The Rising Researchers Program at Cornell Duffield Engineering offers a structured, hands-on research experience for first- and second-year undergraduates. By pairing students with graduate mentors and faculty, the program helps develop in-demand skills like problem-solving, communication, leadership, and professionalism. In the fall, students attend open-access events—such as lab tours, alumni panels, and workshops—to explore research opportunities and career pathways. Those who participate in at least one Office of Inclusive Excellence event and attend two research group open houses/tours are eligible to apply for mentored research positions in the spring. Selected students engage in research projects, receive academic credit or pay, and join skill-building workshops throughout the spring and summer.

Important note: Because the time commitment involved in both Rising Researchers and Project Teams, students may not both onboard to a Project Team and participate in Rising Researchers simultaneously. Similarly, due to the full-time commitment required for the summer research experience, students may not take a course, hold an internship, or any other position during the summer program.

To learn more, please visit the Rising Researchers Program website.

Deadline: November 8, 2026

Workshops

Rising Research Program: Unlocking Research @ Cornell and Beyond
August 21, 3 p.m., Zoom (register to attend)
September 9, 5 p.m., 399 Tang Hall (register to attend)
Curious about research but not sure where to start? Join us for an engaging interactive, in person workshop designed to introduce engineering undergraduates to the many research opportunities available at Cornell and beyond. You’ll learn how research looks across different engineering disciplines, discover strategies for finding faculty whose work matches your interests, and get practical advice on reaching out, applying to positions, and exploring options outside Cornell. Whether you’re just starting to explore or already thinking about joining a lab, this session will give you the tools and insight to take the next step. Sign up now and start building your path into research!

Meet the Faulty: An Introduction to Research at Cornell Engineering
October 7, 5 p.m., 106 Upson Hall (register to attend)

Curious about getting involved in research but not sure where to start? Join us for an informal panel and Q&A with Cornell Engineering faculty, designed to help you connect with potential mentors and explore research opportunities across the college.

You'll hear directly from faculty about:

Their research and areas of interest
Opportunities for undergraduates in their field
How undergrads get involved in their research groups
Tips for exploring research and reaching out to mentors

This event is especially valuable if you're just starting to think about research — but all undergraduates are welcome. Come ready to meet a range of faculty, ask questions, and get a feel for the research happening across Cornell Engineering, including CS/IS.

Come prepared to introduce yourself and your research interests in a 30 seconds. 

Panelist Bios:
Kayla Wolf Assistant Professor,  Biomedical Engineering, 
Buz Barstow, Associate Professor, Biological and Environmental Engineering, 
Jake Hare, Assistant Professor, Electrical and Computer Engineering, 

Research Groups Open House and Tours
October 19-24, Register for each lab tour on Campus Groups. Attend at least 2!
Open to all Cornell Engineering students, this event offers a behind-the-scenes look at cutting-edge research through lab tours, faculty and graduate student-led sessions, and interactive discussions. Discover how you can get involved in research and explore the innovative work happening across the College. Attend one session or stay for the afternoon—it's up to you! You must attend 2 tours for your attendance to be counted towards the Rising Researchers program.

Undergraduate Research to Career: How Research Experiences Shape Engineering Careers
October 21, 5 p.m. virtual (register to attend). 
Wondering how research experience actually translates into a career? Join us for a conversation with engineering alumni who started where you are now — as undergraduate researchers — and went on to build careers across industry.

Panelists Andy Lapsa, MECHE `04 (Stoke Space), Corissa Lee, MSE `08 (Exponent), and Matt Rizk, CHEME `04 (Merck), will share how their undergraduate research shaped their career paths, what skills from research they still use today, and how employers actually evaluate research experience when hiring engineering talent. Whether you're heading toward a PhD or straight into industry, this is a chance to hear real talk about turning your research into a compelling story for internships, interviews, and beyond.

You'll leave with:

A clearer sense of how research experience reads to employers
Language for talking about your research in interviews and applications
Advice from people who've been exactly where you are

Bring your questions — we'll close with a live Q&A.

Panelist Bios:
Andu Lapsa, MECHE `04 (Stoke Space), 
Cirussa Lee, MSE `08 (Exponent)
Matt Rizk, CHEME `04 (Merck)