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Biological, Chemical, and Physical Sciences

Explore the various projects below categorized under the general theme of Biological, Chemical, and Physical Sciences. Be sure to return to the Barrett College Fellows Program main page and explore projects under the other 11 themes as well. You might be surprised at what you find and maybe you will discover the perfect research project for what you hope to study!

Please do not contact the research centers or faculty listed below directly (a formal application process is a required step to joining these research opportunities).

For questions about the Barrett College Fellows Program or specific research projects, please contact Dr. Sarah Graff at: [email protected].

Back to Barrett College Fellows main page

Research projects

Inference and prediction of tumor population interaction and radiotherapy response

Project # 147

Center name: School of Mathematics and Statistical Sciences (SoMSS)
Campus/Location: Tempe; Flexible to remote and/or in-person
Faculty lead: Heyrim Cho

Project description

In many cancers, cellular heterogeneity plays a significant role in resistance to treatment and tumor recurrence. Thus, it is crucial to gain a better understanding of how a tumor’s growth dynamics and its response to treatment influence – and are influenced by – cellular heterogeneity and the interactions between different cell populations, in order to make more accurate predictions about treatment responses. In this project, we will develop and compare different experimental designs and data collection protocols to accurately infer and predict tumor interaction types and radiotherapy responses.

Special skills needed

ODE/Differential equation, Matlab coding, some concepts in probability and statistics Applied Math, Computational biology

Majors

Applied Math, Computational biology

Years

-2nd Year Students
-3rd Year Students
-ASU Online Barrett Honors Students (fully remote work)

Themes

Cross-listed with the following themes:

Biological, Chemical, and Physical Sciences, Data Analytics and Mathematics

Embryo Project

Project # 149

Center name: Center for Biology and Society
Campus/Location: Tempe
Faculty lead: Jane Maienschein

Project description

The Embryo Project involves carrying out research and learning to write for a general audience, producing a cluster of articles that are reviewed and (if accepted) published in the Embryo Project Encylopedia. Research participation begins with the Embryo Project Writing Seminar, which is a structured class as a writers workshop that meets Wednesdays 3:15-5:30. We can accept up to 10 students for the course total, including graduate students and undergraduates, and we typically have 1-3 as Barrett College Fellows in fall and spring.

Special skills needed

Interest in writing about scientific ideas for a general public, willingness to learn with and from others in a writers workshop, and interest in the broad field of embryos, development, reproduction, abortion, eugenics, and related topics, and the historical and social context. life sciences, health sciences, communication, journalism, history, philosophy, law, policy, and many others.

Majors

Majors: life sciences, health sciences, communication, journalism, history, philosophy, law, policy, and many others

Years

-2nd Year Students
-3rd Year Students
-4th Year Students- Seniors

Themes

Cross-listed with the following themes:

Biological, Chemical, and Physical Sciences, Health and Wellness, Humanities, Journalism, Communication, and Mass Media, Social and Behavioral Sciences

Spatial Mapping of Vegetation for Amazon forest management

Project # 150

Center name: Swetty Center for Environmental Biotechnology
Campus/Location: Tempe
Faculty lead: Hinsby Cadillo-Quiroz

Project description

We are looking for a student with the ability to work with geospatial information. The student will work with geolocation information of palms and trees in permanent plots in a peatland in the Peruvian Amazon, collected from RTK (Real-time kinematic positioning) GNSS receivers (Emlid REACH 3 and REACH 2+). The positioning data will be used as a method of validation of a previous survey carried out by drones. The person in charge is expected to be able to learn post-processing of field information, and subsequently generate some classification models related to other biological and environmental variables.

Special skills needed

Have taken courses related to remote sensing, GIS, and knowing how projections work. - Knowledge of GPS principles. - Knowledge of a GIS environment (ArcGIS Pro, ArcMap, QGIS). - Have taken courses in statistics and data analysis involving classification methods. Know the principles of how to train and validate a model. - Be proficient in Python or R, or some programming language with which they can generate replicable classification models. computer science, spatial sciences, geology, biology, conservation majors

Majors

computer science, spatial sciences, geology, biology, conservation majors

Years

-ASU Online Barrett Honors Students (fully remote work)
-4th Year Students- Seniors
-3rd Year Students
-2nd Year Students

Themes

Cross-listed with the following themes:

Biological, Chemical, and Physical Sciences, Data Analytics and Mathematics, Sustainability

Designing microbial interaction to remove atmospheric CH4 for climate solutions

Project # 151

Center name: Biodesign Swette Center for Environmental Biotechnology
Campus/Location: Tempe
Faculty lead: Hinsby Cdaillo-Quiroz

Project description

This is a microbiology and engineering project in which, along with a PhD student, we test various combinations of microbial cultures to optimize the growth and activity of methanotrophic and heterotrophic bacteria. Fundamentally, this experiment will be built on physiological and genomic data, testing whether metabolic interactions can complement and provide mixed growth, alleviating the limitations of low methane levels through heterotrophs' co-metabolism.

This is a computationally assisted (engineering) and bench-driven (microbiology) project, in which complementary interactions will enable testing hundreds of permutations of microbial strains.

Special skills needed

Students who have completed Mic 220 and 205, or MIC 300 level classes, will be considered for students focusing on the Microbiology component; students who have completed Process or Bioreactor engineering classes (or equivalent) will be considered. Experience in microbiology labs, Arduino systems, or bioreactor systems will be highly considered.

Majors

Microbiology, Environmental Engineering, Chemical Engineering

Years

-3rd Year Students
-4th Year Students- Seniors
-2nd Year Students

Themes

Cross-listed with the following themes:

Biological, Chemical, and Physical Sciences, Data Analytics and Mathematics, Engineering

Coral research

Project # 153

Center name: Marine Biochem Research Lab - Roger Lab
Campus/Location: Tempe
Faculty lead: Liza Roger

Project description

My team focuses on understanding stress in corals and other symbiotic cnidarians (ie. sea anemones and upside-down jellyfish) from a cellular and biochemical point of view. We work on protein, symbiosis, metabolites, free radicals etc. to better understand environmental stress ahead of designing treatments such as nanomedicine for corals or chemical cues to improve coral health.

Special skills needed

Cleanliness, willingness to learn, can think on their feet, interested in marine research, knowledge in chemistry and biochemistry (some knowledge in marine science would be nice), the specific skill set here will be acquired during the Honors project (e.g. coral cell dissociation, coral culture, multiwell assays, fluorescence imaging, coral/anemone/jellyfish husbandry, protein extraction western blot, nanoparticle synthesis, cytotoxicity etc).Chemistry, biochemistry, (case dependent: conservation biology, cellular biology)

Majors

Chemistry, biochemistry, (case dependent: conservation biology, cellular biology)

Years

-3rd Year Students
-4th Year Students- Seniors

Themes

Cross-listed with the following themes:

Biological, Chemical, and Physical Sciences, Sustainability

Safe Routes to School/Safe Streets

Project # 155

Center name: Active Schools & Communities Lab
Campus/Location: Downtown
Faculty lead: Allison Poulos

Project description

Join Dr. Allison Poulos in the College of Health Solutions and an interdisciplinary research team to support our local communities to make the streets safer for walking, riding, and rolling. We work with City partners to evaluate changes in safety and human behavior after changes to the built environment. Our team meets weekly on the Downtown Campus on Thursdays from 11-1 and includes a large group of students ranging from first-year undergrads to post-doctoral fellows from various programs throughout ASU. You would assist with data collection including conducting surveys and environmental assessments of street and neighborhood conditions, tallying pedestrian and vehicular traffic counts, data management, and dissemination of results. This research provides a great opportunity for hands-on, community-based research with community partners in government and non-profit spaces.

Special skills needed

Interest in health, sustainability, safety, design; Interest in community-based work; Availability on Thursdays between 11-1

Majors

Health Education, Health Promotion, Public Health, Population Health, Kinesiology, Health Sciences, Engineering, Architecture, Design, Sustainability, Psychology, Education

Years

-First Year Students (new to ASU Fall 2025)
-2nd Year Students
-3rd Year Students
-4th Year Students- Seniors

Themes

Cross-listed with the following themes:

Art, Architecture, and Design, Biological, Chemical, and Physical Sciences, Business and Entrepreneurship, Data Analytics and Mathematics, Education, Engineering, Health and Wellness, Humanities, Journalism, Communication, and Mass Media, Law, Justice, and Public Service, Social and Behavioral Sciences, Sustainability

EYEPlay for Everyone

Project # 159

Center name: EYEPlay
Campus/Location: Tempe
Faculty lead: Erin Rotheram-Fuller

Project description

This project uses drama during story time to increase communication, engagement and literacy skills for preschool aged children who are minimally verbal. We can support up to three students for the project, and Lauren Van Huisstede is the project lead.

Special skills needed

Good organizational skills, enjoy watching and playing with young children, interest in understanding disabilities and early education engagement strategies, and attention to detail! This would be ideal for students in the social sciences and education majors. We have several parts of the project that students can take part in, from play-based assessments in schools, to online coding of classroom videos. There is also an opportunity to build and use databases, and assist in analyses for those who are interested (but not required!). This is also an ideal match for students from any field who are interested in learning more about children with disabilities.

Majors

This would be ideal for students in the social sciences and education majors. We have several parts of the project that students can take part in, from play-based assessments in schools, to online coding of classroom videos. There is also an opportunity to build and use databases, and assist in analyses for those who are interested (but not required!). This is also an ideal match for students from any field who are interested in learning more about children with disabilities.

Years

-First Year Students (new to ASU Fall 2025)
-2nd Year Students
-3rd Year Students
-4th Year Students- Seniors
-ASU Online Barrett Honors Students (fully remote work)

Themes

Cross-listed with the following themes:

Biological, Chemical, and Physical Sciences, Data Analytics and Mathematics, Education, Health and Wellness, Humanities, Social and Behavioral Sciences

Mapping Cerebellar Circuit Dynamics Across Development and Aging

Project # 160

Center name: The SOCIAL Neurobiology lab
Campus/Location: Tempe
Faculty lead: Jessica Verpeut

Project description

This program investigates how cerebellar circuits develop, adapt, and become vulnerable across the lifespan. Although the cerebellum is essential for motor coordination, emerging evidence shows it also supports cognition, emotion, and learning, yet the mechanisms driving these functions remain unclear. We study how cerebellar-specific cell types mature and change during development and how age-related inflammation, synaptic loss, and circuit remodeling contribute to cognitive and motor decline. Using advanced imaging, behavioral assays, computational analysis, and molecular profiling, this project will study circuit-level changes to functional outcomes. Dr. Verpeut will lead this project with 2 undergraduate students.

Special skills needed

Coding in R or Python.

Majors

neuroscience, psychology, biology, chemistry, physics

Years

-2nd Year Students
-3rd Year Students

Themes

Cross-listed with the following themes:

Biological, Chemical, and Physical Sciences, Data Analytics and Mathematics

High-Pressure Experiments and Volatile Storage in Planetary Materials

Project # 163

Center name: Exomaterials lab
Campus/Location: Tempe
Faculty lead: Dan Shim

Project description

This research project will involve a series of high-pressure experiments and the synthesis of volatile storage within planetary materials. The student will receive training and conduct independent research utilizing both laser-heated diamond-anvil cells and multi-anvil presses. They will perform X-ray diffraction, Raman spectroscopy, and electron microscopy studies on the synthesized materials.

The primary applications of this study lie in the fields of planetary science and materials chemistry. The student will be primarily mentored by Professor Dan Shim at the School of Earth and Space Exploration. They will also collaborate with postdoctoral researchers and Ph.D. students within his research group.

Special skills needed

laboratory experiences in chemistry, physics, materials science, Earth science, planetary science, or materials engineering.

Majors

chemistry, physics, materials science, Earth science, planetary science, materials engineering.

Years

-3rd Year Students
-2nd Year Students
-First Year Students (new to ASU Fall 2025)
-4th Year Students- Seniors

Themes

Cross-listed with the following themes:

Biological, Chemical, and Physical Sciences

Research in 21cm Cosmology

Project # 166

Center name: Cosmology Initiative
Campus/Location: Tempe
Faculty lead: Simon Foreman

Project description

What are the fundamental laws that determine the birth, evolution, and contents of the universe? The field of “21cm cosmology” aims to help answer this question, by measuring faint radiation from distant clouds of hydrogen gas, relating the distribution of these clouds to the underlying “large-scale structure” of the universe, and using the statistical properties of this structure to learn about the universe and fundamental physics.

This project will investigate a specific topic in 21cm cosmology, involving a mixture of theoretical, computational, and/or data analysis work. The precise topic is to be determined, but possible topics include: forecasting the sensitivity of the upcoming CHORD telescope in measuring the cosmic large-scale structure (https://www.chord-observatory.ca); refining/extending theoretical models for clustering patterns of hydrogen gas; developing simulations that can be used to predict cross-correlation signals that can be measured with upcoming data; or contributing to data analysis infrastructure for CHORD or the currently-operating CHIME telescope (https://chime-experiment.ca/en).

Feel free to contact Prof. Foreman for further information.

Special skills needed

Experience with scientific computing in Python (at least one course in Python programming, or substantial experience outside of courses), and familiarity with Fourier transforms and statistics. Familarity with concepts in astronomy or cosmology is welcome, but not required.

Majors

Physics, Astrophysics, Computer Science, Mathematics

Years

-3rd Year Students
-4th Year Students- Seniors

Themes

Cross-listed with the following themes:

Biological, Chemical, and Physical Sciences

New Carbon Economy Consortium (NCEC) Insights

Project # 171

Center name: New Carbon Economy Consortium (NCEC)
Campus/Location: Tempe; Flexible to remote and/or in-person
Faculty lead: Krista O'Brien

Project description

The New Carbon Economy Consortium (NCEC) is an alliance of universities, national labs, and NGOs working in partnership with industry leaders to build a carbon-conscious world. NCEC hosts members with carbon removal solutions in Engineered Solutions, Biological Solutions, and Hybrid Solutions as well as Finance, Governance, Policy, Business, and Entrepreneurship.

The NCEC Insights project intends to educate a broad audience on cutting edge solutions in carbon sequestration, use, and storage. These solutions range from technical solutions like mechanical carbon sequestration to natural solutions such as “blue carbon” which utilizes coastal ecosystems to capture and store carbon. The Barrett Fellows will be tasked with 1) conducting research into up-and-coming carbon solutions, 2) interviewing researchers and practitioners in fields of carbon capture, use, and storage, and 3) drafting written deliverables. This project will expand students' knowledge of carbon capture concepts and allow students to develop climate communication skills, as the insights will communicate complex topics to the general public.

The faculty lead for this project is Amanda Ellis, but Krista O'brien is the secretariat and primary manager of the New Carbon Economy Consortium. NCEC falls under the Global Partnerships department within the Global Futures Laboratory.

Special skills needed

Required:

Strong oral and written communication skills
Proficiency in email communication
Self-motivated to work independently and meet deadlines in a timely manner
An interest in climate action and carbon solutions
Experience working on a team
Preferred:

Understanding of various CO₂ concepts such as CO₂ sequestration, conversion, storage, and mineralization.
Experience conducting interviews English, Communications, Journalism, Sustainability, Engineering, Education (flexible on major if they fulfill the required & preferred skills through course work and professional experience)

Majors

English, Communications, Journalism, Sustainability, Engineering, Education (flexible on major if they fulfill the required & preferred skills through course work and professional experience)

Years

-3rd Year Students
-4th Year Students- Seniors
-ASU Online Barrett Honors Students (fully remote work)

Themes

Cross-listed with the following themes:

Biological, Chemical, and Physical Sciences, Business and Entrepreneurship, Data Analytics and Mathematics, Journalism, Communication, and Mass Media, Law, Justice, and Public Service, Social and Behavioral Sciences, Sustainability

Mammal-Virus Data & Modeling

Project # 172

Center name: Biodiversity Knowledge Integration Center
Campus/Location: Flexible to remote and/or in-person; Fully remote
Faculty lead: Beckett Sterner

Project description

This project studies viruses detected in North American rodents to advance understanding of reservoir hosts and improve risk modeling for zoonotic disease spread. We are completing the first comprehensive systematic review and meta-analysis of studies publishing virus detection results and experimental or statistical studies of factors that influence disease spread. Students with an interest in biology (no prior skills required) can join an ongoing team that extracts and analyzes virus detection studies. Students with some prior computational or statistics background can join a team working on data visualization and analytics. Both tracks can accommodate as many students as are interested and have the relevant background. We have had many prior honors fellows go on to do successful thesis projects based on the data they extract, and we encourage students to develop publishable journal articles from their work.

Special skills needed

Students with an interest in biology (no prior skills required) can join an ongoing team that extracts and analyzes virus detection studies. Students with some prior computational or statistics background can join a team working on data visualization and analytics.

Majors

Biology (or related fields), Computer Science, Math, Data Science, Statistics

Years

-First Year Students (new to ASU Fall 2025)
-2nd Year Students
-3rd Year Students
-4th Year Students- Seniors
-ASU Online Barrett Honors Students (fully remote work)

Themes

Cross-listed with the following themes:

Biological, Chemical, and Physical Sciences, Data Analytics and Mathematics, Health and Wellness

Synthesis of Nanostructured Materials for Catalytic Chemical Reactions

Project # 174

Center name: Department of Physics
Campus/Location: Tempe
Faculty lead: Jingyue Liu

Project description

This project centers on the synthesis of novel nanostructured materials for energy and environmental applications. Nanoscale architectures exhibit unique physicochemical properties that can be leveraged to develop more efficient and sustainable technologies. Our work focuses on designing and optimizing chemical synthesis strategies to establish robust, scalable protocols suitable for practical implementation. The resulting nanostructured materials will serve as catalysts in processes such as hydrogen production and the conversion of carbon dioxide into value-added chemicals. A key emphasis of the project is the efficient utilization of rare earth metals to enhance catalytic performance.

Special skills needed

Knowledge and experiences in inorganic chemistry, especially synthesis of inorganic materials using chemistry methods. Inorganic Chemistry; Chemical Engineering; Materials Science and Engineering.

Majors

Inorganic Chemistry; Chemical Engineering; Materials Science and Engineering

Years

-3rd Year Students
-4th Year Students- Seniors

Themes

Cross-listed with the following themes:

Biological, Chemical, and Physical Sciences, Engineering

Honors project related to the AST 322 Extragalactic Astronomy and Cosmology course.

Project # 175

Center name: School of Earth & Space Exploration
Campus/Location: Tempe
Faculty lead: Rogier Windhorst

Project description

Students who are taking Prof. Windhorst's AST 322 Extragalactic Astronomy and Cosmology course (in Spring 2026 or have taken it earlier) can do an Honors project related to that course. See http://windhorst322.asu.edu for details. The Honors Project will include to evaluate the scale factor a(t) from the integral equation (5.83) --- the proper solution to the relativistic Friedmann equation --- in Ryden's book for a reasonable grid of (Omega_r, Omega_m, Omega_Lambda) values, and plot these a(t) [following Fig. 5.7] for a grid of (Omega_m, Omega_Lambda) values as suggested in Fig. 5.6. Sample Fig. 5.6 with a dense enough grid of (Omega_m, Omega_Lambda) values to provide examples of a(t) for all reasonable universes (see the *** in Fig. 5.6). Successful students will also be able to do research with Hubble and Webb in my cosmology group starting in the summer.

Special skills needed

see class URL above

Majors

see class URL above

Years

-3rd Year Students
-4th Year Students- Seniors
-ASU Online Barrett Honors Students (fully remote work)

Themes

Cross-listed with the following themes:

Biological, Chemical, and Physical Sciences, Data Analytics and Mathematics

Behavioral tracker of age-dependent polyethism

Project # 177

Center name: Authentic online research on honey bee colonies
Campus/Location: Tempe; Fully remote/Remote considered
Faculty lead: Hong Lei

Project description

As an eusocial species, honeybee colonies are known to demonstrate age dependent behaviors. Young bees take care of the brood; older bees become forager. At any given time, different individuals are performing different behaviors in the hive. Recognizing and quantify these behaviors is important for understanding organizing principles of a society, but this task is challenging because of large number of bees. Could this work be automated by a computerized tracker powered by machine learning?

Special skills needed

Computer vision, AI, data science

Majors

CS

Years

-ASU Online Barrett Honors Students (fully remote work)
-3rd Year Students
-4th Year Students- Seniors

Themes

Cross-listed with the following themes:

Biological, Chemical, and Physical Sciences, Data Analytics and Mathematics, Engineering

Desert Tortoise Conservation Genomics and Bioinformatics

Project # 179

Center name: Kusumi Lab
Campus/Location: Tempe; Flexible to remote and/or in-person
Faculty lead: Kenro Kusumi

Project description

There are about 30,000 amniote vertebrate species, and nearly 10,000 of these species are reptiles. Reptiles display incredible diversity of morphological and physiological adaptations to their environments, compared with mammals and birds, but they have not been the focus on genomic or molecular studies. We have deciphered the genome of the Mojave desert tortoise (Gopherus agassizii), a hallmark species of the desert southwest that is threatened with habitat loss and disease. This recent work is described in this video. We have also completed the reference genome for the Sonoran desert tortoise (G. morafkai) and the Texas tortoise (G. berlandieri) and are using these data to study the effects of changes in the Colorado River and monsoon precipitation on the evolution of these species across the southwestern US. Students with interest or skills in computational biology or bioinformatics will work with researchers to further investigate the genetics of the desert tortoises.

Special skills needed

Scripting (R, Python) or coding skills preferred

Familiarity with command line platforms (UNIX, Linux, etc.)

Interest in applying computational approaches to conservation science

Majors

BS Biological Sciences
BS Data Science
BS Biochemistry
BS Neuroscience
BS Geography or GIS
BS Statistics

Years

-First Year Students (new to ASU Fall 2025)
-2nd Year Students
-3rd Year Students
-ASU Online Barrett Honors Students (fully remote work)

Themes

Cross-listed with the following themes:

Biological, Chemical, and Physical Sciences

Multi-omic data integration for microbiome research using scikit-bio

Project # 181

Center name: Biodesign Center for Fundamental and Applied Microbiomics
Campus/Location: Tempe
Faculty lead: Qiyun Zhu

Project description

Dr. Qiyun Zhu is leading a DOE-funded project to enhance scikit-bio (https://scikit.bio/), a renowned open-source Python library for bioinformatics. Scikit-bio offers a range of algorithms and data structures extensively utilized in biological data analysis. Our goal is to augment its capabilities, particularly in handling and interpreting large-scale, multi-layered biological data (multi-omics), crucial for unraveling the intricate interactions among organisms and the environment. Specifically, we seek to recruite 1-3 students to add and refine functionalities for 1) efficient processing of diverse data types, 2) seamless integration of multi-omic datasets, and 3) characterization and labeling (annotation) of biological elements. This opportunity is a gateway for students to collaborate with leading bioinformatics experts and software engineers. Ideal candidates should have a keen interest in open-source scientific computing and a basic understanding of programming, preferably in Python. Students from diverse academic backgrounds who are enthusiastic about merging computing with biology are encouraged to apply. Participants will receive hands-on experience in contributing to high-quality software, valuable mentorship, and skill development that is highly desired in both academic and industry settings. This experience will be a significant stepping stone in your career in bioinformatics, software development, or data science.

Special skills needed

* Strong programming skills, preferably in Python, is essential for this position.
* Experience in open-source software development is highly preferable but not essential.
* Experience or interest in machine learning, computer science, mathematics, or statistics is preferrable but not essential.
* Experience or interest in evolutionary biology, ecology, genetics, molecular biology, or any other biology fields is preferrable but not essential.
* The applicant may read the scikit-bio guideline for contribution: https://scikit.bio/contribute.html to assess their comfortableness with the development work.Any major is appropriate, as long as you have the right skillset. Some successful candidates were from majors such as Computer Science, Biomedical Engineering, Biotechnology, Mathematics, Statistics, etc.

Majors

Any major is appropriate, as long as you have the right skillset. Some successful candidates were from majors such as Computer Science, Biomedical Engineering, Biotechnology, Mathematics, Statistics, etc.

Years

-First Year Students (new to ASU Fall 2025)
-2nd Year Students
-3rd Year Students
-4th Year Students- Seniors
-ASU Online Barrett Honors Students (fully remote work)

Themes

Cross-listed with the following themes:

Biological, Chemical, and Physical Sciences, Data Analytics and Mathematics, Health and Wellness

Are dating apps responsible for sexually transmitted infections?

Project # 183

Center name: Simon A Lebin Mathematical, Computational and Modeling Sciences Center
Campus/Location: Tempe
Faculty lead: Fabio Milner

Project description

Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) are very common, particularly among 18-to-24-year-olds. It has been observed that they are more common among dating app users than among non-users. If we want to study a possible causal relation or correlation between STI incidence and use of dating apps, we must first know the structure of the sexually active population, hopefully by age and sex. We also need to know the rate at which the various groups considered in the structure acquire new individuals (onset or restart of sexual activity) and the rate at which they lose them (cessation of sexual activity). Building a model for this population will be the first step in the project. The next step will be to build a model for the transmission of STIs across the groups in the sexually active population. This will involve the collection and preparation of data, parameter fitting, research question(s) formulation, experimental design to answer the question(s), and analysis of scenarios. This exciting project will be hands-on, not lecture style. Participants will be responsible for conducting literature reviews, selecting and summarizing articles, discussing and carrying out model formulation, formulating research question(s) and analyzing results that help answer them.

Special skills needed

Quantitative and analytical thinking
Understanding the meaning of and using derivatives and differentiation (calculus 1).

Majors

all

Years

-2nd Year Students
-3rd Year Students
-4th Year Students- Seniors
-ASU Online Barrett Honors Students (fully remote work)

Themes

Cross-listed with the following themes:

Biological, Chemical, and Physical Sciences, Data Analytics and Mathematics, Health and Wellness, Social and Behavioral Sciences

Making knots and links from DNA and RNA

Project # 184

Center name: Center for Molecular Design and Biomimetics, Biodesign Institute
Campus/Location: Tempe
Faculty lead: Di Liu

Project description

This project explores the design and synthesis of complex DNA and RNA topological structures, including knots and links, to address fundamental questions in biology and medicine. By leveraging cutting-edge techniques in bionanotechnology, we aim to construct and characterize these intricate structures and to reveal novel insights into the biophysical properties of nucleic acids and their potential biomedical applications. Students will gain hands-on experience in molecular biology and nanotechnology techniques, including DNA and RNA handling, gel electrophoresis, and various characterization methods. Computational tools may be used for structural modeling and prediction.

Special skills needed

Basic experimental skills in biochemistry or molecular biology. Programming skills are also preferred.

Majors

Chemistry, Biochemistry, Bioengineering, Molecular biology, Physics

Years

-2nd Year Students
-3rd Year Students
-First Year Students (new to ASU Fall 2025)

Themes

Cross-listed with the following themes:

Biological, Chemical, and Physical Sciences, Engineering, Health and Wellness

Exploring matter distribution in the galaxies

Project # 186

Center name: SESE
Campus/Location: Tempe
Faculty lead: Sanchayeeta Borthakur

Project description

Multiple paid project positions are open for astronomy and astronomy+computer science /statistic majors to study galaxies and gas between galaxies.

Special skills needed

Statistics, data handling basics, probability, radio astronomy, plotting and data presentation, scientific writing, website creation and handling.

Majors

Statistics + computer science double major
Astronomy + computer science double major
Astronomy + statistics double major
are most preferred.

Years

-3rd Year Students
-4th Year Students- Seniors

Themes

Cross-listed with the following themes:

Biological, Chemical, and Physical Sciences

Mechanisms of self-affirmation and its applications

Project # 192

Center name: Health Neuroscience Collaborative
Campus/Location: Downtown; Tempe; Fully remote/Remote considered
Faculty lead: YiYuan Tang

Project description

Professor YiYuan Tang will supervise this project. The first stage of this project was part of Honors thesis project done successfully by Sophia last year. We will continue to work on the project and explore its brain and body mechanisms and how to apply self-affirmation to education and health. Please feel free to contact Professor Tang for your questions.

Special skills needed

Open-minded attitude and self-learning

Majors

Any majors

Years

-First Year Students (new to ASU Fall 2025)
-2nd Year Students
-3rd Year Students
-4th Year Students- Seniors
-ASU Online Barrett Honors Students (fully remote work)

Themes

Cross-listed with the following themes:

Biological, Chemical, and Physical Sciences, Education, Health and Wellness, Social and Behavioral Sciences

Neurofeedback and mindfulness on behavior change

Project # 193

Center name: Health neuroscience collaborative
Campus/Location: Downtown; Tempe; Fully remote/Remote considered
Faculty lead: YiYuan Tang

Project description

This project is part of federally funded research and aims to support effective behavior change using mindfulness and neurofeedback.

Special skills needed

Open minded attitude and self-learning

Majors

Any majors

Years

-3rd Year Students
-2nd Year Students
-First Year Students (new to ASU Fall 2025)
-4th Year Students- Seniors

Themes

Cross-listed with the following themes:

Biological, Chemical, and Physical Sciences, Education, Health and Wellness, Social and Behavioral Sciences

Indigenous Law & Policy Research & Writing Project

Project # 194

Center name: American Indian Policy Institute
Campus/Location: Downtown; Fully remote; Flexible to remote and/or in-person
Faculty lead: Brooke Curleyhair

Project description

This project is designed for students interested in the intersection of Indigenous law, public policy, and governance, particularly those considering law school or policy-oriented careers. Under the mentorship of faculty and staff at the American Indian Policy Institute (AIPI), students will engage in a structured research and writing experience focused on a legal or policy issue impacting Indigenous peoples in the United States or internationally.

Students will develop a focused research question, examine the historical and legal foundations of the issue, and analyze contemporary federal, state, tribal, or international policy developments. As part of this work, students will contribute to AIPI’s ongoing policy analysis efforts by assisting with legislative and Federal Register tracking, maintaining and updating a shared policy spreadsheet, and drafting summaries of relevant policy developments in collaboration with AIPI researchers. These activities will support, rather than replace, their individual research project.

Students will produce a final written product, such as a policy brief, research article, or blog post, with opportunities for publication through AIPI’s policy blog and/or the Law Journal for Social Justice’s online platform. Year-long projects may support submission to a law or policy journal.

Special skills needed

This project is intended to facilitate learning opportunities in advanced research and academic writing techniques. While a specific set of qualifications is not required, we recommend students with some experience engaging in academic research and writing apply for this opportunity.

Majors

ANY major! Policies touching all facets of everyday life, from education to health to engineering, impact Indigenous peoples. The more research we do on these diverse issues, the more prepared and empowered Indigenous communities will be to develop quality of life-enhancing solutions!

Years

-3rd Year Students
-4th Year Students- Seniors
-ASU Online Barrett Honors Students (fully remote work)

Themes

Cross-listed with the following themes:

Art, Architecture, and Design, Biological, Chemical, and Physical Sciences, Business and Entrepreneurship, Data Analytics and Mathematics, Education, Engineering, Health and Wellness, Humanities, Journalism, Communication, and Mass Media, Law, Justice, and Public Service, Social and Behavioral Sciences, Sustainability

Health Impact

Project # 204

Center name: Decision Theater
Campus/Location: Tempe
Faculty lead: Manfred Laubichler

Project description

This project deploys a health care focused decision support tool to further shared understanding and informed decision-making around emerging health policy impacts in Arizona. The platform integrates geo-coded data on health outcomes, health care systems, access, demographics, infrastructure, and environmental factors into a single interactive environment. These data layers can be queried and visualized and serve as the basis for complex systems models, scenarios, and predictions. The platform also examines impacts on the future health workforce, including constraints on medical education financing. Decision Theater provides a testbed for evaluating mitigation strategies, helping stakeholders assess trade-offs, coordinate responses, and explore solutions before decisions are implemented.

Special skills needed

This position will assist the Decision Theater staff with subject-matter research and analysis which may include:

Writing briefs

Briefing colleagues on background for topics

Researching through complex techniques and procedures, library research, structured

interviews or other project-specific methodology

Writing and editing material for publication and presentation

Maintaining research documentation and sources

Running models and tools for presentations to clients and visitors


Qualifications include:

Demonstrated public speaking experience

Strong qualitative research skills

Strong written and verbal communication skills

Detail-oriented

Ability to pick up things fast with a strong desire to learn

Demonstrated leadership experience

Previous knowledge or skill and/or equivalent experience in Outlook, MS Office Suite,

Word, and Excel, specifically macros and functions

Experience with collaborative platforms such as Google Docs

Ability to lift/move heavy furniture with the assistance of a dolly

Interest in learning how to utilize technology to support decision-making and public policy

Majors

All majors are appropriate but may be best suited for those in Sustainability, Complex Adaptive Systems, Fulton Engineering, School for the Future of Innovation in Society, WP Carey (Business Analytics), Herberger Institute for Design and the Arts

Years

-First Year Students (new to ASU Fall 2025)
-2nd Year Students
-3rd Year Students
-4th Year Students- Seniors

Themes

Cross-listed with the following themes:

Biological, Chemical, and Physical Sciences, Data Analytics and Mathematics, Health and Wellness, Social and Behavioral Sciences

Collective behavior in honey bees

Project # 208

Center name: Collective Logic Lab
Campus/Location: Tempe
Faculty lead: Bryan Daniels

Project description

Honey bees solve collective challenges on a daily basis. The aggregate work output of a colony is resilient and adaptive to environmental changes. Information exchange between bees is crucial to these collective outcomes. In this project, using existing honey bee tracking data, we will construct a classifier that predicts bee behavior based on where it is in the hive and which other bees it interacts with. This will eventually be developed into a computational model of bee decision-making. This project will involve data science techniques and coding in Python.

Special skills needed

Some degree of familiarity or desire to learn programming and data analysis in Python.I am open to a diversity of backgrounds. This project could be a good fit for students interested in applied math, computer engineering, data analytics, computer science, physics, or biology.

Majors

I am open to a diversity of backgrounds. This project could be a good fit for students interested in applied math, computer engineering, data analytics, computer science, physics, or biology.

Years

-2nd Year Students
-3rd Year Students
-4th Year Students- Seniors
-ASU Online Barrett Honors Students (fully remote work)

Themes

Cross-listed with the following themes:

Biological, Chemical, and Physical Sciences, Data Analytics and Mathematics

Discrete Structures in Real-World Data Using Python

Project # 209

Center name: School of Mathematical and Statistical Sciences
Campus/Location: Flexible to remote and/or in-person
Faculty lead: Neha Joshi

Project description

This project explores how core ideas from discrete mathematics, such as graphs, sets, logic, and algorithms, are used in modern data science applications. Students will work with real-world datasets (e.g., social networks, transportation systems, or interaction networks) and model them using discrete structures like graphs and trees. Using Python, students will analyze connectivity, paths, centrality measures, and patterns within the data, and create visualizations to communicate their findings.

The project emphasizes both mathematical reasoning and computational thinking. Students will gain hands-on experience using Python libraries such as pandas, networkx, and matplotlib, while strengthening their understanding of discrete math concepts covered in coursework. No prior data science experience is required, but comfort with basic programming is helpful. The project culminates in a written report and a reproducible Jupyter notebook that can serve as a portfolio piece.

Number of Students: 3–5
Faculty Lead: Neha Joshi, School of Mathematical and Statistical Sciences

Special skills needed

No prior programming or advanced math experience is required. We are looking for students who are curious, motivated, and interested in exploring discrete mathematics and data analysis. Familiarity with basic algebra, graph theory or willingness to learn Python is helpful but not required. Students should be comfortable working collaboratively and thinking critically about problems.

Majors

Mathematics, Statistics, Computer Science, Data Science, Engineering, Economics, Physics, or any major with an interest in mathematical modeling, problem-solving, and data analysis.

Years

-First Year Students (new to ASU Fall 2025)
-2nd Year Students
-3rd Year Students
-ASU Online Barrett Honors Students (fully remote work)
-4th Year Students- Seniors

Themes

Cross-listed with the following themes:

Biological, Chemical, and Physical Sciences, Data Analytics and Mathematics, Engineering

Research with the Hubble and Webb Space Telescopes in Professor Windhorst's Cosmology group at ASU.

Project # 213

Center name: ASU SESE Cosmology Initiative (Goldwater 5th floor)
Campus/Location: Tempe
Faculty lead: Rogier Windhorst

Project description

Students are solicited to do research with the Hubble and Webb Space Telescopes
in the Cosmology group of Regents' and Foundation Professor Windhorst at ASU.
Possible research topics can be done at the undergraduate, honors, 2nd-yr,
Masters, and/or PhD level by either SESE, Physics, and/or NASA Space Grant
undergraduate or graduate students, resp.

The student will do research with Hubble and the new Webb data to study current
hot topics in cosmology, the epoch of cosmic reionization, star-formation in a
cosmological context, galaxy formation and evolution, and the growth of
super-massive black holes in the centers of galaxies. The student will learn how
to reduce and analyze the Hubble and Webb data, and will get hands-on
experience with Hubble and Webb data. Recommended is some experience with Mac OS
and/or UNIX, and python image processing, although this is not essential for
undergraduate students, since they will be trained in Windhorst's cosmology
group. We have room for several new undergraduate students.

Special skills needed

Essential Skills: Recommended is some experience with Mac OS and/or UNIX,
and image processing using Python, etc. See above, although not essential for UGs

Animation: Beginner
Adobe Suite: None/No Preference
C: Beginner or better
CAD: None
Database: Beginner or better
GPS: None/No Preference
HTML: Beginner or better
Image Processing: Beginner or better
Java: Beginner or better
Linux: Beginner or better
Macs: Beginner or better
Statistics: Beginner or better
Windows: None/No Preference

Majors

AST, PHY, MAT, Engineering (Mechanical or Electrical)

Years

-2nd Year Students
-3rd Year Students
-4th Year Students- Seniors
-ASU Online Barrett Honors Students (fully remote work)

Themes

Cross-listed with the following themes:

Biological, Chemical, and Physical Sciences, Data Analytics and Mathematics, Engineering

AI-accelerated physics

Project # 216

Center name: Center for Biological Physics
Campus/Location: Tempe; Fully remote/Remote considered
Faculty lead: Steve Pressé

Project description

Neural networks excel when trained on massive, high-quality datasets, allowing them to fit new data. In the Natural Sciences, however, data are inherently noisy, sparse, and expensive to acquire, fundamentally limiting the amount and quality of training data available. While the community has achieved notable successes with AI in cases involving exceptionally large and well-curated datasets–most famously protein structure prediction, recognized with a Nobel Prize–these high-visibility examples are exceptions rather than the rule. By contrast, the performance of AI on scientific imaging data–our primary window into biological processes and early disease detection–has been inconsistent. In one illustrative example from our own work currently under review at PNAS with am undergraduate as first author, we demonstrate that an entire class of widely used methods, many heavily reliant on AI, systematically reinforce incorrect models of motion. More broadly, it is understood in our community that many high-profile AI-based image reconstruction tools fail to generalize beyond the specific datasets provided by their authors, despite publication in flagship journals. At the root of this problem lies a fundamental property of microscopy data: it is noisy and sparse. Crucially, however, noise is not just a nuisance: it encodes valuable physical information. Our proposed approach will leverage known physical laws to generate probabilistic realizations of the data. This will then enable AI models to infer, with quantified uncertainty, the probable underlying “noise-free” image by a method known as simulation-based inference. This Physics-informed strategy departs sharply from prevailing Physics-free paradigms that rely on reassigning intensities in images pixel to pixel based on what was gathered from training datasets alone. As a result, the proposed project will offer a principled foundation for robust image reconstruction with the potential to underpin early disease diagnostics, for example by detecting subtle signatures of neurological disorders from retinal optical coherence tomography images.

Special skills needed

Programming, and calculus (I-III) are pre-reqs.

Majors

Physics, Computer Science, Math

Years

-2nd Year Students
-ASU Online Barrett Honors Students (fully remote work)

Themes

Cross-listed with the following themes:

Biological, Chemical, and Physical Sciences, Engineering

What Are Other Worlds Made Of? Exploring the Atmospheres of Distant Planets

Project # 217

Center name: Exoteric Lab
Campus/Location: Tempe
Faculty lead: Luis Welbanks

Project description

This research project explores how scientists determine the composition and climate of planets outside our solar system by analyzing light from distant stars and planets. The student will work with real astronomical data and computational models to investigate the atmospheres of exoplanets, learning how temperature, chemistry, and clouds shape the signals we observe.

The primary applications of this research are in exoplanet science, planetary atmospheres, and data-driven discovery. The student will be primarily mentored by Professor Luis Welbanks in the School of Earth and Space Exploration and will collaborate with graduate students and postdoctoral researchers within the Exoteric Lab.

Special skills needed

Programming experience (Python preferred)
Comfort working with data, graphs, and numerical results
Introductory coursework in physics, astronomy, chemistry, or mathematics (or concurrent enrollment)
Willingness to learn statistical and computational modeling techniques
Ability to work independently and as part of a research team
Clear written and verbal communication skills

Majors

Astronomy, Physics, Mathematics, Chemistry, Computer Science, Engineering (computational or physical sciences focus)

Years

-3rd Year Students
-4th Year Students- Seniors

Themes

Cross-listed with the following themes:

Biological, Chemical, and Physical Sciences, Data Analytics and Mathematics

Mosquito Microbiome

Project # 218

Center name: nsadada.com
Campus/Location: Tempe
Faculty lead: Nsa Dada

Project description

Mosquitoes harbor microbes (or their microbiome) that significantly impact their biology and research on mosquito-microbe interactions is still emerging. In my lab, we aim to understand what factors shape the mosquito microbiome and how these microbes together with the mosquito host (i.e. mosquito holobiont) respond and adapt to evolutionary pressures such as long-term insecticide use. Our ultimate goal is to leverage our knowledge of these mosquito-microbe interactions to develop effective tools for mitigating the spread of mosquito borne diseases. We ask our research questions using laboratory mosquito strains as well as wild mosquito populations or their progeny in laboratory settings. We employ a combination of molecular, omics, bioinformatics, and classical entomology and microbial ecology tools to address our research questions.

We have established the first of its kind long-term mosquito holobiont evolutionary system using a laboratory strain of the Southern house mosquito, Culex quinquefasciatus. Fellows who join our team will be able to address specific research questions using this study system. Some of the questions that we are currently tackling include:
- How does the mosquito microbiome change over generations of insecticide pressure?
- Do these microbiome changes contribute to host insecticide resistance traits?
- Are there specific components of the microbiome that can reliably predict the onset of insecticide resistance?
- Do our laboratory observations reflect dynamics in field mosquito populations?

Special skills needed

- Ingenuity: Can devise practical solutions and simple tests
- Attention to detail: Can label, record, and document with precision.
- Learning agility: Can rapidly learn new methods and tools.
- Resilience: Can troubleshoot setbacks and sustain quality.
- Protocol adherence (BSL-2/ACL-2+): Can follow SOPs and safety rules precisely.
- Handle live organisms: Can handle live organisms safely and humanely (pet-care experience a plus).
- Basic wet laboratory skills or knowledge of

Majors

Biology, Microbiology, Molecular Biology, Ecology, Genomics, Biochemistry, Genetics

Years

-4th Year Students- Seniors
-3rd Year Students
-2nd Year Students

Themes

Cross-listed with the following themes:

Biological, Chemical, and Physical Sciences

Aedes aegypti Proteases: A Source of Novel Targets Against the Disease Vector

Project # 224

Center name: School of Molecular Sciences
Campus/Location: Tempe
Faculty lead: Alberto Rascón

Project description

Proteases play essential roles in many important biological processes. Specifically, in the Aedes aegypti mosquito, proteases are important in the midgut (for blood meal protein digestion), the salivary gland (possible enhancement in viral infectivity and dissemination), and for egg/embryo survival (eggshell formation and melanization). However, the exact roles of Ae. aegypti proteases in these processes are either limited or still relatively unknown, which reveal vulnerabilities that can be exploited for the development of novel vector control strategies and to attenuate transmission of human viral pathogens. The work in the Rascón lab lies at the interface of both Chemistry and mosquito Biology, especially in the development of small molecule mosquito-specific inhibitors. However, to study these proteases, we first need to clone and express them in bacteria for in vitro studies.

Special skills needed

Communication, writing, and motivated students are really important because research skills are things we can teach in the lab.

Majors

Chemistry, biochemistry, biology, or even students in the sciences who are interested in biochemistry research.

Years

-First Year Students (new to ASU Fall 2025)
-2nd Year Students
-3rd Year Students

Themes

Cross-listed with the following themes:

Biological, Chemical, and Physical Sciences

At the Helm: Steering Complex Dynamical Systems

Project # 228

Center name: Simon A. Levin Center of Mathematical, Computational and Modeling Sciences Cent…
Campus/Location: Tempe; Fully Remote; Flexible to remote and/or in-person
Faculty lead: Jimmie Adriazola

Project description

Faculty Lead:
Jimmie Adriazola, Ph. D.
Incoming tenure-track assistant professor (August, 2026) and current National Science Foundation/Presidential Postdoctoral Fellow
School of Mathematical and Statistical Sciences

Project Description:
The central question of this project is simple yet deep: how can small, carefully designed inputs guide a dynamical system toward a desired state?

The dynamics we will wrestle with come from dispersive waves in optics, fluids, and quantum materials. These systems are visually striking and mathematically subtle since wave dynamics are known to spread, interact, and reorganize over time in complex ways. Using optimal control theory, we then seek to work *with* the natural evolution of the system, exploiting structure to achieve precise goals.

Students will learn how optimal control problems are formulated, how forward and backward equations interact through adjoint methods, and how numerical algorithms turn theory into computation. Advanced modeling techniques will be used to make large-scale systems tractable, allowing students to experiment, visualize, and test ideas efficiently, even on a standard laptop.

The project emphasizes intuition, modeling, and hands-on computation, showing how different branches of mathematics come together to address a single, well-posed challenge. It is well suited for students interested in applied mathematics, scientific computing, or mathematically driven physics, and it provides a strong foundation for more advanced topics such as optimal transport, generative modeling, and scientific machine learning.

Special skills needed

Students should be comfortable with multivariable calculus and linear algebra, including basic matrix computations. Prior exposure to differential equations is expected, at the level of an introductory ODE course.

Some programming experience is required, ideally in MATLAB or Python, though students do not need prior experience with numerical PDEs or optimization. Curiosity, persistence, and a willingness to learn mathematical ideas that connect theory and computation are more important than advanced background. Prior experience with control theory or partial differential equations is **not** required.

Majors

Mathematics, Computational Science, Physics

Years

-4th Year Students- Seniors
-ASU Online Barrett Honors Students (fully remote work)

Themes

Cross-listed with the following themes:

Biological, Chemical, and Physical Sciences, Engineering

Nano-oscillators for AI

Project # 229

Center name: School of Electrical, Computer and Energy Engineering
Campus/Location: Tempe
Faculty lead: Zhaoyang Fan

Project description

Modern AI usually runs on power-hungry digital hardware. Nature does better. In this project, you’ll explore a radically different approach: nano-oscillators—tiny electronic devices whose rhythms can compute. When driven properly, these oscillators naturally synchronize, drift, and respond to time-varying signals, making them ideal for voice and speech recognition, image identification, and many other applications.

Students will work with emerging devices (such as phase-change nano-oscillators), simple circuits, and data-driven learning methods inspired by the brain. Over two semesters, you will (1) build intuition through modeling and experiments, (2) encode audio signals into oscillator dynamics, and (3) demonstrate a small-scale AI task such as spoken-digit recognition—using physics, not massive neural networks.

This project is hands-on, interdisciplinary, and research-focused, blending electronics, materials, signal processing, and machine learning. It is well suited for students curious about neuromorphic computing, sustainable AI hardware, or graduate research. No prior AI experience is required—just curiosity, persistence, and a willingness to learn how matter itself can compute.

Special skills needed

Basic Circuits

Majors

Engineering

Years

-2nd Year Students
-3rd Year Students
-4th Year Students- Seniors

Themes

Cross-listed with the following themes:

Biological, Chemical, and Physical Sciences, Engineering

Investigating the potential for digit tip regeneration in marine mammals

Project # 233

Center name: Jones Lab of Mammalian Evolution and Paleobiology
Campus/Location: Tempe; Flexible to remote and/or in-person
Faculty lead: Connor Dolan

Project description

Humans display poor regenerative capabilities and typically respond to traumatic injury with fibrotic wound healing rather than regeneration. However, and although limited, humans are capable of successfully regenerating the distal tip of their digit/finger following amputation. Work over the last several decades has demonstrated that mammals—ranging from mice to primates—are similarly capable of regeneration post-digit amputation, suggesting that this may be a conserved trait. However, given the diversity of mammals, considerable efforts remain before we can truly understand this diversity of regenerative responses in mammals.

To that end, marine mammals, including whales and dolphins (cetaceans), seals and sea lions (pinnipeds), and manatees (sirenians), have digits, but it is currently unknown whether they regenerate. Monitoring efforts, rehabilitation and natural history collections present an opportunity to assess whether multiple orders of marine mammals exhibit regeneration.

Typical methods of long-term monitoring in marine mammal populations allow for a unique opportunity to investigate digit regeneration in marine mammals. Right whales and West Indian manatees are generally monitored by photo-identification efforts, a type of mark-recapture in which photos of distinctive traits on an individual, like dorsal fins, are taken and cataloged to track individuals over time. These species are also slow-moving and spend a majority of their time close to the surface, making them particularly vulnerable to ship collisions, propeller strikes, and entanglement, which can result in injury to fins and flippers. This provides us with an opportunity to assess how injuries to fins heal over time. In this research project, the honors student will search through entanglement reports and photo catalogs for evidence of fin injuries and assess changes in the injury over time. There may be opportunities to connect with and visit the museums or institutions where some of these animals ended up after death to get a better look at the bones in question to assess whether digits regenerated or not.

Seals and sea lions are mostly coastal species, and there are efforts across the West Coast of the U.S. to rehabilitate sick and injured seals and sea lions that strand on beaches. Rehabilitation centers retain records of injuries, treatments, and imaging (x-rays) taken during the animals’ stay. Often if the animal dies, the rehabilitation center will donate the remains to a natural history collection, where the skeletal remains may be available for research use. This project will involve the honors student connecting with rehabilitation centers in California, Oregon and Washington to collect records of flipper injuries, determine if the animals’ remains were vouchered, and if so, where, and possibly visit collections to better assess the bone injury that occurred.

Special skills needed

Independence, confidence reaching out to different institutions/researchers, attention to detail, time management

Majors

Biological Sciences, Conservation Biology and Ecology, Biology, Biology and Society, and majors of similar disciplines

Years

-2nd Year Students
-3rd Year Students
-4th Year Students- Seniors
-ASU Online Barrett Honors Students (fully remote work)

Themes

Cross-listed with the following themes:

Biological, Chemical, and Physical Sciences

Deserts in a Changing World: Data Collection from Images

Project # 241

Center name: Drylands Ecosystem Research Team
Campus/Location: Tempe; Flexible to remote and/or in-person
Faculty lead: Heather Throop

Project description

Dryland ecosystems are uniquely vulnerable to climate change but also offer promise for helping to mitigate the consequences of climate change. This project will use image analysis to explore research questions related to how drylands interact with environmental change. Research questions will include: how do desert plants respond to wildfires over long time scales? How does plant canopy cover differ along different rainfall regions? How do inputs to desert soils differ through time and space? Barret students will work together in teams with researcher in the Dryland Ecosystem Research Team to define research questions, refine methods, and explore the data.

Special skills needed

Successful students working on this research project will be willing to work hard and think creatively to solve new challenges, will work well in a team-based research environment, and will be enthusiastic about learning how desert ecosystems respond to a changing environment. Good organization, ability to write clearly, and basic computer skills are needed.

Majors

Conservation Biology and Ecology, Earth and Environmental Science, Astrobiology and Biogeoscience, Biology

Years

-First Year Students (new to ASU Fall 2025)
-2nd Year Students
-3rd Year Students
-ASU Online Barrett Honors Students (fully remote work)

Themes

Cross-listed with the following themes:

Biological, Chemical, and Physical Sciences, Data Analytics and Mathematics, Sustainability

Spin-based quantum sensing in biological systems

Project # 242

Center name: School of Molecular Sciences -- Experimental Quantum BioSensing (EQuBS) Laborat…
Campus/Location: Tempe; Flexible to remote and/or in-person
Faculty lead: Mouzhe Xie

Project description

Our overarching research calls for a multidisciplinary endeavor to develop spin-based quantum sensing technologies and their applications to biological and molecular systems.
We are particularly interested in the nitrogen-vacancy defects in diamond crystal as a solid-state quantum sensor. Surrounding this general topic, we offer flexible project opportunities mindfully curated for enthusiastic undergraduate researchers. For example, in the past, Barrett fellows have successfully contributed to projects at various levels of independence, such as (1) analytical/numerical simulations of diffusing spins; (2) software control of robotic system for applying vector magnetic fields; (3) design, fabrication, and test of microwave PCB board for spin control; (4) design and machining of customized magnet mounts; (5) design and 3D-printing of polarizer mounts.

Special skills needed

Enthusiasm in quantum information science and engineering (QISE). We have a very multidisciplinary research team. Please refer to our website for details. https://sites.google.com/view/equbs-lab/opportunities

Majors

Any STEM majors. Past/current Barrett fellows are from physics, electrical engineering, and mechanical engineering.

Years

-2nd Year Students
-3rd Year Students
-4th Year Students- Seniors
-ASU Online Barrett Honors Students (fully remote work)

Themes

Cross-listed with the following themes:

Biological, Chemical, and Physical Sciences, Engineering

Sky View Factor as a metric of urban landscape water use

Project # 245

Center name: Julie Ann Wrigley Global Futures Laboratory
Campus/Location: Tempe
Faculty lead: Elizaveta Litvak

Project description

Plants in cities experience unique environmental conditions that may be very different from their natural habitats (even for native plants). In the US Southwest, plants are often exposed to a combination of hot, dry air and wet, irrigated soils, which is very unusual in natural ecosystems. The water use of plants under these conditions is not well understood and its quantification currently requires labor-intensive on-site measurements. However, it is well established that water use of irrigated urban lawns is highly sensitive to the intensity of solar radiation. This project will explore the application of a sky view factor, a metric of sunlight availability, as a predictor of landscape water use in residential yards. In addition to the image and data analysis, this project will provide opportunities to participate in laboratory and field research activities in the Phoenix area. I will accept up to two students to work on this project. Faculty lead: Elizaveta Litvak.

Special skills needed

Required:
- Love for mathematics, calculations, and graphs
- Interest and attention to detail
- Ability to use Excel

Desired:
- Experience with basic statistical analysis
- Basic knowledge of plant physiology and physics of evaporation
- Strong writing and communication skills

Majors

Biological Science, Conservation Biology & Ecology, or any other major related to quantitative data analysis and image processing

Years

-2nd Year Students
-3rd Year Students
-4th Year Students- Seniors

Themes

Cross-listed with the following themes:

Biological, Chemical, and Physical Sciences, Sustainability

Addressing social-ecological-technological systems (SETS) challenges

Project # 246

Center name: Grimm's Urban and Stream Ecosystems (USE) Lab
Campus/Location: Tempe; Fully remote/Remote considered
Faculty lead: Nancy Grimm

Project description

In the USE lab, we work at the intersection of social, ecological, and technological (SET) challenges. Our research group is interested in exploring human-nature connections, especially in urban and human-dominated systems. We have several ongoing research projects that explore a variety of prescient topics, including collaborative governance of nature with a particular focus on rivers and coastal zones, challenges and opportunities for implementing nature-based solutions addressing issues such as climate change and public health, and human values of and relationships with nature. We use mixed-methods and diverse approaches from life and social sciences to address our research questions, including qualitative analysis of interviews and text, participatory research, spatial mapping and modeling, and literature review. If you are interested in gaining hands-on research experience on topics related to water, conservation, public health, or environmental justice, we would love to hear from you. Undergraduate students from diverse backgrounds are encouraged to contact us and explore opportunities to work with the lab.

Special skills needed

No skills are specifically required.
Skills that students will potentially acquire in this position:
- Qualitative coding & analysis
- Interviewing skills
- Assisting in workshop facilitation
- Literature review
- Organizing meetings
- Spatial analysis / GIS
- Modeling
- Coding - Python and/or R

Majors

Anthropology,
Biological Sciences,
Biological Sciences (Conservation Biology and Ecology),
Environmental Sciences,
Environmental Social Science,
Geography,
Landscape Architecture and Design,
Sustainability,
Urban Planning

Years

-First Year Students (new to ASU Fall 2025)
-2nd Year Students
-3rd Year Students
-ASU Online Barrett Honors Students (fully remote work)

Themes

Cross-listed with the following themes:

Art, Architecture, and Design, Biological, Chemical, and Physical Sciences, Social and Behavioral Sciences, Sustainability

Building Planets: Materials Under High Pressure

Project # 247

Center name: FORCE: Facility for Open Research in a Compressed Environment
Campus/Location: N/A
Faculty lead: Sibo Chen

Project description

This project focuses on understanding how planets evolve deep beneath their surfaces. Students will investigate how planet-forming materials behave under the high pressures and temperatures found inside the Earth and other planetary bodies.

Students will gain hands on experience with large volume presses and ultrasonic measurement systems at FORCE (https://force.asu.edu/). They will also perform X ray diffraction, Raman spectroscopy, inferred spectroscopy, and electron microscopy experiments. The research will address key scientific questions, including how elements are stored in planetary materials, how these elements influence the physical and chemical properties of planetary materials, and how these properties help interpret geophysical observations.

The primary applications of this study lie in the fields of materials chemistry, geosciences, and planetary sciences. Students will be primarily mentored by Dr. Sibo Chen (https://search.asu.edu/profile/4609680) and will collaborate with postdoctoral researchers and PhD students within the research group.

Special skills needed

Laboratory experiences

Majors

Chemistry, Geosciences, Planetary Sciences, Physics, Material Engineering

Years

-2nd Year Students
-3rd Year Students
-4th Year Students- Seniors

Themes

Cross-listed with the following themes:

Biological, Chemical, and Physical Sciences

Cell-to-cell variation in responses to protein misfolding

Project # 248

Center name: Center for Mechanisms of Evolution
Campus/Location: Tempe
Faculty lead: Kerry Geiler-Samerotte

Project description

Have you ever wondered why misfolded proteins make us sick? Or why some people get sicker from the same disease than others? This project will research the basic cell biology of how misfolded proteins impact single cells in yeast, our model organism. We will explore why different mutations that result in the same degree of protein misfolding in cells can have different effects on fitness.

We are looking for one student who is interested in working in the wet lab as well as doing computational data analysis. Must be able to commit to at least a year (preferably two) for this project. Potential to complete your Barrett Honors Thesis in our lab. For more information, visit https://kgslab.org.

Special skills needed

Interest in learning cellular research techniques. Previous coding experience or willingness to learn.

Majors

Biochemistry, biological sciences, microbiology, neuroscience, or other related STEM degrees.

Years

-First Year Students (new to ASU Fall 2025)
-2nd Year Students
-3rd Year Students

Themes

Cross-listed with the following themes:

Biological, Chemical, and Physical Sciences

Security versus access in ant homes with multiple entrances

Project # 251

Center name: School of Life Sciences
Campus/Location: Tempe
Faculty lead: Stephen Pratt

Project description

In ant colonies, the size of the nest entrance shapes exposure to predators and competitors, while also influencing the microclimate inside the nest and affecting traffic flow. Experiments with cavity-nesting ants of the genus Temnothorax have shown a strong preference for artificial nests with a narrow entrance. However, recent experiments with Temnothorax rugatulus ants have shown that they further modify the nest entrance to potentially reduce exposure to predators. In this experiment, we will further explore this by providing ant colonies with multiple nest entrances to observe whether they modify and continue to use all entrances, or decide to close all but one. In that case, we will test whether other factors, such as distance to food or a light source, can explain which entrance will be used. Using a combination of controlled behavioral assays, calibrated imaging, and statistical model-based inference, the researcher will connect decision-making and nest architecture in ant colonies.

Special skills needed

No specific skills

Majors

Any biological science major, or psychology

Years

-First Year Students (new to ASU Fall 2025)
-2nd Year Students
-3rd Year Students

Themes

Cross-listed with the following themes:

Biological, Chemical, and Physical Sciences

Thermal history as a driver of ant collective emigration

Project # 252

Center name: School of Life Sciences
Campus/Location: Tempe
Faculty lead: Stephen Pratt

Project description

Collective decisions in social insects integrate individual experiences into colony-level outcomes, and environmental stressors often play an important role in influencing those outcomes. One such stressor, the temperature inside ant colonies' nests, is a core component of nest quality because colony function depends on staying within permissive ranges. Everything else being equal, colonies of Temnothorax rugatulus have shown they would preferentially inhibit warmer nests compared to colder ones. This project will test whether thermal variance experienced by ant colonies will alter their collective nest site selection. Thermal biology models predict that temperature variance shifts average performance even when the mean temperature experienced stays unchanged. This prediction will be tested by exposing ant colonies to temperature cycles with different variances but the same mean, and then estimating their likelihood of emigrating out of the occupied nest. The results of this experiment will allow us to better understand collective responses and colony persistence across variable thermal landscapes, especially under increasing climate volatility.

Special skills needed

No specific skills required.

Majors

Any biological sciences major; psychology

Years

-First Year Students (new to ASU Fall 2025)
-2nd Year Students
-3rd Year Students

Themes

Cross-listed with the following themes:

Biological, Chemical, and Physical Sciences

Impact of variable exposure time and repeated cold shock on chill coma recovery in a montane ant

Project # 253

Center name: School of Life Sciences
Campus/Location: Tempe
Faculty lead: Stephen Pratt

Project description

Chill coma is a reversible, cold-induced state in insects where they lose neuromuscular function and become effectively paralyzed. The time required to regain coordinated movement after a defined period in a chill coma is called the chill coma recovery time. In contrast to experimental measurement of chill coma recovery time in response to a single, defined period, in nature, cold stress rarely occurs as a single uniform event. Natural cold exposure often occurs as variable-length episodes repeated across days, with intermittent warming. Thus, exposing a montane ant species, Temnothorax rugatulus, to variable exposure time in chill coma and repeated cold shock will allow us to align laboratory assays with the structure of real cold snaps and winter transitions.

Special skills needed

No specific skills required.

Majors

Any biological sciences major; psychology

Years

-First Year Students (new to ASU Fall 2025)
-2nd Year Students
-3rd Year Students

Themes

Cross-listed with the following themes:

Biological, Chemical, and Physical Sciences

Mapping and Measuring Urban Tree Health and Impact Under Extreme Heat

Project # 254

Center name: Human Biometeorology Lab/ HeatReady Initiatives
Campus/Location: Tempe
Faculty lead: Jennifer Vanos

Project description

This project focuses on measuring, monitoring, and evaluating trees planted across the Phoenix Metro area. Overall, the project aims to yield insights into how trees perform in extreme heat environments, and how community-based tree planting contributes to urban cooling and heat resilience. Students will assist in collecting field data for hundreds of trees, including indicators of tree health, growth, and survivability, and will help analyze these data as part of a larger database to assess the effectiveness of urban tree planting efforts. Students will be advised by Dr. Jennifer Vanos, Associate Professor in the School of Sustainability and the team at the HeatReady initiatives at ASU, in partnership with the nonprofit organization Trees Matter. Findings will support evidence-based decision-making for future urban forestry efforts, tree maintenance strategies, and heat mitigation efforts. Students will gain hands-on experience in field data collection, applied environmental research, and community-engaged science. Students will also be part of communication efforts with our partners at the Sustainability Teachers Academy to bolster ongoing collaboration on tree education.

Special skills needed

Looking for students who are eager to engage in outdoor fieldwork as part of a larger, collaborative effort, learning hands-on techniques related to urban forestry and desert tree health, being part of a collaborative team, and have an interest in urban ecology, GIS, and/or urban climate.

Majors

Environmental Science, Conservation Sciences, Sustainability, Geography/GIS, Ecology, Public Health, Education, or related fields.

Years

-First Year Students (new to ASU Fall 2025)
-2nd Year Students
-3rd Year Students
-4th Year Students- Seniors

Themes

Cross-listed with the following themes:

Biological, Chemical, and Physical Sciences, Data Analytics and Mathematics, Education, Health and Wellness, Humanities, Social and Behavioral Sciences, Sustainability

Perovskites for Two-Step Solar Thermochemical Hydrogen Production Cycles

Project # 258

Center name: ASU LightWorks
Campus/Location: Tempe
Faculty lead: Ivan Ermanoski

Project description

This project aims to develop materials and technologies for thermochemical hydrogen production. The project is entirely lab-based, and students can choose between different project aspects: chemical synthesis of redox-active Ca-Ce-Ti-Mn-O-Based perovskite ceramics (CCTM), CCTM ceramics extrusion and reactor element fabrication, mechanical reactor engineering, and electrical/software sensors/controls/diagnostics.

Special skills needed

Knowledge of chemistry, mechanical reactor engineering, and/or electrical diagnostics. This project is lab-based and involves physical sciences and engineering (STEM) but also sustainability.

Majors

Biological sciences, chemical sciences, physical sciences, engineering, sustainability

Years

-First Year Students (new to ASU Fall 2025)
-2nd Year Students
-3rd Year Students
-4th Year Students- Seniors

Themes

Cross-listed with the following themes:

Biological, Chemical, and Physical Sciences, Engineering, Sustainability

Thermo-Electrochemical Hydrogen Production

Project # 259

Center name: ASU LightWorks
Campus/Location: Tempe
Faculty lead: Ivan Ermanoski

Project description

This project aims to demonstrate a novel two-step thermal-electrical hybrid cycle for hydrogen production. The project is entirely lab-based, with experiments focusing on the fabrication and testing of multilayer oxygen and proton-conducting ceramic cells.

Special skills needed

Students need experience in STEM to perform experiments and tests of multilayer oxygen and proton-conducting ceramic cells

Majors

Biology, Chemistry, Physical Sciences, Engineering, Sustainability

Years

-First Year Students (new to ASU Fall 2025)
-2nd Year Students
-3rd Year Students
-4th Year Students- Seniors

Themes

Cross-listed with the following themes:

Biological, Chemical, and Physical Sciences, Engineering, Sustainability

Solar-Thermochemical Ammonia Production

Project # 260

Center name: ASU LightWorks
Campus/Location: Tempe
Faculty lead: Jim Miller

Project description

This project is working to develop a renewable alternative to the Haber-Bosch process for ammonia synthesis, necessary for the vast majority of global food production. The project is entirely lab-based and includes chemical synthesis of redox-active mixed metal nitrides, and ammonia synthesis reactor operation (mechanical, electrical/software sensors/controls/diagnostics).

Special skills needed

Knowledge of chemistry, mechanical or electrical engineering

Majors

Biology, chemistry, engineering, physical sciences

Years

-First Year Students (new to ASU Fall 2025)
-2nd Year Students
-3rd Year Students
-4th Year Students- Seniors

Themes

Cross-listed with the following themes:

Biological, Chemical, and Physical Sciences, Engineering, Sustainability

Circumventing Photosynthesis

Project # 261

Center name: ASU LightWorks
Campus/Location: Tempe
Faculty lead: Ivan Ermanoski

Project description

The goal of this project is to decrease land and water use and overall biosphere appropriations in food production by >100x compared to present. As part of the project, students study the growth of edible mushroom mycelium on sustainably produced abiotic substrates, as a sustainable complement to our currently solely photosynthetic and unsustainable food system. The project is entirely lab-based and includes mycelium cultivation (in petri dishes, shaker flasks, and bioreactors), and growth rate, efficiency, and nutrient content characterization.

Special skills needed

Interest in sustainable food systems, attention to detail

Majors

Sustainability, Sustainable Food Systems, Agriculture, Nutrition, Biology, Plant Sciences, Engineering, Chemistry

Years

-First Year Students (new to ASU Fall 2025)
-2nd Year Students
-3rd Year Students
-4th Year Students- Seniors

Themes

Cross-listed with the following themes:

Biological, Chemical, and Physical Sciences, Engineering, Sustainability

SmartStart: A Digitally Enhanced Self-Management Intervention for Low-Income Individuals Newly Diagnosed with Type 2 Diabetes

Project # 263

Center name: SmartStart for Type 2 Diabetes Lab
Campus/Location: Downtown; Flexible to remote and/or in-person
Faculty lead: Eyitayo Owolabi

Project description

Diabetes management is complex and requires daily self-care, which can be overwhelming for many individuals. Diabetes self-management education and support (DSMES) is an evidence-based program designed to provide the education and skills needed to manage diabetes; however, engagement and retention in these programs remain low, particularly among low-income populations. The SmartStart project seeks to identify barriers and facilitators to engagement and to co-create and pilot test a digitally enhanced DSMES program tailored for low-income individuals newly diagnosed with type 2 diabetes.

Special skills needed

Interest in diabetes prevention and management and/or health disparities; desire to gain experience in qualitative, quantitative, and mixed-methods research; ability to participate in in-person activities when needed.

Majors

Health Sciences, Social Sciences

Years

-First Year Students (new to ASU Fall 2025)
-2nd Year Students
-3rd Year Students

Themes

Cross-listed with the following themes:

Biological, Chemical, and Physical Sciences, Social and Behavioral Sciences

Fossil and Live Plant Curation and Digitization

Project # 264

Center name: Fossil Plant Collections, a part of the Natural History Collections, Biocollect…
Campus/Location: Tempe; Flexible to remote and/or in-person
Faculty lead: Kathleen Pigg

Project description

The Fossil Plant Collection is a unique component of the Natural History Collections, which together with the NEON biorepository comprise the ASU Biocollections. We are housed 2 miles off campus in the Alameda Building, 734 W Alameda Drive in Tempe. The collection includes fossil plant remains from numerous significant worldwide localities as well as extensive live plant anatomical sections (wood anatomy, pollen) and fruits, seeds and pine cones. The collection is organized and has been partially digitized as part of SEINeT https://swbiodiversity.org/seinet/index.php and the Pteridoportal https://www.pteridoportal.org/portal/index.php. The goal of this research is to continue to develop the organization, digitization and online presence of this collection in order to make the resource available to the larger community. A secondary goal is to develop collections based research, science education and outreach. Barrett College Fellows would be involved in a variety of curatorial work including organization, documentation, digitization and online database presentation. In addition of curatorial and museum skills Barrett Fellows will learn about plant evolution, systematics, anatomical structure and the role of fossils in understanding broader aspects of evolution and ecology. Several individual projects focused on fossils and/or living plant tissues of particular plant taxonomic groups, fossils of specific localities and preservation and material types will be available and can be tailored to individual student interests. Work will be primarily within the collections at Alameda with some remote work also possible.

Special skills needed

Careful detail-oriented, reliable individuals with organizational and observational skills, background and/or interest in collections-based research, plant systematics, evolution, and structure. Digitization and bioinformatics skills are helpful but can be trained. Our work is highly visual and individuals interested in science/art connections, outreach, and science education a plus.

Majors

Biology, Conservation Biology, Ecology, Earth Sciences, Plant-related areas of interest, potentially artistic and science education areas

Years

-First Year Students (new to ASU Fall 2025)
-2nd Year Students
-3rd Year Students
-4th Year Students- Seniors
-ASU Online Barrett Honors Students (fully remote work)

Themes

Cross-listed with the following themes:

Biological, Chemical, and Physical Sciences, Sustainability

Mammal Virus Data

Project # 265

Center name: Center for Biology and Society
Campus/Location: Tempe; Fully remote; Flexible to remote and/or in-person
Faculty lead: Beckett Sterner

Project description

This project studies viruses detected in North American rodents to advance understanding of reservoir hosts and improve risk modeling for zoonotic disease spread. It will be the first comprehensive systematic review and meta-analysis of studies publishing virus detection results and experimental or statistical studies of factors that influence disease spread. Students with an interest in biology (no prior skills required) can join an ongoing team that extracts and analyzes virus detection studies. Students with some prior computational or statistics background can join a team working on data visualization and analytics. Both tracks can accommodate as many students as are interested and have the relevant background. We have had many prior honors fellows go on to do successful thesis projects based on the data they extract, and we encourage students to develop publishable journal articles from their work.

Special skills needed

Students with an interest in biology (no prior skills required) can join an ongoing team that extracts and analyzes virus detection studies. Students with some prior computational or statistics background (e.g. ability to program or analyze data to produce statistical summaries and trends) can join a team working on data visualization and analytics.

Majors

Biology, Computer Science, Math, Data Science, Statistics, Physics

Years

-First Year Students (new to ASU Fall 2025)
-2nd Year Students
-3rd Year Students
-4th Year Students- Seniors
-ASU Online Barrett Honors Students (fully remote work)

Themes

Cross-listed with the following themes:

Biological, Chemical, and Physical Sciences, Data Analytics and Mathematics, Health and Wellness

Opportunities in Conservation Science - Bioinformatics

Project # 266

Center name: Desert Botanical Garden - The Hernandez Lab
Campus/Location: Tempe
Faculty lead: Tania Hernandez

Project description

The Hernandez Lab at the Desert Botanical Garden is a collaborative team of researchers, students, interns, and volunteers dedicated to the study and conservation of desert plant biodiversity, with a particular focus on cacti and agaves, two of the plant groups under the highest threat of extinction. We integrate cutting-edge DNA sequencing and bioinformatic analyses with innovative conservation tools, an international network of collaborators, and a strong local community of committed volunteers to generate knowledge that guides the protection and long-term persistence of species. We believe plant conservation is both a scientific imperative and a shared responsibility, and our work centers on understanding genetic diversity, adaptation, and resilience in desert plants; especially in the face of climate change. Through mentorship, research, and hands-on programs such as the Saguaro Initiatives, we connect science, community, and action to safeguard desert ecosystems for future generations.

To learn more about our work, visit https://www.hernandezlab-dbg.com/

Project Location: Desert Botanical Garden and remote work

Special skills needed

More than ever, genomic data is transforming how we understand how plants function, evolve, and respond to environmental change. These data are also key to predicting how plant species will be affected by climate change and to designing better conservation strategies.

At the Hernández Lab, we work across the full spectrum of genomic analyses. Opportunities range from foundational tasks such as data curation, organization, and quality control, to advanced analyses including population genomics, landscape genetics, and genomic vulnerability assessments.
We welcome students, interns, and collaborators at all levels of expertise who have computing skills and a strong interest in the study and conservation of wild plants. This is an excellent opportunity to gain hands-on experience with real genomic datasets while contributing to meaningful conservation research.

** Plant Conservation Bioinformatics Specialist Honors Student, Intern or Collaborator **
Minimum requisites:
- proficient in unix/linux
- general knowledge in genetics, population genetics, evolution, phylogenetics
- basic coding skills and shell scripting
- be able to self-learn with guidance of senior students
- available 5-10 hours a week (more if desired)
- must have a personal computer and access to good internet
- participate in a weekly advisory meeting and a quarter whole team meeting

Benefits
- Professional mentoring from researchers and conservation scientists at Desert Botanical Garden
- Training in the use of High-Performance Computing Cluster and access to all ASU computing services
- Training in the implementation of novel methods in bioinformatics and genomics (genome assembly and annotation, phylogenomics, population genomics)
- Participation and interaction with an international group of students and collaborators
- If desired, development of a project with publishable results.
- Working from home at self-pace

Students who successfully participate in and complete bioinformatics projects at the Hernández Lab are included as coauthors on resulting scientific publications, in accordance with their contributions. Committed students may also have opportunities to participate in scientific conferences and present their work (for example, Botany 2026).

Majors

Data Science, Computational Mathematical Sciences, Biotechnology and Bioenterprise, Biology, Biological Sciences, Biochemistry and related

Years

-3rd Year Students
-4th Year Students- Seniors
-ASU Online Barrett Honors Students (fully remote work)

Themes

Cross-listed with the following themes:

Biological, Chemical, and Physical Sciences, Data Analytics and Mathematics

Opportunities in Conservation Science - Saguaro Census Community Engagement Coordinator

Project # 267

Center name: Desert Botanical Garden - The Hernandez Lab
Campus/Location: Tempe
Faculty lead: Tania Hernandez

Project description

The Hernandez Lab at the Desert Botanical Garden is a collaborative team of researchers, students, interns, and volunteers dedicated to the study and conservation of desert plant biodiversity, with a particular focus on cacti and agaves, two of the plant groups under the highest threat of extinction. We integrate cutting-edge DNA sequencing and bioinformatic analyses with innovative conservation tools, an international network of collaborators, and a strong local community of committed volunteers to generate knowledge that guides the protection and long-term persistence of species. We believe plant conservation is both a scientific imperative and a shared responsibility, and our work centers on understanding genetic diversity, adaptation, and resilience in desert plants; especially in the face of climate change. Through mentorship, research, and hands-on programs such as the Saguaro Initiatives, we connect science, community, and action to safeguard desert ecosystems for future generations.

To learn more about our work, visit https://www.hernandezlab-dbg.com/

Project Location: Desert Botanical Garden and remote work

Special skills needed

Saguaros are more than symbols of the Sonoran Desert, they are living neighbors in our cities. From backyards and schoolyards to street medians and parks, thousands of saguaros live in urban landscapes. These urban saguaros tell a powerful story about how wildlife and people share space in a rapidly changing desert.

The Saguaro Initiatives at Desert Botanical Garden are a coordinated, community-driven effort to understand, protect, and secure the future of saguaros in urban environments, where climate change, extreme heat, and development are placing unprecedented stress on this iconic species.

** Saguaro Census Community Engagement Coordinator, Honors Student or Intern **
The Saguaro Census in the Phoenix Valley is a community-building, citizen-science program that brings people together to care for one of our most iconic desert plants. By encouraging residents to observe, record, and learn about saguaros in their neighborhoods, the program builds a strong network of support while raising awareness about the growing vulnerability of desert plants. Through this simple act of paying attention, participants help improve and preserve our urban landscapes and reconnect with nature—even in the heart of the city.

Requisites
- Strong interest in community engagement, conservation, or environmental education
- Excellent communication and organizational skills
- Enjoys coordinating activities, working with people, and supporting community science
- Comfortable interacting with volunteers and the public
- Availability of approximately 5–10 hours per week (with some seasonal flexibility)
- Ability to participate in a bi-weekly advisory meeting and a quarterly full-team meeting

Benefits
- Hands-on experience in community-based conservation and citizen science
- Leadership and coordination skills through managing volunteers and outreach activities
- Training in science communication and public engagement
- Mentorship from conservation scientists and staff at Desert Botanical Garden
- Networking opportunities with volunteers, students, and community partners
- Resume-building experience with a visible, high-impact conservation program

Majors

Biology, Biological Sciences (Biology and Society), Biological Sciences (Conservation Biology and Ecology), Biology (Environmental Justice), Communication, Organizational Leadership, Education, Innovation in Society, Project Management, Community Advocacy, Sustainability

Years

-2nd Year Students
-3rd Year Students
-4th Year Students- Seniors
-ASU Online Barrett Honors Students (fully remote work)

Themes

Cross-listed with the following themes:

Biological, Chemical, and Physical Sciences, Business and Entrepreneurship, Journalism, Communication, and Mass Media, Law, Justice, and Public Service, Sustainability

Opportunities in Conservation Science - Saguaro Census Scientist Lead

Project # 268

Center name: Desert Botanical Garden - The Hernandez Lab
Campus/Location: Tempe
Faculty lead: Tania Hernandez

Project description

The Hernandez Lab at the Desert Botanical Garden is a collaborative team of researchers, students, interns, and volunteers dedicated to the study and conservation of desert plant biodiversity, with a particular focus on cacti and agaves, two of the plant groups under the highest threat of extinction. We integrate cutting-edge DNA sequencing and bioinformatic analyses with innovative conservation tools, an international network of collaborators, and a strong local community of committed volunteers to generate knowledge that guides the protection and long-term persistence of species. We believe plant conservation is both a scientific imperative and a shared responsibility, and our work centers on understanding genetic diversity, adaptation, and resilience in desert plants; especially in the face of climate change. Through mentorship, research, and hands-on programs such as the Saguaro Initiatives, we connect science, community, and action to safeguard desert ecosystems for future generations.

To learn more about our work, visit https://www.hernandezlab-dbg.com/

Project Location: Desert Botanical Garden and remote work

Special skills needed

Saguaros are more than symbols of the Sonoran Desert, they are living neighbors in our cities. From backyards and schoolyards to street medians and parks, thousands of saguaros live in urban landscapes. These urban saguaros tell a powerful story about how wildlife and people share space in a rapidly changing desert.

The Saguaro Initiatives at Desert Botanical Garden are a coordinated, community-driven effort to understand, protect, and secure the future of saguaros in urban environments, where climate change, extreme heat, and development are placing unprecedented stress on this iconic species.

** Saguaro Census Scientist Lead, Honors Student or Intern **
Each year, the Saguaro Census generates thousands of observations on saguaros and their health across the Phoenix Valley. Analysis of these data has already revealed critical patterns. For example, that saguaros in urban landscapes are declining rapidly due to development and increasing physiological stress. As a dynamic, growing program, the Saguaro Census continually evolves and requires ongoing data analysis and refinement. The information generated through this work is essential for developing science-based strategies to support the recovery and conservation of urban saguaros, and for understanding how they are affected by the urban heat island effect and climate change.
The Saguaro Census Scientist Lead conducts statistical analyses of census data, integrates climatic and weather datasets relevant to urban environments, prepares reports, and works closely with the Saguaro Census team to propose and implement improvements to the program.

Requisites:
- Background or strong interest in biology, ecology, environmental science, data science, or a related field
- Basic experience with data analysis, statistics, or programming (e.g., R, Python, Excel, or similar)
- Ability to work independently and collaboratively within a research team
- Strong organizational skills and attention to detail
- Access to a personal computer and reliable internet connection
- Availability of approximately 5–10 hours per week (with some seasonal flexibility)
- Ability to participate in a bi-weekly advisory meeting and a quarterly full-team meeting

Benefits:
- Hands-on experience analyzing real conservation and urban ecology data
- Training in statistical analysis and integration of climate and environmental datasets
- Mentorship from conservation scientists at Desert Botanical Garden
- Flexibility to work remotely / from home, with a schedule that can adapt to academic commitments
- Experience contributing to science-based conservation strategies for an iconic desert species
- Opportunities for authorship on scientific publications and presentation at conferences (based on contribution and commitment)
- Strong resume-building experience in conservation science, data analysis, and applied research

Majors

Biological Sciences, Biological Sciences (Conservation Biology and Ecology), Sustainability, Data Science, Computational Mathematical Sciences, Biology, Mathematics (Statistics) and related

Years

-3rd Year Students
-4th Year Students- Seniors
-ASU Online Barrett Honors Students (fully remote work)

Themes

Cross-listed with the following themes:

Biological, Chemical, and Physical Sciences, Data Analytics and Mathematics, Sustainability

Opportunities in Conservation Science - Cryopreservation and In vitro Conservation

Project # 269

Center name: Desert Botanical Garden - The Hernandez Lab
Campus/Location: Tempe
Faculty lead: Tania Hernandez

Project description

The Hernandez Lab at the Desert Botanical Garden is a collaborative team of researchers, students, interns, and volunteers dedicated to the study and conservation of desert plant biodiversity, with a particular focus on cacti and agaves, two of the plant groups under the highest threat of extinction. We integrate cutting-edge DNA sequencing and bioinformatic analyses with innovative conservation tools, an international network of collaborators, and a strong local community of committed volunteers to generate knowledge that guides the protection and long-term persistence of species. We believe plant conservation is both a scientific imperative and a shared responsibility, and our work centers on understanding genetic diversity, adaptation, and resilience in desert plants; especially in the face of climate change. Through mentorship, research, and hands-on programs such as the Saguaro Initiatives, we connect science, community, and action to safeguard desert ecosystems for future generations.

To learn more about our work, visit https://www.hernandezlab-dbg.com/

Project Location: Desert Botanical Garden

Special skills needed

CryoBank @ Desert Botanical Garden Opportunities
The CryoBank at Desert Botanical Garden is a growing conservation initiative dedicated to safeguarding the genetic diversity of desert plants for the long term. At DBG, we use state-of-the-art cryopreservation technologies to preserve plant species at ultra-low temperatures, allowing their genetic material to be protected for centuries for future generations. By combining ex situ conservation, tissue culture, cryopreservation, and genomics, the CryoBank supports research, restoration, and conservation efforts, with a special focus on cacti and agaves that are increasingly vulnerable to climate change and habitat loss.

In vitro Conservation Honors Student/Intern (open also to MSc students)
The In Vitro Conservation student or intern will support the development of the CryoBank/CryoBiorepository at Desert Botanical Garden by assisting with plant tissue culture and in vitro conservation activities. This role focuses on the application of laboratory techniques used to conserve threatened and climate-vulnerable desert plant species, particularly cacti and agaves.

Working closely with the CryoBank team, the student or intern will receive hands-on training in sterile techniques, media preparation, culture maintenance, and the early stages of cryopreservation workflows. This position offers the opportunity to learn how in vitro conservation supports ex situ conservation, research, restoration, and the long-term safeguarding of plant genetic diversity.

Requisites
- Background or strong interest in plant biology, botany, biotechnology, conservation, or a related field
- Interest in laboratory work and willingness to follow detailed protocols
- Ability to work carefully, patiently, and with strong attention to detail
- Comfortable working both independently and as part of a team
- Availability of approximately 5–10 hours per week (with some seasonal flexibility)
- Ability to participate in weekly advisory meetings and quarterly full-team meetings

Benefits
- Hands-on experience in plant tissue culture and in vitro conservation techniques
- Training in cryopreservation workflows within a conservation context
- Mentorship from conservation scientists and technical staff at Desert Botanical Garden
- Exposure to ex situ conservation strategies and how they support research and restoration
- Resume-building laboratory experience in a growing, high-impact conservation program
- Opportunities to contribute to protocol development, reports, and publications, depending on contribution and commitment

Majors

Biology, Biological Sciences, Applied Biological Sciences, Biochemistry, Biotechnology and Bioenterprise, Chemistry, Molecular Biosciences and Biotechnology, and related

Years

-2nd Year Students
-3rd Year Students
-4th Year Students- Seniors
-First Year Students (new to ASU Fall 2025)
-ASU Online Barrett Honors Students (fully remote work)

Themes

Cross-listed with the following themes:

Biological, Chemical, and Physical Sciences, Sustainability

Opportunities in Conservation Science - Plant Genomics DNA Laboratory Specialist

Project # 270

Center name: Desert Botanical Garden - The Hernandez Lab
Campus/Location: Tempe
Faculty lead: Tania Hernandez

Project description

The Hernandez Lab at the Desert Botanical Garden is a collaborative team of researchers, students, interns, and volunteers dedicated to the study and conservation of desert plant biodiversity, with a particular focus on cacti and agaves, two of the plant groups under the highest threat of extinction. We integrate cutting-edge DNA sequencing and bioinformatic analyses with innovative conservation tools, an international network of collaborators, and a strong local community of committed volunteers to generate knowledge that guides the protection and long-term persistence of species. We believe plant conservation is both a scientific imperative and a shared responsibility, and our work centers on understanding genetic diversity, adaptation, and resilience in desert plants; especially in the face of climate change. Through mentorship, research, and hands-on programs such as the Saguaro Initiatives, we connect science, community, and action to safeguard desert ecosystems for future generations.

To learn more about our work, visit https://www.hernandezlab-dbg.com/

Project Location: Desert Botanical Garden

Special skills needed

** Plant Genomics DNA Laboratory Specialist Honors Student, Intern, or Collaborator **
Genomic research is central to understanding the evolutionary history, genetic diversity, and adaptive capacity of desert plants. High-quality DNA and RNA are the foundation of all downstream genomic analyses, from genome sequencing to population genomics and conservation planning.

The Plant Genomics DNA Laboratory Specialist will support the Hernández Lab’s Genomics for Conservation program by assisting in the development, optimization, and implementation of laboratory protocols for extracting high-quality genomic DNA and RNA from cacti and agaves. This role is critical for enabling current and future projects focused on phylogenomics, population genomics, and genomic vulnerability assessments of threatened desert plant species.
The specialist will work closely with senior lab members to standardize workflows, document protocols, and help build a reliable, reproducible pipeline for plant genomics research at Desert Botanical Garden.

Requisites
• Background or strong interest in molecular biology, plant biology, genetics, genomics, or biotechnology
• Interest in laboratory work and molecular techniques
• Willingness to carefully follow and document detailed protocols
• Strong attention to detail, patience, and organizational skills
• Ability to work independently with guidance from senior lab members
• Availability of approximately 5–10 hours per week (more if desired)
• Ability to participate in weekly advisory meetings and quarterly full-team meetings

Benefits
• Hands-on experience in plant genomic DNA and RNA extraction techniques
• Training in protocol development and optimization for challenging plant tissues
• Exposure to real-world conservation genomics research workflows
• Mentorship from researchers working at the intersection of genomics and conservation
• Opportunity to contribute directly to high-impact genomics projects on cacti and agaves
• Potential for coauthorship on scientific publications, based on contribution and commitment
• Strong resume-building laboratory experience in a cutting-edge conservation genomics program

Majors

Biology, Biological Sciences, Molecular Biosciences, Biochemistry, Biotechnology and Bioenterprise, Genetics, Plant Sciences, Applied Biological Sciences, or related

Years

-3rd Year Students
-4th Year Students- Seniors
-ASU Online Barrett Honors Students (fully remote work)

Themes

Cross-listed with the following themes:

Biological, Chemical, and Physical Sciences, Sustainability

Opportunities in Conservation - Science Communication & Digital Content Coordinator

Project # 271

Center name: Desert Botanical Garden - The Hernandez Lab
Campus/Location: Tempe
Faculty lead: Tania Hernandez

Project description

The Hernandez Lab at the Desert Botanical Garden is a collaborative team of researchers, students, interns, and volunteers dedicated to the study and conservation of desert plant biodiversity, with a particular focus on cacti and agaves, two of the plant groups under the highest threat of extinction. We integrate cutting-edge DNA sequencing and bioinformatic analyses with innovative conservation tools, an international network of collaborators, and a strong local community of committed volunteers to generate knowledge that guides the protection and long-term persistence of species. We believe plant conservation is both a scientific imperative and a shared responsibility, and our work centers on understanding genetic diversity, adaptation, and resilience in desert plants; especially in the face of climate change. Through mentorship, research, and hands-on programs such as the Saguaro Initiatives, we connect science, community, and action to safeguard desert ecosystems for future generations.

To learn more about our work, visit https://www.hernandezlab-dbg.com/

Project Location: Desert Botanical Garden and remote work

Special skills needed

** Science Communication & Digital Content Coordinator Honors Student, Intern, or Collaborator **
Effective conservation depends not only on strong science, but on our ability to communicate that science clearly, creatively, and responsibly to diverse audiences. The Hernández Lab places a high value on transparent, engaging, and accessible science communication that connects research, community, and action.

The Science Communication & Digital Content Coordinator will be responsible for helping shape and maintain the public-facing voice of the Hernández Lab. This role focuses on website content, newsletters, blog posts, and digital storytelling related to Sonoran Desert plant conservation, lab research, student projects, the Saguaro Initiatives, and CryoBank activities. The coordinator will work closely with the Hernández Lab team and Desert Botanical Garden’s Marketing and Communications staff to ensure all content is accurate, engaging, and aligned with DBG standards and messaging.

This is an excellent opportunity for a student or early-career professional interested in science communication, conservation storytelling, and digital outreach within a research and museum setting.

Requisites
• Strong interest in science communication, conservation, or environmental storytelling
• Excellent written communication skills (English required; Spanish a plus)
• Interest or experience in website content management, newsletters, blogging, or digital media
• Ability to work collaboratively with scientists, students, and communications professionals
• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail
• Availability of approximately 5–10 hours per week
• Ability to participate in a bi-weekly advisory meeting and a quarterly full-team meeting
• Access to a personal computer and reliable internet

Benefits
• Hands-on experience in conservation science communication within a major botanical institution
• Training in translating scientific research into public-facing content
• Experience working with DBG Marketing to develop institutionally approved media content
• Portfolio-building opportunities (website pages, newsletters, blog posts, outreach materials)
• Mentorship from conservation scientists and science communicators
• Networking opportunities across research, conservation, and communications teams
• Resume-building experience in a visible, high-impact conservation program

Majors

Biology, Biological Sciences (Biology & Society), Conservation Biology, Communication, Journalism, Digital Media, Marketing, Sustainability, Innovation in Society, Environmental Studies, or related

Years

-3rd Year Students
-4th Year Students- Seniors
-ASU Online Barrett Honors Students (fully remote work)

Themes

Cross-listed with the following themes:

Art, Architecture, and Design, Biological, Chemical, and Physical Sciences, Education, Journalism, Communication, and Mass Media, Sustainability

Development of apparatus to study hearing behavior in mice

Project # 272

Center name: Balmer Lab, SOLS
Campus/Location: Tempe
Faculty lead: Tim Balmer

Project description

Tinnitus is a common hearing problem in which a phantom perception of sound occurs, often described as ringing or buzzing. Current animal models of tinnitus are lacking, which is a major roadblock for studying its underlying causes and potential treatments. Various behavioral paradigms have been developed for rodents, but the apparatuses are typically not commercially available and must be built and tested. In this project we will build one or more apparatuses to test tinnitus in mice. The approaches may include active avoidance, gap-induced pre-pulse inhibition of acoustic startle, or others.

Special skills needed

Basic construction skills, computer and engineering skills to develop a computer controlled apparatus with various inputs and outputs.

Majors

Engineering, Biology, Neuroscience

Years

-2nd Year Students
-3rd Year Students
-4th Year Students- Seniors

Themes

Cross-listed with the following themes:

Biological, Chemical, and Physical Sciences, Engineering

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