This is the chance for you to do something you want to do, and it can lead to truly amazing things: previous Summer Fellows have gone on to get grants, fellowships, and publications—in addition to the satisfaction of completing a project that is truly their own.
Overview of the Summer Fellows Program
Every summer, 70-80 students spend eight weeks on campus working on research and creative projects that they have come up with or working on faculty research. They get invaluable faculty mentorship, a room on campus, and at least $3000 to do it. Unlike other schools, this isn’t just for students in the sciences: at Ursinus, it’s open to any rising junior or senior who has a good idea and the plan to pursue it.
The Summer Fellows program runs from Tuesday, May 27 through Friday, July 18, 2025. The program closes with the annual Summer Fellows Symposium, where students present their work to a general audience.
Details
The Summer Fellows program at Ursinus allows you as a sophomore or junior to pursue an independent scholarly project under the close tutelage of a faculty mentor, when both you and the professor have more time to devote exclusively to research.
Your project can be undertaken as independent research or a creative or artistic endeavor. You will do eight weeks of full-time study while living on campus and receive a $3000 stipend and a room on campus.
Your faculty mentor will help shape and direct your project, and weekly common hour meetings are scheduled to bring all Summer Fellows and mentors together as an intellectual community. All fellows present their research during the last week of the program, and many fellows present at Family Day, the Celebration of Student Achievement, and at professional conferences off campus.
Electric Vehicle Charging Practices
What are the best ways to environmentally charge your electric vehicle? Summer Fellow Max Kulla ’25 is looking to discover and spread the word of the best charging practices for your EV.
Creating Treatments for ALS with Chaperone Proteins
Working together, Rileigh Owens ’24 and Nalia Siebert ’24 are researching whether we can treat neurodegenerative diseases, such as ALS, with chaperone proteins.
Economic Impacts of the Arts on Metropolitan Areas
With a background in dance and business, it only made sense for Jael Hicks ’25 to spend her summer researching the economic impacts of fine and performing arts on urban areas.
Summer Fellows Snapshot: Applications of Machine Learning on Quantum Molecules
Classical music can be heard coming from a small office in Pfahler Hall while Brock Dyer ’25 conducts research into the the applications of machine learning on molecules for his Summer Fellows research.
Summer Snapshot: Machiavelli’s Discourses on Livy
When Brian Dresnin ’24 is not pumping iron in the gym, he spends his time as a Summer Fellow researching the controversial politician Niccolo Machiavelli.
The Impact of Race and Ethnicity on COVID-19
Learn About Yourself: The Ins and Outs of AAT Deficiency and 23 & Me
Shallot Smith: A Sci-Fi Play
Do Youth Development Programs Lead to Future Success?
How Food-Producing Trees Can Combat Food Insecurity in Urban Areas
