What is ASPIRE?
Accelerating Success by Providing Intensive Research Experience (ASPIRE) offers a select group of UC Davis undergraduate students a unique opportunity to gain hands-on experience conducting research under the mentorship of world-renowned UC Davis faculty.
Each year, a small group of students in their first or second year of undergraduate study are selected to enter the program. These young scholars immediately begin conducting research under the direct supervision of a faculty mentor in their chosen area of study.
Instead of just learning about past research, ASPIRE scholars have the opportunity to make new discoveries and become knowledge creators. Early in the program, ASPIRE scholars gain substantial background knowledge and learn advanced research skills. By their senior year, they are ready to embark on a significant honors thesis, in which they take a leading role in designing and implementing a novel research project.
The ASPIRE program was created in 2014 by Emily Kappenman and Steve Luck, and it is currently co-directed by Michaela DeBolt, Steve Luck, and Erie Boorman.
