UROC Working to Boost Graduate Admissions

Nearly 120 students from the UA and other institutions in the U.S., Puerto Rico, Mexico and Columbia are now involved in the Undergraduate Research Opportunities Consortium, or UROC, 10-week program on campus.

With a focus on underrepresented students, UROC engages students in original research while helping to prepare them for graduate school – ideally at the UA.

A collective of eight UA groups hold UROC: The McNair Achievement Program, Minority Health Disparities, Minority Access to Research Careers, Biosphere 2, the Latin American Group, the Hooked on Photonics Summer Research Program and Integrated Optics for Undergraduates. 

"If it wasn’t for this collaboration between the departments and programs, we would not be able to afford the training, education and experiences that we provide the students," Trin Riojas, the UA CIAN Engineering Research Center coordinator said, noting that students are in a range of disciplines in the sciences and social sciences fields.

Previously called the Summer Research Opportunities Program, which was created by Maria Teresa Velez, associate dean of the Graduate College, UROC is in its 18th year. All UROC students are supported by federal grants or by their home institutions and, among other things, learn about graduate school admissions, receive training for the GRE and participate in a research symposium.

On Aug. 7, noon to 3 p.m., students will present their research in the UA's North and South Ballrooms of the Student Union Memorial Center, 1303 E. University Blvd. Members of the campus and greater communities are encouraged to attend.

To learn more about undergraduate research at UA, visit the Graduate College.

Photo courtesy of UROC.