The Young Research Fellows (YRF) program is currently seeking applications for its 2023-25 cohort. Young Research Fellows, guided by a faculty mentor, engage in two years of group mentoring in early research and creative inquiry development and have access to up to $7,000 in funding toward research expenses upon submission of approved budgets.
The YRF program expects active participation in group mentoring for two years, including engagement with incoming members during the fellow’s final YRF year.
Fellows can draw on their research funds at any point during their undergraduate career. Faculty mentors are eligible for a two-time grant of $750 in research funds. The program is supported by the Syracuse Office of Undergraduate Research and Creative Engagement (SOURCE) and the Center for Fellowship and Scholarship Advising (CFSA).
“The YRF program brings together students from different areas of study who share a drive to engage in research or creative activity that responds to some of our biggest collective challenges,” says Kate Hanson, director of the SOURCE. “The fascinating conversations among our group really highlight the value of diverse perspectives and a supportive cohort of motivated peers to help the students move forward in their work.”
“The CFSA and SOURCE teams support these developing researchers with funding, mentoring in research and external fellowships and opportunities, and engagement with useful speakers and resources; the faculty mentors support the YRF students by guiding their research and creative activity and mentoring them in the practices of the discipline,” Hanson says.
Miguel Guzman, a junior biotechnology major in the College of Arts and Sciences, is a 2021-23 YRF and has been working in the laboratory of Davoud Mozhdehi, associate professor of chemistry in the College of Arts and Sciences.
Miguel Guzman ’24
Guzman has focused his efforts on developing the next generation of therapeutics by lipidation, a class of post-translational proteins modification, to bio-actively produce calcitonin-based bio-degradable nanoparticles.
Calcitonin is a small peptide used for osteoporosis treatment, which must be administered every one or two days. However, calcitonin-based nanoparticles can act as “an extended-release” formulation that reduces its persistent administration. In the market, there is only one FDA-approved lipidated large protein which shows that lipidation is still an unexplored area of research.
“Given its vast potential for drug delivery, the Young Research Program has fostered my desire to continue working with engineered lipidated proteins and learning about their enormous therapeutic potential,” says Guzman, who plans to pursue post-graduate studies in biomedical engineering. “Overall, the YRF program has taught me thorough academic inquiry, creativity and, above all, how the Mozhdehi laboratory can make an impact in our community.”
Adya Parida, a sophomore computer science major in the College of Engineering and Computer Sciences, says YRF has impacted her studies and research outlook tremendously.
Adya Parida ’25
“I did full time research with Dr. (Kristopher) Micinski (assistant professor of electrical engineering and computer science) in the College of Engineering and Computer Science last summer, which helped me apply my skills on a hands-on project and taught me how to learn new skills and collaborate with a team. I had to present a research poster for the first time and SOURCE helped me every step of the way,” she says.
Parida is currently working with Kristy Buzard, associate professor of economics in the Maxwell School, on international trade treaties. “I love seeing how I can apply my technical skills to projects even outside my major,” she says.
Evelina Torres is a sophomore majoring in political science in the Maxwell School and the College of Arts and Sciences and in citizenship and civic engagement in the Maxwell School, with a minor in public communications in the Newhouse School.
Evelina Torres ’25
Their research is focused on how social barriers affect time privilege. They plan to, pending approval, conduct research at parks and recreation centers in the City of Houston and at La Casita in Syracuse this summer.
“I will utilize my YRF research in part of my coursework as a citizenship and civic engagement major, and I feel that it is preparing me for exciting opportunities, from scholarships to graduate programs,” they say. “Through making mistakes and hearing feedback when making my research surveys and plans, I feel that I am gaining valuable skills in research design that I wouldn’t otherwise have. I’m already thinking about what I would do to conduct research in graduate school.”
The deadline for applications for the YRF 2023 cycle is Thursday, April 6. The program is open to students in all disciplines. To be eligible students must:
To apply, visit the student application link. The faculty mentor recommendation link can be found here.
If you have questions or need more information, call the SOURCE at 315.443.2091 or send them an email.
The SOURCE provides funding opportunities and serves as a hub to foster and support diverse undergraduate engagement in faculty-guided scholarly research and creative inquiry across all disciplines and programs at Syracuse University. CFSA’s mission is to make students, alumni and faculty aware of nationally competitive fellowship and scholarship opportunities; to help students and alumni identify scholarship opportunities appropriate to their interests and backgrounds; and to assist them through all stages of the application process, from planning to submission to interviews.
