Undergraduate Life Sciences Research

Undergraduate research is part of our DNA. Students can hit the ground running with research projects as early as their first year. The lab and scientific writing skills that undergraduates develop set them apart as they launch their career.

Life Sciences Research Areas

student working in genomics lab

Antibiotic Arms Race

professor working with students

Biology Education and Student Success

cells under a microscope

Cellular Communication and Development Biology

student taking notes by a lake

Genes to Ecosystems in our Changing Planet

student in front of computer

Molecular Dynamics

researcher in corn field

Plant Pathology

What Our Students Have to Say


"I am proud of the scientific research I conducted. Within two years, I presented at the RIT Undergraduate Research Symposium and published in the American Society for Microbiology."

headshot of Safiya Gazali
Safiya Gazali ’22
Read Safiya's Story


“I learned the intricacies of genomic research from experimental design, to sample preparation, to bioinformatics analysis of the resulting data, and finally to the writing and peer-review process.”


headshot of Spencer Richman
Spencer Richman ’20
Read Spencer's Story


“Despite my lack of experience, I started working in a lab my first year. My research mentor guided me every step of the way and taught me most of the microbiology techniques I know today.”


headshot of Maria Smith
Maria Smith ’18
Read Maria's Story

What projects are our students working on?

  • Sources of Anthropogenic Debris in the Lake Ontario Watershed
  • Impacts of Water Lily Invasion and Removal on Wetland Ecosystem Function
  • Whole Genome Sequences and Cell-Cell Signaling Mechanism in Bacteria Isolated from a Pristine Cave Aquifer Lake
  • Evaluating Physiological Condition of Songbirds During Migration Stopover
  • The genetic basis of penicillin resistance in Neisseria gonorrhea
  • In vitro Investigation of Highly Selective Chemotherapeutic Dyes

Stand Out With Your Research

Students who perform undergraduate research stand out from the crowd when applying for jobs and graduate schools.


Present Your Research
Our students present their research at conferences nationwide and at our annual Undergraduate Research Symposium right here on campus.


Resources
From mentoring motivated students in writing their first scientific publication to offering a free poster printing service on campus, we have the resources to help students stand out from the crowd.


Research Scholar Awards
We recognize research excellence among graduating students with our annual Undergraduate Research Scholars Awards and a special ceremony at commencement.

Work with a Professor

Work alongside professors who are experts in their field in state-of-the-art facilities.

Life Sciences News

  • February 5, 2024

    Three male tortoises engaged in aggressive behavior on the sand at the Charles Darwin Research Station.

    The Galapagos comes to life in new RIT Press book

    For more than 30 years, Robert Rothman has led hundreds of RIT students on tours to the Galápagos Islands to observe the wildlife and landscape that inspired Charles Darwin’s theory of evolution by natural selection. Rothman’s A Paradise for Reptiles, an homage to the 19th century scientist, is an accessibly written guide for anyone interested in Darwin, the Galápagos, and reptiles in general.