Institute for Integrative and Innovative Research Launches Inspire Fund for Strategic Initiatives

I³R undergraduate research assistant Sophie Copelin soders wiring used in internal connectors for a sensor signal processing system.

I³R undergraduate research assistant Dylan Pledger prepares wires for electronic hardware to be used in experimental measurements.

I³R undergraduate research assistants Nicholas Burdolski and Sophie Copelin work with post-doctoral fellow Justin Asbee to test electronics for processing information from a sensorized prosthetic hand.

I³R undergraduate research assistants Nicholas Burdolski, Sophie Copelin, Nathaniel Liu, and Dylan Pledger work with doctoral fellow Aliyah Shell.

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The Institute for Integrative and Innovative Research (I³R) at the U of A has launched the Inspire Fund, a charitable giving effort to grow key institute initiatives.

"As we enter the season of giving, we are thrilled to introduce the Inspire Fund," said Ranu Jung, associate vice chancellor and I³R founding executive director. "Establishing the fund is a major milestone, giving friends of I³R an opportunity to join us in solving 'wicked' problems and advancing the institute's mission with their charitable contributions."

To enable strategic giving and ensure focused impact, the institute will annually select key initiatives to be funded. In alignment with the university's focus on student success and the institute's emphasis on education and empowerment, the first priority initiative to be funded is undergraduate research.

"The University of Arkansas is deeply committed to advancing student success," said Trevor Francis, associate vice provost for student success. "Providing undergraduate students with meaningful research experiences like those available at I³R and which the Inspire Fund will support is foundational to our commitment and a hallmark of the university's role as a top research institution."

Undergraduate research experiences at I³R are available to students from all disciplines who are interested in innovation, translational research and/or technology development. Students are connected with an I³R faculty mentor, creating an opportunity for problem-based learning in a project-based environment. The experience cultivates and strengthens critical thinking, writing and communication skills that are transferrable to any career path.

"Inclusivity is a principle we value at I³R," Jung said. "One of the aspects of our Undergraduate Research program that I'm most proud of is that we welcome student researchers from throughout the University of Arkansas system as well as Northwest Arkansas Community College and other Arkansas institutions of higher education, which also underscores our mission as a land grant university."

Interested in providing more undergraduate research opportunities at the U of A? Click the link to make a tax-deductible contribution to I³R's Inspire Fund.

What student researchers are saying about research opportunities at I³R:

"This is the perfect place to explore my career interests. My scientific interests are different, ranging from computer programming to biology. Because of my various interests, the institute's convergent nature offers a unique advantage--it allows me to gain hands-on experience in all the areas I am passionate about. When I think of research, I imagine scientists studying topics and publishing papers until someone commercializes their idea. This is not the case at the Institute. This is one of the few research labs that seeks to apply its findings in the real world, rather than tucked away in an academic journal."
— Nathaniel Liu, current I³R undergraduate research assistant.

"I appreciated being introduced into what the actual day-to-day tasks and duties of a researcher were through hands-on experience. Participating in a working lab gave me hands-on experience most people won't get until they begin working in their profession. In fact, I have been getting assistance in running my own experiment for the Neural Enabled Prosthetic Hand project."
— Dylan Pledger, current I³R undergraduate research assistant.

"[I³R] is my go-to space to have discussions with my peers of all ages. Even if they don't have the answers, they're always ready to connect me to someone who does. This kind of support is helpful during this period of discovery, and I am grateful to be a part of an organization that allows me to learn and grow."
— Sophie Copelin, current I³R undergraduate research assistant.

"The most valuable experience I received was how to discover my research goals and designing and executing my own project. It gave me a sizable head start on my own journey. I plan to carry that mentorship with me as I learn more about the processes of doctoral-level research."
— Srikanth Chavali, former I³R postbaccalaureate research assistant now pursuing a Ph.D. in biomedical engineering at Case Western Reserve University.

"I'm extremely grateful for the opportunity to participate in undergraduate research at I ³R. I have been able to gain real-world experience that will have an immediate impact on the healthcare field. I have had the opportunity to work on a clinical trial and establish my own research project to help improve my resume and build new, applicable skills. It's reassuring to know that everything I do within the lab has a direct benefit for people. It has sharpened my education focus and given me direction for my future career path. I highly recommend I³R's research program to undergraduate students who want to build their skills and gain beneficial research experience."
— Nicholas Burdolski, current I³R undergraduate lab assistant.