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Why Student Research?

Eastern Connecticut State University's focus is "A Liberal Education Practically Applied." As such Eastern Connecticut State is committed to supporting undergraduate research and creative activity across all majors. The Council on Undergraduate Research defines undergraduate research as "An inquiry or investigation conducted by an undergraduate student that makes an original intellectual or creative contribution to the discipline." Undergraduate research has been shown to impact student retention, facilitate learning, develop mentor relationships with faculty, and support critical thinking, creative activity and problem solving.

Long-term, scholarly activity outside of the classroom has been tied to graduate school acceptance. Below is a list of students whose research was supported by the Office of Undergraduate Research and/or their respective departments and who have gone on to graduate training:

Matthew J. Maniere (SOC) is now an Assistant Professor at Clarkson University.

Kayla Tenore (COM) completed a JD program at Quinnipiac University and is an Associate at Global Transaction Tax

Kayla Giordano (Political Science, Economics & Honors) completed a Masters program in Community Development &  Policy Practice at the University of New Hampshire and is a working with Connecticut Housing Finance Authority.

Sydney Batchelder (Psychology & Honors) completed the Behavior Analysis Ph.D. program at the University of North Carolina at Wilmington and is currently a Post Doctoral Fellow with the University of Vermont Medical Center.

Abby Caselli (Psychology & Honors)  will complete the Social Psychology Ph.D. program at Syracuse University in 2022 and is an Instructor at the University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma.

Brittany Chabot Soto (Psychology & Honors) completed an MFT Degree from NOVA Southeastern's and is currently a School Based Therapist at Centerstone.

Kevin Connolly (Biology & Honors) completed a Masters degree Quinnipiac University in Medical Laboratory Science and is currently in a doctoral program in Molecular Biology at Brown University.

Sabreena Croteau completed an MA in Social Sciences at the University of Chicago and is working on a doctoral degree at the same institution. 

Brett Gelino (Psychology) will be completing a Ph.D. in Applied Behavioral Economics at the University of Kansas in 2022 and is currently a Graduate Teaching Assistant at the same institution.

Ian Peters (Economics & Honors) completed an MS in Economics and applied Econometrics at the University of Delaware. He is currently a Management/data analyst for the Delaware Office Highway Safety.

Erin Drouin (Political Science & Honors) is a Graduate Fellow at Ohio State University. 

Seth McCullock (Communication) is currently a doctoral candidate at Purdue University in Health Communication.

Alice DiFrancesco (Psychology, Biology, & Honors) completed University of Connecticut Medical School and is currently a Resident at the University of Pennsylvania Medicine.

Ryan Blejewski (Psychology & Honors) completed a doctoral degree in Behavior Analysis at the University of North Carolina-Wilmington. Dr. Blejewski works in Wilmington, NC and specializes in Psychology and Behavioral Health & Social Services.

Benjamin Abrahams (Biology) completed a Doctorate of Dental Medicine at Midwestern University.

Michael Freilich (Kinesiology & Physical Education) completed a Master's degree in Philanthropy and Development at Lagrange College. He is currently an Assistant Basketball Coach at Hartwick College.

Richard Magner (Mathematics & Honors) completed a doctoral degree in mathematics from Boston University. He is currently a Computational Scientist at MIT.

Robert Santiago (Psychology) completed a Ph.D. program in School Psychology at the University of Massachusetts, Amherst. He is currently a School Psychologist at Carpinteria Unified School District.

Jessica Patrizi (Biology & Honors) completed the Doctor of Osteopathy at Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine. She is currently a Resident at Univerity of Pittsburgh.

Daniel Grondin (Environmental Earth Science) completed a Master's degree in Environmental Earth Science at New Mexico Highlands University. He is now working as a Graduate Teaching Assistant while he completes his doctorate.

Laura Markley (Environmental Earth Science & Honors) completed a Master's degree in Earth an Environmental Science Lehigh University. She is currently a doctoral candidate at Syracuse University

Renee Drouin (English & Honors) completed a Doctoral degree in English at Rutger's University. She is currently a Teaching Assistant at Bowling Green.

Eric Cerino (Psychology) completed a Ph.D. at Oregon State University in LIFE* in an Aging Society program. He is currently and Assistant Professor at Northern Arizona University.

Connor Patros (Psychology) completed a doctoral program in Clinical Psychology at Oklahoma State University. He is currently Co-Founder, Chief Clinical Officer at Mindyra Health Corporation.

Career preparation is also enhanced by undergraduate research and creative work. According to a study most employers surveyed noted the abilities to be innovative, critical thinking, broad liberal arts education to be highly desirable.

Eastern Connecticut State University provides funding for new projects, support for student travel for presentations/exhibitions, as well as awarding 2 summer research fellowships each year. Details on these programs can be found on the menu under the "Resources" tab.

In the "Research Experiences" tab, students can find links to courses that result in a completed independent project or to secure research experiences as part of the Liberal Arts Work courses, departmental and university internships (Center for Community Engagement). There are also links to external research opportunities such as National Science Foundation (NSF ) Research Experiences for Undergraduates (REU's) or Fulbright Research Programs.

Once your work is complete, you can find links to present/publish or exhibit your work either at one of Eastern's research conferences or at the prestigious Posters on the Hill or National Council on Undergraduate Research conferences. Details and links to these opportunities can be found under the "Presenting Your Research" tab. Each discipline also sponsors conferences (regional and national) that allow for students poster and oral presentations.You should speak to your academic advisor about these opportunities.