The Ohio State University’s Summer Research Opportunities Program (SROP) has long been a beacon for aspiring scholars, providing undergraduates with invaluable research experiences and professional development. In 2024, the program reached new heights under the leadership of Stephen Quaye, who completed his first year as associate dean for excellence in graduate and postdoctoral training.
Quaye, who began his tenure in August 2023, has been instrumental in enhancing SROP’s impact. His vision for the program aligns with its core mission: to prepare undergraduates for graduate study through intensive research experiences with faculty mentors and enrichment activities. “The Summer Research Opportunities Program provides opportunities for undergraduate students to gain valuable research experience with a faculty member,” Quaye said. “The one-on-one mentored research experience is an effective way for preparing students to enter graduate programs to pursue their passions.”
The SROP at Ohio State is part of the Big Ten Academic Alliance (BTAA), a consortium of research universities that collaborate to enhance educational opportunities. The university’s membership in BTAA has been pivotal in the program’s success. “This partnership is helpful because it allows opportunities to engage with other SROP leaders across the Big Ten to share strategies, advice and feedback,” Quaye noted.
One of the standout features of the SROP is its comprehensive approach to student development. Participants engage in weekly professional development sessions, learning how to effectively communicate their research, navigate library searches and tell their research stories. These sessions, combined with peer-to-peer support, ensure that students leave the program with deepened research experience and a sense of community.
Stephanie Pozuelos, a participant in the 2024 SROP, highlighted the program’s impact on her academic journey. “I applied to SROP at Ohio State because the university is an incredible institute with a lot of research opportunities,” she said. “In addition, Ohio State is on my list of graduate schools to apply to, so I thought this would be a great experience to learn more about the graduate programs offered.”
Pozuelos worked alongside another SROP participant, Britney Solis, in Dr. Megan Meuti’s lab. “Our research project focused on analyzing the effects of light pollution on reproduction in Culex pipiens [the Northern house mosquito],” Pozuelos explained. “We worked in the insectary where we reared and dissected hundreds of mosquitoes.”
Solis, a first-generation college student, echoed Pozuelos’s sentiments about the program’s value. “Working with Dr. Quaye has been an incredibly rewarding experience,” she said. “He has supported every one of us in our individual needs, whether they are concerning our graduate school application process, our lab work or our summer experience.”
The culmination of the SROP is the Consortium Research Symposium, where students present their research to peers and the Ohio State community. This event, held in July, features poster and paper sessions, providing students with a platform to showcase their work. “Poster presentations enable students to learn how to talk about their work in an accessible manner,” Quaye said. “It also provides students with strategies for concisely discussing their work and receiving feedback, an important part of being a budding researcher.”
The symposium is a highlight for many participants, including Pozuelos and Solis. “My most exciting experiences during the SROP this summer were presenting our poster at the symposium and getting to meet other students in the program,” Pozuelos said. “It was really nice to see our work come together at the end, and I also enjoyed seeing what my peers worked on over the summer.”
Quaye’s leadership has not only enhanced the SROP but also fostered a supportive environment for students. His dedication to student success is evident in his interactions with participants and his commitment to their development. “I enjoyed watching her build relationships with SROP students and find her voice and ability to facilitate professional development sessions,” Quaye said, reflecting on his work with a graduate research associate.
Looking ahead, Quaye is excited about the future of the SROP. “I am just excited about having the opportunity to connect with the students again,” he said. “Seeing them start the program, shy and unsure, and then develop into confident scholars who have built meaningful relationships with other SROP participants is truly refreshing.”
The SROP at Ohio State continues to be a gateway to graduate education, thanks to the dedication of leaders like Quaye and the enthusiasm of its participants. As the program evolves, it remains committed to its mission of preparing the next generation of scholars for successful careers in research and academia.
For more information about the Summer Research Opportunities Program at Ohio State, visit Ohio State SROP.