Faculty Accepting Undergraduate Students for Research

Contact: Tatsuya Sakurahara, tsakurahara@pitt.edu, RARE Lab

Keywords: Risk Analysis, Reliability Engineering, Machine Learning, Nuclear Safety, Statistical Computing

What to expect: The research topic will be decided based on discussions with each student. Potential topics include (i) coding and executing systems simulations on a supercomputing cluster, (ii) conducting literature reviews on the risk and reliability analysis of energy systems, and (iii) exploring applications of AI and machine learning techniques to advance risk analysis methodologies.

Requirements: This opportunity is available to Pitt students only. 

1. Intellectual curiosity to learn and combine multidisciplinary theories, methods, and tools to analyze complex systems.
2. Programming skills (beginner to intermediate level or higher in any popular language, e.g., Python, C/C++, JavaScript).
3. A basic understanding of probability and statistics (e.g., ENGR 0020 at Pitt or equivalent) is helpful but not required.
4. Strong teamwork and leadership abilities, as research in risk and reliability analysis is inherently multidisciplinary, requiring collaborative problem-solving and the ability to work effectively within diverse teams. 

Positions: for pay, for credit, volunteer via ENGR1000

Looking for: Sophomores, Juniors, Seniors

Interested? Please contact Dr. Sakurahara via email (tsakurahara@pitt.edu) with the subject line “Prospective Undergraduate Researcher.” Include (1) your CV, (2) a copy/screenshot of your transcripts, and (3) a brief description of why you are interested in joining our research lab (200 words or less). 

Contact: Nathan Youngblood, nay32@pitt.edu, Youngblood Photonics Lab at Pitt

Keywords: integrated photonics, phase-change materials, 2D materials, optical computing

What to expect: Undergraduate students in our lab can expect to assist graduate students in automating measurements, interfacing to equipment, designing PCBs, or building experimental setups.

Requirements: We are looking for students in ECE, Physics, and MechE. Basic knowledge of Python is important for much of the lab automation and data analysis. 3D printing or PCB design experience is a plus.

Positions: for pay, for credit, volunteer via ENGR1000

Looking for: Freshman, Sophomores, Juniors, Seniors

Interested? Please feel free to send Dr. Youngblood an email to set up a meeting if interested.

Contact: Paul Leu, pleu@pitt.edu, Laboratory for Advanced Materials at Pittsburgh (LAMP)

Keywords: solar, nanofabrication, materials, data science, recycling

What to expect: Do simulations or experiments related to nanomaterials. 

Positions: for pay

Looking for: Juniors, Seniors

Interested? Email me at pleu@pitt.edu.

Contact: Alan George, alan.george@pitt.edu, NSF SHREC Center

Keywords: Space Engineering, High-Performance Computing 

What to expect: SHREC research focuses upon a wide variety of research topics (mainly in ECE, but also MechE and Physics) in two strategic areas -- space engineering and high-performance computing. Strong undergrads with 10 hours per week available can expect to study and work alongside graduate students on one of these exciting research projects. 

Requirements: Completion of sophomore program in ECE (EE or CoE major), since we mainly focus upon ECE topics, but we also have a few options for MechE and Physics students. 

Positions: for pay, for credit, volunteer via ENGR1000

Looking for: Juniors, Seniors

Interested? Email Dr. George, sharing your resume and transcript.

Contact: Heng Ban, heng.ban@pitt.edu, Multiscale Thermophysics Laboratory Website

Keywords: Multi-scale material thermal properties characterization; experimental technique development; heat transfer analytical modeling; nuclear engineering applications

What to expect: Undergraduate students can expect to participate in data acquisition and analysis for various optical (laser-based) and electrothermal experimental techniques. The student will work closely with a current graduate student mentor who will provide the necessary training and background knowledge to perform experiments effectively. The student will also learn the analytical modeling and data analysis methods employed for these techniques so they can assess and interpret results.

Requirements: Desired Mechanical Engineering or Materials Science major; other majors will be considered based on an individual’s experience and course work.

Preferred course prerequisites: differential equations, heat transfer. Experience with Matlab and/or Python required. Previous hands-on experience in a laboratory setting is not required, but is helpful. 

Positions: for pay, for credit

Looking for: Juniors, Seniors

Interested? If interested, students should contact Dr. Heng Ban (heng.ban@pitt.edu) and Dr. Alison Hake (aeh166@pitt.edu) to set up a meeting to discuss the specific project. Please also include a brief description of your research-related experiences, research interests, and future goals (e.g., grad school).

Contact: Takashi Kozai, tdk18@pitt.edu, BIONIC Lab Website

Keywords: Neural Interface, Brain Computer Interface, neuromodulation, neurodegenerative disease, brain injury

What to expect: signal processing, mouse experiments, electrophysiology, optical imaging

Requirements: at least 10hr/wk for 1 semester

Positions: for pay, for credit, volunteer

Looking for: Freshman, Sophomores, Juniors, Seniors

Interested? Please send the lab a resume and a one-page letter stating why you are interested in joining the lab, and what you hope to gain from the experience. (to TDK18@pitt.edu)

Contact: Partha Roy, par19@pitt.edu, Cell Migration Lab Website

Keywords: cancer, cell migration, cell signaling, immunology, metastasis, ALS

What to expect: Undergraduate researchers are expected to gain experience in cell/cancer biology-related research and independence to work on a well-defined project under the guidance of a grad student/post-doc and contribute to publications.

Requirements: Our lab recruits undergraduate students (sophomore, junior and senior) either for research volunteering, or course credit or paid position. Cell Biology courses, some wet lab skills, major in Bioengineering/Biology/Molecular Biology are desirable.

Positions: For pay, for credit, volunteer

Looking for: Sophomores, Juniors, Seniors

Interested? Please send an email to par19@pitt.edu to set up a meeting. 

Contact: Jonathan Vande Geest, jpv20@pitt.edu, STB Lab Website

Keywords: Tissue engineering, 3d printing, cell mechanobiology, computational biomechanics

What to expect: Undergraduate student researchers in the STBL will work on clinically translatable projects in ocular, vascular, and neural bioengineering . Students have the potential to gain a variety of skills through their STBL experience including but not limited to 3D printing, cell mechanobiology, intravital multiphoton imaging, image processing, tissue biomechanics, and finite element modeling. Current active research areas within the STBL include vascular tissue engineering, glaucoma mechanobiology, idiopathic vocal fold paralysis, and medical device design and optimization.

Requirements: An undergraduate GPA of at least 3.0 and a willingness to work at least 12 hrs/week during all remaining semesters of your undergrad and at least 30 hours/week during each summer of your undergrad. 1 summer internships/co-ops are an option for freshman and sophomores. The STBL seeks undergraduate students that have a willingness to commit to a long term (through undergraduate years) relationship with the laboratory for mutual benefit. 

Positions: For pay

Looking for: Freshman, Sophomores, Juniors

Interested? Send a 1/2 page statement of interest (including a confirmation of a willingness to work at least 12 hrs/week during the semester and at least 30 hours/week during each summer of your undergrad), your most recent unofficial transcripts, your resume/CV to jpv20@pitt.edu

Contact: Kang Kim, kangkim@pitt.edu, Multi-modality Biomedical Ultrasound Imaging Lab Website

Keywords: Ultrasound technology, Ultrasound imaging, Ultrasound device, Multimodality imaging 

What to expect: Motivated students will have the opportunity to participate in the research activities of soft tissue modeling, signal and image processing algorithms development, device design and 3D printing, in vivo ultrasound scan on animal or human subjects, excised sample preparations. 

Requirements: Experiences with MATLAB or Python, 3D printing, animal handling will benefit but not require.

Positions: for credit, volunteer

Looking for: Sophomores, Juniors, Seniors

Interested? Send email to Dr. Kang Kim, kangkim@pitt.edu.