Faculty Spotlight
Ashley Fricks-Gleason, Ph.D.
Title: Associate Professor, Neuroscience and Director, URISE (Undergraduate Research, Inquiry, and Scholarly Engagement) Program
Hometown: Dove Canyon, CA
Students from any discipline are welcome to pursue the certificate. Our most recent cohort includes students engaged in research in biology, biochemistry, chemistry, criminal justice, health and exercise science, mathematics, neuroscience, nursing, philosophy, psychology and more.
Learn more about Dr. Fricks-Gleason
Why do you think it is important for Regis to provide research opportunities to its undergraduate students, and what is the importance of honing one’s research skills in general?
Research skills are incredibly important, regardless of discipline. Being able to critically analyze information, design a research plan and communicate your findings to a variety of audiences makes you a valuable asset as you move on in your post-Regis career. Our Jesuit mission calls us to be critical thinkers who impact the world around us; scholarly inquiry is the foundation of our ability to critically influence society.
In your opinion, what are the greatest strengths of the Undergraduate Research Certificate program at Regis?
This certificate is unique in that it offers students the chance to work alongside peers from many fields to develop a research project, hone their research skills and deeply engage in their chosen discipline. Students in the certificate develop deep connections with a faculty mentor and their cohort peers. These relationships extend outside the boundaries of the certificate and provide students with a support network for the duration of their time at Regis.
What are the key skills and/or experiences students gain in the Undergraduate Research Certificate program?
Students in the certificate gain the opportunity to partner with a faculty mentor, engage in novel scholarly work and develop key skills such as: study design, oral and written communication, grant writing, research techniques specific to their discipline and collaboration.
What sort of research opportunities are available to students interested in pursuing this program?
Students from any discipline are welcome to pursue the certificate. Our most recent cohort includes students engaged in research in biology, biochemistry, chemistry, criminal justice, health and exercise science, mathematics, neuroscience, nursing, philosophy, psychology and more. These research opportunities can be tailored to a student’s specific interests, providing them with an individualized experience within a cohort model.