Before I even arrived at USC, I knew I wanted to be involved in research as an undergraduate. Thankfully, Viterbi has programs for that specific purpose! CURVE, or the Center for Undergraduate Research at the Viterbi School of Engineering, is a program that matches prospective undergraduate research students with USC labs. The application process includes a written application and an occasional interview, but the process is relatively simple. If there is a lab on campus that matches your interests and needs a student with your background, it works out!
As a CURVE fellow, I get to participate in hands-on research in an actual research lab and earn a stipend for my work! When I was matched with my first choice lab, the Center for Advanced Manufacturing, I had no idea I would be doing anything related to cancer. However, when I met with my principal investigator to discuss my options in the lab, I fell in love with my project. I work on the Photolithographic Tumor DNA Isolation research team, where we are designing a 3D printer to print a shadow layer on top of tumor DNA samples.
Although the project may seem far from mechanical engineering, I’ve learned many relevant things. I finished designing and assembling a mechanical part within our 3D printer this past week. I’ve gotten to build my CAD tools, do some rapid prototyping, and learn a lot about how 3D printing actually works.
Beyond my mechanical tasks, I’ve loved learning to use AI to detect what is cancer and what isn’t within a sample. It’s been great to work in so many different areas; I’m never really bored. In general, being in my lab has been a great experience because I’m surrounded by many motivated and intelligent graduate students who I can look up to. Even though it’s technically “work,” my research lab has provided me with an escape from my school work.
There are other opportunities for research at USC other than CURVE. Before I got my fellowship, I cold-contacted professors for the opportunity to work in their lab, and I had a few professors who were very interested in having me join their team. If research is something you’re passionate about doing, you can most definitely do so at USC.
