Get Started

You can begin research as early as your first year at UB. Many students start early to explore interests, while others join projects later after discovering a passion through coursework.

There’s no single path. What matters is finding the right opportunity for where you are now.

Most research begins with an interest—not a fully formed plan.

A good place to start is by asking yourself:

• What topics or classes have captured my interest?
• What problems do I care about or want to understand better?
• What skills do I want to develop?

From there, you can:

• Explore faculty research areas and ongoing projects.
• Talk with instructors, advisors or research staff.
• Attend research events, info sessions or poster fairs.
• Start small with a project designed for students new to research.

Your first project doesn’t have to match your long-term goals perfectly. Many students refine their interests through research, not before it.

Research fits into your academic life in different ways. Some projects involve a few hours a week during the semester, while others take place over the summer or for a defined period.

Clear communication with your mentor and realistic expectations help you balance research with classes, work and other commitments.

Students are encouraged to send a thoughtful and well-written email to project mentors they are interested in working with. Your email should be written clearly and concisely, and include the following information: 

• Introduce yourself (name, major and reason for contacting them).
• Explain your interest and enthusiasm in their work or project opportunity. 
• Identify your goals and share how working on this project will help you reach them.
• Share that you would like to schedule a time to meet to further discuss your participation in the opportunity and include your general availability.
• Reiterate your interest and excitement for the opportunity. 
• Be sure to reference the title of the project in the email subject line. 

If you don’t hear back from the project mentor, send a polite follow-up email about one week after your initial email.

All research—whether in a lab, archive, community setting or studio—comes with ethical responsibilities. 

You’ll learn to:

• Respect people, communities and data.
• Follow ethical guidelines and university policies.
• Understand issues like consent, confidentiality and integrity.
• Reflect on the broader impact of research on society.

Ethical research builds trust and strengthens the impact of your work.

Learn more:

• Animal Care in Research (LAF).
• Research Subjects Protection (both human and animal).
• Academic Integrity at UB.

Many students begin with starter projects—early-stage research experiences that focus on learning the research process and gaining early insights, rather than aiming for a final product or breakthrough.

These experiences emphasize:

• Doing: Engaging in hands-on research.
• Reflecting: Contemplating about what you’re learning and why it matters.
• Thinking: Connecting experiences to questions, theory or context.
• Applying: Using insights to inform next steps.

This Do-Reflect-Think-Apply approach helps you build confidence, skills and clarity—one step at a time.