Interested in Earning an Honorary Distinction for Undergraduate Research? Enroll Today!

Distinguished Undergraduate Researcher Program

Purpose 

The LSU Distinguished Undergraduate Researcher designation recognizes the achievements of outstanding LSU undergraduates who participate in a track of educational and research activities leading to a final and public presentation or publication of a faculty-mentored undergraduate scholarly project. An LSU Distinguished Undergraduate Researcher is a student who has demonstrated outstanding ability as an advanced student researcher in their discipline. Distinguished Researchers will be honored at a special medal ceremony in their graduating semester and the designation will be noted on their transcripts.

Fall 2022 Awardees

 

Awardee Degree Mentor
Abigail Baumgartner English Dr. Susan Weinstein & Dr. Robyn Andermann
Kennedy Butler Biological Sciences Dr. Julie Schneider
Charity Cooper Biological Sciences Dr. Paul Soto
Alexa Gonzalez Microbiology Dr. Jeremy Brown
Sarah Jimenez Biological Engineering Dr. Elizabeth Martin
Devin Meche Chemistry Dr. Noémie Elgrishi
Khang "Maddie" Pham Biochemistry Dr. Donghui Zhang
Hunter Stewert Biological Sciences Dr. Alexandra Noël & Dr. Crystal Johnson

 

Eligibility for Enrollment

LSU Discover accepts enrollment applications to the program throughout the year.  Students must meet the following to be eligible for enrollment:

  • Currently have a research faculty mentor
  • Join the program before their graduating semester
  • Completed at least 12 college credits
  • Attended an orientation session
  • Either currently have, or previously had, a faculty research mentor
  • Have at least a 2.5 GPA
  • Be in good standing with the university to be accepted into the program.

The Distinguished Undergraduate Researcher Program is open to all majors.

 

Orientation

Interested students are welcome to attend an orientation session with no commitment to enroll.  Until further notice, all orientation sessions will be held in person.

If you do not yet have a research faculty mentor, please stop during our office hours, which are held on Wednesdays from 3:00 - 5:00 PM in Hatcher 331, for a consultation.  

 

Click here to sign up for an orientation session.

Spring 2023 orientations

  • Tuesday, January 31st, 4:00 - 5:00 PM in 344 Hatcher Hall
  • Friday, February 17th, 10:00 - 11:00 AM in 344 Hatcher Hall
  • Thursday, March 2nd, 4:00-5:00 PM in 344 Hatcher Hall
  • Friday, March 31st, 12:00 - 1:00 PM in 344 Hatcher Hall
  • Tuesday, April 4th, 4:00 - 5:00 PM in 344 Hatcher Hall

*All Zoom attendees must leave camera on for the duration of the orientation.  Attendance from a moving vehicle is not allowed.

Enrollment

Click here to fill out the enrollment form for the Distinguished Undergraduate Research Program

Students may enroll after they have attended an orientation session.

 

Process

  • Attend an orientation session
  • Submit the enrollment application above
  • Submit materials for each activity through the Community Moodle portal before the due dates
  • Submit final portfolio in graduating semester
  • LSU Discover will review all documentation and portfolio
  • The Distinguished Undergraduate Research distinction is awarded in your graduating semester only. Medal ceremony will occur 1-3 days before graduation.

Requirements to earn the distinction:

Students must complete all activities listed in the following categories and meet all standards (GPA, etc) in order to earn the Distinguished Undergraduate Researcher medal and transcript notation.

Distinguished Researcher candidates should participate in faculty-mentored research activities and provide evidence of research skill proficiency.

  • Activity A – Research Practice:  Earn 9 points from any combination of the following activities.  All course work and final course grade must earn a grade of B- or higher.
    • Research Intensive course credit: 1 point per credit hour.
    • Research for pay, as a volunteer, or as part of a scholarship: 1 point for every 3 hours worked per week, averaged over a semester.
    • Research methods course credit: 1 point per credit hour.  No more than 3 points may be earned with Research methods courses.
  • Activity B – Student Learning Outcomes: Throughout a student’s undergraduate research experience, they should be learning and mastering the student learning outcomes (SLOs) listed below.  Participants must fill out a one-page, online worksheet to demonstrate learning for each SLO.
    • Problem/project formulation
    • Data/source material gathering and planning
    • Data/source material analysis and performance
    • Understanding and using methodologies
    • Understanding and demonstrating ethical scholarly practices
    • Communicating scholarship

Distinguished Researcher candidates are expected to present their work twice: once at LSU Discover Day and a second time in one of the options outlined in Activity B below.

  • Activity A – Discover Day presentation: Present a capstone or senior-level research project at LSU Discover Day (Level 2 only).
    • *Students with null results are allowed to present at Discover Day. You should present an explanation of the null findings and their significance in your field.
  • Activity B – Additional presentation or publication: Disseminate research to an audience (as either sole or co-author).
    • Present at a professional or academic conference
    • Present at an non-LSU student conference or event
    • Publish in a professional or academic publication
    • Publish in a non-LSU student publication
    • Defend a departmental or honors thesis

Distinguished Researcher candidates must attend at least 3 workshops offered by LSU Discover in order to broaden their research skills, knowledge, and practice.

Distinguished Researcher candidates must earn at least 3 points by participating in any of the following activities.

  • Recommended training & workshops: (1 point each)
    • complete the CITI responsible conduct of research training online
    • take an online or in-person training related to your field
    • take a workshop offered by CxC, the McNair Program, or the LSU Libraries
    • attend an NSF Graduate Fellows workshop
    • any LSU Discover workshops taken beyond the required 3
  • Attend research events (1 point each)
    • attend an on-campus student research event such as the OSI conference or SURF
    • attend a Science Cafe event
    • attend a departmental or college research event or guest lecture
  • Present at an on-campus, student event (2 points)
    • examples: OSI’s Undergraduate Research Conference, SURF, Geology Rock Stars, Coast & Environment Poster presentations, or a 2nd Discover Day presentation
  • In your graduating semester, Distinguished Researcher candidates must submit a portfolio with the following materials:
    • abstract or synopsis of final research project
    • copy of final research project
    • 2-3 page reflective essay on your experiences of preparation, participation, and presentation of your research
    • CV highlighting research experiences
    • *A final assessment form will be sent to your faculty mentor after the portfolio is sent in full.
  • Standards
    • 2.5 minimum cumulative GPA
    • Good standing with the university 
    • Mentor approval

Past Award Winners

Spring 2022 Award Winners

Awardee Degree Mentor
Gideon Adeyemo Kinesiology Dr. Jan Hondzinski
Sanaa Alam Biological Sciences Dr. Alyssa Johnson
Mustafa Alam Biological Engineering Dr. Todd Monroe
Morgan Alston Biological Sciences Dr. Leanne Redman & Dr. Jenny Sones
Cecilia Aucoin Biological Sciences Dr. Huangen Ding
Piper Bordes Psychology Dr. Katie Cherry
Angelina Cantelli Psychology Dr. Katie Cherry & Dr. Thomspon Davis
Timothy Chen Biological Sciences Dr. James Moroney
Jacob Cheng Coastal Environmental Science Dr. John White
Jordyn Courville Biochemistry Dr. Matthew Calamia
Kaitlin Couvillion Microbiology Dr. Christine Lattin
Ashlan Derouen Psychology Dr. Paul Soto
Evan Dore Biochemistry Dr. Karen Maruska 
Morgan Doyle Biological Engineering Dr. Elizabeth Martin
Sarah Glass Chemical Engineering Dr. Kevin McPeak
Mia Goodson Psychology Dr. Paul Soto
Emily Halphen Animal, Dairy, & Poultry Sciences Dr. Mandi Lopez
Alejandra Ham Biological Engineering Dr. Elizabeth Martin
Casey Hanna Microbiology Dr. Gary King
Courtney Harding Biological Sciences Dr. Christine Lattin
Christopher Hart Psychology Dr. Paul Soto
Peter Howard Chemistry Dr. Megan Macnaughtan
Tiffany Huynh Psychology Dr. Rachel Smith, Dr. Janet McDonald & Dr. Julie Schneider
Aaryana Jones Biological Sciences Dr. Alexandra Noel
Lukas Kim Chemistry Dr. Revati Kumar
Bailey Malveaux  Political Science Dr. Lori Martin
Georgette Metrailer Psychology Dr. Kelly Clark
Grayce Mores Microbiology Dr. Mark Batzer
Marz Newman Physics Dr. Matthew Penny
Calli Nguyen Biological Sciences Dr. Fatima Rivas
Katie Patterson Plant & Soil Systems Dr. Lauren Lazaro
Blaire Peterson Biochemistry Dr. Grover Waldrop
Elise Peyroux Biological Sciences Dr. Jennifer Brum
Anna Pham Psychology Dr. Raymond Tucker
Cara Ramos Biological Sciences & Music Dr. Alyssa Johnson & Dr. Adam Bohnert
Brianna Rogers Biological Sciences Dr. Jennifer Sones
Ignatius Semmes Biological Engineering Dr. Todd Monroe
Kennedy Simon Psychology Dr. Katty Cherry
Hannah Sutton Psychology Dr. Matthew Calamia & Dr. Melissa Beck
Analisa Taylor Biological Sciences Dr. Alyssa Johnson & Dr. John Kirwan
Trevor Thrasher Chemical Engineering Dr. Adam Melvin
Maia Williams Animal, Dairy, & Poultry Sciences Dr. Mandi Lopez
Hongjie Zhu Civil Engineering Dr. Aly-Mousaad Aly

 

Fall 2021 Award Winners

Awardee Degree Mentor
Jena Bordelon B.S. in Biological Sciences Dr. Chen Chen
Eve Gautreaux B.S. in Psychology Dr. Paul Soto and Dr. Christine Lattin
Parker Lawrence B.S. in Biochemistry Dr. Jennifer Brum
Brianna Robertson B.S. in Physics and B.S. in Computer Engineering Dr. Jin-Woo Choi
Noah Smith B.S. in Chemical Engineering Dr. Kevin McPeak and Dr. Adam Melvin
Kayla Spearman B.A. in Communication Sciences and Disorders Dr. Janna Oetting
Michelle Veillon - Bradshaw B.S. in Kinesiology Dr. Marc Dalecki
Kiara Warren B.S. in Psychology Dr. Alex Cohen

 

Spring 2021 Award Winners

The Spring 2021 Distinguished Undergraduate Research awardees were honored during a ceremony held via Zoom. These students worked very hard during a challenging year and LSU Discover congratulates them on achieving so much during such a difficult time.

WATCH THE SPRING 2021 AWARDS CEREMONY HERE!

Awardee Major Mentor
Kiersten Barnette English and Sociology Dr. Rafael Orozco
Samantha Beekman International Studies and Mass Communication Dr. Leonard Ray
Gaurangi Das Psychology Dr. Don Zhang
Lexie Duhon Psychology Dr. Matthew Calamia
Madison Gilbert Psychology Dr. Paul Soto, Dr. Jason Harman, and Dr. Janet McDonald
Megan Guilbeau Biochemistry Dr. Maheshi Dassanayake
Peter Issa Biological Sciences Dr. Bret Elderd
Haley Jeneske Animal, Dairy & Poultry Sciences Dr. Kenneth McMillin and Dr. Janet McDonald
Henry Kantrow Chemical Engineering Dr. Kevin McPeak
Lebogang Kgoadi Chemistry Dr. Noemie Elgrishi
Paulette Kourouma Psychology and Interdisciplinary Studies Dr. Bailey Houghtaling and Dr. Janet McDonald
Alexander Landry Biochemistry and Pre-Professional Chemistry Dr. Steven Hand
Gabrielle Langlois Environmental Engineering Dr. Samiel Snow
Layni LeBlanc Animal, Dairy & Poultry Sciences Dr. Sabrina Taylor
Alexis Nguyen Animal, Dairy & Poultry Sciences Dr. Richard Cooper
Matthew Nguyen Biological Sciences Dr. Daniel Swale
Sahana Padumane Biological Engineering Dr. Yongchan Kwon
Keyla Pruett Natural Resource Ecology & Management Dr. Rodrigo Diaz, Dr. Ian Knight, and Dr. Sabrina Taylor
Sarah Reviel Communication Disorders Dr. Janna Oetting
Victoria Rittell Biochemistry Dr. Jennifer Brum, Dr. Carrie Elks, and Dr. Jacqueline Stephens
Tyler Scott Geography and Sociology Dr. Heather O'Connell
Horatio Traylor Psychology Dr. Rachel Smith
Han-Hsuan "Michael" Wu Physics Dr. Mohammad Saghayezhian and Dr. Jiandi Zhang
Jennafer Zimmerman Industrial Engineering Dr. Isabelina Nahmens

 

Fall 2020 Award Winners

On Thursday, December 17th, the 2020 Fall Distinguished Undergraduate Research awardees were honored during a ceremony held via Zoom. These students worked very hard during a challenging year and LSU Discover congratulates them on achieving so much during such a difficult time.

 

Watch the Fall 2020 Award Ceremony here!

 

Awardee  Degree(s) Mentor(s)
Kendall Brome Coastal Environmental Sciences (B.S.) Dr. Kristine DeLong
Corey Cooper Biological Sciences (B.S.) Dr. Alyssa Johnson
Alexus Crawford Communication Sciences and Disorders (B.A.) Dr. Geoffrey Coalson
Josef Schuster Natural Resource Ecology and Management (B.S.) Dr. Mike Dance, Dr. Steve Midway, Dr. Mike Kaller, and Dr. Greg Lutz
Ashlyn Suchand Psychology (B.S.) Dr. Christopher Cox
Jordan Wall Biological Sciences (B.S.) Dr. Alyssa Johnson

 

Summer 2020 Award Winner

On Thursday, August 6th, the 2020 Summer Distinguished Undergraduate Research awardee, Jackson Green, was honored during a ceremony held via Zoom. Family and staff joined in as we celebrated the accomplishments of this outstanding undergraduate researcher.

 

Awardee Degree Mentor(s)
Jackson Green Economics (B.S.) Drs. Julia D. Buckner, Dr. Barton Willage, Dr. Roger Laine

 

Spring 2020 Award Winners

On Thursday, May 14th, the 2020 Spring Distinguished Undergraduate Research awardees were honored during a ceremony held via Zoom.  Family, friends, and faculty mentors joined in as we celebrated the accomplishments of these outstanding undergraduate researchers. 

 

Watch the Spring 2020 Award Ceremoney Here!

Read the Spring 2020 Award ceremony program

 

Awardee Degree(s) Mentor(s)
Ryan Agsunod Biological Sciences Dr. SeYeon Chung
Philip Brahana Coastal Environmental Science Dr. Michael Polito
Bridget Cadigan  Chemical Engineering Dr. Les Butler
Abigail Caffey  Kinesiology Dr. Marc Dalecki
Kathryn Davis Natural Resource Ecology and Management & Spanish Dr. Sabrina Taylor
Senea Diaz Communication Disorders Dr. Geoffrey Coalson
Sarah Dunn Industrial Engineering Dr. Laura Ikuma
Annaliesa Fanguy Microbiology Dr. David Vinyard
Eden McMillin Gallegos Biochemistry Dr. Marcia Newcomer, Dr. Nathaniel Gilbert
Hayden Guidry Biological Sciences Dr. Adam Bohnert
Megan Guidry Biological Sciences Dr. Morgan Kelly
Quintrelé Jones Psychology Dr. Emily Elliott
Yasmeen Kawji  Biochemistry Dr. Morgan Kelly
Timothy King, Jr.  Biological Engineering Dr. Elizabeth Martin
Breona Leonard  Physics Dr. Isiah Warner
Jun Lin  Computer Science &  Mathematics Dr. Kyumin Lee, Dr. Peter Wolenski
Stephen Lopez Kinesiology Dr. Alyssa E. Johnson
Austin Chunfeng Lu Landscape Architecture Dr. Robyn Reed, Dr. Haley Blakeman, Dr. Brendan Harmon
Mark Maier Biological Sciences Dr. Karen Maruska
Hunter Meyer Physics Dr. Thomas Kutter
Quyen Nguyen Psychology Dr. Anna Long
Victoria Pfeifer English Literature & Philosophy Dr. Sharon Weltman, Dr. Richard Godden, Dr. Mary Sirridge
Kris Plunkett  History & French Dr. Gaines Foster
Jane Ainsley Rothschild  Biological Sciences Dr. Steven Hand, Dr. Michael Brilynski
Hayden Scott  Physics Dr. Kip Matthews
Jourdan Staffier  Biological Sciences Dr. Melissa Erickson
Abigail Vinson  Biological Sciences Dr. Christine Lattin

 

Fall 2019 Award Winners

 

Awardee Degree(s) Mentor(s)
Maryn Cavalier  Biological Engineering Dr. Elizabeth Martin
Meggie Lam  Biological Engineering Dr. Elizabeth Martin
Rebecca Krueger  Biochemistry Dr. Alyssa Johnson
Ariana Buckner  Information Systems & Decision Sciences Dr. Reg Tucker
Anna Lucchesi  Biological Sciences Dr. Michael Hellberg
Dwayne Hinton  Anthropology, Journalism, Interdisciplinary Studies Dr. Heather McKillop
Lauren Vidrine  Anthropology, English Dr. Irina Shport

 

Summer 2019 Award Winners

 

Awardee Degree Mentor
William Arata Kinesiology Dr. Marc Dalecki

 

Spring 2019 Award Winners

 

Awardee Degree(s) Mentor(s)
Michael Brands Biological Sciences Dr. Isiah Warner
Dominique Carr Psychology Dr. Don Zhang
Sarah Cohen Biochemistry & Sociology Dr. Grover Waldrop
Joseph DeCorte Biochemistry & Mathematics Dr. Samithamby Jeyaseelan
Amber Depoy Microbiology Dr. Gary King
Logan Hart Mathematics Dr. Frank Neubrander
Ryan Hoffman Biological Sciences Dr. Fernando Galvez
Elizabeth Joseph Psychology Dr. Don Zhang. Dr. Amanda Staiano
Tabitha Kearns Biological Sciences Dr. Gary King
Jeffrey Lemoine Computer Science & Biochemistry Dr. Michal Brylinski
Carly Moore Psychology Dr. Matthew Calamia
Serena Nguyen Psychology Dr. Paul Soto
Charity Ringel English Dr. Michael Bibler
Connor Rouillier Anthropology & Religious Studies Dr. Gregory Johnson
Corey St. Romain Biological Sciences & Chemistry Dr. Mark Batzer
Sadie Thompson Biological Sciences Dr. Gary King
Amy Turner Kinesiology Dr. Guillaume Spielmann

 

Please email any questions or concerns to lsudiscover@lsu.edu