Program Overview

Introduction to the Pack Research Experience Program

The University of Nevada, Reno Undergraduate Research office offers a program aimed at providing undergraduate students with academic standing of freshman and sophomore the opportunity to get paid to work on a research or creative activity project with the guidance of a University faculty mentor.

Purpose of the Award

The purpose of the program is to provide research and creative activity experiences to students who are first-generation and/or have been historically underrepresented in undergraduate research whether socioeconomically, geographically, or racially. In doing so, the program seeks to enhance the academic experience, educational outcomes, and future educational pursuits of students of all identities.

Program Background

According to the National Survey of Student Engagement (2017), there are gaps in undergraduate research participation for students of diverse racial and socioeconomic identities. The program seeks to address these inequities by encouraging participation in undergraduate research for students holding these diverse identities.

Why Participate?

Getting involved in research is a life-changing activity that can improve your educational experience. Major benefits include:

• Getting paid while learning about research
• Applying what you learn in the classroom to real issues
• Developing skills and knowledge that can help you be a better student
• Building a supportive community around you that includes faculty, staff, and fellow students
• Contributing to a team of researchers that are developing new knowledge
• Building experience to apply for other undergraduate research opportunities, the McNair Scholars Program, or even graduate school

Student Eligibility

Students must meet all of the following eligibility requirements:

• U.S. citizenship or have a valid employment authorization document (EAD) permitting you to work in the U.S. (DACA students are eligible)
• Any incoming first-year student who has been admitted and will be attending the University of Nevada, Reno
• Any student who is currently attending the University of Nevada, Reno with freshman or sophomore standing
• All majors welcome
• No GPA minimum, however, transcripts submitted with your application will be considered
• A complete application package submitted by the deadline
• Priority is given to underrepresented/educationally disadvantaged students
• Preference will be given to applicants who have not received a Pack Research Experience Program award in the past

PREP Projects for Spring 2026

Examples of projects include:

• Elisa Baldrighi: Deep-sea sediment meiofauna and nematode communities as sentinels to assess the disastrous Deepwater Horizon oil spill impact in the Gulf of Mexico
• Laura Blume: Tracking lethal violence against public figures in Central America
• Lei Cao: Behavior and evolution of alloys
• Edward Ester: Eye movement correlates of human decision making
• Xingang Fu: Smart power electronics converters
• Andrew Gorzalski: Using Hamilton automation to reduce hands-on time at the Nevada Genomics Center
• Sarah Haigh: Individuals differences on the effect of visual symmetry on discomfort
• Alexis Hanna: Couples and career choice strategies and priorities
• Andrew Hess: Animal health, adaptation, and grazing environment
• Melody Huslage: Improving service provision for human trafficking survivors in Nevada
• Paul Kwon: An art intervention to increase gender euphoria among transgender and gender diverse individuals
• Jennifer Lanterman: A scoping review of legal system deflection and diversion programs for people living with behavior health disorders
• Dingsheng Li: Quantifying environmental and human health impacts of computing e-waste through life cycle assessment
• Theresa McKim: Learning to code while analyzing neuroscience
• Mahdi Mehrtash: Renewable energy and the clean energy transition
• Nicholas Murray: Diagnostics of sport-related concussions
• Sujata Pandit: Isolation and characterization of monoclonal antibodies
• Shanon Taylor: Requirements for pre-service teacher preparation coursework in classroom and behavior management
• Yan Wang: Atomistic modeling and deep-neural-network molecular dynamics

Selection Process

Applications will be reviewed by Undergraduate Research and by mentors.

Student Expectations

• Attend the program orientation
• Complete a "plan for research form" with your faculty mentor
• Attend required workshops hosted by Undergraduate Research and broader campus partners
• Present findings at the Wolf Pack Discoveries symposium
• Complete the post survey regarding the program

Funding

An award of $2,250, provided by the University of Nevada, Reno, will go to the student in the form of salary as a student worker. Students will work approximately 10 hours per week at $15 per hour over a 15-week semester.

Workshop Attendance Requirement

Award recipients are required to attend workshops throughout the semester awarded as dictated by their acceptance agreements. Workshops will be hosted by Undergraduate Research and broader campus partners.

Class Presentation Requirement

Students are required to present a brief synopsis of their research to a class they attend and share information about Undergraduate Research programming.

Wolf Pack Discoveries Symposium

Students will present their research findings in a poster format. This symposium is attended by students, community partner organization representatives, university leadership, and members of the public.

Written Deliverable Requirement

All awardees will submit a 4-page written deliverable to Undergraduate Research at the completion of their award. Students are encouraged to pursue publication with the Nevada State Undergraduate Research Journal or an alternate publication.

Important Dates

Fall 2025 Awards

• Application due by: 11:59 p.m. Sunday, April 20, 2025
• Present results: Wolf Pack Discoveries symposium on Thursday, Dec. 4, 2025
• Funds spent by: December 31, 2025

Spring 2026 Awards

• Application due by: 11:59 p.m. Friday, Oct. 31, 2025
• Present results: Wolf Pack Discoveries symposium TBD
• Funds spent by: TBD