Undergraduate Research

Are you interested in the environment and looking to make an impact?

Getting involved in undergraduate research is a powerful way to apply your coursework and gain real-world experience. Conducting a research project helps prepare you for graduate school and your future career by building vital skills, expanding your professional network, and providing hands-on field experience.

UC San Diego’s Natural Reserves are living laboratories equipped for cross-disciplinary study. Research on our reserves spans ecology, climate change, restoration, coastal management, data science, environmental policy, public health, art, engineering and more.

Getting Started & Faculty Mentorship:

While NRS reserve staff does advise student research, our internal capacity is very limited. We strongly encourage students to partner with campus faculty members to serve as primary project advisors. Working with a faculty mentor ensures you receive dedicated mentorship throughout your project.

Explore our Potential Faculty Advisors page to discover faculty across diverse academic departments who can sponsor research on our reserves. Connect with a mentor, pitch your ideas, and get involved!