Drake Undergraduate Science Collaborative Institute (DUSCI)

Building the Next Generation of Research Scholars

At Drake University, we recognize the transformational—and wide-reaching—potential of scientific discovery. That’s why we collectively strive to build a culture and community shaped by a shared desire to advance our knowledge and develop the innovative researchers of tomorrow.

Embodying this mission, the Drake Undergraduate Science Collaborative Institute (DUSCI) promotes and facilitates an environment where faculty and students across science, technology, math, and STEM education disciplines create and exchange ideas in this pursuit. These projects and conversations encourage students to actively learn about the research process and broaden the impact of Drake’s incredible resources and talent.

Interested in where your curiosity could lead? Learn more about participating in DUSCI.

Who We Are

DUSCI includes faculty and students at Drake who teach, research, and study in the areas of science, technology, math, and STEM education. Bringing together faculty, students, and alumni, our advisory boards help steer, organize, and promote DUSCI activities and programs.

What We Do

DUSCI’s work is multifaceted. We foster faculty and student collaborative research endeavors and provide support in areas ranging from funding to promoting research talks and activities. We also organize events and programs to disseminate and discuss our findings, including the Drake University Conference on Undergraduate Research in the Sciences (DUCURS), the DUSCI Summer Research Program, the DUSCI Research Colloquium Series, and the Life After Drake Series.

Student Advisory Board

Students play a leading role in the life of DUSCI. Those serving on the Student Advisory Board help organize and promote events and raise the visibility of research opportunities on campus.

Related Disciplines

Artificial Intelligence
Biology
Biochemistry, Cell, and Molecular Biology
Chemistry
Computer Science
Data Analytics
Environmental Science and Sustainability
Health Sciences
Kinesiology
Mathematics
Mathematics Education
Neuroscience
Pharmacy
Physics
Psychology
Science Education
Zoo and Conservation Science

Programming

At the center of DUSCI’s mission is support for undergraduate research. Our programming empowers students with a firsthand perspective of the discovery process and introduces them to mentors and experts who have built careers in this sphere.

During a presentation to a group of students, a Drake DUSCI undergraduate points to a poster board that highlights their research

Undergraduate Research

DUSCI’s intensive research experiences will shape your career and lay the foundation for graduate studies. The DUSCI Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowship Program extends an hourly wage for eight weeks of full-time, faculty-mentored research.

Drake University Conference on Undergraduate Research in the Sciences (DUCURS)

Held every spring, DUCURS is modeled after professional research conferences and provides a venue for Drake students and faculty to share their current research projects. As a participant, you’ll showcase your findings through oral and poster presentations, gaining experience and building confidence in front of an audience.

About DUCURS

Drake Science Colloquium Lecture Series

Held in the fall and spring semesters, this lecture series invites faculty from Drake and other institutions, as well as faculty-mentored student research teams, to share their findings with our campus and the wider community.

Life After Drake Lecture Series

Drake’s alumni find success in science- and technology-related roles across a range of fields. In this lecture series, they’ll tell you about their distinctive professional journeys, offering career-related insights and a connection for additional advice.

Student Perspective

Kate Hagemeier, AS’26

Zoo & Conservation Science and Psychology

“Presenting my work at the end of the summer helped me strengthen my public speaking skills and practice communicating science to people outside of my field of study. Due to the fellowship being a paid position, I was able to dedicate more time and energy to my research than I can during the school year, allowing me to make significant progress. We are now preparing the project for publication in a scientific journal, which wouldn't have been possible without this program.”

Student Perspective

Autumn Poston, AS’26

Psychology and Law, Politics, and Society

“DUSCI granted me the opportunity to gain research experience within my field of study that I feel could not have been received anywhere else. The opportunity to work one-on-one with a faculty mentor both boosted my confidence in my work and also my comfort within my program of study.”

Divyanshi Srivastava Presenting at DUCURS 2026

Student Perspective

Divyanshi Srivastava, AS’26

Biology and Neuroscience

“The DUSCI Summer Research Program gave me the invaluable opportunity to perform full-time, independent research. Through one-on-one mentorship and hands-on experience, I was able to take ownership of my project and grow as an undergraduate researcher.”

Student Perspective

Sophie Meronek, AS’26

Mathematics and Computer Science

“I had the opportunity to study a new area for me—algebraic graph theory. Over the course of the research project, I deepened my understanding of abstract algebra, learned how to read dense mathematical literature, and gained experience writing rigorous proofs. Most importantly, DUSCI solidified my passion for research and mathematics. It gave me the skills to pursue independent research and reaffirmed my desire to continue my academic journey in graduate school.”

Kate Hagemeier (Psychology; Zoo & Conservation Science); Mentor—Dr. Olga Lazareva
Developing Methodology to Test Lateralization in the Madagascar Hissing Cockroach

Grace Stegen (Health Sciences); Mentor—Dr. Cassity Gutierrez
Bridging Gaps in Maternal Care: Exploring Strategies and Challenges in High-Quality Maternal Healthcare Delivery

Mitch Hardy (Chemistry); Mentor—Dr. Andrea Van Wyk
From Ponds to Pools: Creating a Real-World Water Analysis Project for General Chemistry

Sui Par (Psychology) Mentor—Dr. Deborah Cronin
ADHD Symptoms and Contextual Cueing

Addisen Ford (Secondary Ed., Math Ed.); Mentors—Dr. Maryann Huey and Dr. Alfred Limbere
Leveraging Students’ Quantitative Reasoning to Overcome Stubborn Calculus Misconceptions

Rhea Bajwa (Health Sciences); Mentor—Dr. Eric Emmons
Exploring the Effects of Repetitive Mild Traumatic Brain Injury on Behavior and Cognition in Mice

Divyanshi Srivastava (Biology, Neuroscience); Mentor—Dr. Debora Christensen
Bioinformatic and Experimental Characterization of Estrogen Receptors in Xenopus Laevis

Autumn Poston (Psychology, LPS); Mentor—Dr. Meaghan Rowe-Johnson
AI and Graduate Admissions: Evaluating the Use and Impact of AI-Assistance on Applicant Success, Admissions Committee Perceptions, and Faculty Support

Sophie Meronek (Mathematics; Data Analytics; Computer Sci.); Mentor—Dr. Joshua Carlson
Realizing Graphs as Proper Power Graphs

Internships & Fellowships

Access current opportunities open to students studying a STEM discipline. Possibilities include the National Science Foundation Research Experience for Undergraduates (REU) and Caltech’s AMGEN Scholars Program.

Browse All Opportunities

How to Contact Us

Heidi Sleister
Director of Drake Undergraduate Science Collaborative Institute
Professor of Biology, College of Arts & Sciences
208 Science Connector Building
515-271-3765
heidi.sleister@drake.edu

Contact DUSCI at dusci@drake.edu

Contact DUSCI

Drake Undergraduate Science Collaborative Institute (DUSCI)

Building the Next Generation of Research Scholars