Research and Honors Program
Undergraduate Research
BSPS students interested in research are encouraged to explore faculty research profiles and watch out for open research positions posted in the BSPS Canvas site. Students should reach out to faculty members or PhD students directly to apply to serve as a research assistant around registration or before the add/drop deadline. Research projects vary by department and area, e.g, laboratory/benchtop based research vs. clinical research suitable for publication.
Students participating in COP research are required to enroll in at least two research credits in consecutive Fall and Winter terms (MedChem 470, Pharmacy 470, or PharmSci 470). The faculty member must give permission for an override by emailing [email protected] or completing an Independent Study Request Form. Students are responsible for making sure they are officially enrolled in 470 before the semester add/drop deadline. 2 credits equates to 6 hours of research per week in a full term. Students receive a letter grade for 470.
Honors Thesis
The Honors Research Thesis is an opportunity for students to identify a COP faculty mentor and work on independent research. Honors is usually completed in senior year and may serve as excellent graduate school preparation. Undergraduate research with a COP faculty member may evolve to an Honors research project but the student must investigate a new topic or expand upon an ongoing project. Students who successfully complete the Honors thesis will graduate from the BSPS program “with Honors” and this designation will be noted on their transcript & diploma.
Honors Research Thesis criteria:
- Cumulative GPA of at least 3.5 through graduation
- Submit a research proposal with the faculty mentor copied to Student Services and COP Registrar in the summer leading up to senior year by July 1
- Register for BSPS research for academic credit via override (MedChem 470, Pharmacy 470, or PharmSci 470; graded on an A-E scale by the faculty mentor); enroll in a minimum of 2 credits per term for at least two terms (minimum of 4 total credits)
- Present a poster at the College of Pharmacy's annual Research Forum
- Complete a 15-20 page thesis paper in a style appropriate for submission to a scientific journal by April 1 of your graduation term (submit a preliminary thesis draft to your faculty advisor for feedback in March)
Past Honors Research Project Examples
- Characterization of the biofilm-forming ability of Mycobacterium abscessus isolates in synthetic cystic fibrosis sputum medium (SCFM)
- The Transcription Factors FOXK1 and NFIC Regulate the Cellular Response to Bisphosphonates, Commonly Prescribed Osteoporosis Drugs
- Comparing Carboxylesterase 1 Protein Levels Between the Human Liver and HepG2 Cells Using a Data-Dependent Acquisition Proteomics Assay
- High-Throughput Screening to Identify Dengue Virus Replication Compartment Inhibitors
- Discovery of Biocatalytic Reactions through High-throughput Activity Profiling
- Physicochemical Characterization and Functionality Comparison of Humira® (adalimumab), Remicade® (infliximab) and Simponi Aria® (golimumab)
- Cholesterol-mimicking compound Binding to Steroidogenic and drug-metabolizing cytochrome P450 enzymes
- Temporal Changes in R-loop Levels in Human B Lymphocytes Under Pharmaceutically Induced Endoplasmic Reticulum Stress
Other Research Opportunities
- UROP
- UROP Changing Gears – designed for community college students and students transferring from 4-year institutions
- Department-specific research opportunities; they usually have course section affiliated with the managing faculty member
- COP may co-sponsor research in another department if you wish to earn credit for the work through 470