Undergraduate Research

Workers in lab

 

Undergraduate students at all levels—from first-year students to seniors—are encouraged to get involved in research in Speech, Language and Hearing Sciences (SLHS). Working closely with faculty mentors, students explore questions related to communication, language development, speech, hearing, neuroscience, and clinical practice.

Research topics may involve any form of scholarly exploration within SLHS and are shaped collaboratively by the student and faculty mentor.

Funding and Support: UROP

Many undergraduate researchers receive financial support through the CU Undergraduate Research Opportunities Program (UROP). UROP funding supports mentored research and creative projects and is open to students from all majors and academic years.

To get started:

  • Identify an area of interest within SLHS
  • Reach out to a faculty member whose work aligns with your interests
  • Discuss potential research questions and UROP funding opportunities

Why Get Involved in Research?

Participating in undergraduate research allows students to:

  • Work one-on-one with faculty mentors
  • Gain hands-on experience with research methods and data analysis
  • Explore potential career paths in clinical practice, research, and academia
  • Strengthen applications for graduate school and competitive fellowships
  • Contribute to ongoing projects that impact individuals with communication differences

Faculty Research Areas and Labs

Undergraduate students benefit from faculty-led research and teaching across a wide range of specialty areas.

Child Language, Speech, and Literacy

  • Pui Fong Kan, PhD – Department Chair
    Child Language Learning Lab
  • Christine Brennan, PhD
    Applied Neuroscience for Communication and Reading (ANCAR) Lab
  • Christina Meyers, PhD
    Improving Treatment Outcomes for Young Speakers (iTOYS)

Hearing and Audiology

  • Anu Sharma, PhD
    Brain and Behavior Lab
  • Rachael Baiduc, PhD
    Hearing Epidemiology and Research Diagnostics (HEARD) Laboratory
  • Donghyeon Yun, PhD
    Hearing Science Laboratory

Motor Speech and Communication

  • Allison Hilger, PhD
    Colorado Motor Speech Lab

Getting Started

Students interested in undergraduate research should begin by contacting a faculty member in their area of interest. Faculty can help students identify appropriate projects, determine readiness, and explore funding opportunities such as UROP.

Early involvement is encouraged, but there is no single “right time” to begin—students at any stage of the undergraduate program are welcome to participate.