants a chance to share their discoveries, network with peers and mentors, and refine their presentation skills, with interns also receiving a stipend of $4500.

In the program, interns pair up with a faculty mentor to work on a research project. Overall, the MSRIP program provides ample opportunities for CHASS students and faculty to engage in cutting-edge research across various fields and includes writing workshops led by CHASS graduate students. 

“As a fellow undergraduate researcher working in the honors program, I wanted to continue that work within MSRIP and get a multi-disciplinary kind of perspective,” said Emmanuel Aguilar-Ampudia, a fourth-year political science student and MSRIP intern.

Aguilar’s research covered topics of political science and sociology and focused on messaging strategies within social movement campaigns at UCR. During his time at MSRIP, Aguilar worked with faculty mentors Dr. Tanya Nieri, a professor in the Department of Sociology, and Dr. Daniel Biggers, from the Department of Political Science.

“I feel like I got a lot of value from the program,” Aguilar said. He was able to conduct a literature review and gain depths of understanding in his study throughout his experience working with his mentors and internship.

The Research Symposium on Aug. 18 marked the end of the MSRIP program and provided a platform for these aspiring scholars to present their findings to fellow participants, mentors, and staff. In the morning, students participated in both poster and oral presentations, discussing their research topics and opening up time for questions by peers and judges, followed by an awards ceremony and dinner. 

The symposium showcased a variety of research projects, some of which were led by CHASS faculty with CHASS undergraduate students as MSRIP interns. Research topics presented at the symposium covered a wide range of disciplines including psychology, sociology, and English. 

“At the end of the day, I have grown from week one to week eight and am more comfortable when it comes down to certain research methods, how to talk about them, and how to reach your audience which is something that the Research Symposium prepares you for when presenting,” Aguilar said. 

“One of the primary goals of MSRIP is to help prepare students for graduate study,” said Laura Mcgeehan, Director of Academic Preparation, Recruitment & Outreach Presenting for the Graduate Division at UCR. “One’s own research is a key task in graduate school, so the Research Symposium gives the students a chance to build these skills.”

The symposium’s significance goes beyond showcasing research; It's a space for refining crucial skills. According to Mcgeehan, the Research Symposium “is an opportunity for them to step back from the details of day-to-day research work and grapple with the big questions [such as] what is my research for, what does it answer…”

“Plus, the symposium is a space where students can ask and answer questions of each other and faculty mentors, and get valuable feedback on their work and their presentations,” Mcgeehan said.

Third-year sociology student Denilson Tecun de Leon also participated in the MSRIP program and presented his research at the symposium which included a collaboration with English professor Richard Rodríguez. Tecun’s topic focused on the vital role of Undocumented Student Centers in providing resources and support to undocumented students for success in higher education.

“It has been a great opportunity for me to grow as a scholar but also as a person to believe more in myself,” Tecun said. 

MSRIP and the Research Symposium is Tecun’s first hands-on experience in conducting research and an opportunity to expand on his scholarly interests in higher education for undocumented students.

“This program can really help you out if you set your mind to it,” Tecun said.

For students interested in learning more about MSRIP and the Research Symposium, please visit apro.ucr.edu/undergrad/msrip.

For more information about the 2023 MSRIP Summer Program and this year’s Research Symposium, please visit apro.ucr.edu/msrip-summer-2023.

FEATURED PHOTO. More than 60 students participated in this year's Mentoring Summer Research Internship Program (MSRIP).