Undergraduate Research and Creative Activities (URCA) Program funded by SUNY

Students partake in a soldering workshop creating a Jitterbug through the DREAM (Design. Realize. Explore. Apply. Model.) Hub in 118 Bonner Hall in February 2024.

A program to support mentored research and creative activities

UB is excited to participate in this SUNY funded program to broaden access to research and creative activities for undergraduate students. Selected students will participate in faculty-led research and creative activities, and will interact with fellow undergraduate and graduate students.

Please note: all participating students are expected to complete an ELN Digital Badge along with their project.

2026 Funded Projects

Details for individual project opportunities are included in the individual project profiles.

Open Currently Full

Designing a Join Sampling Framework for Optimizing Approximate Queries in Open-source Database Systems
12/3/25
This project aims to design a join sampling framework that enables very fast approximate queries in open-source database systems.
Intergenerational Relationships and Health (IRH) Research Group
12/3/25
Examine the role of intergenerational relationships in healthy aging, including Alzheimer’s Disease and related dementias (ADRD), with a particular focus on place-based risk and resilience resources for young adults and their aging parents.
Introduction to Force and Motion in Human Cells
9/30/25
Study the tiny molecular motors that cells use to produce force and motion in human cells.
Lipidomics Based Investigations to Study the Differential Role of Sphingolipids in Various Cellular Processes
12/1/25
This project explores how a specific group of lipids, key membrane components and dynamic signaling molecules, shape cellular fate by regulating both senescence and cell death.
Preparation of Monomers and Polymers for the Development of Advanced Drug Delivery Systems
12/1/25
This ultimate goal of this project is to develop advanced drug delivery systems, which combat diseases by effectively sending "targeted bombs" to disease sites.
Structural Studies of Enzymes That Make Bacterial Natural Products
12/3/25
This project will work to understand the structure and function of enzymes that are used by bacteria to make novel antibiotics and other bioactive molecules.
Taking Aim at Childhood Cancer
12/3/25
Join us and take aim at killing cancer cells, an ideal opportunity for students interested in biomedical research and/or medical school.
Utter: On the Matter of Human Emissions
12/3/25
Simulating human breath, in-vitro.

Undergraduate Research and Creative Activities (URCA) Program funded by SUNY

A program to support mentored research and creative activities

2026 Funded Projects

Experiential Learning Network