three students discussing a project at a table

Student Research

At both the undergraduate and graduate level, Lewis College students have access to meaningful research opportunities that allow them to utilize the latest technologies to address human-centered problems. Whether it’s through a summer stipend, an assistantship in a faculty research lab, a Research Experience for Undergraduates grant from the National Science Foundation, a capstone project, or internships, our students hone valuable skills while working on the cutting edge of research.

With a strong understanding of both theory and practice, our undergraduate students are well-equipped to choose between furthering their education in graduate school or joining the workforce upon earning their degrees. Many of our graduate students have the opportunity to attend conferences and present on their own research, while also earning research publication credits for having worked as collaborators on faculty-led projects, meaning they are well-positioned to enter the academic job market.

Visit the research pages of each of our departments to learn more about student research in Lewis College of Science and Letters.

Summer research opportunities allow you to work alongside faculty and graduate students on fascinating projects. For some students, conducting research early in their academic career is an important step in determining whether to pursue graduate school or a career in either academia or industry. Research experience can also help students decide whether their specific academic course is right for them. 

Illinois Tech offers four- and eight-week summer research opportunities in engineering, science, and business. As a current Illinois Tech student, you do not need to fill out the formal application. However, we recommend that students inquire about research opportunities by March 29, 2020, to be considered for the research opportunity you're interested in. Instead, email the faculty member that is associated with each research opportunity directly to inquire about participating in the course. Be sure to indicate your interest in the project and highlight relevant experience when you contact the faculty member. Also, make sure to verify with your academic adviser that the research opportunity you would like to pursue fits into your degree plan. If admitted to the research opportunity, the faculty member will provide you with instructions for registering.

Questions about summer research opportunities? Email elevate@iit.edu or call 312.567.3849.

Lewis College of Science and Letters believes that engaging undergraduates in research will enrich their experience at Illinois Tech by allowing them to explore their interests, solve problems, advance their knowledge, and prepare for the next step—whether graduate school, medical school, or the workplace.

Each summer, selected students in biology, chemistry, and physics are offered a $5,000 stipend to spend 10 weeks in a lab to conduct research with an Illinois Tech faculty member. Undergraduates often find themselves working side-by-side with graduate and postdoctoral students in the lab.

Summer research helps undergraduates to discover a purpose for their disciplinary knowledge and capabilities, and to better envision a fulfilling professional or academic career.

For more information, contact Dean Christine Himes at chimes@iit.edu.

Learn more about student research at Illinois Tech, including research opportunities available for all students across the university.

LEARN MORE

Photo of Anam Adil with pipette in a lab

Summer Stipends Send Illinois Tech Undergrads to the Lab

Anam Adil (BCHM 2nd year) enthusiastically spent her summer working in a lab conducting pioneering cancer research side-by-side with master’s students and Ph.D. candidates. Adil’s project involved an examination of the Bax–∆2 protein in breast cancer.

Learn More
FDSN Research Centers 800x533

Studies in Food Science and Nutrition

The food science and nutrition department regularly works with and conducts research for the United States Food and Drug Administration, U.S. Department of Agriculture, and the food industry, providing students with invaluable real-world research experiences.

Learn More
Elizabeth Hamilton and Associate Professor of Psychology Gregory Chasson

Students Treat Hoarding Disorder with Virtual Reality

Clinical psychology Ph.D. candidate Elizabeth Hamilton and Associate Professor of Psychology Gregory Chasson collaborate on a project that uses virtual reality home design software as treatment motivation for individuals with hoarding disorder.

Learn More
Lewis College Undergraduate Research Day Presentation

Undergraduate Research Day

Undergraduate students at Lewis College have a unique opportunity to showcase their work at the college's annual Undergraduate Research Day. This event highlights student research projects, internship experiences, creative projects, and senior capstones.

Learn More

Lewis College of Science and Letters

Pritzker Science Building, Suite 252 | Chicago, IL | 60616
312.567.3956