Learn at NMU - Undergraduate Research

Most people consider student research to be reserved for the graduate level, but that’s not the case at NMU. At Northern, undergraduate students have the opportunity to gain hands-on experience by working on individual or group research projects or by assisting professors with their research. Students have the opportunity to contribute to manuscripts, articles and books. Many students also get the chance to present their findings at regional and national conferences.

Research isn’t restricted to science-related areas of study. Students in all majors can get involved in research in their programs. Whether students are collecting water samples from a river or conducting a survey of area residents to determine how they feel about a new city ordinance, students will get the experience they need to improve their research and analytical skills and to prepare themselves for their future careers or graduate education.

The Celebration of Student Scholarship is an annual event held on the NMU campus to celebrate the scholarship and creativity of both undergraduate and graduate students in all disciplines. Students share their work with the NMU and Marquette communities by presenting posters, delivering oral presentations, sharing visual art installations, and submitting essays on scholarly, creative, and artwork. The event is free and open to the public. Students interested in participating should talk with their faculty advisors for help submitting an abstract.

"I came to NMU to be involved in meaningful research with Dr. Diana Lafferty in the Wildlife Ecology and Conservation Science Lab. We have an opportunity to make a real impact on management decisions to promote long-term wildlife conservation and management with our research. I have been able to participate in an exciting collaborative research initiative with scientists at U.S. Geological Survey and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to identify novel tools for assessing brown bear health."

Sarah Trujillo

Biology, Master of Science

All-In Academics

Lundin Summer Research Fellowships provide meaningful and immediate support to Northern Michigan University Honors Program students who have proposed or are engaged in exceptional research. Our academic departments offer students at all levels a plethora of research opportunities. The Grants and Research office also offers a number of resources for students interested in pursuing research.

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Brain tumor research is being conducted on campus to investigate the causes of brain tumors as well as treatment methods. Students learn to work with DNA, RNA, and how to grow cells. This research has been recognized at the Society of Neuro-oncology National Conference.

NMU BIology Department

Undergraduate student, Andrea Selmser, conducted research to study the effects of improvised explosive device blasts and traumatic brain injuries in veterans returning from Iraq and Afghanistan. Sel's poster of her research was accepted at the Federal Interagency Conference on Traumatic Brain Injury in Washington D.C.

SLHS Department

Students have the opportunity to design and conduct a research project under the supervision of a faculty member during their last year of study. The research project is part of the senior capstone experience and serves as a culmination of the program.

NMU Honors Program