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Play a Part in the Advancement of Human Knowledge
Become a part of Nova Southeastern University’s professional research community, and participate in externally sponsored projects worth $167 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.
Research Opportunities
Improving Visual Functions in the Normal and Amblyopic Visual Systems
To develop new treatment protocols for improving vision in patients with amblyopia using video games and perceptual learning.
Interested? Contact Our Faculty Research Lead
Dr. Roger (Wing-Hong) Li, Ph.D.
Associate Professor, College of Optometry, Nova Southeastern University
wli@nova.edu
Recommended Majors
Preferably Pre-Optometry, Computing, AI, Cybersecurity, Psychology
Preferred Experience
Interested in pursuing a healthcare career in the fields of optometry and ophthalmology.
Possibility of Coauthorship
Yes
Position Type
Research Volunteer (unpaid)
Time Commitment
5-10 hours per week
Semesters
Fall 2026, Winter 2027 and Summer 2027
Integrated Management of Invasive Water Hyacinth in Collaboration with USDA Invasive Plant Research Lab
Evaluating the effects of water hyacinth and its management on aquatic communities,
especially fish.
Interested? Contact Our Faculty Research Lead
Dr. Jeffrey Hoch, Ph.D.
Associate Professor, Department of Marine and Environmental Science, Halmos College
of Arts and Sciences
jhoch@nova.edu
Recommended Majors
Marine Biology, Environmental Science
Preferred Experience
Some research experience.
Possibility of Coauthorship
Yes
Position Type
Paid
Time Commitment
8-16 hours, every other week, plus time in lab
Semesters
Fall 2026
Introduction to Biology Research Lab I & II (BIOL 1000, BIOL 1001)
This course is a unique undergraduate research opportunity designed for freshman and/or sophomore-level students interested in a career in the sciences. Each course satisfies one (1) ExEL unit.
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.
Interested? Contact Our Faculty Research Lead
Dr. Emily Schmitt, Ph.D.
Chair and Professor, Department of Biological Sciences, Halmos College of Arts and
Sciences
eschmitt@nova.edu
Recommended Majors
Open to all majors
Preferred Experience
Freshmen or Sophomores
Possibility of Coauthorship
Yes
Position Type
Course
Time Commitment
16 weeks (one semester), 3 hours per week. Ideally two semesters.
Semesters
Fall 2026, Winter 2027
Neuroprotective Strategies against Alzheimer's Disease
The project will investigate neuroprotective agents as a potential therapy for Alzheimer's Disease.
Interested? Contact Our Faculty Research Lead
Dr. Janet Menzie-Suderam,PhD
Recommended Majors
Biology, Neuroscience
Preferred Experience
Not necessary but should be at a sophomore or junior level of study
Possibility of Coauthorship
Yes
Position Type
Independent Study
Time Commitment
10 hours per week
Semesters
Fall 2026
Practicum in Biology I - Sea Phages (BIOL 4960)
Students in my Practicum in Biology course will be doing research in my lab as part of the course. The research will be to characterize new phages (viruses that infect bacteria), in hopes to one day be used as an alternative therapy to antibiotics. Successful completion of this course satisfies one (1) ExEL unit.
Interested? Contact Our Faculty Research Lead
Dr. Julie Torruellas Garcia, Ph.D.
Associate Professor, Department of Biological Sciences, Halmos College of Arts and
Sciences
jg1511@nova.edu
Recommended Majors
Biology
Preferred Experience
S BIOL3400 Microbiology/Lab and/or BIOL 1000 Introduction to Biology Research I
Possibility of Coauthorship
Yes
Position Type
Course
Time Commitment
16 weeks (one semester), approximately 10.5 hours per week (2.5 hours in class and
8 hours in lab)
Semesters
Fall 2027
Tiny Earth: Studentsourcing Antibiotic Discovery
Tiny Earth inspires students in the sciences while addressing one of the most pressing global health challenges of our century—the diminishing supply of effective antibiotics. Tiny Earthlings are college students who enroll in BIOL 3400 (Microbiology) taught by Dr. Raja at NSU, or as an independent research study course at NSU to discover antibiotics from soil bacteria in their own backyards. This innovative, international network was created by Dr. Jo Handelsman, Vilas Research Professor of Plant Pathology at the University of Wisconsin-Madison and former Associate Director for Science at the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP).
Interested? Contact Our Faculty Research Lead
Dr. Aarti Raja
Recommended Majors
Biology or any student pursuing a career in biological sciences
Preferred Experience
Sophomores with science lab classes. BIOL 3400 (microbiology) preferable.
Possibility of Coauthorship
Yes
Position Type
Research Volunteer (Unpaid)
Time Commitment
3 -4 hours per week
Semesters
Fall 2026, Winter 2027
The Universal Mass Function and its Applicability to Organic Molecules
Synthesizing and analyzing different derivatives of organic molecules.
Interested? Contact Our Faculty Research Lead
Carmit Alexenberg
Instructor, Halmos College of Arts and Sciences
calexenber@nova.edu
Recommended Majors
Chemistry
Preferred Experience
Organic Chemistry/Spectroscopy
Possibility of Coauthorship
Yes
Position Type
Research Volunteer (unpaid)
Time Commitment
8 hours per week/12 weeks
Semesters
Fall 2026, Winter 2027
Computer Applications for Clinical Vision Research
This research is to develop new computer applications for testing visual functions in the normal and amblyopic visual systems. Programming platforms include Matlab, C, Psykinematix, VSG, AI, LabView etc.
Interested? Contact Our Faculty Research Lead
Dr. Roger W. Li, Ph.D.
Associate Professor, College of Optometry, Nova Southeastern University
wli@nova.edu
View Dr. Li's staff page
Recommended Majors
Preferably Computing science, Biomedical Engineering, Mathematics, Neuroscience, Pre-optometry
Preferred Experience
Interested in pursuing a healthcare career in the fields of biomedical engineering, neuroscience, optometry, and ophthalmology.
Possibility of Coauthorship
Yes
Position Type
Research Volunteer (unpaid)
Time Commitment
5-10 hours per week
Semesters
Fall 2026, Winter 2027, and Summer 2027
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.
Connect With Your Adviser
Faculty
If you are looking for undergraduate student assistance on a research project, please
submit an NSU Undergraduate Research Opportunities form.
Complete the Form