Connecting faculty mentors and student researchers

Research at Immaculata University begins with curiosity, takes shape through vision and grows through exploration leading to discovery. At the core of research are the inquisitive and innovative faculty of Immaculata University. Collaboration across interdisciplinary domains allows our faculty to connect singular ideas and develop multi-dimensional solutions to the scientific and social problems facing humanity.

Faculty Research and Mentoring

Our faculty serve as both scholars and practitioners in their fields who have made significant contributions to academia, to the student population and to the world. Faculty research thrives on national, regional and university levels as demonstrated through publications, conference presentations and university symposiums.

In support of their individual research interests, Immaculata faculty also strive to engage undergraduate and graduate students as active contributors to research projects. Under the direction of a faculty mentor, students have an opportunity to enhance independent thinking and gain hands-on research experience.

Research Mini-Grants

Immaculata’s mini-grant program is one way we support faculty-student mentorship. Faculty apply for up to $1,000 in university funding to support projects in which they guide students in the research process. The mini-grant program typically supports approximately five projects per year, making it a key pathway for faculty-student interaction and allowing our undergraduates to make scholarly contributions.

Student Research Poster Presentations

Posters Under the Dome is an annual research symposium at Immaculata that showcases undergraduate student research. This symposium features the research work of dozens of undergraduates, about 70 to 90 in recent years. Research in the Round is Immaculata’s annual symposium for graduate student research.

During these events, students present posters that summarize their projects, which may include their initial hypotheses, relevant literature they reviewed, experiments they conducted, data they gathered and analyzed, conclusions they made and insights they discovered. The IU community is invited to walk among the displays and view students’ posters, and students are available to discuss their work with visitors and answer questions.

2023 Posters Under the Dome Winners

FIRST PLACE

Jessica Wolfgang
Research Poster: “Post Fire Effects on Plant Vigor in New Jersey Pineland National Reserve”
Faculty Mentor: Stephen Mason, Ph.D.

SECOND PLACE

Payton Conrad
Research Poster: “Anxiety-Like Behaviors of Male and Female Mice Over Time”
Faculty Mentor: Erin Kirschmann, Ph.D.

THIRD PLACE

Katherine Centeno
Research Poster: “Process of Working Memory”
Faculty Mentor: Erin Kirschmann, Ph.D.