Research Opportunities

There are many benefits to completing student research, including gaining valuable experience in experimental design, specialized lab skills, data curation and analysis, and public speaking. Regardless of your career goals, research experience looks good on a resume or post-graduate application, and it’s fun! Every Xavier biology student must complete a research project, and there are three ways to do that.

On Campus

There is research going on in these labs right now! Check out the variety of research topics being studied, and then call or e-mail a professor to start doing research today. It is never too early to volunteer and participate in a research project.

William Anyonge
Kelly Crowe
Dottie Engle
Mollie McIntosh
Kathryn Morris
Ann Ray
Hanna Wetzel

Off Campus

Your peers have had excellent success volunteering, and even getting paid, to do research around town and around the world. Check out the Biology Department Advising Canvas Page (you must be a current XU biology student to access this page) for lists of current opportunities.

Senior Research Courses

Even if you do not begin doing research before your senior year, there are a few course options available for you:

• BIOL-496: Senior Capstone Seminar – In this one semester course you will complete an in-depth review of primary literature on a specialized topic. Your efforts will culminate in a written review paper and an oral presentation.
• BIOL-497: Experimental Biology Lab – In this one semester course you will work in a small group to develop and complete a novel research project. You will present your results in a thesis paper, an oral presentation, and at a poster session. You may also be invited to present your work at a national conference.
• BIOL-498/499: Methods of Biological Research – In this year long course you will work to develop and complete a novel research project. You will present your results in a thesis paper, and oral presentation, and at a poster presentation.