Eric Moulton's lab is Dr. Tangali
Sudarshan's Microelectrics Lab.

“I am researching an undeveloped semiconductor called Silicon Carbide (SiC) to replace regular Silicon in modern day high-power electronics; more specifically SiC nanowires that are only visible through a microscope. The cool thing about SiC is, unlike regular Silicon, SiC is not sensitive to heat. One could literally put a blowtorch to a transistor made of SiC and it would not be affected. Silicon however, would not have a chance. My SiC research is paving the way for limitless uses with places like NASA.

"The best thing about my research is how it has impacted my approach to schoolwork. I did not think there was any room in research for me - I figured I would be holding pencils for graduate students. I was wrong. The Office of Undergraduate Research (OUR) encouraged me to take initiative, not fear failure, and try some research of my own. Researching through the OUR program has made an enormous impact on my confidence and has made working inside and outside my classes more pleasurable.”

Eric Moulton
Junior, Civil Engineering

Legare College, 126
Phone: 803.777.1141
Email: our@sc.edu

The Office of Undergraduate Research seeks to enrich the academic experience of all USC undergraduates by providing research and scholarly experiences in their chosen fields. The office promotes inquiry, discovery and creativity in all disciplines through faculty-student mentoring relationships and the integration of instruction with research, scholarship and creative activities.

Caitlin Coker's lab is in dance
studios and on stages in Japan.

“My lab is everything dance, which just happens to be my favorite thing to talk about. Through support from the Office of Undergraduate Research I was able to conduct a formal research study in Tokyo. My research focused on dance ethnography, which includes connecting aspects of urban Japanese culture with the analysis of contemporary dance artists in Tokyo. Basically, my research question was, ‘Where did dance artists learn to dance?’ My next goal is to go back to Japan, hopefully Kyoto, on a Fulbright Grant to study dance ethnography for a calendar year.

“Although I did not plan to study dance when I came to USC, dance has turned into my entire academic career. I’ve choreographed dances, made a film called “Dance Graffitti,” performed dance, and written about dance rhetoric and criticism. This research opportunity made possible by the Office of Undergraduate Research is what convinced me I could do this for the rest of my life; that I can follow what I love and learn what it has to teach me. I still have so much to experience but I am very eager and willing.”

Caitlin Coker
Senior, English & Dance

Legare College, 126
Phone: 803.777.1141
Email: our@sc.edu

The Office of Undergraduate Research seeks to enrich the academic experience of all USC undergraduates by providing research and scholarly experiences in their chosen fields. The office promotes inquiry, discovery and creativity in all disciplines through faculty-student mentoring relationships and the integration of instruction with research, scholarship and creative activities.

Erin Curtis' lab is the Topper Site in
Allendale, South Carolina.

“I”m not an archeologist, but as a documentary filmmaker and undergraduate researcher, I can be. In 1981, Dr. Albert Goodyear of the South Carolina Institute of Archeology and Anthropology at USC found what is now known as the Topper site in Allendale, South Carolina. It is one of only a handful of sites fueling conversation about the true origins of the first North Americans. Artifacts discovered at Topper are forcing archeologists to conceive new possibilities and to look at history through a different lens, as I am through my own.

The Office of Undergraduate Research (OUR) has taught me to approach my research as a career. Through my work with Topper and OUR, I’ve been able to practice grant writing, interview professional archeologists, write for an archeology journal, and work alongside great people in the Columbia community. I have become a more well rounded student during my work with Dr. Goodyear and the OUR program. I have found that my lab is the world of archeology and my camera takes me there!”

Erin Curtis,
Senior, Media Arts

Legare College, 126
Phone: 803.777.1141
Email: our@sc.edu

The Office of Undergraduate Research seeks to enrich the academic experience of all USC undergraduates by providing research and scholarly experiences in their chosen fields. The office promotes inquiry, discovery and creativity in all disciplines through faculty-student mentoring relationships and the integration of instruction with research, scholarship and creative activities.

Jessica Warren's lab is the USC Child
Development Center.

“I am working with Dr. Wendy Valerio, head of USC’s Children’s Music Development Center. This semester I conducted a case study on toddler music behaviors. By studying these behaviors, my department can better understand the best way to teach music to children. This research is important because music is a valuable part of the overall development of young children.

After hearing about the Office of Undergraduate Research (OUR), I was surprised to learn that undergraduates were allowed to conduct research while receiving academic credit. It is great to know that students can get credit for doing something they are passionate about. I loved the research and the interaction with Dr Valerio so much that I decided to participate in a second semester of research. OUR has given me the opportunity to enrich my academic career by expanding my knowledge in an area that I consider wonderful and revolutionary: enhancing child development.”

Jessica Warren
Sophomore, Child Development

Legare College, 126
Phone: 803.777.1141
Email: our@sc.edu

The Office of Undergraduate Research seeks to enrich the academic experience of all USC undergraduates by providing research and scholarly experiences in their chosen fields. The office promotes inquiry, discovery and creativity in all disciplines through faculty-student mentoring relationships and the integration of instruction with research, scholarship and creative activities.