Research Opportunities
The Research Process
A training to “ what is research”
Summary

Research Academy Opportunities
◦ SDSU
◦ UCSD

Elements of Research Opportunities
◦ Finding a Mentor
◦ Research Fellowships
◦ Summer Programs
RESEARCH ACADEMY
OPPORTUNITIES
Research Academy Opportunities

SDSU
◦ Mixing and Flow Control in High-Speed
Combustors
◦ Dynamics of Flame Spread in Microgravity
◦ Racecar Aerodynamics

UCSD
◦ Near Space Balloon Project
◦ Aircraft wing structural dynamics
SDSU: Mixing and Flow Control
in High-Speed Combustors
Transport and mixing mechanisms of fuel
and air in sonic fuel injectors
 Control by enhancing mass flow, fuel-air
mixing, and energy mixing

SDSU: Dynamics of Flame Spread
in Microgravity
Understand why experiments are set up
 Reproduce events that occur in space!

Sample holder
Fan & Motor
(sample size: 6cm x 1cm)
Video
camera
SDSU: Dynamics of Flame Spread
in Microgravity
Photo
Sketch
Photo
Sketch
SDSU: Biomechanics Lab
Gain hands on experience with robotics
 Opportunity to use computers to tell
robots what to do

UCSD: Near Space Balloon Project
Gain hands on manufacturing experience
 Become the rocket scientist balloon boy!

UCSD: Near Space Balloon Project

Learn how to track your balloon with
parts bought from ebay
UCSD: Aircraft Wing
Structural Dynamics
Build your very own wing out of balsa
wood.
 Understand the bare bones of aircraft
structures

ELEMENTS OF
RESEARCH
OPPORTUNITIES
Finding a Mentor

Only you can make the best decision
◦ What topics interest you?
◦ Did you enjoy a particular course?
◦ Do you get along with a professor?
Finding a Mentor

Internet resources at your disposal
SDSU RESEARCH
OPPORTUNITIES
SDSU Research Opportunities
Scholarships in Science, Technology,
Engineering, and Mathematics (S-STEM)
Program
 Minority Access to Research Careers
(MARC)
 Minority Biomedical Research
Support (MBRS)
 Summer Programs

S-STEM Program
Computational modeling and simulation
research in science and engineering
 Requirements

◦ Upper division standing
◦ Strong interest in computational science
S-STEM Program
$5000 for juniors
 $6000 for returning seniors
 Contact:

◦ Dr. Satchi Venkataraman
◦ satchi@mail.sdsu.edu
MARC
Goal is to increase Ph.D.’s awarded in
underrepresented ethnic groups
 Requirements

◦ Full time standing at SDSU
◦ Upper division standing
◦ Potential and interest in pursuing a graduate
degree in the biomedical sciences
MARC
Three-quarter tuition and a monthly
stipend of $913.00
 Contact

◦ Thelma Chavez (Program Coordinator)
UCSD Summer Research

UCSD
◦ Amgen Scholars Program
◦ California Current Ecosystem Long-Term
Ecological Research (CCE LTER) Research
Experience for Undergraduates (REU)
◦ Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowship
offered by the Medical Scientist Training
Program (MSTP_SURF)
◦ Summer Training Academy for Research in the
Sciences (STARS)
USD Summer Research

USD
◦ Summer Undergraduate Research Experience
(SURE)
◦ McNair Program
◦ Research Experience for Undergraduates
(REU Program)
◦ Pre- Undergraduate Research Experience
(PURE)
My Experience at SDSU
S-STEM Program
 Engage in interdisciplinary research
 Bioengineering and aerospace engineering

My Experience at UCSD
Amgen Scholars Program
 Requirements

◦ Ten-week, full-time research experience for
undergraduates
◦ Biological sciences or bioengineering
QUESTIONS?