Play a Part in the Advancement of Human Knowledge
Become a part of Nova Southeastern University’s (NSU) professional research community, and participate in externally sponsored projects worth $107 million. Join a wide range of research projects on campus, from monitoring gopher tortoise activity to researching periodontal disease. Get hands-on experience as a research volunteer. Earn academic and experiential learning units. Define your career interests through independent study. Learn directly from leaders of the scientific world, and gain research skills that stay with you no matter what field you’re in.
Game-Based Cognitive Training
In this project, we will complete the initial development of a gaming-oriented cognitive training app to promote improved psychomotor speed, attention, and executive function in older adults with age-related cognitive decline.
Faculty Research Lead
Dr. Raymond Ownby
Professor and Chair, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Medicine
ro71@nova.edu
Any
Preferred Experience
Programming experience and interest in video game creation are essential. Knowledge of C# and Unity is helpful.
Possibility of Coauthorship
Yes
Position Description
Research volunteer (unpaid)
Time Commitment
Five or more hours per week
Semesters
Summer 2022, Fall 2022
Introduction to Biology Research I/II (Course)
This course is a unique undergraduate research opportunity designed for freshman- and/or sophomore-level students interested in a career in the sciences. Students will take ownership of their own research projects by formulating a hypothesis and designing experiments to test that hypothesis, thus allowing students to experience what it is like to be a research scientist.
Specifically, students will work on a discovery-based research project to attempt to discover novel viruses that target bacteria as an antibiotic alternative to killing bacteria. Throughout the process, students will collect and analyze their data and then present their findings.
This course is part of a two-course sequence; therefore, students are required to enroll in BIOL 1001: Introduction to Biology Research II Lab in the winter semester. The prerequisites are MATH 1040 or higher and COMP 1000.
Faculty Research Lead
Dr. Julie Torruellas Garcia
Associate Professor, Department of Biological Sciences, Halmos College of Arts and Sciences
jg1511@nova.edu
Any
Preferred Experience
MATH 1040 or higher and COMP 1000, but no prior research experience necessary
Possibility of Coauthorship
Yes
Academic Credit
Course credit and ExEL units based on number of hours earned during the activity
Time Commitment
Two to three hours per day, two days per week
Semesters
Fall 2022
Microbiome/Genomics
Dr. Jose Lopez’s research pivots on the action of genes and genomes, microbes, and evolution. His symbiosis research has focused on microbial communities (“microbiomes”) of sponges, sharks, humans, and bats and, recently, Port Everglades Inlet sediments. The Dr. Lopez’s molecular genomics laboratory now applies metagenomics methods to characterize the water quality of local South Florida habitats, especially focusing on microbiomes related to harmful algal blooms.
We have recently begun a project to sequence the whole genomes of 100 aquatic invertebrate species pairs (https://www.sanger.ac.uk/collaboration/aquatic-symbiosis-project/). This project’s analyses portion will require bioinformatics interest and expertise with Linux, Bash, etc.
Faculty Research Lead
Dr. Jose V. Lopez
Professor, Halmos College of Arts and Science
joslo@nova.edu
Biology, computer science
Preferred Experience
PCR, DNA, R
Possibility of Coauthorship
Yes
Position Description
Research volunteer (unpaid)
Time Commitment
4–10 hours per week
Semesters
Winter 2021, Summer 2021
Trophics and Contaminants in Marine Fauna
We’re researching several projects in the Charismatic Megafauna and Oceanography Laboratory, studying both inorganic and organic contaminants in marine mammals, birds, and fish in bodies of water around the world. We utilize a variety of tissues, the study of food web dynamics, and bioaccumulation of contaminants.
Faculty Research Lead
Amy Hirons, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor
hirons@nova.edu
Independent Study
This one is for the overachievers. Want to dive deeper into a particular subject or research an untraditional subject? Choose from topics like these:
- a Phase II study of Bacopa in Gulf War illness (GWI)
- oleoylethanolamide supplement in GWI
- identifying APOE4-related lipid biomarkers for diagnosing chronic neurocognitive deficits in TBI patients
- a Phase I/II study of B cell depletion therapy in GWI
- nicotinamide riboside clinical trial for GWI
- exploring dietary influence on complex multisymptom illnesses by exploring molecular mechanisms and genomics
- exploring autism—a comprehensive study
You can contact Dr. Amanpreet Cheema directly to learn more about the opportunities.
Faculty Research Lead
Amanpreet Cheema, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor, College of Osteopathic Medicine, Nova Southeastern University
acheema@nova.edu
Contact the Office of Undergraduate Research
If you have any questions, please email Jeff Hartman at jhartman2@nova.edu or call(954) 892-0351.
Current Students
Get in touch with your academic and career adviser if you have questions about coursework or to chat about future career goals.
Faculty
If you are looking for undergraduate student assistance on a research project, please submit an NSU Undergraduate Research Opportunities form.