Barrett College Fellows Projects Search
Research projects
Project # 3
Center name: School math & natural sciences
Campus/Location: West
Faculty lead: James Johnson
Project description
Urbanization is a rapid ecological disturbance that can alter the genotypes and phenotypes of native biota. These shifts to urban living must be understood if we hope to understand human-wildlife interactions. Our earlier wors suggetss interesting behavioral and genetic difference exist between urban and desert black widow spiders. This fellow would be trained to further this understanding, ultimately helping us collect a fuller dataset that depicts the genetic relationships within and among black widows collected from replicate urban and desert populations. # Students needed: 1-3
Special skills needed
Basic BIO lab skills and comfort working with arthropods a plus.
Majors
BIO, FOR
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, Education, Sustainability
Project # 4
Center name: Relationships & Technology Lab
Campus/Location: Tempe
Faculty lead: Liesel Sharabi
Project description
The Relationships & Technology Lab in the Hugh Downs School of Human Communication is seeking undergraduate research associates (RAs) for the 2025-2026 academic year. The lab conducts social scientific research at the intersection of interpersonal relationships and communication technologies. RAs will study modern romance in the context of dating apps, AI, and VR. RAs typically help with tasks such as lab management, participant recruitment, data collection and analysis, and/or research summaries. RAs are also expected to attend weekly lab meetings.
Special skills needed
N/A
Majors
This opportunity is most appropriate for students in the social sciences (e.g., Communication, Psychology, Sociology, Human Development & Family Studies).
Years
4th Year Students- Seniors, 3rd Year Students, 2nd Year Students, First Year Students (new to ASU Fall 2025)
Themes
Cross-listed with the following themes:
Journalism, Communication, and Mass Media, Social and Behavioral Sciences
Project # 5
Center name: Barrett
Campus/Location: Tempe
Faculty lead: Michael Ostling
Project description
Description: The Database aims to record all surviving data about the trials of alleged witches in the former Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth over a three-hundred year period. It further intends to make this information publicly available in a searchable, interactive form, allowing researchers and other interested parties to sort, trace, and explore the contours of a series of trials that took the lives of at least 1000 women and men.
Responsibilities: The Database is in a late state of development. Whereas in the past we have benefited from the skills of students with a broad range of abilities (from software coding to bibliography to cartography) at this point the project needs the help of a student with strong Polish-language abilities. The student would deepen the database by finding, sorting, and translating original historical materials, placing these in appropriate database cells, and ensuring quality control through rigorous proof-reading. Student must have reading ability in Polish at the advanced, fluent, or native-speaker level, and must have a willingness to work with difficult historical materials.
Special skills needed
Polish language (reading) at advanced or native-speaker level.
Excel or other spreadsheet abilities.
Excellent writing skills.
Proofreading, copy-editing, and bibliography.
Majors
All majors
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:
Business and Entrepreneurship, Humanities, Journalism, Communication, and Mass Media
Project # 6
Center name:
Campus/Location: Downtown
Faculty lead: Dave Keating
Project description
This work involves a series of projects that research how people are influenced--or not--by seeing the same or very similar persuasive messages over time. For example, one specific project will test how young adults respond to repeatedly viewing TikTok videos about health or environmental topics, such as vaping or water conservation. The goal of this work is to understand how and why people's beliefs and behaviors are influenced over time.
I am looking for two students to join the research team who are interested in persuasive messages, the influence of social media content, and/or health and environmental topics. I view this as a collaboration--I have some ideas that we are going to test, but there is a lot of room for these two students to help design the specific nature of the studies, including (but not limited to) what topics we focus on, how we design the messages that people will see, and how to best reach people to participate in the research.
Special skills needed
- Quantitative Reasoning (this does *not* mean stats! but these projects are quantitative social science ones, including behavioral experiments)
- Strong/Clear Writing (my hope is that the students will be co-authors on any published work affiliated with the projects, and this will require them to write up some portions of the papers that report on the research)
Majors
- anything affiliated with social and behavioral sciences
- journalism and mass communication
- communication
Years
4th Year Students- Seniors, 3rd Year Students, 2nd Year Students
Themes
Cross-listed with the following themes:
Health and Wellness, Journalism, Communication, and Mass Media, Social and Behavioral Sciences, Sustainability
Project # 7
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.
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, Law, Justice, and Public Service, Social and Behavioral Sciences
Project # 8
Center name: Renewable Energy Materials and Devices Laboratory
Campus/Location: ASU Research Park
Faculty lead: Nicholas Rolston
Project description
Our group's research goals are to develop next-generation energy and semiconductor technologies and to ensure that they are fit for manufacturability and durability. We study the connection between material degradation in printable thin-film energy and semiconductor materials and devices with the evolution of mechanical and environmental stress. We leverage scalable, open-air deposition methods to fabricate robust devices toward the goal of manufacturing. We use thin-film metrologies along with newly developed and custom-built equipment to characterize material properties and reliability on length scales from angstroms to meters. Our focus is to develop the next-generation of photovoltaics, battery, and semiconductor technology using the paradigm of design for reliability.
Special skills needed
Above all else, enthusiasm and a desire to learn more about designing the future of energy and semiconductor devices!
Majors
Any field of engineering, physics, or chemistry
Years
2nd Year Students, 3rd Year Students, 4th Year Students- Seniors
Themes
Cross-listed with the following themes:
Project # 9
Center name: Sleep, Gut Microbiome, Nutrition, and Maternal Child Health Research Program
Campus/Location: Downtown
Faculty lead: Megan Petrov
Project description
The Snuggle Bug / Acurrucadito study investigated the roles of sleep and gut microbiome development on rapid weight gain among infants. We followed mother-infant dyads six times over the baby's first year of life measuring sleep via ankle actigraphy, the gut microbiome via fecal samples, feeding practices and dietary intake, physical growth, and numerous other health factors. By the fellowship start, the study will be complete but there is a high likelihood of new similar studies that may be launched in Fall 2025 and there will be opportunities to manage the study data and contribute to analysis and scientific writing for presentations at conferences. We are seeking two students interested in contributing to data management, analysis, writing, and potentially for publications. We are also seeking students interested in supporting the development of new study protocols as we seek to recruit new mother-infant dyads for other studies.
Special skills needed
Student applicants should have an interest in physical activity/exercise and health promotion. Students will have the opportunity to gain skills related to the design and implementation of a behavioral clinical trial, including recruitment and retention; data collection, entry and management; and intervention delivery.
Majors
Nursing, nutrition, psychology, microbiology, family and human development, community health, Biochemistry, biological sciences, biomedical sciences
Years
3rd Year Students, 2nd Year Students, First Year Students (new to ASU Fall 2025)
Themes
Cross-listed with the following themes:
Biological, Chemical, and Physical Sciences, Health and Wellness, Social and Behavioral Sciences
Project # 10
Center name: Physical Activity and Health Lab, Center for Health Promotion and Disease Preve…
Campus/Location: Downtown
Faculty lead: Rodney Joseph
Project description
Smart Walk is research study funded by the National Institutes of Health/National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute (NIH/NHLBI). The study aims to to examine if a culturally tailored, smartphone-delivered physical activity intervention, entitled Smart Walk, is more effective for increasing physical activity and improving health outcomes among Black women than the commercially available Fitbit program. A total of 240 participants will be recruited and enrolled in the 12-month study. Results will provide meaningful information on the effectiveness of the Fitbit physical activity program and our Smart Walk physical activity program for increasing physical activity and improving health outcomes among Black women.
Special skills needed
Student applicants should have an interest in physical activity/exercise and health promotion. Students will have the opportunity to gain skills related to the design and implementation of a behavioral clinical trial, including recruitment and retention; data collection, entry and management; and intervention delivery.
Majors
Community Health, Integrative Health, Nursing, Clinical Exercise Science, Applied Health Sciences, Applied Nutrition and Health, Health Education and Health Promotion, Health Sciences, Kinesiology, Population Health, Public Health
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:
Project # 11
Center name: Arizona Research Center for Housing Equity and Sustainability
Campus/Location: Flexible to remote and/or in-person
Faculty lead: Deirdre Pfeiffer
Project description
Understanding and responding to fair housing issues facing Arizona Hispanic and other underserved households may help to improve their housing security, particularly through access to affordable homeownership and rentals. This research will examine two pathways of discrimination in Arizona housing markets in collaboration with the Southwest Fair Housing Council (SWFHC). Subproject 1c.1 will examine the pathway of coded language for Fair Housing Act (FHA) protected groups in grounds for opposition in public decisions about proposed housing projects and policies diversifying types and costs. Subproject 1c.2 will examine the pathway of home sale transactions. This research will contribute to scholarly conversations about the drivers of housing discrimination and inform new strategic initiatives to dismantle pathways to discrimination in Arizona (e.g., stakeholder convenings to discuss policy changes and SWFHC grant writing and strategic planning).
Special skills needed
Passion for social justice issues, interest in learning more about how housing is related to social justice, self-directed, strong communication skills, reliable, adeptness at Excel, interest in qualitative research methods (understanding the world through textual data collected from people, media, and public meetings)
Majors
Any social science major
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:
Social and Behavioral Sciences, Sustainability, Law, Justice, and Public Service
Project # 12
Center name: Arizona Research Center for Housing Equity and Sustainability
Campus/Location: Flexible to remote and/or in-person
Faculty lead: Deirdre Pfeiffer
Project description
Land availability presents a major challenge to solving interrelated crises of housing availability, affordability and security in Arizona’s increasingly land locked and built out urban areas. This research will draw on data from local regulations and stakeholder interviews (subject matter experts and neighborhood residents) and use content and thematic analysis to explore the potential for adapting garages and driveways to support new housing in socioeconomically diverse single-family home communities in the Phoenix metro area.
Special skills needed
Passion for issues related to social justice and the interconnection between well-being and the urban built environment (buildings, infrastructure systems, green/natural/open spaces), interest in learning more about how housing is related to social justice and wellbeing, self-directed, strong communication skills, reliable, adeptness at Excel, interest in qualitative research methods (understanding the world through textual data collected from people and regulations)
Majors
Any social science major
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:
Art, Architecture, and Design, Health and Wellness, Social and Behavioral Sciences, Sustainability
Project # 13
Center name:
Campus/Location: Downtown
Faculty lead: Sian Mughan
Project description
This overall objective of this project is to investigate how the retail sale of marijuana effects economic development in Arizona communities. In April 2019 the Arizona Department of Health and Human Services (ADHS) held a lottery to distribute 13 licenses for adult use (recreational henceforth) licenses. In the initial phase of this project we will use statistical techniques to analyze large, administrative datasets to compare economic development outcomes (house prices, retail sales, foot traffic, etc.) in areas surrounding a dispensary to outcomes in areas surrounding addresses that applied for but did not receive a dispensary license. Later phases of the project might involve field work (interviewing local policy makers for example), extending the quasi-experimental approach to other geographic areas and grant development.
Special skills needed
Experience collecting and recording data; programming skills in R, Python, and/or Stata; interest in public affairs/public policy; ability to work independently; strong critical thinking and analysis skills
Majors
Public Affairs/Public Policy, Economics, Political Science, Criminal Justice, Statistics
Years
4th Year Students- Seniors, 3rd Year Students, ASU Online Barrett Honors Students (fully remote work)
Themes
Cross-listed with the following themes:
Data Analytics and Mathematics, Law, Justice, and Public Service, Social and Behavioral Sciences
Project # 14
Center name: Osher Lifelong Learning Institute
Campus/Location: Downtown
Faculty lead: Aaron Guest
Project description
The Osher Lifelong Learning Institute is one of 120 Lifelong Learning Institutes in the United States. Housed in the ASU Watts College of Public Service and Community Solutions, OLLI at ASU engages in research pertaining to lifelong learning, adult education, and community building. We take pride in that our work is both research-inspired and research-inspiring. The incumbent for this position would assist in the OLLI Lifelong Needs Assessment and Moonshot Project.
Special skills needed
1. Attention to Detail: Ensuring accuracy in coding, data input, and interpretation.
2. Strong Written and Oral Communication: Articulating findings, synthesizing literature, and collaborating with team members.
3. Critical Thinking: Identifying patterns, drawing inferences, and addressing gaps in data or literature.
4. Time Management: Handling multiple tasks and meeting deadlines.
5. Collaboration: Working effectively in a team environment.
6. Flexibility: Adapting to evolving project needs and feedback.
7. Familiarity with literature reviews, data analysis, and surveys is beneficial.
Majors
Open to all majors, with an emphasis on Business, Social Sciences, and Health Programs
Years
2nd Year Students, 4th Year Students- Seniors, 3rd Year Students, ASU Online Barrett Honors Students (fully remote work)
Themes
Cross-listed with the following themes:
Business and Entrepreneurship, Data Analytics and Mathematics, Education, Health and Wellness, Journalism, Communication, and Mass Media, Social and Behavioral Sciences
Project # 15
Center name: Sport Pedagogy Research Lab
Campus/Location: Flexible to remote and/or in-person
Faculty lead: Pamela Hodges Kulinna
Project description
This project grounded in whole-of-school health models is taking place in local schools. Different models of the intervention are taking place in different schools with one school implementing a youth participatory action research project. The goal of this project is to document the outcomes, successes and challenges of students being trained and leading physical activities and games at recess in elementary schools to support use of this model and expanded recess opportunities for students. This project can offer Barrett students may different research opportunities which could include training student leaders, using systematic observation instruments, conducting interviews, data entry and management, data analyses and writing/grant writing with the research team.
Special skills needed
A willingness to learn to use new statistical programs including SPSS, NVivo and REDCap.
Majors
Mary Lou Fulton Teachers College and College of Health Solutions majors; others are welcome
Years
ASU Online Barrett Honors Students (fully remote work), 4th Year Students- Seniors, 3rd Year Students, 2nd Year Students, First Year Students (new to ASU Fall 2025)
Themes
Cross-listed with the following themes:
Project # 16
Center name: Sport Pedagogy Research Lab
Campus/Location: Flexible to remote and/or in-person
Faculty lead: Pamela Hodges Kulinna
Project description
This is a longitudinal project (year 6) grounded in ecological theories studying the adoption of a recess law in Arizona (ARS§15-118) requiring 2 recess sessions per day. The goal of this project is to track physical activity opportunities for students at schools. This data will be used in school partnerships to expand physical activity opportunities for students. This longitudinal project can offer Barrett students many different research opportunities which could include data collection, school visits, data entry and management, conducting interviews, data analyses, and writing/grant writing with the research team.
Special skills needed
A willingness to learn to use new statistical programs including SPSS, NVivo and REDCap.
Majors
Mary Lou Fulton Teachers College and the College of Health Solutions Majors; others are welcome
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:
Project # 17
Center name:
Campus/Location: Downtown
Faculty lead: Heather Ross
Project description
Up to one-quarter of clients in emergency and transitional shelters are older adults, and homeless services agencies are increasingly focusing shelter services for this highly vulnerable population. Unhoused older adults have a disproportionately high rate of dementia compared to their housed counterparts, and dementia is associated with longer duration of homelessness. Our previous research, including universal screening of older adult clients for dementia and mild cognitive impairment at a large urban emergency homeless shelter, demonstrated high rates of positive screens >90% using a traditional screening threshold and >70% positivity using a conservative screening threshold with ongoing work to determine the true rate of dementia in the population. Moreover, we have found that both congregate and non-congregate shelter settings may exert different stresses on older adult clients with impacts on cognitive performance. Therefore, the caregiving needs of older adults in different shelter settings may vary.
Although staff in emergency and transitional homeless shelter settings often serve in case management roles for shelter clients, they may not be considered as caregivers. However, many unhoused older adults have more extensive support needs than their younger counterparts. Moreover, given the long duration of stay in emergency and transitional shelter settings for older adult clients, often spanning several months, client-facing staff become de facto caregivers for older adults with dementia in shelter.
At present, little to nothing is known about the knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors of shelter staff and case managers about their de facto role as caregivers of clients with dementia in different shelter settings. Therefore, we propose a multi-method study to 1) build on existing findings regarding the impact of shelter environments on cognitive performance, and 2) understand knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors of shelter staff regarding their role as caregiver for shelter clients with dementia or mild cognitive impairment.
3 undergraduate students will be on this project team and involved in all aspects of the work, which will ideally begin in Spring 2025. Student stipends are available.
Special skills needed
Required: Willingness to conduct research in homeless shelter settings. Desired: Survey administration. Participant observation. Interview research. Qualitative data analysis.
Majors
Nursing. Social work. Community health. Aging. Psychology. Public Health. Neuroscience. Population Health. Biology. Biomedical Sciences. Community Advocacy and Social Policy. Anthropology. Sociology.
Years
4th Year Students- Seniors, 3rd Year Students, 2nd Year Students
Themes
Cross-listed with the following themes:
Health and Wellness, Law, Justice, and Public Service, Social and Behavioral Sciences
Project # 18
Center name:
Campus/Location: Tempe
Faculty lead: Sangmi Lee
Project description
Assessments profoundly affect how students study and learn. As opposed to traditional assessments such as closed-book exams, learner-centered assessments respect the diverse talents of the learners, encourage meta-cognition, self-reflection, and self-regulation, situate assessment tasks in authentic, real-world contexts, and/or provide a learning environment through social negotiation and collaboration. Such learner-centered assessments better promote learning and provide lifelong benefits to the learners. This project aims to design innovative learner-centered assessments and test their efficacy through randomized controlled trial (RCT) experiments in ASU classes. Interested honors students may assist with any aspect of the project, such as reviewing the literature and designing innovative assessment methods, designing the experiments, managing the in-class experiments, conducting surveys and interviews, analyzing quantitative and/or qualitative data, and writing up the results. This project may become an honors thesis.
Special skills needed
Strong interest in education research, adept thinker and problem-solver, detailed oriented, organized, professional communication
Majors
Psychology, education, social sciences, biology or math majors who are interested in education research
Years
2nd Year Students, 3rd Year Students, 4th Year Students- Seniors
Themes
Cross-listed with the following themes:
Project # 19
Center name: Social Network Among Caregivers
Campus/Location: Downtown, Flexible to remote and/or in-person
Faculty lead: Aaron Guest
Project description
The SNAC Lab has two active projects, with additional ones under development; you will contribute as a productive and active team member. The first aims to understand caregivers' weekly activities, who they spend time with, and where to design more effective programs and support. The second project seeks to understand the social network composition of unpaid caregivers of individuals living with Alzheimer’s Disease and Related dementia and evaluate how these networks support the well-being and resilience of the caregivers. You will be able to develop skills and expertise in social network analysis, geospatial analysis, and mixed methods research, including quantitative and qualitative data collection and analysis.
You will be responsible for assisting in data analysis, cleaning, and preparing manuscripts and presentations.
Special skills needed
Students should be self-motivated and self-driven. They should be able to commit to a set number of hours per week, be familiar with journal articles, and identify research. They should be familiar with Google Office (sheets, documents), Microsoft Office (Excel, Word, Powerpoint), and Adobe.
Familiarity with Qualitative and Quantitative Research a plus, but not necessary.
Majors
Social Sciences, Health Sciences, Medical Sciences, Computer Sciences, etc.
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:
Data Analytics and Mathematics, Education, Health and Wellness, Social and Behavioral Sciences
Project # 20
Center name: School of Social and Behavioral Sciences (West Valley)
Campus/Location: Flexible to remote and/or in-person
Faculty lead: Sangmi Lee
Project description
This proposed research is about Korean ethnic return migrant students (KERMS), diasporic descendants who were born or raised abroad and have “returned” to their ancestral homeland of South Korea for their higher education. The goal of this research is to demonstrate that even among educational migrants who share the same ancestry and heritage culture with native-born students, various forms of inequality and exclusion persist in higher education that can differentially affect their sense of belonging and limit their educational success and employment opportunities. I am seeking one or two students who are interested in the topics of global education, migration, and immigrant descendants and qualitative, ethnographic research methods. Students will assist with collecting online data and sources (e.g., survey results, medial and institutional reports, etc.), finding relevant literature, and producing summaries on the collected materials.
Special skills needed
Analytical writing skills, some knowledge about research process would be good, but not required (I will advise and train students).
Majors
Education, Humanities, "Journalism, Communication and Mass Media", Social and Behavioral Sciences
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:
Education, Social and Behavioral Sciences, Humanities, Journalism, Communication, and Mass Media
Project # 21
Center name: School of Earth and Space Exploration
Campus/Location: Tempe
Faculty lead: Mikhail Zolotov
Project description
The project involves reading the scientific literature on the oceanic composition and climate of early Earth and Venus and identifying their similarities and differences. The work is aimed at writing a literature review or a science paper. Biological aspects could be considered as well. At later stages, the work may include physical-chemical modeling of water-rock systems on early Venus and making predictions of precipitated minerals, possible microorganisms, and biosignatures that a spacecraft can detect on Venus.
Special skills needed
General chemistry, physics, geology, mineralogy, biology (not required), and microbiology (not required) courses taken.
Majors
Chemistry, Geology, Biology, Astrobiology, Oceanology
Years
3rd Year Students, 4th Year Students- Seniors
Themes
Cross-listed with the following themes:
Project # 22
Center name:
Campus/Location: Flexible to remote and/or in-person, West, Fully remote
Faculty lead: Kendall Funk
Project description
Students will assist Dr. Funk in a research project examining the ways that political candidates present themselves on the ballot in Brazilian elections. In Brazil, candidates can list their name on the ballot however they choose. While many candidates use a version of their first and last names, others choose to use only their first name or a nickname. Some candidates use names that are meant to grab voters’ attention, like “Batman” or “The Good Bin Laden.” Other candidates mention their occupation or include a professional title like Doctor, Professor, Sergeant, or Reverend. Through their names, candidates can strategically stand out from the crowd or convey additional information about themselves to voters, such as their social identities, qualifications, or other characteristics. This project analyzes how candidates choose to present their names on the ballot, whether candidate names vary across offices and levels of government, and whether different types of candidates present their names in different ways by looking at candidate identities including gender, race, age, education, and marital status, and important intersections of these identities. The project also seeks to understand why and how candidates choose their “ballot name” and the broader consequences of these naming choices.
Special skills needed
- Ability to work independently
- Strong interest in research
- Previous coursework related to the project
- Interest in one or more of these subject areas: political science, social and behavioral sciences, linguistics, Brazilian or Latin American studies, sociology, communication
- Read and synthesize academic literature
- Portuguese and/or Spanish language skills are desired, but not required
- Quantitative data skills are useful, but not required
- Qualitative research skills are useful, but not required
Majors
Political Science, Social Justice and Human Rights, Sociology, Social and Behavioral Sciences, Communication, Linguistics/Languages, Related Fields
Years
3rd Year Students, 4th Year Students- Seniors, ASU Online Barrett Honors Students (fully remote work)
Themes
Cross-listed with the following themes:
Project # 23
Center name: Center for the Study of Guns in Society
Campus/Location: Tempe
Faculty lead: Jennifer Carlson
Project description
Led by Jennifer Carlson (director, ASU Center for the Study of Guns in Society) and funded by the Russell Sage Foundation, “The American Gun Experience” project involves mixed methods data collection (surveys, in-depth interviews) on American attitudes on and experiences with guns. Today, millions of Americans own and carry guns largely for self-defense, while US gun violence remains at stark levels. These dynamics speak to the urgency of understanding the complex and contradictory ways that people actually encounter guns, gun violence, gun law, and gun politics in US society—what we can holistically conceptualize as the American gun experience. The goal of the project is to use social science methods to rigorously capture the rich nuances of the American gun experience in order to understand how Americans experience the contradictory significance of guns in their lives and how this reflects and reinforces distinctly American axes of inequality; how Americans in the “messy middle” navigate guns as a personal, social and political issue; how gun attitudes and engagement impact other life decisions; and how and why Americans’ attitudes and engagement with guns changes over time. Students can expect to participate in data collection (including conducting in-depth interviews), data management, and analysis as well as preliminary dissemination of results.
Special skills needed
Familiarity with social science methods (especially in-depth interviews) and/or willingness to learn; strong communication skills, especially writing and editing; strong time management skills; open-mindedness/curiosity to better understand the impact and import of guns in American society.
Majors
All Social Sciences Majors, Pre-Law, Public Administration
Years
2nd Year Students, 3rd Year Students, 4th Year Students- Seniors
Themes
Cross-listed with the following themes:
Law, Justice, and Public Service, Social and Behavioral Sciences
Project # 24
Center name: Center for Mechanisms of Evolution
Campus/Location: Tempe
Faculty lead: Jeremy Wideman
Project description
Using cell fractionation and mass spectrometry, we localize thousands of proteins to cellular compartments in a single experiment. The data are analyzed computationally using R.
Special skills needed
Basic understanding of cell biology, proteins, and computation.
Majors
BIO, BIOCH, anything biology related
Years
First Year Students (new to ASU Fall 2025), 2nd Year Students, 3rd Year Students
Themes
Cross-listed with the following themes:
Project # 25
Center name: SOLS
Campus/Location: Tempe
Faculty lead: Tim Balmer
Project description
We have developed a behavioral paradigm for mice to indicate whether they hear a tone or white noise by licking a water spout. We'd like to train mice to do this and then manipulate specific neurons in auditory brain circuits with optogenetics to test their role in hearing in noisy environments.
Special skills needed
Patience, team work, mouse handling skills, matlab programming (not essential)
Majors
Biology, Neuroscience
Years
2nd Year Students, 3rd Year Students
Themes
Cross-listed with the following themes:
Project # 26
Center name: School of Mathematical & Statistical Sciences
Campus/Location: Flexible to remote and/or in-person
Faculty lead: Carla van de Sande
Project description
The KiSS Program is an NSF-sponsored project that provides retrieval practice to students over academic breaks so that they maintain foundational math skills for their future studies. We collect data on participation, confidence, accuracy, and decision-making. Students who work on this project would assist in data management, analysis, and visualization. Up to 5 students could participate.
Special skills needed
Interest in mathematics education, Excel proficiency a plus
Majors
Computer science, data analytics, mathematics education
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:
Project # 27
Center name: Dr. T's Research Lab
Campus/Location: Tempe
Faculty lead: Gunes Murat Tezcur
Project description
Dr. Güneş Murat Tezcür is Professor and the Director of the School of Politics and Global Studies. He studies comparative politics and explores political violence and politics of identity with a focus on Iranian, Kurdish, Turkish, and most recently, American human geography. His scholarship has appeared in many leading scholarly journals and his recent book "Liminal Minorities: Religion and Mass Violence in Muslim Societies" was published by Cornell University Press in 2024. He is currently pursuıng a comparative research project that explores how past atrocities are remembered (or forgotten) through public memorials, symbols, and narratives.
How are sites of atrocities transformed into places of remembrance as opposed to entertainment, consumption, or habitation? How do memorials, monuments, and museums shape the politics of reconciliation? How do marginalized communities create memorials and spaces that challenge hegemonic discourses and perceptions in such sites? Alternatively, how are collective memories of violence being silenced and prevented from transmission across generations? The project has a deliberately comparative edge and aims to document memorials as well as voids locally (Native American landscape in Arizona), nationally {Black landscapes in the United States), and cross-nationally (minorities in the Middle East). Barrett Fellows will think about politics of remembrance and forgetfulness with a focus on the experience of marginalized communities are encouraged to develop honor theses based on this project. Participation in this project may require travel within Arizona.
Special skills needed
Curiosity about the role violence plays in human affairs, the legacies of past atrocities on contemporary issues, the ways in which collective memories and public memorials are constructed, contested, and how marginalized groups express themselves, challenge hegemonic discourses and representations, and articulate alternative histories and remembrances.
Majors
Political Science, Global Studies, History, Art, Anthropology
Years
3rd Year Students, 4th Year Students- Seniors
Themes
Cross-listed with the following themes:
Art, Architecture, and Design, Humanities, Law, Justice, and Public Service, Social and Behavioral Sciences
Project # 28
Center name: Children's Equity Project
Campus/Location: Tempe
Faculty lead: Shantel Meek
Project description
The Children’s Equity Project is led in partnership with researchers and advocates at several universities and organizations across the United States. Our work focuses on closing opportunity gaps and advancing equity in all of the systems that impact the lives of children and families so that all children, particularly those from historically and contemporary marginalized communities, can thrive.
The CEP works at the intersection of research, practice, and policy. We engage in rigorous original research, partner with policy makers at every level of government to support data and research informed policy changes that will advance opportunity for children from historically marginalized communities; and engage with communities to deliver training, technical assistance, and professional development. We are informed by families' voices through our family advisory committee, lived experiences, data, and research, and have deep expertise in child development, policy, and systems.
Special skills needed
No pre skills required, just dedication and interest in our mission
Majors
Policy, education, sociology, family development, early childhood education, etc
Years
3rd Year Students, 4th Year Students- Seniors
Themes
Cross-listed with the following themes:
Humanities, Law, Justice, and Public Service, Social and Behavioral Sciences, Data Analytics and Mathematics, Education, Sustainability
Project # 29
Center name: Sandra Day O'Connor College of Law
Campus/Location: Downtown, Flexible to remote and/or in-person
Faculty lead: Jennifer Selin
Project description
Approximately 81 percent of federal laws include provisions that require partnerships between federal agencies and state, local, tribal, and territorial governments (SLTGs). These partnerships serve as critical conduits for administering a wide array of federal policies in diverse contexts.
Students will work with Professors Jennifer L. Selin (faculty lead) and Pamela J. Clouser McCann (USC Sol Price School of Public Policy) on a project commissioned by the Administrative Conference of the United States (an independent agency within the federal government) to explore the federal laws and policies that govern federal agency partnerships with SLTGs and the practical considerations that policymakers consider in structuring, implementing, and maintaining such partnerships. The project includes a variety of research methods, including analysis of statutory frameworks; a survey of federal and state administrators; interviews and closed forums with government officials; and targeted case studies. From this research, the authors will propose broadly applicable recommendations for action by federal agencies and, if necessary, recommend potential reforms for the President or Congress to consider. More information on the project can be found here:
https://www.acus.gov/projects/federal-agency-collaboration-state-local-tribal-and-territorial-governments
Special skills needed
Well-developed critical thinking and analytical skills; comfortable communicating with professionals from a variety of fields, including government officials; attention to detail; willingness to engage with historical, legal, and government documents; interest in public policy, law, public administration, political science, or related fields.
Majors
Including but not limited to American Studies; Civic and Economic Thought and Leadership; Community Advocacy and Social Policy; Economics; Political Science; Prelaw; Public Service and Public Policy; Social and Behavioral Sciences
Years
4th Year Students- Seniors, 3rd Year Students
Themes
Cross-listed with the following themes:
Law, Justice, and Public Service, Social and Behavioral Sciences
Project # 30
Center name: Center for Indian Education
Campus/Location: Flexible to remote and/or in-person, Tempe
Faculty lead: Judy Kertész
Project description
The Indigenous ASU project explores and honors the rich history and enduring contributions of Indigenous faculty, students, and staff at Arizona State University. Through archival research, storytelling, and public engagement, the project seeks to preserve and amplify the legacies of Indigenous communities that have shaped ASU’s culture, academic mission, and identity.
At its core, Indigenous ASU emphasizes public history, focusing on uncovering and sharing stories that often go untold. Students will conduct in-depth archival research, examining historical documents, photographs, and records to uncover key milestones in ASU’s Indigenous history. This work will be complemented by oral history interviews with Indigenous individuals connected to ASU, capturing their personal experiences, challenges, and triumphs. Together, these efforts will contribute to a living archive, ensuring the preservation of these vital narratives for future generations.
The project also includes designing interactive exhibits that showcase important moments in ASU’s Indigenous history, such as the development of academic programs and cultural initiatives. Additionally, a digital archive will host multimedia resources, creating an accessible platform for educators, researchers, and the broader public.
With a cohort size of up to 10 students, the project offers a collaborative environment where participants develop practical skills in archival research, oral history, digital storytelling, and public engagement. Indigenous ASU reflects ASU’s commitment to inclusivity, innovation, and public service, ensuring Indigenous voices remain central to its mission.
Special skills needed
Students participating in the Indigenous ASU project will have the opportunity to develop a range of valuable skills while contributing to this meaningful initiative. Key skills include conducting archival research to locate, analyze, and catalog historical documents and primary sources that uncover significant moments in ASU’s Indigenous history. Participants will also gain experience in oral history, learning how to conduct respectful and ethical interviews while using recording and transcription tools to preserve personal narratives.
In addition, students will explore the art of digital storytelling by creating multimedia content and designing engaging online platforms that bring these stories to life. They will also apply principles of exhibit design, working collaboratively to develop interactive displays that effectively communicate Indigenous contributions and experiences.
A commitment to cultural sensitivity is essential, as participants will represent Indigenous voices with respect and inclusivity. Collaboration will be at the heart of the project, with students honing their ability to manage time, contribute to team efforts, and communicate effectively to meet project goals.
No prior experience is required—just an interest in Indigenous history and public history. Training and mentorship will be provided to help students build these skills and make a lasting impact through their work on the project.
Majors
History, American Indian Studies, American Studies, English Literature, Sociology, Anthropology, and any relevant humanities and social science majors.
Years
ASU Online Barrett Honors Students (fully remote work), 4th Year Students- Seniors, 3rd Year Students, 2nd Year Students, First Year Students (new to ASU Fall 2025)
Themes
Cross-listed with the following themes:
Education, Humanities, Journalism, Communication, and Mass Media, Social and Behavioral Sciences
Project # 31
Center name:
Campus/Location: Tempe
Faculty lead: Itty Abraham
Project description
The artist Richard Serra is said to have coined the aphorism, “if the product is free, you are the product.” Although he was referring to broadcast television in the 1970s, the idea captures very well the logic underwriting our current online condition. The phrase draws attention to the ubiquity of seemingly free digital technologies in our daily lives and how they are shaping us in ways both good and bad. Yet, even as our technological lives are being transformed at breakneck speed, our political thinking seems trapped in an analog era, especially with respect to legal protections. Without going into the reasons why our rights and entitlements have not kept up with the online-offline worlds we now inhabit, it seems obvious we need a much greater degree of public awareness and transparency to protect us from the harmful effects of existing and emerging digital technologies, not least AI. With this background in mind, I am looking for two Barrett students interested in helping draft a digital bill of rights for Arizona residents and citizens.
Special skills needed
Some background in political theory, online technology, current affairs would be helpful. Ability to read and synthesize official documents. Interest in global affairs. Willingness to learn through debate and discussion
Majors
Political Science, Innovation in Society, Public Policy, Social Transformations, Justice, Rights
Years
3rd Year Students, 2nd Year Students
Themes
Cross-listed with the following themes:
Humanities, Journalism, Communication, and Mass Media, Law, Justice, and Public Service, Social and Behavioral Sciences
Project # 32
Center name: Humanities Institute
Campus/Location: Flexible to remote and/or in-person
Faculty lead: Ron Brogliio
Project description
The Humanities Institute provides programming and engagement in a broad range of humanities fields ranging from philosophy and ethics to classic and speculative fiction, to art and environmental studies, and public writing. We are seeking one or more students willing to do research on and around our annual programs (for examples, see https://humanitiesinstitute.asu.edu/events). This can mean writing, providing quotations from research sources, creating photo or video montages, or other ways the student(s) would like to engage with, highlight, and enhance our robust programming. Oversight of projects is done by the Director of the Humanities Institute and our events team. Hours are flexible with primarily remote work and occasional on-sight work where possible.
Special skills needed
Project outcomes will work with student skill sets. Some possible skills: essay writing, online and library research, image creation, video recording and editing (at any skill level), social media posting (esp. Instagram).
Majors
English, Philosophy, History, Foreign Languages, Journalism, Media Studies
Years
ASU Online Barrett Honors Students (fully remote work), 4th Year Students- Seniors, 3rd Year Students, 2nd Year Students, First Year Students (new to ASU Fall 2025)
Themes
Cross-listed with the following themes:
Project # 33
Center name: Department of Physics
Campus/Location: Tempe
Faculty lead: Jingyue Liu
Project description
This project focuses on synthesis of novel nanostructured materials for energy and environmental applications. Nanoscale architectures possess unique physicochemical properties that can be broadly applied for developing better and sustainable technologies. In this project, we use wet chemical approach to developing robust synthesis protocols that can be scaled up for practical applications. The nanostructured materials will be used as catalysts for energy and environmental applications such as production of hydrogen and conversion of carbon dioxide to useful chemicals via catalytic reaction processes.
Special skills needed
Knowledge and experiences in inorganic chemistry, especially synthesis of inorganic materials using wet chemistry methods.
Majors
Inorganic Chemistry; Chemical Engineering; Materials Science and Engineering
Years
3rd Year Students, 4th Year Students- Seniors
Themes
Cross-listed with the following themes:
Project # 34
Center name: Biodesign Center for Fundamental and Applied Microbiomics
Campus/Location: Flexible to remote and/or in-person
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.
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
Project # 35
Center name: School of Sustainability
Campus/Location: Tempe
Faculty lead: Stylianos Syropoulos
Project description
Sustainability––especially climate justice––requires a form of altruistic prosociality that extends beyond immediate, visible beneficiaries to encompass distant, often-anonymous multitudes, and even the as-yet-unrealized future generations. These are precisely the kinds of beneficiaries that people typically struggle to prioritize, as their needs and presence feel abstract and disconnected from everyday life. This challenge underscores the importance of understanding how individuals and groups can develop a broader moral circle that includes these hard-to-care-for entities to promote sustainability for all.
This project will investigate how exceptionally altruistic populations, including effective altruists (EAs), who strategically maximize welfare gains through their charitable contributions (N = 119), and extraordinary altruists (XAs), who have made life-saving organ donations to strangers (N = 65), compared to demographically similar general population controls (N = 176) differ in several psychological dimensions relevant to sustainability. These include: moral expansiveness toward nature, responsibility to future generations, impartial intergenerational beneficence, and the ability to perceive non-human animals as sentient beings. Additional exploratory analyses will explore the cognitive (e.g., reasoning abilities), affective (e.g.,
empathy levels), and moral (e.g., utilitarian beliefs and moral values) foundations that might explain why exceptionally altruistic individuals are more likely to exhibit sustainability-focused attitudes.
Special skills needed
Data Analysis Experience in any of the following software: Jamovi, R, SPSS, SAS
Majors
Sustainability, Psychology
Years
3rd Year Students, 4th Year Students- Seniors, ASU Online Barrett Honors Students (fully remote work)
Themes
Cross-listed with the following themes:
Project # 36
Center name: MSD, Space Architecture & Extreme Environments (SAEE)
Campus/Location: Tempe
Faculty lead: Elena Rocchi
Project description
Barrett Honors students will participate in SAEE Barrett Research programs, including:
1) Working in the labs of the Interplanetary Initiative, The Next Lab, and the Luminosity Lab, contributing to cutting-edge science, with one student per lab.
2) Engaging in supply chain management within the Business program to contribute to designing the first Starbucks in space, with one student.
3) Participating in the SAEE Barrett Global Flex program in Rome, one of the space capitals of the world, providing an ideal environment for this program and open to all.
The faculty lead is Elena Rocchi, working in collaboration with the different lab directors, program heads, and faculty abroad. By the time of application, new opportunities in labs and cities may arise, so students are encouraged to schedule a meeting with me, as the leading faculty member, to discuss available placements and opportunities in more detail.
Special skills needed
Self-Time Management; Design Capacity and Interest in Making Things; Collaboration and Teamwork; Critical Thinking and Problem-Solving; Adaptability and Flexibility; Attention to Detail; Interpersonal and Cross-Cultural Communication; Initiative and Drive; Technical Competency; Global Perspective
Majors
Architecture,
Industrial Design,
Graphic Design (for virtual simulations/technologies),
Computer Science (for virtual simulations/technologies),
Design, Arts,
Mechanical Engineering,
Civil Engineering,
Urban Planning,
Business Administration (Supply Chain Management),
Environmental Design,
Aerospace Engineering,
Biomedical Engineering (for health-related research in space),
Materials Science,
Sustainability Studies,
International Studies (for global perspectives),
Electrical Engineering (for wearable technology design),
Physics (for space science and research applications)
Years
2nd Year Students, 4th Year Students- Seniors, ASU Online Barrett Honors Students (fully remote work), 3rd Year Students
Themes
Cross-listed with the following themes:
Art, Architecture, and Design, Biological, Chemical, and Physical Sciences, Business and Entrepreneurship, Education, Engineering, Health and Wellness, Humanities, Journalism, Communication, and Mass Media, Law, Justice, and Public Service, Social and Behavioral Sciences, Sustainability
Project # 37
Center name: Consortium for science, policy & outcomes
Campus/Location: Fully remote
Faculty lead: Robert Cook-Deegan
Project description
I support three students on the pangenome project, and one student (plus a former student who graduated) on the BRAINshare project.
Special skills needed
Writing and organization skills.
Majors
Any
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, Health and Wellness, Law, Justice, and Public Service, Social and Behavioral Sciences
Project # 38
Center name: Simon A Levin Mathematical, Computational and Modeling Sciences Center
Campus/Location: Tempe
Faculty lead: Fabio Milner
Project description
It has been established that phone dating app users tend to engage in riskier behavior for STI transmission than non-users. We want to begin by describing the age-sex structure of the sexually active population and use mathematical modeling to study the connection between dating apps use and increased STI incidence.
Special skills needed
Calculus 1 (differentiation) and some experience computing is desirable (MATLAB and/or Python).
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
Project # 39
Center name: Center for Transitioning to a Net-Zero Chemicals and Materials Industry
Campus/Location: Tempe
Faculty lead: Bhavik Bakshi
Project description
The main goal of this project is to develop a model of the electronics industry that includes the flow of various types of materials, energy use, products, and waste. This will require a study of the industry based on the academic literature, government reports and industry data. Basic knowledge about steps in the electronics industry including manufacture of chips, assembly and disassembly will also be needed. This work will utilize a framework developed in my group that has already been used to develop similar models for other industry sectors including basic chemicals, steel, cement, etc. The work will be entirely computational in nature.
Special skills needed
Basic understanding of mass and energy conversion and balance.
Majors
Chemical engineering, electrical engineering, mechanical engineering, chemistry, physics.
Years
4th Year Students- Seniors, 3rd Year Students, 2nd Year Students
Themes
Cross-listed with the following themes:
Project # 40
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
Majors
Chemistry, physics, materials science, Earth science, planetary science, materials engineering.
Years
4th Year Students- Seniors, 3rd Year Students, 2nd Year Students
Themes
Cross-listed with the following themes:
Project # 41
Center name: The SOCIAL Neurobiology lab
Campus/Location: Tempe
Faculty lead: Jessica Verpeut
Project description
The current project is focused on examining cognitive, motor deficits, and cellular changes in an Alzheimer’s rat model in the lab of Dr. Jessica Verpeut. We aim to investigate the behavioral and neurological changes that occur over time in these rat models, specifically identifying motor and cognitive deficits resulting from disease progression. Students will participate in behavioral testing (motor tasks and Morris Water Maze), navigating machine learning software to track behavior/movement, and potentially analyze brain samples for Alzheimer’s-related anomalies. Students should be open to animal handling and have an interest in neuroscience. Those with coding experience are highly encouraged.
Special skills needed
Coding and animal handling.
Majors
Neuroscience and math-related majors.
Years
First Year Students (new to ASU Fall 2025), 2nd Year Students, 3rd Year Students
Themes
Cross-listed with the following themes:
Project # 42
Center name:
Campus/Location: Downtown
Faculty lead: Preethika Sainam
Project description
Project 1: Impact of the National Association of Realtors (NAR) Ruling on the Real Estate Market
This project aims to analyze the impact of the NAR ruling on home prices, the availability of listings, and other significant changes in the real estate market. The NAR settlement introduced shifts in how home buyers and sellers interact with the market, and this research will explore the resulting trends and implications. Students will work with datasets related to real estate listings, pricing trends, and market accessibility to identify and quantify these changes.
Faculty Lead: Preethika Sainam
Number of Students: 2
Required Skills: Experience in data cleaning, manipulation, and basic data analysis techniques.
Project 2: Effects of Post-Tenure Review Law in Florida on Professor Retention
This project investigates the recent changes to Florida’s post-tenure review law and their effects on professor retention rates across career stages. The goal is to determine whether these legislative changes are influencing career decisions within academia. Students will analyze retention patterns using academic datasets, focusing on faculty attrition, retention, and career progression trends in Florida.
Faculty Lead: Preethika Sainam
Number of Students: 2
Required Skills: Experience in data cleaning, manipulation, and basic data analysis techniques.
These projects provide a hands-on opportunity to apply data analytics skills to timely and impactful policy changes.
Special skills needed
General Skills for Both Projects
1. Data Cleaning and Preparation
Handling missing data, duplicates, and outliers.
Formatting and structuring datasets for analysis.
2. Data Analysis
Using statistical techniques to identify trends and patterns.
Familiarity with descriptive statistics (mean, median, standard deviation, etc.).
Basic Programming Skills
3. Proficiency in Python for data manipulation and analysis.
Familiarity with libraries such as pandas, NumPy, and matplotlib.
4. Statistical Software Knowledge
Experience with tools like R, SPSS, or Excel for statistical analysis.
5. Data Visualization
Creating clear and informative graphs, charts, and visual summaries of data.
Using tools like matplotlib or Tableau.
Majors
Computer Science, Economics, Statistics, Business
Years
4th Year Students- Seniors, ASU Online Barrett Honors Students (fully remote work), 3rd Year Students
Themes
Cross-listed with the following themes:
Project # 43
Center name:
Campus/Location: Tempe
Faculty lead: Mengya Xia
Project description
Our work focuses on understanding ways to promote individual positive development and optimal well-being in the family context, interpersonal settings, and broader ecological systems from the person-centered and transactional dynamic approaches, with an emphasis on fostering adolescent relationship health, social-emotional development, competence and character strengths, and flourishing as a whole.
Specifically, we are running a research study about adolescent (age 12-17) social connection and well-being. This project is funded by the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD) and led by Dr. Mengya Xia. We aim to disentangle the multi-faceted constructs of social connection and well-being, as well as their associations, using multiple assessments across contexts. The ultimate goal of our research is to inform prevention/intervention to promote child and adolescent health and well-being in real life. For more information about our projects, please visit https://mengyaxia.wixsite.com/dreamslab/research. We are willing to accept 2-3 students for this project!
Special skills needed
-Detail-oriented and organized
-Interpersonal and communication skills
-Experience in computer skills, including data analysis softwares (R, SPSS, etc.)
-Experience working with adolescents and parents in school settings
Majors
-Psychology (specifically developmental, social, and positive)
-Education
-Social and Behavioral Sciences
Years
3rd Year Students, 2nd Year Students, First Year Students (new to ASU Fall 2025)
Themes
Cross-listed with the following themes:
Project # 44
Center name: Edson College of Nursing and Health Innovation, The Center for Innovation in He…
Campus/Location: Downtown
Faculty lead: Abigail Gómez Morales
Project description
The project consists of a 7-week skill-building intervention for people with Alzheimer's disease and related dementias (ADRD) who live alone delivered via Zoom. Participants learn about ADRD, the importance of family and friends, communication techniques, relaxation techniques, and self-care, among other topics. Dr. Gómez-Morales leads the project, and we are willing to accept a student.
Special skills needed
Data management (REDCap and SPSS), communication skills for screenings, and other interviews.
Extra skills but not mandatory- being Spanish knowledgeable- able to speak and write
Majors
Nursing and health care related majors
Years
4th Year Students- Seniors, ASU Online Barrett Honors Students (fully remote work), 3rd Year Students
Themes
Cross-listed with the following themes:
Project # 45
Center name: New Carbon Economy Consortium (NCEC)
Campus/Location: Flexible to remote and/or in-person, Tempe
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
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:
Education, Journalism, Communication, and Mass Media, Sustainability
Project # 46
Center name: Center for Digital Antiquity
Campus/Location: Tempe, Flexible to remote and/or in-person
Faculty lead: Chris Nicholson
Project description
The student working on this project will work with the Center Director and Lead Software Engineer on making software and coding enhancements to the tDAR repository (https://core.tdar.org/). We are seeking one student for the project.
Special skills needed
Computer programming. Java, Javascript, HTML, Ruby, Solr
Majors
Computer Science
Years
3rd Year Students, 4th Year Students- Seniors
Themes
Cross-listed with the following themes:
Project # 47
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, Astronomy, Computer Science
Years
3rd Year Students, 4th Year Students- Seniors
Themes
Cross-listed with the following themes:
Project # 48
Center name: Lincoln Center for Applied Ethics
Campus/Location: Unknown
Faculty lead: Joan McGregor
Project description
This project is aimed at research for our grant project designed to cultivate civic character and virtue among undergraduates at Arizona's public universities. I am looking for a student to develop a bibliography on the moral and epistemic virtues crucial for citizenship and flourishing democratic societies, particularly the virtues of civility, empathy, civic grace, humility, and openness to diverse perspectives. I would also like to have someone compile materials for our website on cultivating civic virtue.
Special skills needed
Strong research skills, some knowledge of philosophy or political science desirable
Majors
Philosophy, Political Science, Religious Studies
Years
3rd Year Students, 4th Year Students- Seniors, ASU Online Barrett Honors Students (fully remote work)
Themes
Cross-listed with the following themes:
Project # 49
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
Majors
Applied Math, Computational biology
Years
3rd Year Students, ASU Online Barrett Honors Students (fully remote work), 2nd Year Students
Themes
Cross-listed with the following themes:
Biological, Chemical, and Physical Sciences, Data Analytics and Mathematics
Project # 50
Center name: Global Drylands Center
Campus/Location: Tempe
Faculty lead: Tyson Terry
Project description
Monitor seeds inside multiple growth chambers of differing climates to determine general seed respiration rates according to temperature. We will then monitor growth of seeds with different pre-germination respiration demands to see how respiration is likely to affect plant reproduction by seed. (2-3 students) (faculty lead: Tyson Terry)
Special skills needed
Attention to detail, basic computer skills, enthusiasm about plants
Majors
Biological Sciences
Years
4th Year Students- Seniors, 3rd Year Students, 2nd Year Students
Themes
Cross-listed with the following themes:
Project # 51
Center name: Center for Global Health
Campus/Location: Tempe
Faculty lead: Amber Wutich
Project description
AW4A’s goal is to advance water security in Arizona’s most water-insecure households. Our international, interdisciplinary team works under the leadership of MacArthur Fellow, Dr. Amber Wutich. Based on the premise that it is impossible to create meaningful environmental justice impacts in communities without establishing trust and committing to long-haul connections with those communities, we are building a multi-stakeholder network facilitated through a partnership between Arizona State University (ASU), Northern Arizona University (NAU) and the University of Arizona (U of A) to engage and co-develop projects with water-insecure communities across the state.
At the AW4A network, we expect to create in-person and virtual spaces that allow stakeholders who are experiencing water insecurity to learn from each other, build leadership and advocacy capacity, and enhance existing opportunities for collaboration. Fully integrated into the AW4A team, the Barrett College Fellow will take a leading role in building this collaborative network, developing and implementing the effective relationship building and communication strategies that are vital to its success. This involves hosting workshops and webinars, as well as maintaining newsletters, blogs, graphic creations, and other media tasks to keep our partners and community engaged with our work.
Special skills needed
We are seeking a dynamic student invested in learning how to create and maintain relationships with multiple stakeholders involved in socio-environmental issues (i.e., water security in low-income communities) across Arizona. Skills that are valued are:
Strong written and verbal communication skills that enhance the quality of team and project outputs.
Critical thinking and problem-solving skills to deal with unexpected situations.
A desire to work on complex problems as part of an interdisciplinary team.
Curiosity and learning mindset about stakeholder engagement and community-based research.
Minimum basic understanding of Spanish.
Ability to work with Canva or other graphic design software.
Ability to work with Mailchimp or other newsletter design and distribution software.
Majors
Business, management, marketing, and related support services,
Marketing/marketing management,
Multi-/interdisciplinary studies,
Journalism,
Environmental studies,
Communication sciences and disorders,
Anthropology,
Global Health,
Liberal arts and sciences/liberal studies,
Graphic design,
Digital communication and media/multimedia,
Environmental design/architecture,
Geography,
Environmental/environmental health engineering
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:
Law, Justice, and Public Service, Art, Architecture, and Design, Biological, Chemical, and Physical Sciences, Business and Entrepreneurship, Data Analytics and Mathematics, Education, Engineering, Health and Wellness, Social and Behavioral Sciences, Sustainability
Project # 52
Center name: Human Biometeorology Lab & Heat Ready
Campus/Location: Tempe
Faculty lead: Jennifer Vanos
Project description
We have various opportunities for students to gain experience on projects doing field work that relates to extreme heat. Working in our HeatReady program on schools and neighborhoods, collecting data as part of our integrated urban field laboratory, working with physiological data and models, and working in our thermal chamber with our manikin, ANDI.
The faculty lead would generally be Jennifer Vanos.
Special skills needed
Motivated, good initiative, instrumentation, working with data (statistics, processing, visualizations, GIS), interest in fieldwork in the heat, working with the community and stakeholders
Majors
Geography & Urban planning, Sustainability, Engineering (Built environment), Health Solutions
Years
4th Year Students- Seniors, 3rd Year Students
Themes
Cross-listed with the following themes:
Data Analytics and Mathematics, Engineering, Health and Wellness, Sustainability
Project # 53
Center name: Communication and Learning Lab
Campus/Location: West
Faculty lead: Jessica Kosie
Project description
Over the first years of life infants learn an incredible amount of new information, but they don’t face this challenge alone. The majority of infants’ development happens during everyday interactions with caregivers, and caregivers’ behavior has a primary influence on infants’ attention and learning. The Communication and Learning Lab, led by Dr. Jessica Kosie, uses a variety of methods, including daylong audio recordings, videorecorded caregiver-infant interactions, parental surveys, neuroscientific methods, and ecologically-informed experiments to characterize infants’ everyday learning environment and examine links to learning outcomes. We are additionally interested in understanding variation in everyday input across families, in different activities contexts (like playtime and mealtime), and across diverse communities (e.g., bilingual or multilingual language learning environments). Barret Fellows will be involved in all aspects of our lab’s research. This includes: participant recruitment, data collection, video coding and audio transcription, data analysis, and communicating the results of our research. Our ideal candidate is interested in early learning and development, excited about being involved in research, able to work independently, and communicates well. We welcome students of all backgrounds, and no prior research experience is required. The lab is located on the West Valley Campus, and all students are expected to work in the lab for approximately six hours a week.
Special skills needed
N/A
Majors
We are open to any students with an interest in infant and child development.
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:
Project # 54
Center name: Imaging Informatics Research (JLiang Lab)
Campus/Location: Flexible to remote and/or in-person
Faculty lead: Jianming Liang
Project description
This is a set of projects aiming to develop novel methods and systems in artificial intelligence (AI), artificial general intelligence (AGI), and deep learning (DL) towards multimodal medical foundation models for medicine, imaging, and clinical reports (based on ChatGPT/GPT-4, Gemini/Bard, and LLaMA) to support clinical decision-making and facilitate precision medicine. While my lab is working on the brain, heart, lung, skin, eye, and abdomen diseases across modalities (images, lab tests, reports, videos, and audio) you may choose to focus on one particular condition at one specific modality based on your interest. My lab has the infrastructure to accommodate multiple students in this research direction.
Special skills needed
Skills required:
1) Strong programming skills in Python -- you have taken courses in computer science and programming, and have experience in using GitHub;
2) Good understanding of machine (deep) learning -- you have taken courses in machine learning, and gained experience in training AI models;
3) Determination to pursue majors in computer science, computer engineering, data science and analytics, robotics and autonomous systems, software engineering, biomedical informatics, and biomedical engineering;
4) Deep commitment to conducting rigorous experiments to establish state-of-the-art baselines, and
5) Strong desire to publish a paper at a top conference and turn it into a journal article in your first year with my lab.
Majors
Biomedical Informatics and Data Science;
Computer Science;
Computer Engineering;
Robotics and Autonomous Systems;
Data Science, Analytics, and Engineering;
Software Engineering; and
Biomedical Engineering
Years
3rd Year Students, 4th Year Students- Seniors, ASU Online Barrett Honors Students (fully remote work), 2nd Year Students, First Year Students (new to ASU Fall 2025)
Themes
Cross-listed with the following themes:
Biological, Chemical, and Physical Sciences, Business and Entrepreneurship, Data Analytics and Mathematics, Engineering, Health and Wellness, Law, Justice, and Public Service, Social and Behavioral Sciences
Project # 55
Center name: SILC
Campus/Location: Fully remote
Faculty lead: Olga Kellert
Project description
Faculty Lead: SILC
Student Capacity: Up to 5 students
Understanding how opinions are expressed and identifying the words or phrases that convey positivity or negativity is a crucial step in building software capable of automatically predicting sentiment. Such tools are invaluable in industries and decision-making processes, allowing companies and policymakers to respond effectively to public opinions and needs.This project focuses on uncovering linguistic markers of positive and negative opinions. For instance:
• “I don’t like vaccinations” expresses a negative opinion.
• “It’s very important to be vaccinated” conveys a positive opinion.
The aim is to identify single words (e.g., “like,” “important”) or longer phrases (e.g., “very important”) that indicate sentiment. By participating, students will contribute to the foundational work required for sentiment classification software.
Students will analyze a set of text samples, marking words and phrases as positive or negative. This work is not only vital for developing automated sentiment analysis tools but also offers students hands-on experience with linguistic data and insights into computational text analysis.
Special skills needed
Proficiency in English
Majors
Languages, social sciences, computer science
Years
2nd Year Students, ASU Online Barrett Honors Students (fully remote work), First Year Students (new to ASU Fall 2025)
Themes
Cross-listed with the following themes:
Health and Wellness, Humanities, Social and Behavioral Sciences
Project # 56
Center name: STEMMA: Systems of Transmitting Early Modern Manuscript Verse, 1475–1700
Campus/Location: Fully remote, Flexible to remote and/or in-person
Faculty lead: Erin McCarthy
Project description
STEMMA is an interdisciplinary project that develops and applies a data-driven approach in order to provide the first macro-level view of the circulation of early modern English poetry in manuscript. It focuses on English verse manuscripts written and used between the introduction of printing in England in 1475 and 1700, by which time the rapid changes in both literary taste and publishing norms ushered in by the Restoration had fully transformed literary culture. The project includes manuscripts circulating in England and anywhere else English was spoken and read, including Ireland, the North American colonies, and continental exile communities.
We are seeking motivated and enthusiastic honors student researchers to join the STEMMA project team. As part of this multidisciplinary project, you will be involved in computational research that seeks to uncover hidden connections between early modern texts, focusing on the movement of English poetry through manuscript miscellanies. This position provides an excellent opportunity for students with an interest in literature, digital humanities, data analytics, and/or network analysis. Students are welcome to build upon their work in their honors theses/projects.
* Students may explore the possibility of traveling to Galway and attend the STEMMA Hackathon and John Donne Society Conference in Summer 2025 in Ireland. *
Prof. Erin McCarthy (BA, ASU '05) is the Principal Investigator of STEMMA, but her team comprises doctoral and postdoctoral researchers with expertise in literary studies, history, digital humanities, and computational methods. Students would therefore have access to a range of scholars at different career stages.
Special skills needed
"A background in English literature, history, digital humanities, data science, design, and/or statistics.
Strong analytical skills and a willingness to learn new computational methods.
Interest in early modern literature, manuscript studies, or network analysis.
Basic experience with data analysis tools or other relevant software is a plus.
Strong communication skills and the ability to work collaboratively in a team environment.
Ability to manage time effectively and handle multiple tasks."
Majors
All majors will be considered upon application, but the opportunity may be of particular interest to students in the following areas:
English,
History,
Multi-/interdisciplinary studies,
Computer and information sciences,
Mathematics
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:
Project # 57
Center name: Mary Lou Fulton College for Teaching and Learning Innovation
Campus/Location: Tempe
Faculty lead: Tara Nkrumah
Project description
This grant focuses on STEM teacher leadership development and middle and high school students exploring STEM concepts in a hybrid STEM camp in San Antonio, Texas. STEM teachers will learn about culturally relevant pedagogy. Students will learn to apply STEM concepts to address community needs, work in collaborative learning teams, and explore STEM career pathways.
Special skills needed
The intern will provide crucial support to the program director in various aspects of the initiative, including:
1) Assisting with middle and high school student recruitment strategies
2) Contributing to program design and curriculum development
3) Managing and organizing program data
4) Conducting literature reviews on relevant STEM education topics
Specific skills are not required. Mentorship will be provided on how to perform the specific tasks
Majors
Science and Math 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:
Project # 58
Center name: Simon A Levin 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
Project # 59
Center name: Center for Global Health
Campus/Location: Tempe
Faculty lead: Amber Wutich
Project description
Global Health & Water (2-3) Mentor: Dr. Amber Wutich Global Health & Menstruation (2-3) Mentor: Dr. Alexandra Brewis Global Health & Sociolinguistics (1-2) Mentor: Dr. Cindi Sturtz Sreetharan Global Health & Education (1-2) Mentor: Dr. Alissa Ruth Arctic Multi-level Governance (1-2) Shauna BurnSilver
Special skills needed
Research coding, adobe suite, Microsoft suite, google suite
Majors
Global Health, Anthropology, Health Care, Community Engagement, Social Science majors, Health majors in general
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:
Education, Health and Wellness, Social and Behavioral Sciences
Project # 60
Center name: Project is part of the OpenForest4D, funded by the NSF
Campus/Location: Tempe, Flexible to remote and/or in-person, Fully remote
Faculty lead: Chelsea Scott
Project description
Forests change over time due to a variety of processes, including wildfires, droughts, invasive species, logging, and anthropogenic development. Quantifying these changes is important for understanding biomass loss, biodiversity conservation, fire severity assessment, post-fire regeneration, and soil erosion prevention. This project is part of a larger project that focuses on measuring forest characteristics from remote sensing data and analyzing how forests change following a landscape disturbance.
In this project, the student will analyze remote sensing data like satellite imagery and lidar using GIS (geospatial information system) tools. The student will manually map features like trees and will measure canopy height. The student will then work to compare these manual measurements to measurements derived using automatic workflows. This project contributes to assessing the accuracy of automatic workflows of deriving forest characteristics and understanding how forests change over time.
Special skills needed
Background in geospatial information system (GIS), remote sensing, and/or ecology,
Excited to learn how to map trees from remote sensing data,
High attention to detail (there is a lot of information in the remote sensing data),
Commitment to attending weekly in-person or virtual meetings and discussing progress and challenges
Majors
Earth and Environmental Sciences/ Earth and Space Exploration,
Geography,
Geographic Information Science,
Ocean Futures,
Biological Sciences (Conservation Biology and Ecology),
I would accept other on these themes
Years
3rd Year Students, 4th Year Students- Seniors, ASU Online Barrett Honors Students (fully remote work)
Themes
Cross-listed with the following themes:
Project # 61
Center name: BEAR Lab
Campus/Location: Downtown
Faculty lead: Candace Lewis
Project description
Research highlights a complex interplay between the gut microbiome and mental health, particularly in aging populations. This research seeks to explore the effects of psilocybin on the gut microbiome of aged mice. Using 16S rRNA sequencing to analyze fecal samples collected from mice treated with either psilocybin or saline, we aim to identify changes in microbial diversity and composition associated with psilocybin administration.
The analysis will prioritize microbial taxa linked to neuroprotective and anti-inflammatory pathways, given their critical roles in the gut-brain axis and cognitive health. By comparing microbial profiles between psilocybin-treated and saline-treated groups, the study could uncover how psilocybin modulates the gut microbiota and its potential impact on age-related behaviors like anxiety, depression, and memory.
This research has the potential to reveal novel microbiome-mediated mechanisms underlying psilocybin's effects. Insights gained could advance the preclinical evaluation of psilocybin as a therapeutic intervention for aging-related conditions, including dementia, offering a deeper understanding of its role in promoting mental and neurological health during aging.
Special skills needed
Experience in data analyses/coding, can be from prior research experience or course work.
Majors
Biology, microbiology, neuroscience, psychology, or related majors
Years
3rd Year Students, 4th Year Students- Seniors
Themes
Cross-listed with the following themes:
Biological, Chemical, and Physical Sciences, Data Analytics and Mathematics
Project # 62
Center name:
Campus/Location: Downtown, Flexible to remote and/or in-person, Fully remote
Faculty lead: Megan Pontes
Project description
In a previous study Cultivating a Culture of Generosity: The Impacts on Resourcing Congregations in the United States, I examined how intentionally fostering a culture of generosity in Christian congregations impacts those organizations' abilities to resource themselves financially and with volunteers.
Supported in part through a grant from the Lake Institute on Faith & Giving, this new study serves as a continuation of that work. While the previous study centered on the perspectives of faith leaders and their reflections and observations of the organization's culture, this study seeks to gather a more holistic picture through multiple perspectives of those in and around the church. One of the participants in the previous study pastors and is seeking to foster a culture of generosity in two very different congregations. This research entails comparative case studies of two organizations who share the same pastor and yet are demonstrating generosity in different ways. What implications might this have for our understanding of places of worship, culture, and the role of leadership in fostering generosity? Through site visits, semi-structured interviews with elders and members at each church (including the pastor and potentially members of the community), and document analysis, this study will deepen knowledge of how faith leaders cultivate generosity, the impacts on the ability of places of worship to resource themselves, and the impacts of faith and giving in and outside of a church.
Data collection will occur during the summer of 2025. Student(s) assisting with this research would assist in data analysis of the interviews and document analysis (i.e., coding, themes, etc.) and participate in discussions on the strengths and limitations of the study as well as implications for pastoral leaders and religious organizations and future research opportunities.
Special skills needed
Detail oriented, communication skills, curiosity, reflexivity, research skills such as coding welcomed but not required.
Majors
Nonprofit Leadership and Management, Religious Studies, Psychology, Organizational Leadership, Social Sciences, Behavioral Sciences
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:
Project # 63
Center name: Sweety 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.
Majors
Nonprofit Leadership and Management, Religious Studies, Psychology, Organizational Leadership, Social Sciences, Behavioral Sciences
Years
ASU Online Barrett Honors Students (fully remote work), 4th Year Students- Seniors, 3rd Year Students
Themes
Cross-listed with the following themes:
Project # 64
Center name: Center for Science and the Imagination
Campus/Location: Tempe
Faculty lead: Ed Finn
Project description
The Center for Science and the Imagination is building a community climate futures project with the town of Guadalupe. Students joining this project will participate in a collaborative research program working with elders and high school students in the Guadalupe community to imagine resilient, positive futures in the face of climate change and other challenges. Activities will include designing and implementing monthly activities for community members to imagine hopeful futures and connect community heritage and history to aspirational goals for the future. Some examples of previous workshop themes include quilting and fabric arts, visual arts, cooking, music. This work draws on methodologies from the fields of design research (such as co-design and speculative design), foresight and futures (including trend analysis and worldbuilding), and the humanities (speculative fiction and personal narratives). Students will support the project through ideation and implementation, community engagement, data analysis, and sharing of research findings with the Guadalupe community and other audiences.
Special skills needed
Required: Collaboration, communication, creativity, reliability, and a sense of adventure
Interest in community-based work, futures foresight
Majors
All majors are encouraged to apply
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, Education, Health and Wellness, Humanities, Journalism, Communication, and Mass Media, Law, Justice, and Public Service, Social and Behavioral Sciences, Sustainability
Project # 65
Center name: Decision Theater
Campus/Location: Tempe
Faculty lead: Manfred Laubichler
Project description
The Decision Theater is developing innovative decision-support tools to address critical challenges in Arizona's energy and environmental landscape. In examining the future energy landscape, DT is developing a data-driven model that will guide stakeholders in evaluating novel energy sources, including nuclear options, to meet the state’s 20 GW demand from coal and oil closures and new growth, while balancing safety, security, and efficiency concerns. DT also aims to map ozone pollution and risks that may trigger EPA-imposed restrictions on development. Decision Theater will integrate these data streams and models into cohesive visualizations, ultimately, to support decision-making across industry, government, and communities through understanding complex financial, regulatory, environmental, and societal factors.
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:
Project # 66
Center name: Buseck Center for Meteorite Studies
Campus/Location: Tempe
Faculty lead: Rhonda Stroud
Project description
The project will involve laboratory studies of meteorites with scanning electron microscopy, X-ray computed tomography, and other methods, working with the Director of the Center for Meteorite Studies, and graduate students in her group.
Special skills needed
introductory coursework in physics, chemistry, or astronomy or geology,
python programming
Majors
SESE, Physics, Chemistry, computer science
Years
2nd Year Students, 3rd Year Students, 4th Year Students- Seniors
Themes
Cross-listed with the following themes:
Project # 67
Center name: School of Life Sciences
Campus/Location: Tempe
Faculty lead: Hinsby Cadillo-Quiroz
Project description
This a microbiology and engineering project where, along with PhD student, we seek to test various combinations of microbial cultures to optimize the growth and activity of methanotrophic bacteria and heterotrophic bacteria. Fundamentally, this experiment will be built on physiology and genomic data testing whether metabolic interactions can complement and provide a mixed growth where the limitations of low levels of methane can be alleviated by heterotrophs co-metabolism.
This a computationally assisted (engineering) and bench-driven (microbiology) project, where complementary interactions will allow testing hundreds of permutations testing microbial strains.
Special skills needed
Students that have completed Mic 220 and 205, or MIC 300 level classes will be considered for students focusing in Microbiology component, students who have completed Process or Bioreactor engineering classes (or equivalent) will be considered. Experience in microbiology labs, Arduino systems, or bioreactor system will be highly considered
Majors
Microbiology, Environmental Engineering, Chemical Engineering
Years
4th Year Students- Seniors, 3rd Year Students
Themes
Cross-listed with the following themes:
Project # 68
Center name: Center for Health Promotion and Disease Prevention
Campus/Location: Downtown, Flexible to remote and/or in-person
Faculty lead: Rachel Gur-Arie
Project description
Our lab aims to provide a more ethics-forward, in-depth understanding of public health, ethics, and healthcare. We focus on investigating the influence of religion and spirituality on vaccine hesitancy and the tension that may exist for religious healthcare workers in the United States. We also draw attention to the health equity and ethical concerns that the intersection of genomic medicine and infectious disease research raises in federally qualified health centers, which provide primary care to under-resourced patients in medically underserved communities in the U.S. Through a mix of qualitative and quantitative methodologies, our lab has worked closely with diverse communities and healthcare providers, to gain insightful knowledge on how to develop more ethical practices.
Special skills needed
Skill in effective communication, both verbal and written. Knowledge of modern research methods, data collection, and analyses. Proficient in critical thinking, time management, teamwork, and problem-solving skills.
Majors
No specific major is required.
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:
Project # 69
Center name: Fisher Lab
Campus/Location: Tempe
Faculty lead: Rebecca Fisher
Project description
Dr. Rebecca Fisher (Professor, School of Life Sciences and Director of Anatomy, School of Medicine and Advanced Medical Engineering (SOMME)) is collaborating with colleagues in the SOMME and the School of Biological & Health Systems Engineering
to design an innovative curriculum for medical students that integrates anatomy, medical imaging, and clinical skills training. The Virtual Anatomy Project will include opportunities for students to: 1) assess the pros and cons of existing extended reality platforms, AI tools, and other educational technologies, 2) explore new ways to utilize existing and emerging technologies to design an integrated anatomy, medical imaging, and clinical skills curriculum, and 3) critically assess the learning outcomes of these curricula.
Special skills needed
Seeking students who have taken at least one college-level anatomy course (e.g., BIO 201 or equivalent) and have experience using XR platforms and AI.
Majors
All majors welcome, but prior coursework in biology, engineering, and other related sciences will be helpful for this project.
Years
2nd Year Students, 3rd Year Students
Themes
Cross-listed with the following themes:
Project # 70
Center name: Active Schools & Communities Lab
Campus/Location: Downtown
Faculty lead: Allison Poulos
Project description
Join Dr. 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. On this project, 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. Our project will measure changes in behavior and attitudes after the installation of protected bike lanes, and provide 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; Preferred availability on Wednesdays or Thursdays
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, Engineering, Health and Wellness, Social and Behavioral Sciences, Sustainability
Project # 71
Center name: Active Schools & Communities Lab
Campus/Location: Downtown, Flexible to remote and/or in-person
Faculty lead: Allison Poulos
Project description
Join Dr. Allison Poulos in the College of Health Solutions and an interdisciplinary student and faculty group working on a joint project with the Arizona Department of Health Services (ADHS) and Arizona Department of Education (ADE) to promote children's health in schools. Our team works with ADHS and ADE to administer a statewide survey to schools in Arizona to understand which schools have supportive wellness and physical activity policies and practices, and which schools need more assistance. Our Barrett Fellows assist with data management, data analysis, and dissemination of results. The goal of our project is to translate evidence from our survey directly to school administrators, champions, and policymakers to support children's health.
Special skills needed
Interest in learning about OR experience working with large amounts of data; Preferred availability on Thursdays
Majors
Public Health, Health Sciences, Population Health, Education, Social Work, Public Service, Communication, Family and Social Dynamics
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:
Education, Health and Wellness, Social and Behavioral Sciences
Project # 72
Center name: Active Schools & Communities Lab
Campus/Location: Downtown
Faculty lead: Allison Poulos
Project description
Interested in helping schools make informed decisions to support physical activity when it's hot? Join our study to learn about the strategies used and challenges schools face; and collect data to identify thermal exposure among children playing in different schoolyard environments. This project will include collecting some primary data at schools in the Phoenix region and working with existing data. Our team collaborates and supports other labs at ASU including Dr. Vanos' Human Biometeorology Lab and Dr. Middel's SHaDE lab.
Special skills needed
Interest in learning about OR experience with data collection (observations, interviews, environmental sensoring); Data entry; Data analysis; Creating reports/presentations; Preferred availability on Wednesdays
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, Education, Health and Wellness, Social and Behavioral Sciences, Sustainability
Project # 73
Center name: Participatory Governance Initiative
Campus/Location: Flexible to remote and/or in-person
Faculty lead: Daniel Schugurensky
Project description
This project consists of an analysis of youth participation in institutional spaces in the Phoenix metropolitan area with a focus on three case studies: school participatory budgeting, youth advisory council (municipal level) and student government at the college level. For each case study, the project will start with three questions: a) who participate; b) how do they participate; and c) what for?
Different levels and types of participation will be examined, considering key demographic variables of participants.
The study will also include process and impact evaluation.
Special skills needed
Ability to collect, analyze and interpret data,
Ability to conduct interviews and focus groups,
Familiarity with youth engagement, especially youth advisory councils (municipal level) and student government (college level).
Majors
Public service, Public policy, Political science, Education, Justice studies
Years
3rd Year Students, 4th Year Students- Seniors
Themes
Cross-listed with the following themes:
Education, Law, Justice, and Public Service, Social and Behavioral Sciences
Project # 74
Center name: ASU Social Media Observatory
Campus/Location: Fully remote
Faculty lead: Bryan Henderson
Project description
This research seeks to identify trends in how students make sense of science-related information (e.g., climate change; COVID vaccinations) through social media, and then informed by these trends, design classroom interventions to support students in more critically evaluating the different ways science information is spread throughout digital social networks like TikTok, YouTube, Instagram, and Facebook.
My research team has been developing classroom activities for middle school students designed to help them think more critically about the science-related information they encounter on social media. For example, we have been developing classroom activities where students have to make sense of conflicting evidence about climate change being shared by two different hypothetical accounts on social media. These activities are being delivered to students through a classroom technology I created called Braincandy.
I would gladly welcome 1-3 Barrett College Fellows that are interested in helping further the development of these social media classroom activities and assist with pilot testing them at local schools.
Special skills needed
While all necessary skills can be trained during the research itself, some experience with digital content creation (e.g., graphic design; presentation creation; image editing) is desirable. A genuine interest in education and/or science-related issues is also a plus.
Majors
This research is at the intersection of science/technology, psychology/sociology, and education. Hence, this opportunity is relevant to many different academic majors. We seek students concerned with social media misinformation and interested in helping address the issue through the development of classroom materials that support more critical sensemaking of information shared on social media networks.
Years
ASU Online Barrett Honors Students (fully remote work), 4th Year Students- Seniors, 3rd Year Students
Themes
Cross-listed with the following themes:
Biological, Chemical, and Physical Sciences, Education, Journalism, Communication, and Mass Media, Social and Behavioral Sciences
Project # 75
Center name: College of Health Solutions
Campus/Location: Downtown
Faculty lead: My VT Phan
Project description
My lab research aims to document the local viruses found in the environment in Maricopa County (eg. dust, air, water, insects). The project will involve sample handling, extraction of nucleic acids and genomic sequencing using the MinION platform. The resulting sequence data will be computationally processed to identify virus genomic sequences and important patterns will be examined. Some possible questions to be answered are: (a) are there geographical or condition-specific viruses, (b) what additional features determine the type and abundance of local environmental viruses, and (c) how do local patterns compare to those observed in other parts of the world? Depending on student’s background and research interests, the student will have the opportunity to learn (i) how a biological experiment in virus genomics is set up; (ii) knowledge and experience in both wet-lab (molecular biology) and dry-lab (bioinformatics) in virus genomics research; (iii) rapid MinION sequencing, and (iv) phylogenetics analyses to virus sequence data.
Special skills needed
The student is expected to have some experience with molecular biology (eg. basic lab safety, pipetting) and basic computer skills. Careful attention to detail, organization and time management are essential.
Majors
Microbiology, Evolutionary Biology, Evolution and Medicine, Environmental Life Sciences, Biology, Molecular Biology, Computational Life Sciences, Molecular Biology
Years
4th Year Students- Seniors, 3rd Year Students
Themes
Cross-listed with the following themes:
Biological, Chemical, and Physical Sciences, Data Analytics and Mathematics, Health and Wellness
Project # 76
Center name: Center for Biological Design and Biomimetics
Campus/Location: Tempe
Faculty lead: Petr Sulc
Project description
Have you ever tried to assemble Legos just by shaking the box? Nature does this successfully all the time, and in biomolecular nanotechnology, we try to imitate this process to construct nanoscale machines. We use designed molecules (made out of DNA, RNA, or proteins) as basic building blocks that self-assemble and arrange in 3D to create nanoscale structures and devices, with applications ranging from biomanufacturing to diagnostics and therapeutics. Our group develops design and simulation tools to understand the device assembly and operation, and we are seeking to enhance our tools by AI-driven design component (e.g. training machine learning models to help to automate the design and verification of nanostructure in-silico, integration of chatGPT into the tools, etc). The work will be performed in close collaboration with the experimental section of our lab, and we will aim to experimentally verify some of the AI-generated designs.
Special skills needed
We are seeking students with experience with coding in javascript, python and/or C++. Prior experience with machine learning and training of deep neural networks / LLMs is a plus.
Majors
Computer science, Physics, Math, 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, Data Analytics and Mathematics, Engineering
Project # 77
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. 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
Project # 78
Center name: SILC
Campus/Location: Tempe, Flexible to remote and/or in-person
Faculty lead: Olga Kellert
Project description
This project examines how social backgrounds influence the understanding of COVID-19 information disseminated by high-impact news outlets in Peru and Ecuador. Using data collected from indigenous and non-indigenous communities, the study employs interdisciplinary methods, including statistical analyses, to evaluate belief states and their alignment with news content (Reference Corpus).
Honor students will analyze the dataset (provided in Excel) to determine whether knowledge about virus treatment varies by cultural, linguistic, age, or gender differences. They will also contextualize their findings within broader social and cultural research frameworks. This project offers students a practical, hands-on experience in quantitative analysis while emphasizing the integration of cultural contexts into data interpretation.
Special skills needed
Familiarity with quantitative data analysis techniques and tools (e.g., Excel, R, or Python). Basic understanding of research methods, particularly in social sciences. Cultural sensitivity and interest in working with diverse populations and data. Understand Spanish or use Google Translate.
Majors
Social and Behavioral sciences, Data analytics/Statistics
Years
3rd Year Students, 4th Year Students- Seniors, ASU Online Barrett Honors Students (fully remote work)
Themes
Cross-listed with the following themes:
Data Analytics and Mathematics, Education, Humanities, Social and Behavioral Sciences
Project # 79
Center name: School of Complex Adaptive Systems
Campus/Location: Tempe
Faculty lead: Enrico Borriello
Project description
A key focus of complexity studies is understanding how interactions within dynamic networks give rise to emergent complexity and behaviors. By joining this project, the student will have the opportunity to explore the fundamental principles of network theory, including key concepts and quantitative metrics for analyzing network properties at both global and local scales. They will apply mathematical models and computational tools to investigate the structure and dynamics of complex systems across a variety of real-world domains, ranging from biological to social and technological networks.
Specifically, the student will gain the tools to identify network motifs associated with the directional transfer of information and uncover how these motifs relate to overall network functionality and behavior. This project provides a data-driven approach to tackling complexity science problems, integrating analytical methodologies with Python-based computational tools.
Special skills needed
Basic understanding of calculus, probability and statistics, and Python.
Majors
Biological, Chemical, and Physical Sciences, Business and Entrepreneurship, Data Analytics and Mathematics, Engineering, Social and Behavioral Sciences
Years
ASU Online Barrett Honors Students (fully remote work), 4th Year Students- Seniors, 3rd Year Students, 2nd Year Students, First Year Students (new to ASU Fall 2025)
Themes
Cross-listed with the following themes:
Biological, Chemical, and Physical Sciences, Business and Entrepreneurship, Data Analytics and Mathematics, Engineering, Social and Behavioral Sciences
Project # 80
Center name: School of Molecular Sciences & Biodesign Center for Molecular Design and Biomim…
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
4th Year Students- Seniors, 3rd Year Students, 2nd Year Students
Themes
Cross-listed with the following themes:
Project # 81
Center name: Center for Indian Education
Campus/Location: Flexible to remote and/or in-person
Faculty lead: Brooke Curleyhair
Project description
This project focuses on the development of a culturally relevant and responsive educational (CRRE) curriculum for grades 6-12 that examines the history of American Indian boarding schools in the Southwest U.S. The curriculum will address the legacies of colonialism and assimilation policies, as well as the intergenerational trauma caused by boarding school systems, which have disrupted cultural continuity and created barriers to educational success for Indigenous youth. The goal is to reconnect students with Indigenous histories specific to the Southwest, challenging dominant narratives in mainstream education.
The curriculum will integrate primary sources, including Indigenous voices, and encourage critical engagement with issues such as sovereignty, power dynamics, and the consequences of education policies. It is designed to help Indigenous students feel pride and belonging, while offering all students the opportunity to explore historical injustices and their ongoing impact.
The faculty lead is Dr. Jessica Solyom, Associate Director for the Center for Indian Education, along with CIE Policy Analyst, Brooke Curleyhair. Together, they will guide the development and implementation of this curriculum, ensuring it meets state-mandated educational standards while fostering critical inquiry and action-oriented lessons.
Special skills needed
- Strong research and critical thinking skills
- Interest in Indigenous education, history, or policy
- Ability to analyze and synthesize primary sources
- Strong written and verbal communication skills
- Familiarity with culturally responsive pedagogy (preferred but not required)
- Basic curriculum development skills or interest in curriculum design
- Knowledge of or willingness to learn about American Indian boarding schools and their impact
Majors
Education, History, Indigenous Studies, Public Policy, Sociology, Humanities, Anthropology, Social Work, Journalism
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:
Education, Humanities, Law, Justice, and Public Service, Social and Behavioral Sciences
Project # 83
Center name: Global Center for Applied Health Research
Campus/Location: Downtown
Faculty lead: Flavio Marsiglia
Project description
Directed by Dr. Flavio Marsiglia, the Research Communication and Dissemination Assistant will support the Global Center by enhancing its research dissemination and public health education strategy through social media content strategy, marketing materials and reports. Ideal for a student interested in public health education, health communication, social media marketing and/or public relations.
Special skills needed
Public health communication, social media, graphic design, report writing, journalism
Majors
Graphic design, journalism, communications, public health
Years
4th Year Students- Seniors, 3rd Year Students, 2nd Year Students, First Year Students (new to ASU Fall 2025)
Themes
Cross-listed with the following themes:
Health and Wellness, Journalism, Communication, and Mass Media, Social and Behavioral Sciences
Project # 84
Center name: Global Center for Applied Health Research
Campus/Location: Downtown
Faculty lead: Stephen Kulis
Project description
Led by Dr. Stephen Kulis, the Parenting in 2 Worlds (P2W) project addresses health disparities in urban American Indian/Alaska Native families. The research aims to identify if positive changes in parenting lead to improved youth health, providing crucial insights for community prevention interventions in urban AI communities. The student assistant will assist in data analysis, literature reviews, and researching relevant areas of the project to increase dissemination and research impact.
Special skills needed
Detail-oriented, excellent communication skills, ability to work in a team environment, entry-level data entry skills, literature review or literature research , academic writing, meeting minutes , editing and graphic design.
Majors
Social work, Public Health, Global health, American Indian Studies, Psychology, Sociology, Public Policy. We are open to other majors as well.
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:
Project # 85
Center name: School of Sustainable Engineering and the Built Environment
Campus/Location: Tempe
Faculty lead: Dwarak Ravikumar
Project description
This project will use a combination of computer vision and physics-based models to determine the water use and losses of cooling towers in commercial buildings. The student is expected to conduct and assist in research and writing code on identifying structures in satellite/drone imagery using computer vision. Subsequently, the student will apply principles of physics and thermodynamics to the results of the computer vision analysis and determine the waste loads and losses of cooling towers in Arizona.
Special skills needed
Artificial intelligence and/or Computer vision
Majors
Computer Science Engineering, Environmental Engineering, Sustainable Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Chemical Engineering
Years
4th Year Students- Seniors
Themes
Cross-listed with the following themes:
Project # 86
Center name: School of Sustainable Engineering and the Built Environment
Campus/Location: Tempe
Faculty lead: Dwarak Ravikumar
Project description
The student will be expected to analyze big data and write code to quantify the amount of human urine that is being generated in commercial buildings in the state of Arizona. Based on the volume of HU generated, the next step will be to determine how can this HU be used as fertilizers for the crops grown in AZ, develop and optimization algorithm to develop and locate the infrastructure required to convert HU to fertilizers and quantify the associated environmental benefits of implement this circular economy from HU to food systems.
Special skills needed
Data analysis, Big data, Python coding, Statistics
Majors
Computer science engineering, Environmental Engineering, Chemical Engineering
Years
4th Year Students- Seniors, 3rd Year Students
Themes
Cross-listed with the following themes:
Project # 87
Center name: Views of Aging, Health, & Well-Being Lab
Campus/Location: Downtown, Flexible to remote and/or in-person
Faculty lead: Hannah Giasson
Project description
Dr. Giasson’s lab examines the social and environmental contexts that shape views of aging and the impact of such views on people’s health and well-being. Students in the lab will have opportunities to collaborate on research projects investigating the emergence of attitudes and beliefs about aging and evaluating the cognitive, behavioral, social, emotional, and physiological implications of age stereotypes. Projects in the lab also explore potential ways to improve views of aging across the life span.
Special skills needed
Strong verbal & written communication, well-organized, willingness to learn & adapt, experience with data analysis especially welcomed
Majors
Psychology, Nursing, Community Health, Integrative Health, Social Work, Biological Sciences, Communications/Journalism, Pre-Medicine, Sociology, Health & Wellness, Public Health, Health Sciences & Medical Studies, Human Development
Years
2nd Year Students, 3rd Year Students, 4th Year Students- Seniors
Themes
Cross-listed with the following themes:
Project # 88
Center name: School of Sustainable Engineering and the Built Environment
Campus/Location: Tempe
Faculty lead: Dwarak Ravikumar
Project description
This project seeks to implement a circular economy from solar panels to Concrete. More specifically, the student will be expected to be part of a team focusing on experimental research and analysis to assess how the properties of concrete change when we add solar glass to it, how to best improve the properties of concrete from glass addition and quantify the associated environmental benefits. The student will help in experimental work, conduction analysis and co-authoring a paper.
Special skills needed
Experimental research relating to preparing concrete samples containing glass and measuring the properties of the said concrete sample. Analysis the results from the experimental research. Quantifying the sustainability benefits from this circular economy.
Majors
Civil engineering, Construction engineering and management
Years
4th Year Students- Seniors, 3rd Year Students
Themes
Cross-listed with the following themes:
Project # 89
Center name: Global Center for Applied Health Research
Campus/Location: Downtown
Faculty lead: Sun Lee
Project description
The Keeping it REAL (KiR) project aims to reduce substance use among adolescents in Mexico and address related negative outcomes such as violence. Under the supervision of Dr. Sun Lee, the research assistant will support the project by conducting literature reviews, assisting with data cleaning, and contributing to dissemination efforts to maximize research impact. This position provides an opportunity for students interested in prevention science, public health, and community-based interventions to support efforts in promoting adolescent well-being.
Special skills needed
Detail-oriented, excellent communication skills, ability to work in a team environment, entry-level data entry skills, literature review or literature research, academic writing, meeting minutes and editing.
Majors
Social work, Public Health, Global health, Psychology, Sociology, Public Policy. We are open to other majors as well.
Years
2nd Year Students, 3rd Year Students, 4th Year Students- Seniors
Themes
Cross-listed with the following themes:
Project # 90
Center name:
Campus/Location: Fully remote
Faculty lead: Chelsea Reynolds
Project description
We seek two Barrett College Fellows to conduct humanistic and/or social science research focused on representations of marginalized communities and media subcultures. The fellows will advance critical media studies questions about the intersections of mass communication, race, gender, sexuality, disability, and social class.
As part of the Cronkite School’s new Center for Culture & Inclusion in Media (CCIM), the Barrett fellows will gain hands-on experience developing literature reviews, framing research questions, and empirically analyzing media texts for their political and social constructions of difference. Fellows should be familiar with qualitative research methods.
There are multiple papers currently in development: 1) a content analysis of newspaper coverage of Drag Queen Story Hour bans; 2) a grounded theory of Latinx mental health influencer content, 3) an exploratory study of LGBTQ+ gun rights discourse online; and 4) a lyrical analysis of masculinity in the Drake vs. Kendrick rap battles.
Projects will vary based on grant funding and journal calls for papers. Barrett fellows will work remotely to assist the director, affiliate faculty members, and doctoral research assistants.
The faculty mentor is the CCIM Director, Chelsea Reynolds, Ph.D. Reach out with any questions: [email protected].
Special skills needed
- Comfortable working with and writing about subcultures and marginalized communities.
- Must show sensitivity toward difficult topics, such as race, gender, sexuality, ability status, and social class.
- Experience as a student journalist and/or experience working with qualitative data.
- Strong writer.
- Confident working remotely as part of a virtual team.
Majors
Journalism and Mass Communication; Mass Communication and Media Studies; Social and Cultural Analysis; Communication; Sociology; Gender Women & Sexuality Studies; African and African American Studies; American Indian Studies
Years
3rd Year Students, 4th Year Students- Seniors, ASU Online Barrett Honors Students (fully remote work)
Themes
Cross-listed with the following themes:
Humanities, Journalism, Communication, and Mass Media, Social and Behavioral Sciences
Project # 91
Center name:
Campus/Location: Flexible to remote and/or in-person
Faculty lead: Tracy Perkins
Project description
Environmental Justice Wikipedia Project: Conduct background research to identify strong source material for new articles about US environmental justice activists on Wikipedia. Student will be trained in finding and evaluating source material. Depending on student interest and ability, student may edit existing Wikipedia articles on environmental justice activists.
Environmental Justice Oral History collection: Edit transcripts of oral history interviews with environmental justice activists to prepare them for public release. Student will be trained in the editing process.
Perkins is faculty lead for all of the above. Depending on student interests and project needs, students could be assigned to either of these projects.
Special skills needed
Detail oriented
Responsible and reliable
All project skills can be taught, but familiarity with social movements, environmental justice, library sciences, racism and other forms of social inequality, oral history, literature reviews, Wikipedia and/or archiving is a plus.
Majors
Most humanities and social science degrees will be appropriate. Particularly useful degrees include: Justice Studies, Transborder Studies, American Indian Studies, Asian Pacific American Studies, African and African American Studies, Gender, Women and Sexuality Studies, Sociology, History and American Studies.
Years
ASU Online Barrett Honors Students (fully remote work), 4th Year Students- Seniors, 3rd Year Students, 2nd Year Students, First Year Students (new to ASU Fall 2025)
Themes
Cross-listed with the following themes:
Education, Health and Wellness, Humanities, Journalism, Communication, and Mass Media, Law, Justice, and Public Service, Social and Behavioral Sciences, Sustainability
Project # 92
Center name: School of Molecular Sciences & School of Ocean Futures
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. For more information visit https://sms.asu.edu and https://oceans.asu.edu.
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).
Majors
Chemistry, biochemistry, (case dependent: conservation biology, cellular biology)
Years
3rd Year Students, 4th Year Students- Seniors
Themes
Cross-listed with the following themes:
Project # 93
Center name: SolarSPELL
Campus/Location: Tempe, Flexible to remote and/or in-person, Fully remote
Faculty lead: Laura Hosman
Project description
SolarSPELL is seeking 3-4 interns to curate regionally-relevant, engaging, and educational Wikipedia articles to add to our offline digital libraries that are used around the globe. Wikipedia for Schools (WFS) is a curated selection of ~7,000 articles from the full Wikipedia article catalog that are meant to be school-friendly and support existing curriculum. The SolarSPELL initiative includes WFS as a collection of our offline, digital libraries, which are localized for the community using them. As such, further review of WFS is necessary to assess what new articles to include and what articles to (perhaps) weed out in order to be as relevant as possible to our in-country library users around the world. This project would require research into relevant supporting materials for curricula where SolarSPELL currently has libraries, including countries in the Pacific Islands, East Africa, and Southern Africa. Students proficient in Arabic may also work on the Arabic WFS for our Northeast Syria library.
Special skills needed
- Ability to conduct research
- Thrive in a team environment and work well with others
- Detail oriented and reliable; a strong and honest work ethic motivates you
- Globally minded; you have a desire to work for a department that serves communities from all over the world
Majors
All 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:
Education, Humanities, Journalism, Communication, and Mass Media, Social and Behavioral Sciences, Sustainability
Project # 94
Center name: SolarSPELL
Campus/Location: Tempe, Flexible to remote and/or in-person, Fully remote
Faculty lead: Laura Hosman
Project description
SolarSPELL is seeking students to curate regionally-relevant, open access, educational content for our Middle East library collection that is currently used in the Autonomous Region of North and East Syria (AANES). Proficiency in Arabic, Kurdish, OR Syriac is required. The Arabic collection on our digital library currently includes over 1500 resources. Students in this role will oversee the expansion and further development of the Arabic collection for use in North and East Syria and beyond. This is the first library to curate local content in three languages: Arabic, Kurdish, and Syriac. More information about our partnership with AANES can be found here: https://solarspell.org/rebuilding-education-during-conflict.
Special skills needed
- Arabic, Kurdish, or Syriac proficiency
- Thrive in a team environment and work well with others
- Detail oriented and reliable; a strong and honest work ethic motivates you
- Globally minded; you have a desire to work for a department that serves communities from all over the world
Majors
All 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:
Education, Humanities, Journalism, Communication, and Mass Media, Law, Justice, and Public Service, Social and Behavioral Sciences, Sustainability
Project # 95
Center name: SolarSPELL
Campus/Location: Tempe, Fully remote, Flexible to remote and/or in-person
Faculty lead: Laura Hosman
Project description
SolarSPELL is seeking enthusiastic interns with a passion for French, education, and community development to help curate culturally relevant, open-access educational content for our newest French language library, set to empower communities in West Africa. Students will work closely with the SolarSPELL team to prioritize content needs and address feedback. This opportunity allows for in-depth research on the cultural, linguistic, and educational contexts of West African / Sub-Saharan African countries, with a preliminary focus on Senegal, Cameroon, and/or Benin.
Special skills needed
- Strong written and verbal communication skills in both French and English.
- Thrive in a team environment and work well with others
- Detail oriented and reliable; a strong and honest work ethic motivates you
- Experience with online research, document curation, or working with open access resources.
- Globally minded; you have a desire to work for a department that serves communities from all over the world
Majors
All 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:
Education, Humanities, Journalism, Communication, and Mass Media, Social and Behavioral Sciences, Sustainability
Project # 96
Center name: SolarSPELL
Campus/Location: Tempe, Flexible to remote and/or in-person, Fully remote
Faculty lead: Laura Hosman
Project description
SolarSPELL is looking for students with a strong passion for agriculture to help research and curate region-specific, open-access educational content for SolarSPELL’s Agriculture Library. New students will build on the foundation established by previous student teams, enhancing the library’s resources. The Agriculture Library focuses on climate change adaptation strategies for small-scale subsistence farmers in regions like South Sudan and Rwanda. A background in small-scale agriculture, including crops such as coffee and corn, as well as knowledge of climate change impacts is essential for effective research and content curation.
Special skills needed
- Background knowledge and/or experience with agricultural practices
- Detail oriented and reliable; a strong and honest work ethic motivates you
- Globally minded; you have a desire to work for a department that serves communities from all over the world
Majors
All 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:
Project # 97
Center name: OASIS Learning Futures Collaborative; Mary Lou Fulton College
Campus/Location: Tempe
Faculty lead: Erin Rotheram-Fuller
Project description
We can support up to four students for this project where we are using drama during story time to increase communication, engagement and literacy skills for preschool aged children who are minimally verbal.
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!
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
Project # 98
Center name: SolarSPELL
Campus/Location: Tempe, Fully remote, Flexible to remote and/or in-person
Faculty lead: Laura Hosman
Project description
SolarSPELL is seeking a team of students who are passionate about science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) to curate regionally-relevant, open-access, educational content for the collections in the SolarSPELL library. Students will review, research, and select high-quality STEM resources that align with the curricula and educational needs of SolarSPELL’s target regions, including countries in the Pacific Islands, East Africa, Northeast Syria, and Southern Africa. Interns will focus on ensuring that materials are engaging, culturally appropriate, and suitable for offline learning environments. This project will also involve identifying gaps in the existing library collections and sourcing innovative content that supports foundational STEM education and sparks curiosity in learners worldwide.
Special skills needed
- Interest in STEM Education: Passion for science, technology, engineering, and mathematics topics.
- Ability to thrive in a team environment and work effectively with others.
- Detail oriented and reliable; a strong and honest work ethic motivates you
- Globally minded; you have a desire to work for a department that serves communities from all over the world
Majors
All 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, Data Analytics and Mathematics, Education, Engineering, Sustainability
Project # 99
Center name: SolarSPELL
Campus/Location: Flexible to remote and/or in-person, Tempe, Fully remote
Faculty lead: Laura Hosman
Project description
SolarSPELL is seeking a music production intern to assist in the editing and production of songs that reflect the mission and values of our global educational initiative. The final product(s) will be used in various media and outreach initiatives, enhancing our organization's branding and storytelling efforts. This role offers the unique opportunity to apply music editing skills in a meaningful way, contributing to an organization that aims to improve access to education in resource-constrained regions to children around the world.
Special skills needed
- Experience in music production, including audio editing, mixing, and mastering
- Proficiency in music production software
- Strong attention to detail and the ability to work independently while meeting deadlines
- Globally minded; you have a desire to work for a department that serves communities from all over the world
Majors
All 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:
Art, Architecture, and Design, Education, Humanities, Journalism, Communication, and Mass Media, Social and Behavioral Sciences, Sustainability
Project # 100
Center name: Biodiversity Knowledge Integration Center
Campus/Location: Tempe
Faculty lead: Matthew Jones
Project description
Fragmentary remains of multiple undescribed new species of fossil bats and insectivorous mammals are in need of description and analysis. These specimens are between 60-45 million years old, a time interval during which earth experienced multiple significant warming events. Our lab studies how climatic and other abiotic changes during this time period impacted mammalian evolution and biogeography, and the description of these new species will be important to our broader understanding of these changes at this point in earth history.
Special skills needed
Attention to detail; patience; willingness to learn anatomical terminology and taxonomy of small mammal fossils; writing skills; basic understanding of how to read a scientific paper.
Majors
Biological Sciences, Earth and Environmental Sciences
Years
2nd Year Students, 3rd Year Students, 4th Year Students- Seniors
Themes
Cross-listed with the following themes:
Project # 101
Center name: School of Life Sciences, Social Insect Research Group
Campus/Location: Tempe
Faculty lead: Stephen Pratt
Project description
Brood, encompassing eggs, larvae, and pupae, constitutes a crucial component within insect colonies, representing a significant investment of time and resources. Brood are particularly vulnerable during the emigration of ant colonies, when they must be transported from the old nest to the new one, distinguishing ants from other eusocial insects like bees, wasps, and termites, which typically abandon their brood at the old nest during emigration. Extensive research has explored emigration and brood transport behaviors in various ant species, with a particular focus on the well-studied genus Temnothorax over the past two decades. However, our recent investigations have revealed a novel behavior: sequential brood transfer during the emigration of T. rugatulus, where a returning ant attempts to take over a brood item being transported by another ant. While sequential transport is documented in other ant species during the foraging process, its occurrence during emigration has only been observed in Camponotus yamaokai. This study aims to elucidate the mechanisms and potential advantages of sequential brood transfer during emigration, contributing to a deeper understanding of the ecological forces that shape the evolution of this behavior.
Special skills needed
No specific skills are required, as key methods will be taught during the fellowship.
Majors
Biology, Biochemistry, and Psychology are all appropriate. Students in other majors who are interested in studying animal behavior are also welcome to apply.
Years
First Year Students (new to ASU Fall 2025), 2nd Year Students, 3rd Year Students
Themes
Cross-listed with the following themes:
Project # 102
Center name: School of Life Sciences, Social Insect Research Group
Campus/Location: Tempe
Faculty lead: Stephen Pratt
Project description
Nest site selection is a critical collective decision for ant colonies, directly influencing survival, brood development, and resource accessibility. Ants of the genus Temnothorax are a model system for studying nest site selection. In particular, studies on rock-crevice-nesting ant T. rugatulus have shown the importance of cavity size and light levels as drivers of nest choice. However, the role of another key feature—the crevice slope—remains poorly understood. Emigrating colonies can choose among crevices with a range of inclines, from horizontal to vertical. Field observations suggest that the ants prefer crevices with a 45° incline, perhaps reflecting a balance between a stable substrate and effective drainage. No experimental test of slope preference has been conducted. This project will fill this gap through controlled laboratory experiments in which colonies are given a choice between artificial crevice nests differing in slope. By complementing field observations of natural nest geometries, this study aims to unravel how slope influences microhabitat selection in ants, offering insights into the evolution of adaptations to rocky ecosystems.
Special skills needed
No specific skills are required, as key methods will be taught during the fellowship.
Majors
Biology, Biochemistry, and Psychology are all appropriate. Students in other majors who are interested in studying animal behavior are also welcome to apply.
Years
First Year Students (new to ASU Fall 2025), 2nd Year Students, 3rd Year Students
Themes
Cross-listed with the following themes:
Project # 103
Center name: School of Life Sciences, Social Insect Research Group
Campus/Location: Tempe
Faculty lead: Stephen Pratt
Project description
Pharmacological manipulation offers a unique lens through which to study the neurobiological basis of collective behavior. Caffeine, a stimulant known to enhance cognitive performance in vertebrates, has been shown to improve foraging efficiency in ants, most likely by modulating neurotransmitter activity. This project examines how caffeine exposure influences decision-making and consensus-building during nest site selection in Temnothorax rugatulus. Colonies will be provisioned with caffeine-laced sucrose solutions, followed by emigration assays to assess changes in scouting, recruitment, quorum threshold, and error rates (e.g., choosing inferior nests). Parallel experiments will test if caffeine disrupts or sharpens collective preferences under time constraints. This study bridges individual physiology and social complexity by linking neurochemical perturbations to group-level outcomes, offering novel insights into the evolution of collective cognition and the potential ecological consequences of anthropogenic pollutants on insect societies.
Special skills needed
No specific skills are required, as key methods will be taught during the fellowship.
Majors
Biology, Biochemistry, and Psychology are all appropriate. Students in other majors who are interested in studying animal behavior are also welcome to apply.
Years
First Year Students (new to ASU Fall 2025), 2nd Year Students, 3rd Year Students
Themes
Cross-listed with the following themes:
Project # 104
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.
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
Project # 105
Center name: Collective Logic Lab, School of Complex Adaptive Systems
Campus/Location: Tempe
Faculty lead: Bryan Daniels
Project description
Inside each of your cells, a complicated choreography determines which proteins will be produced and how the cell will behave. This can be understood using Boolean networks: For instance, if gene X and gene Y are expressed, then this will cause gene Z to be expressed. Large networks of these interactions, essentially Boolean logic gates, define how cells respond to their environment or change into different cell types. Experimental data on the expression of genes in single cells is giving us greater insight into the logic of these networks. The long-term goal of this project is to develop an algorithm to convert gene expression data to a prediction of which genes can most easily control a cell's fate. This project will involve data analysis and writing code in Python.
Special skills needed
Some degree of familiarity or desire to learn programming and data analysis in Python.
Majors
We are 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
Project # 106
Center name: Biodesign Compact X-ray Free Electron Laser Laboratory
Campus/Location: Tempe
Faculty lead: Nicholas Matlis
Project description
High energy pulses of terahertz radiation (commonly referred to as "THz pulses") in the millimeter-wave band have emerged as a new tool enabling exploration of fundamental properties of materials, development of new telecommunications standards and development of advanced accelerator technologies among other things. For materials science, the low photon energies in THz pulses allow interrogation of collective and quantum dynamics with unprecedented finesse, while for accelerators, the short wavelengths of THz pulses allow manipulation of electrons on small scales inaccessible by standard approaches. World-class infrastructure, both existing and under development, at the Biodesign Institute, including high-energy lasers as well as compact X-ray light sources combined with recent breakthroughs in THz-source technologies present multiple opportunities for unique research projects leveraging the benefits of high-energy THz pulses. Among these are development of new, efficient THz sources in collaboration with international partners; study of the nonlinear response of materials such as lithium niobate (which is ubiquitous across telecommunications technologies) driven by high-intensity laser pulses; and X-ray studies of atomic-scale dynamics of materials driven by intense THz pulses. Up to three students will be accepted for up to three projects with significant overlap to be supervised by Prof. Matlis.
Special skills needed
Strong physics & engineering background. Perseverance, aptitude for hands-on work and ability to leverage physical intuition and mathematical skills is necessary. Knowledge of optics, electromagnetism or lasers is a plus.
Majors
Physics, Engineering, Related
Years
4th Year Students- Seniors, 3rd Year Students, 2nd Year Students
Themes
Cross-listed with the following themes:
Project # 107
Center name: LightWorks
Campus/Location: Tempe
Faculty lead: Ivan Ermanoski
Project description
This project aims to develop materials and technologies for thermochemical hydrogen production for fuels, long-duration energy storage, and for chemical feedstocks. The project is predominantly lab-based and includes chemical synthesis, mechanical and electrical design, and experiment-computer interface.
Special skills needed
Interest in renewable energy, and in sustainable fuels and chemicals
Majors
Chemical, mechanical, electrical engineering, chemistry, physics, and related disciplines
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:
Project # 108
Center name: LightWorks
Campus/Location: Tempe
Faculty lead: Ivan Ermanoski
Project description
This project is working to develop a renewable alternative to the Haber-Bosch process for ammonia production as an important chemical for the production of nitrogen fertilizers and other critical chemicals. The project is predominantly lab-based and includes chemical synthesis, mechanical and electrical design, and experiment-computer interface.
Special skills needed
Interest in renewable energy, and in sustainable fuels and chemicals
Majors
Chemical, mechanical, electrical engineering, chemistry, physics, and related disciplines
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:
Project # 109
Center name:
Campus/Location: Tempe
Faculty lead: Susanne Neuer
Project description
We are seeking up to three motivated students with an interest in marine microbial ecology to join our marine lab at the Walton Center of Planetary Health on ASU's main campus. Our research focuses on the role of marine microbes in the formation of aggregates and sinking particles, a critical process in the global carbon cycle. This work explores the "Biological Carbon Pump," which drives the export of organic carbon to the deep ocean.
The students will gain hands-on experience with marine phytoplankton and bacteria, including growing axenic cultures and conducting experiments on microbial aggregation. With increasing proficiency in culturing and experimental techniques, the students will have the opportunity to engage in several research projects, such as:
1. Investigating the role of dissolved exudates from phytoplankton in bacterial growth and aggregate formation.
2. Examining how bacterial growth phases influence their aggregation potential.
3. Comparing the aggregation potential of bacteria grown in co-cultures versus individual strains.
This position provides an exciting opportunity to contribute to cutting-edge research on the intersection of marine microbiology and the global carbon cycle.
Special skills needed
MIC 220 and MIC 206
Majors
Microbiology, Biology
Years
2nd Year Students, 3rd Year Students, 4th Year Students- Seniors
Themes
Cross-listed with the following themes:
Project # 110
Center name: LightWorks
Campus/Location: Tempe
Faculty lead: Ivan Ermanoski
Project description
The goal of this project is to determine the feasibility of edible mushroom cultivation on abiotic substrates. The approach is a sustainable alternative to photosynthetic crops, to decrease the environmental footprint of food production by 100x, while improving nutritional quality and access to food and minimizing food waste. The project is predominantly lab-based and mycelium cultivation, mechanical and electrical design, and experiment-computer interface.
Special skills needed
Interest in in sustainable food systems
Majors
Biology, chemical, mechanical, electrical engineering, chemistry, physics, and related disciplines
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
Project # 111
Center name: Thinking Across Languages and Contexts (TALC) Lab
Campus/Location: West, Flexible to remote and/or in-person
Faculty lead: Alex Carstensen
Project description
Do speakers of different languages think about the world in qualitatively different ways, or do they just talk about it differently? How do children learn to understand abstract ideas, like similarity or time, and how do their day-to-day experiences with language and culture shape their cognitive development?
This research investigates similarities and differences in cognition between kids and adults from different contexts, as a function of the language(s) they speak and the cultures they have experience with. Our studies involve interactive puzzle games like guessing how to make a music box play or identifying a hidden picture, and open-ended play, like drawing pictures on a tablet. We use responses in these games to infer the structure of our participants’ concepts, and identify influences from language, culture, and other experiences.
Fellows will be instrumental in recruiting participants and collecting data from speakers of their language, including English! Data collection will occur on campus in our lab testing space and off campus at schools, museums, and other organizations like the Desert Botanical Garden. The ideal candidate is motivated, organized, excellent at working independently, and passionate about science and research in general.
Special skills needed
- We are currently seeking applicants who are fluent speakers of English, Spanish, Korean, Hindi, Telugu, and Gujarati, but bilinguals in Mandarin Chinese, Japanese, and other languages are also encouraged to apply.
- Multilingual and multicultural students are particularly encouraged to apply, especially those with Asian or Indigenous American heritage (in any part of the Americas: north, central, and south).
- Fellows wanting to work with kids should have extensive experience with young children, ages 3-8 years, though this may be in formal (e.g., daycare, summer camp) or informal (family) settings.
- Experience with R, javascript, php, and other programming languages is a bonus.
- Applicants must be available to run studies and participate in lab activities at least 10 hours per week.
Majors
Psychology, linguistics, education, data science, sociology, anthropology, interdisciplinary studies
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:
Data Analytics and Mathematics, Education, Humanities, Social and Behavioral Sciences
Project # 112
Center name: School of Politics and Global Studies
Campus/Location: Unknown
Faculty lead: Iris Acquarone
Project description
Political backlash to diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives poses a significant challenge to social progress and democratic stability. This project investigates the dynamics of backlash across Western democracies, focusing on Western Europe and the Americas, including the U.S. and Latin America. It examines how sociodemographic, cultural, and economic factors—along with the extent of inclusivity—shape responses to progressive DEI measures and potentially trigger backlash.
Drawing on a combination of observational data and original survey experiments, this research explores these patterns and evaluates interventions aimed at reducing backlash and depolarizing attitudes toward DEI agendas. The findings will provide insights into how different contexts and policies influence inclusivity’s acceptance or rejection.
I am seeking 3-4 undergraduate research assistants (RAs) to contribute to data collection, literature reviews, and analysis. This opportunity offers hands-on experience in political science research methods, data analysis, and experimental design while engaging with critical issues at the intersection of identity, inclusion, and political behavior.
Special skills needed
1. Interest in Political Science and Social Issues: Curiosity about diversity, equity, inclusion, and political behavior.
2. Willingness to Learn Research Methods: Openness to developing skills in literature reviews, data collection, and analysis.
3. Basic Technical Proficiency: Familiarity with or interest in learning tools like Excel, R, or Stata for data management and analysis.
4. Strong Communication Skills: Ability to write clearly and collaborate effectively; enthusiasm for improving these skills through mentorship.
5. Attention to Detail: A keen eye for accuracy and consistency, with guidance and support provided.
6. Motivation and Curiosity: Eagerness to engage in research tasks and explore new ideas, regardless of prior experience.
7. Flexibility and Teamwork: Willingness to work collaboratively and adapt to different tasks as needed.
Majors
Political Science, Sociology, Psychology, Economics, Public Policy, Data Science, Gender Studies, Ethnic Studies, International Relations, Anthropology, Communications, Statistics, Social Work, Computer Science.
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:
Project # 113
Center name: Sustainable Critical Minerals and Communities Laboratory
Campus/Location: Tempe, Flexible to remote and/or in-person
Faculty lead: Datu Buyung Agusdinata
Project description
In 2023, wind energy accounts for over 10% of electricity generation in the U.S., making it the country's largest renewable energy source. The U.S. has installed more than 145 GW of wind capacity. Offshore wind, though nascent, is projected to reach 30 GW by 2030.
The project explores the future evolution of wind energy technologies in the United States. In modeling such dynamics, the project will consider factors such as policy incentives, Innovations in turbine design, retirement rate of old turbines, availability of land and critical minerals, and installation and operating costs. The project covers both onshore wind farms and offshore projects. Based on several projections of wind energy capacity and the existing wind farm database, the project will use an Excel spreadsheet to model the retirement and addition of wind turbines for 2025-2050.
Special skills needed
Spreadsheet modeling, statistical and data analysis, basic software coding
Majors
Engineering, Technology, Sustainability
Years
3rd Year Students, ASU Online Barrett Honors Students (fully remote work)
Themes
Cross-listed with the following themes:
Project # 114
Center name: Kusumi Lab
Campus/Location: Tempe
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
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:
Project # 115
Center name: ASU Percussion Program/ New Morse Code
Campus/Location: Fully remote
Faculty lead: Michael Compitello
Project description
The Language of Landscapes Hub (LoL Hub) is a multi-media public digital resource designed to encourage action on climate change through engaged and collective observation and communication. LoL Hub combines field recordings and collectively recorded/performed music; interviews with humanities scholars and scientists; and models for community activities generated by musical ensemble New Morse Code (Hannah Collins and PI Michael Compitello), composer Christopher Stark, and participants in a number of community engagement activities throughout the US. LoL Hub will expand these in-person activities along lines recommended by humanities scholars and project consultants, encouraging members of the public to engage with one another’s acoustic ecologies, sonic history, and community priorities through the creation of a publicly available database of field recordings and musical compositions.
Project
Work with faculty lead Michael Compitello on creating a public-facing LoL Hub database and public interface, including ArcGIS, UI design, and StoryMap creation.
Assemble and tag project resources, design ArcGIS framework and additional content, including professionally recorded video interviews, photos/videos taken at project sites, and suggested reading/listening/activities.
Work with Compitello to design and create ArcGIS map, and ArcGIS StoryMaps, which will present project- and site-specific information for all extant project locations, introductions to the scholarship of project experts and consultants, and guidance for user participation. Create and add to the database of field recordings.
Special skills needed
ArcGIS, Database creation and editing, Geotagging sound files, photos, and videos, Meta-data tagging of sound files with component sounds (birds, water, wind, or specific musical instruments), Web editing: this project is primarily in ArcGIS and StoryMaps, but experience in web design is a plus, Experience in video and audio editing
Majors
Geographic Information Science (Online and in-person), Data Analytics, Global Futures, Innovation in Society, Sustainability, Media Arts and Sciences, Graphic information technology, Music, Interdisciplinary Studies
Years
ASU Online Barrett Honors Students (fully remote work), 4th Year Students- Seniors
Themes
Cross-listed with the following themes:
Project # 116
Center name: Dr. Danbi Seo's research project
Campus/Location: Downtown, Flexible to remote and/or in-person
Faculty lead: Danbi Seo
Project description
Capacity building is widely regarded as essential for strengthening nonprofit organizations. Strong capacity helps nonprofits to achieve their missions, adapt to external challenges, and increase long-term sustainability. Researchers and policymakers frequently advocate for capacity-building initiatives, yet the concept remains a broad and often ambiguous buzzword. Despite its prominence in nonprofit management discourse, little is known about how nonprofit practitioners themselves interpret and implement capacity-building efforts in practice.
This research projects attempts to bridge this gap by examining how nonprofit managers and practitioners define, experience, and prioritize capacity building within their organizations. To understand the diverse ways capacity building is understood and operationalized, the research team will conduct interviews and focus groups with nonprofit professionals across various domains. Barrett fellows will be responsible for helping data collection and analysis in this process. The findings are expected to offer valuable insights for scholars, funders, and policymakers aiming to support meaningful capacity-building efforts tailored to the realities of nonprofit organizations.
Special skills needed
-Analytical thinking and ability to synthesize information from multiple sources
-Experience and/or interest in qualitative research methods (e.g., interviews, focus groups)
-Familiarity with nonprofit management, capacity building, or organizational studies would be a plus.
-Attention to details; time management skills; strong ethical standards to handle confidential research data
Majors
Nonprofit management, public affairs, business management, or social science broadly
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:
Business and Entrepreneurship, Humanities, Social and Behavioral Sciences
Project # 117
Center name: Sustainable Critical Minerals and Communities
Campus/Location: Tempe, Flexible to remote and/or in-person
Faculty lead: Datu Buyung Agusdinata
Project description
Deep-sea mining (DSM) refers to activities to extract minerals such as nickel, copper, cobalt, and rare earths from the ocean floor up to 6000 m in depth. It has emerged as a contentious frontier in resource extraction that promises access to valuable critical minerals while raising significant environmental, social, and ethical concerns. The project aims to gauge public perception of DSM, particularly in regions directly linked to its operations. The project will use a socio-ecological, and technological systems (SETS) framework and employ Q-methodology, a qualitative-quantitative approach that reveals the subjective viewpoints of participants. In collaboration with the Sustainable Ocean Alliance (SOA), the study will focus on countries in the Pacific and Atlantic Oceans, regions where DSM activity and its potential impacts are particularly relevant. The Q-methodology will involve engaging diverse stakeholders to identify shared and contrasting perspectives that provide nuanced insights into public attitudes.
Special skills needed
Statistical and data analysis, system thinking, psychology and human behavior
Majors
Psychology, Sociology, Sustainability, Statistics
Years
3rd Year Students, 4th Year Students- Seniors, ASU Online Barrett Honors Students (fully remote work)
Themes
Cross-listed with the following themes:
Project # 118
Center name: School of Transborder Studies
Campus/Location: Flexible to remote and/or in-person, Tempe
Faculty lead: Irasema Coronado
Project description
The Minority Women in Arizona Politics project aims to amplify the voices and experiences of women from minority backgrounds engaged in both formal and informal political arenas across Arizona. This initiative focuses on capturing diverse perspectives from urban centers and rural areas alike, shedding light on their roles, challenges, and contributions to Arizona’s political landscape.
Students participating in the project will play an integral role in data collection and analysis. To ensure ethical research practices, all students will complete Institutional Review Board (IRB) training. They will then administer questionnaires to participants using various methods, including in-person, virtual, online, and phone interviews. This flexible approach allows for broad participation and ensures the inclusion of voices from geographically and socially diverse communities.
In addition to conducting interviews, students will contribute to a comprehensive literature review on minority women in politics, providing critical context for the project findings. This research aims to explore systemic barriers, highlight achievements, and identify pathways for increased representation and participation of minority women in Arizona’s political processes.
By combining academic research with community engagement, the project aspires to create a deeper understanding of the political dynamics influencing minority women in Arizona, ultimately informing strategies for more equitable political representation.
Special skills needed
Research Skills
Majors
Any major in social sciences and humanities
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:
Project # 119
Center name: Sustainable Critical Minerals and Communities Laboratory
Campus/Location: Tempe, Polytechnic, Flexible to remote and/or in-person
Faculty lead: Datu Buyung Agusdinata
Project description
Arizona has a long history as a hub for mining, particularly copper. While mining has contributed significantly to the state’s economy, it has also left a legacy of environmental degradation, including water contamination, habitat destruction, and pollution, along with social challenges such as land disputes and the marginalization of Indigenous and local communities. These issues underscore the need for a more equitable and sustainable approach to mining operations.
This project aims to leverage artificial intelligence (AI) to support just and sustainable mining practices in Arizona by designing a communication platform/interface to enhance collaboration among stakeholders, including mining companies, government agencies, local communities, and advocacy groups. The AI-powered platform will promote trust-building, transparency, and informed decision-making by facilitating data sharing, real-time monitoring of environmental and social impacts, and conflict resolution.
Special skills needed
AI applications, Data analytics, social and environmental justice
Majors
Computer science, Sustainability
Years
4th Year Students- Seniors, ASU Online Barrett Honors Students (fully remote work), 3rd Year Students
Themes
Cross-listed with the following themes:
Project # 120
Center name: Water Equity Lab
Campus/Location: Tempe, Flexible to remote and/or in-person
Faculty lead: Maura Allaire
Project description
The Water Equity Lab within the School of Geographical Sciences and Urban Planning (SGSUP) is launching a multidisciplinary study of how climate and governance shape access to adequate water and wastewater services. Little is known about the social dimensions of onsite infrastructure or how climate change will impact such systems. Regional modeling will examine the effectiveness of state, county, and local policies; findings can identify practices that enable resilience of wastewater systems under more frequent and extreme precipitation events.
Special skills needed
Strong analysis skills, including statistical modeling and/or spatial analysis. Interest in water infrastructure and/or environmental policy.
Majors
Sustainability, Urban Planning, Civil Engineering, Economics, Business Management, Computer Science
Years
4th Year Students- Seniors, 3rd Year Students
Themes
Cross-listed with the following themes:
Data Analytics and Mathematics, Engineering, Social and Behavioral Sciences, Sustainability
Project # 121
Center name: The Biomimicry Center
Campus/Location: Tempe
Faculty lead: Sarah El-Sayed
Project description
Student will support existing activities related to lab to market for biomimetic innovations across campus, including developing an educational module on biomimicry to be used by Entrepreneurship and Innovation. The student will also maintain the social media page with periodic updates.
Special skills needed
Research methods, possibly grant writing experience, social media
Majors
life sciences, interdisciplinary, business, sustainability
Years
2nd Year Students, 3rd Year Students, 4th Year Students- Seniors
Themes
Cross-listed with the following themes:
Project # 122
Center name: School of Molecular Sciences, Earley Lab
Campus/Location: Tempe, Flexible to remote and/or in-person
Faculty lead: Justin Earley
Project description
This project aims to develop Bloch Sphere Hero, a rhythm-based game that teaches quantum control. Inspired by Guitar Hero, the game challenges players to apply quantum gate operations by timing electromagnetic pulses that manipulate a qubit’s state on the Bloch sphere. Players will match pulse sequences to execute precise quantum operations, reinforcing intuition for qubit control, coherence, and error correction.
As a researcher, you will contribute to designing and implementing game mechanics, visualizing quantum state evolution, and developing pulse-based interactions. The project involves programming in Python. You will build an interactive system where players respond to dynamically generated pulse sequences, simulating real-world quantum control techniques.
This opportunity is ideal for students with Python experience and some familiarity with quantum mechanics. Prior experience with game development is helpful but not required. This project will provide hands-on experience in computational physics, quantum information science, and scientific visualization while creating an engaging and educational tool for understanding quantum mechanics.
Special skills needed
Python programming experience (required), calculus (required), linear algebra (suggested), and interest in STEM education
Majors
Chemistry, Physics, Electrical Engineering, Software Engineering
Years
ASU Online Barrett Honors Students (fully remote work), 4th Year Students- Seniors, 3rd Year Students
Themes
Cross-listed with the following themes:
Project # 123
Center name: School of Social and Behavioral Sciences, New College of Interdisciplinary Arts…
Campus/Location: West, Fully remote
Faculty lead: Tricia Redeker Hepner
Project description
This project engages ethnographic methods (interviewing, focus groups, observant participation) and policy-related research to document the intersection and impact of policies and practices governing gender and immigration in the US and abroad.
Special skills needed
Knowledge/grasp/appreciation of relevant conceptual literature in the social sciences and/or humanities regarding gender/gender identity/sexuality, and immigration/refugee status. Excellent oral communication and writing skills. Experience conducting, transcribing, and analyzing interviews a plus. Experience/interest in policy and legislative research also a plus.
Majors
Anthropology, Communication, Sociology, Journalism, Justice Studies, Social Justice and Human Rights, Transborder Studies, Gender, Sexuality and Women's Studies and related fields
Years
ASU Online Barrett Honors Students (fully remote work), 3rd Year Students, 4th Year Students- Seniors
Themes
Cross-listed with the following themes:
Journalism, Communication, and Mass Media, Law, Justice, and Public Service, Social and Behavioral Sciences
Project # 124
Center name: This is a Barrett Dean's Fellow initiative ("Culture & Community Lab"). Our pro…
Campus/Location: Flexible to remote and/or in-person
Faculty lead: Mathew Sandoval
Project description
The mission of this public humanities project is to document the history of Día de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) in the Phoenix metro area and explain its cultural significance. We're focusing on Xicanindio (Shee-can-een-dee-oh), a multidisciplinary arts organization founded in Mesa in 1975. This collective of Chicano & Native American artists produced the first public celebration of Día de Muertos in El Valle (the Valley). Their annual festival led directly to the creation of other Day of the Dead celebrations throughout the Phoenix metro area. Our project utilizes oral history interviews and archival research to trace the historical development of Día de Muertos from the 1970s to now.
In AY 2024-2025 we will be mounting a museum exhibition at ASU's Hispanic Research Center. This will require Research Fellows to participate in curating the show, creating a website, filming & editing video, creating multimedia presentations, developing promotional materials, and other creative activities, while familiarizing themselves with the history of Day of the Dead in El Valle. Research Fellows can also expect to help perform oral history interviews with local artists, conduct research at the ASU Library and Mesa Arts Center, co-write publications, and help create media assets (documentary short & podcast).
Special skills needed
Creative skills - art, photography, film, performing arts, graphic design; Writing; Critical thinking; Research skills (primary & secondary sources); Event planning
Majors
We welcome students from all majors. However, it's important that students have an interest in Mexican American, Native American, and/or African American culture & history, since those are the communities we're researching. Students with a general interest in local Arizona culture & history are also welcome. We currently have students from History, Journalism, Engineering, Business, Medical Studies, and 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:
Art, Architecture, and Design, Humanities, Journalism, Communication, and Mass Media
Project # 125
Center name: School of Earth and Space Exploration
Campus/Location: Tempe, Flexible to remote and/or in-person
Faculty lead: Larry Nittler
Project description
This project involves analyzing data returned by spacecraft-based x-ray fluorescence instruments used to determine the surface compositions of planetary bodies, specifically the Moon and the planet Mercury. We are in the process of comparing analysis software developed for NASA's MESSENGER mission to that being developed for ESA's BepiColombo mission, which will arrive at Mercury in late 2026. We are also interested in performing an independent analysis of data reported by the Indian space agency for their lunar orbiter Chandrayaan-3. Both projects involve code development in IDL and/or python.
Special skills needed
Programming skills (preferably python), an interest in space science, some physics training
Majors
Physics, astrophysics, computer science
Years
3rd Year Students, 4th Year Students- Seniors, ASU Online Barrett Honors Students (fully remote work)
Themes
Cross-listed with the following themes:
Project # 126
Center name: 24h Behaviors Laboratory
Campus/Location: Downtown
Faculty lead: Matthew Buman
Project description
The 24h Behaviors Laboratory currently has two NIH-clinical trials, StandUPTV Habits and Stand & Move at Work.
StandUPTV Habits is a smartphone app intervention focused on reducing total sedentary screen time in adults and understanding its relationship with chronic disease risk.
Stand & Move at Work is a worksite intervention testing the impact of sit-stand workstations to improve cardiometabolic health, decrease sitting and increase light-intensity physical activity in the workplace.
Students will support participant recruitment, and data collection, set up wearable devices, and provide suppThe 24-Hour Behaviors Laboratory is currently conducting two NIH clinical trials: StandUPTV Habits and Stand & Move at Work.
StandUPTV Habits is a smartphone app intervention aimed at reducing overall sedentary screen time in adults while examining its relationship with chronic disease risk.
Stand & Move at Work is a worksite intervention that tests the impact of sit-stand workstations on improving cardiometabolic health. This study focuses on decreasing sitting time and increasing light-intensity physical activity in the workplace.
Students involved in these projects will assist with participant recruitment, data collection, the setup of wearable devices, and providing support to participants.
Special skills needed
Prior research experience is not required for students; however, they should possess excellent attention to detail, be self-motivated, work effectively both independently and as part of a team, demonstrate outstanding communication skills, and maintain participant confidentiality at all times.
Majors
Students looking to obtain clinical research experience are encouraged to apply.
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:
Health and Wellness, Humanities, Social and Behavioral Sciences
Project # 127
Center name: Melikian Center: Russian, Eurasian and East European Studies
Campus/Location: Flexible to remote and/or in-person
Faculty lead: Keith Brown
Project description
The Melikian Center is part of the Content Advisory Group for the USS Phoenix Cold War monument and memorial, under design for the Steele Indian School park in Phoenix. Providing research, writing and other logistic support, this project seeks students with interests in Cold War history, non-profit organization, city administration, education or art and design. The project would include liaising with designers, educators, historians and technical writers to curate historical content for panels that will provide context for visitors to a new monument centered on the remains of the USS Phoenix, an attack submarine that was in service during the Cold War. For more see https://www.ussphoenixmonument.org/
Special skills needed
Interest in historical interpretation, Writing and research skills, Interest in working collaboratively, User-centered design, Interest in military history, and or memorialization
Majors
American Studies, Applied Military and Veteran Studies, Architectural Studies, Business (Tourism), Communication, English, Global Studies, History, International Relations, Military Studies, Public Policy (Parks and Recreation Management), Urban Planning, User Experience
Years
ASU Online Barrett Honors Students (fully remote work) 3rd Year Students 4th Year Students- Seniors 2nd Year Students
Themes
Cross-listed with the following themes:
Art, Architecture, and Design, Education, Humanities, Journalism, Communication, and Mass Media, Social and Behavioral Sciences
Project # 128
Center name: Melikian Center: Russian, Eurasian and East European Studies
Campus/Location: Tempe, Downtown
Faculty lead: Keith Brown
Project description
This new oral history project will document the history of the State Partnership Program (SPP), a National Guard-led program which has linked Arizona to Kazakhstan since 1993. The Arizona and Kazakhstan partnership is one of the original 13 partnerships of the program, which now includes over 100 countries. The concept for this project emerged during an Arizona delegation visit to Kazakhstan in Fall 2024, and has the support of leadership of AZ National Guard. ASU has provided cultural training and support for the Program since 2018, and this research project builds in that relationship. The goal is to produce both scholarly and public-facing products (including for example interviews and transcripts, storymaps, podcasts and blog articles, as well as a potential short book). This would be suitable for development into a Barrett honors project, and be of interest to students with interests in civil-military relations, citizen diplomacy, Central Asian politics and culture and oral history.
Special skills needed
Interest in oral history, Interview design and implementation skills, Project management, Experience with digital media recording, editing
Majors
American Studies, Russian, Applied Military and Veteran Studies, International Relations, Global Studies, History, Education, English, Communication
Years
First Year Students (new to ASU Fall 2025), 2nd Year Students, 3rd Year Students
Themes
Cross-listed with the following themes:
Education, Humanities, Journalism, Communication, and Mass Media, Social and Behavioral Sciences
Project # 129
Center name: CACTUS Music Lab
Campus/Location: Tempe, Flexible to remote and/or in-person
Faculty lead: Lindsey Reymore
Project description
The qualities and characteristics of sounds—what sounds sound like—are fundamental to musical experience. These attributes constitute timbre, sometimes also referred to as “tone color.” The aim of the current project is to better understand cognitive representations of musical timbre through a study of timbre description run in parallel across multiple languages and locations using a single, unified protocol. Identification of cross-linguistic and cross-cultural consistencies and inconsistencies will provide insight into which dimensions of timbral meaning may be physiologically based, and which may be more strongly influenced by learning.
Faculty lead: Dr. Lindsey Reymore
Accepting 1 student
Special skills needed
relevant skills: data analysis, coding in R, familiarity in running/analyzing behavioral studies, fluency in a language other than English or study of one or more languages, interest or experience in music
*I don't expect students to have all these skills, just listing what is relevant!
Majors
psychology, music, linguistics, any languages (eg French, Spanish, etc)
Years
4th Year Students- Seniors, ASU Online Barrett Honors Students (fully remote work), 3rd Year Students
Themes
Cross-listed with the following themes:
Art, Architecture, and Design, Social and Behavioral Sciences
Project # 130
Center name: Online research on honeybee colonies
Campus/Location: Tempe, Polytechnic
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
Machine learning, Matlab, Arduino, Jetson Nano, computer vision
Majors
Computer science, Biology
Years
ASU Online Barrett Honors Students (fully remote work), 2nd Year Students
Themes
Cross-listed with the following themes:
Biological, Chemical, and Physical Sciences, Data Analytics and Mathematics, Engineering
Project # 132
Center name: Biodiversity Knowledge Integration Center
Campus/Location: Fully remote
Faculty lead: Chandra Earl
Project description
This project applies occupancy modeling—a statistical method for estimating species presence and detection probabilities—to NEON (National Ecological Observatory Network) species data. While there is no predefined research question, students will have the opportunity to develop their own biological question and apply these models to explore species distributions and habitat use. This project is ideal for students interested in ecological research, quantitative modeling, and gaining experience with NEON data while addressing species and environmental dynamics.
All projects will have myself as a faculty lead (with others assisting depending on the project) and I'd accept one student per project.
Special skills needed
Students must be computer savvy and either have some familiarity with data science/coding (either in Python or R) or the desire/time to learn the fundamentals as a part of the internship. While an interest in general biology/ecology is preferred as these projects lie at the intersection of computer science and biology, deep knowledge is not necessary.
Majors
Biological Sciences, Biology, Data Science, Environmental Science
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
Project # 133
Center name: Biodiversity Knowledge Integration Center
Campus/Location: Fully remote
Faculty lead: Chandra Earl
Project description
This project focuses on building an automated pipeline to collect biodiversity data from Reddit and upload it to the Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF). Using Python, SQL, and Apache Airflow, the pipeline processes posts related to species sightings and geographic locations. The student will work on implementing and optimizing a cloud-based workflow, integrating the ChatGPT API for data extraction, and ensuring the extracted data meets quality and formatting standards for GBIF. This project provides hands-on experience in data engineering, pipeline development, and leveraging AI-powered tools to solve global biodiversity challenges.
All projects will have myself as a faculty lead (with others assisting depending on the project) and I'd accept one student per project.
Special skills needed
Students must be computer savvy and either have some familiarity with data science/coding (either in Python or R) or the desire/time to learn the fundamentals as a part of the internship. While an interest in general biology/ecology is preferred as these projects lie at the intersection of computer science and biology, deep knowledge is not necessary.
Majors
Biological Sciences, Biology, Data Science, Environmental Science
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
Project # 134
Center name: Biodiversity Knowledge Integration Center
Campus/Location: Fully remote
Faculty lead: Chandra Earl
Project description
This project applies inverse matrix population models (MPMs) to study the population dynamics of native Hawaiian land snails, which face severe declines due to habitat loss, invasive species, and climate change. Using R, the study analyzes monthly population data from captive rearing programs to estimate key demographic parameters like survival and fecundity rates. Students will refine and implement stage-structured models using methods such as Wood’s quadratic programming and time-averaged vital rates. This project is ideal for students interested in learning the basics of data modeling and conservation, with a focus on applying quantitative tools to inform management strategies for endangered species.
All projects will have myself as a faculty lead (with others assisting depending on the project) and I'd accept one student per project.
Special skills needed
Students must be computer savvy and either have some familiarity with data science/coding (either in Python or R) or the desire/time to learn the fundamentals as a part of the internship. While an interest in general biology/ecology is preferred as these projects lie at the intersection of computer science and biology, deep knowledge is not necessary.
Majors
Biological Sciences, Biology, Data Science, Environmental Science
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
Project # 135
Center name: Biodiversity Knowledge Integration Center
Campus/Location: Fully remote
Faculty lead: Chandra Earl
Project description
This project focuses on developing an OpenAI-powered assistant to help users navigate NEON (National Ecological Observatory Network) text and protocols. The assistant will function as a chatbot, providing recommendations for datasets and resources based on user queries. While the project is in its early stages, students will research methods for training and customizing OpenAI models to understand NEON-specific content and design workflows to create a functional, user-friendly tool. This project is ideal for students interested in AI applications, data science, and developing tools to make ecological data more accessible.
All projects will have myself as a faculty lead (with others assisting depending on the project) and I'd accept one student per project.
Special skills needed
Students must be computer savvy and either have some familiarity with data science/coding (either in Python or R) or the desire/time to learn the fundamentals as a part of the internship. While an interest in general biology/ecology is preferred as these projects lie at the intersection of computer science and biology, deep knowledge is not necessary.
Majors
Biological Sciences, Biology, Data Science, Environmental Science
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
Project # 136
Center name: Banner MD Anderson Cancer Center
Campus/Location: Flexible to remote and/or in-person
Faculty lead: John Chang
Project description
One of the major issue in AI model development is that supervised training will require some form of labeling. Although unsupervised training has also been applied to train the model to learn imaging features from the unlabeled images, some form of labeling is required to teach the model what is the correct answer. Recent works has combined both into the same model to minimize training of the model which began with a model training on ImageNet data followed by training on labeled specialized imaging data set. This was subsequently trained using unlabeled specialized images to help the model further refine special imaging features. For our work, we want to 1) develop a standard, diverse set of specialized images to guide the model learning, 2) use unsupervised training for the model to learn imaging features, and 3) use the errors from predicting the classes of cases in 1) to guide updates of the model parameters. We will assess the rate of learning, precision, recall, and F1 score of the model after every 10 epochs.
The fellow (Preferrably sophomore or freshman) will work with a current fellow to code the model initially and will train the model using the unlabeled images for unsupervised training. We will also decide how many cases should be trained before checking on the model metric as described above and will assess the peak performance of the model.
Special skills needed
python coding, ai background
Majors
EE, CS, Data science
Years
2nd Year Students, First Year Students (new to ASU Fall 2025), 3rd Year Students
Themes
Cross-listed with the following themes:
Project # 137
Center name: Banner MD Anderson Cancer Center
Campus/Location: Flexible to remote and/or in-person
Faculty lead: John Chang
Project description
Previously, we have developed a UNET model to help detect colorectal cancer based on images alone. However, the preliminary model produces many false positives which makes the output less useful. Several methods currently exist to reduce the false positives. One is by increasing the number of training cases, which is difficult to produce and requires significant human effort. The other is to use multimodal technique to assimilate different forms of information to reduce the false positive probability. One of the current fellow has employed BERT model to assemble preprocessed information to detect disease diagnosis from clinical charts. Currently, we are working toward using serial charts to predict the likelihood of cancer developing in the next clinical visit (using the BERHT model). We will need a fellow (preferably sophomore or freshman) to learn the current model and to continue the adaptation of the model to integrate serial clinical information to predict the likelihood of developing colon cancer. Our eventual goal is for this model to integrate with an image based model to adapt the a priori risk of cancer so as to help the image model adjust it’s probability threshold. A second goal is to integrate the model into medical charts such that automated colorectal cancer prediction can be done based on the most up-to-date clinical information so that the clinician can provide better advice for preventive procedures.
Special skills needed
python coding, ai model understanding
Majors
EE, CS, Data science
Years
First Year Students (new to ASU Fall 2025), 2nd Year Students, 3rd Year Students
Themes
Cross-listed with the following themes:
Project # 138
Center name: Banner MD Anderson Cancer Center
Campus/Location: Flexible to remote and/or in-person
Faculty lead: John Chang
Project description
This project is outgrowth from project 2. The goal in this is to take serial clinical chart and produce a concise summary of a cancer patient’s treatment and response to the treatment. This will apply the BEHRT model from project 2 and convert from a decision making model to one that is generative. The intended use is to assist clinicians in generating concise treatment history so that the clinician does not have to search through past charts to gather the history. Rather, the history would be generate in real time and be incorporated into patient’s current visit documentation so that the clinician’s time can be used to focus on the patients. The fellow (preferably sophomore or freshman) would work with the current fellow and learn the model and continue with the project once the current fellow graduates.
Special skills needed
python coding, ai model understanding
Majors
EE, CS, Data science
Years
First Year Students (new to ASU Fall 2025), 2nd Year Students, 3rd Year Students
Themes
Cross-listed with the following themes: