2025 Research Projects – The Science Internship Program (SIP)

Astronomy and Astrophysics (AST)

AST-03: Stellar Population Analysis of the Inner Dynamically Hot Component in M33 Using Keck/DEIMOS TREX Survey Data

Primary Mentor: Gautam Kumaran (he/him)

Number of Interns: 3

Project Description: Our project explores the Triangulum Galaxy (M33) using spectroscopic data from the Keck DEIMOS telescope as part of the TREX survey. By analyzing the motion of stars in M33’s inner regions, we aim to uncover how its dynamically hot stellar component—a group of stars that move differently from the main disk—formed and evolved. We’ll classify stars by age and fit advanced models to their velocities, revealing hidden structures like a non-rotating spheroid and a lagging disk. This helps us piece together the story of how galaxies like M33 grow and change over billions of years!

Tasks: Interns will help filter and organize the spectroscopic and photometric data from the TREX survey to create spatially-matched subsamples of M33 stars, ensuring the data is consistent across different age groups and areas of the galaxy. They will analyze the color-magnitude diagram (CMD) to compare the dynamically hot (spheroid) and cold (disk) stellar populations, looking for trends in metallicity by comparing them with model isochrones. They will study how stellar velocity dispersion changes with age and location in the galaxy by calculating and visualizing these trends, which will help improve our understanding of M33’s inner structure.

AST-04: Characterization of The Astrophysical Processes that Originate with Carbon-Nitrogen Stars.

Primary Mentor: Esther Kim(she/her)

Number of Interns: 3

Project Description: This research focuses on understanding a special type of star called Carbon-Nitrogen (CN) stars, found in galaxies like Andromeda (M31) and Triangulum (M33). These stars are about 40-50 million years old and in a phase called the Helium-Burning stage, classifying them as young giants or supergiants. However, a puzzling pattern in their nitrogen levels has been observed without a clear explanation. To investigate, data analysis using Python will compare CN stars with variable stars (Cepheids), examining their colors and overlapping data. This study aims to uncover the astrophysical processes behind CN stars and how elements like nitrogen evolve in space.

Tasks: The SIP interns will be working on the following tasks:

Compare Cepheid catalogs to the Keck DEIMOS spectroscopic catalogs in M31 and M33 galaxies.
Produce color magnitude diagrams of star matches between M31 and M33 galaxies and analyze the stages of weak CN stars using the diagram.
Utilize python code and Topcat Astronomy software in order to measure the distance between stars in various catalogs.

AST-08: Viewing Images and Spectra of Triangulum and Andromeda (VISTA)

Primary Mentor: Max Kogan (he/they)

Number of Interns: 4

Project Description: The goal of this project is to study the resolved stellar populations of two of our nearest galactic neighbors, the Andromeda Galaxy (M31) and the Triangulum Galaxy (M33). This will be accomplished by utilizing the datasets from two instruments, the Hubble Space Telescope and the Deep Imaging Multi-Object Spectrograph. During the summer, we will be using the information from these datasets to investigate the velocity distribution of the stars in these galaxies, and consider methods we can take to refine our measurements to produce a more accurate distribution. This will allow us to better understand the history and evolution of these galaxies and ascertain the existence and effects of merger events in the distant and recent past.

Tasks:

Using Python and Jupyter (among others) to interact and manipulate astronomical data files
Using an understanding of the instruments said data was taken with to better utilize said data
Setting up a web-based browser connected to a remote-storage drive to enable widespread access to the data and accompanying software
Using the data to better understand the extragalactic objects in question (M31 and M33, primarily)

Biomolecular Engineering (BME)

BME-01: Ancient Centromere Spanning Haplotypes Provide Insight into Human Centromeric Satellite Evolution in Telomere-to-Telomere (T2T) Genomes

Primary Mentor: Hailey Loucks (she/her)

Number of Interns: 3

Project Description: This project is a computational biology project analyzing the evolution of centromeric DNA in modern humans. The centromere is an important structural component of the chromosome which is composed of repetitive DNA sequences. Due to the unique properties of the centromere, the sequences of DNA next to the centromere can persist unchanged for many generations, keeping a record of human evolutionary history. By studying the evolution of these sequences we can better understand human evolution and our historical relationships with archaic hominins such as Neanderthals.

Tasks: Project is entirely computational. Students will work on the Unix command line to run bioinformatics software to understand evolutionary relationships between DNA sequences, including sequence alignment, clustering, and annotation. Students will also work in python and/or R languages to run analyses and create visualizations. Mac laptops are preferred but any laptop can work.

URL: https://migalab.com/

BME-02: Gene Annotation with Comparative Annotation Toolkit

Primary Mentor: Prajna Hebbar (she/her)

Number of Interns: 3

Project Description: The human genome refers to all the DNA of the human species. Human DNA consists of 3.3 billion base pairs and is divided into more than 20,000 protein-coding genes onto 23 pairs of chromosomes. The human genome also includes noncoding sequences of DNA. Locating these protein-coding and noncoding genes is done through the process of gene annotation. This process actually provides a meaning to the sequence of a species’ genome assembly. There are many software to annotate genomes of different species to find the locations of various genes on them. The Comparative Annotation Toolkit (CAT) is one of them, which I am working on improving. The project aims to study gene annotations produced by CAT and those produced by other methods and compare their accuracy and performance.

Tasks: The first three weeks will be spent on learning and setting up for the actual research which will be done in the latter half of the project. Understand the basics of genomics- what is a genome, assembly, alignment, annotation, etc. Learn about gene annotation in some more depth. Read about the different tools that they will work with. Install tools and download data. Do any required troubleshooting. Run tools on genomes. Analyze and understand the results. Learn to visualize results on the UCSC Genome Browser Compare results across the different tools. Can work with Mac or Windows.

URL: https://cglgenomics.ucsc.edu/

BME-03: Situating Non-Human Actors in Nature Based Recreational Apps + Mobile Maps for Accessibility Needs

Primary Mentor: Bhavani Seetharaman (she/her)

Number of Interns: 6

Project Description: Many nature based recreations often embrace mobile applications that aid in finding new hiking trails, ideal beaches for surfing, etc. In doing so more individuals are able to access a wider array of natural resources. However, due to this access there are large shifts in the local wildlife behaviors and the biodiversity of the region. Due to which there needs to be another model of design that enables engagement in these spaces without affecting the local wildlife population. The interns will aid the mentor in literature reviews, survey creation, data collection, data analysis, and UI/UX design approaches to build possible prototype solutions for these issues.ance.

Tasks:

Literature Review
Survey Creation and Dissemination
Qualitative Data Analysis
Fieldwork Mapping
Citizen Science Studies
UI/UX Prototyping in Figma

URL: https://sites.google.com/ucsc.edu/bhavani-seetharaman-cm/home?authuser=0

BME-04: Exploring Genetic Mutations in Neurons: A Cloud-Connected CRISPRi Platform

Primary Mentor: Lucero (Samira) Vera-Choqqueccota (she/her)

Number of Interns: 3

Project Description: This project focuses on developing a cloud-connected platform to study how genetic mutations linked to neurodevelopmental and psychiatric disorders affect neurons. SIP interns will work with CRISPR interference (CRISPRi), a method that allows researchers to turn off specific genes in neurons differentiated from embryonic stem cells. Interns will design guide RNAs (gRNAs) for selected genes, such as SCN2A, which is associated with epilepsy and autism, and help build a user-friendly pipeline to identify top candidates. The project also involves validating the effectiveness of CRISPRi by comparing it to gene knockout models. Ultimately, this platform will enable students worldwide to analyze the activity of neurons with targeted gene downregulation using cloud-connected microscopes

Tasks: Interns will assist in developing a cloud-connected platform to analyze the activity and morphology of neurons differentiated from embryonic stem cells. They will design guide RNAs (gRNAs) for genes linked to neurodevelopmental and psychiatric disorders and help build a user-friendly pipeline for identifying potential gRNA candidates. Interns will help validate the CRISPR interference (CRISPRi) system, focusing on gene regulation, by analyzing data when compared to gene knockout models.

URL: https://mostajo-radji.com

Chemistry (CHE)

CHE-01: 3D Printing of Novel Ink Formulation for Energy Storage Applications

Primary Mentor: Ella Davidi (she/her)

Number of Interns: 3

Project Description: 3D printing of advanced energy storage devices utilizing carbon and oxide materials for developing new supercapacitors. By leveraging the conductivity and surface area of carbon alongside the pseudocapacitive properties of oxide materials, we can maximize energy storage capacity. In this research project, the SIP mentor and interns will use 3D printing techniques to print carbon and oxide materials for energy storage applications.

Tasks: Interns will be engaged in the following tasks:

3D printing of composite electrodes.
Making electrolyte solutions.
Setting up electrochemical cells.
Performing electrochemical measurements.
Analyzing results of experiments.

CHE-02: Ultrafast synthesis of catalysts for water splitting reaction

Primary Mentor: Tianchen Cui (he/him)

Number of Interns: 3

Project Description: Magnetic Induction Heating (MIH) has emerged as a powerful strategy for synthesizing advanced electrocatalysts specifically for water electrolysis. By enabling rapid and localized heating, MIH allows precise control over catalyst composition, phase structure, and defect engineering—key factors for enhancing both the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) and oxygen evolution reaction (OER). Catalysts synthesized via MIH often exhibit superior catalytic activity, stability, and energy efficiency compared to those prepared by conventional methods. With its scalability and controllability, MIH offers a promising pathway for the development of high-performance water-splitting systems, contributing to efficient and sustainable hydrogen production.

Tasks: Synthesis of catalysts, Eletrochemistry performance test, and Data and characterization analysis

URL: https://chen.chemistry.ucsc.edu/

CHE-03: Urea Oxidation for Wastewater treatment and Green Hydrogen Production

Primary Mentor: Qiu Ren (he/him)

Number of Interns: 3

Project Description: Our project focuses on turning wastewater into clean energy. Many water sources are polluted with urea, a common nitrogen compound that harms ecosystems by causing toxic algal blooms. Instead of letting this pollution go to waste, we use a special reaction called urea oxidation to clean the water while producing green hydrogen, a powerful and sustainable fuel. To make this process more efficient, we are developing low-cost electrodes with advanced materials. This research helps protect the environment and supports the transition to clean energy. Through this project, we will explore chemistry, sustainability, and the exciting potential of renewable technologies.

Tasks: Conduct literature reviews to understand the challenges and opportunities of urea oxidation reaction (UOR) in wastewater treatment and hydrogen production. This includes studying nitrogen pollution, electrocatalysis, and the role of advanced electrodes in enhancing reaction efficiency.

Perform structural characterization and analyze electrochemical data to assess catalyst stability, efficiency, and scalability for real-world applications.”

Design and synthesize catalytic electrodes optimized for UOR, focusing on improving urea oxidation efficiency, ion transport, and gas bubble management to enhance hydrogen production.

Fabricate and evaluate the designed electrodes, using electrochemical techniques to test their performance in wastewater conditions.

URL: https://www.kateringland.com/about/#/hcistudentreadinglist

CHE-04: Nanocatalysts for Electrochemistry

Primary Mentor: Dingjie Pan (he/him)

Number of Interns: 3

Project Description: The recent hydrogen production in industry still depends on natural gas. Water constitutes 71 percent of the earth but the high energy barrier for water splitting has limited the extent of its application. The project aims to develop a cost-effective catalyst for electrochemical hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) by exploring ruthenium/copper alloy nanoparticles. The goal is to overcome the high cost and limited availability of platinum, which is currently the commercial benchmark for this reaction. The SIP interns will spend this summer to learn how to design, synthesize, and analyze new electrocatalysts for water splitting.

Tasks: Conduct Electrochemistry Experiments: Perform electrochemical tests including linear sweep voltammetry (LSV), Tafel plots, stability tests, and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS).

Prepare Samples for Characterization: Utilize the samples for structural characterization. Prepare the samples according to the requirements of the characterization techniques, such as TEM and XPS.

Plot and Analyze Data: Organize the collected electrochemistry data into graphs and plots. Analyze the data to evaluate the electrocatalytic performance of the ruthenium/copper alloy nanoparticles. Interpret the results in comparison to the benchmarks, such as platinum catalysts. Summarize the findings and draw conclusions based on the analysis.

URL: https://chen.chemistry.ucsc.edu/articles/

CHE-05: Designing High-Energy-Density Rechargeable Zinc Batteries

Primary Mentor: Xinzhe Xue (he/him)

Number of Interns: 3

Project Description: Aqueous zinc batteries (AZBs) are considered to be one of the most attractive candidates for the new generation of energy storage, due to their high capacity and safety. To date, different kinds of cathode materials, electrolytes, and structurally engineered electrodes have been exploited to achieve higher energy density. It is critical to review the state-of-the-art AZB systems, identify the fundamental questions that limit the device’s performance, and design materials to tackle these scientific and technological challenges.

Tasks: Interns will:

Read the scientific literature to review the challenges and opportunities of zinc anode (Zn) in aqueous Zn batteries, and understand the mechanisms and design principles of high energy density AZBs.
Learn to design and prepare electrode materials and electrolytes for AZBs, espeically Zn metal anode.
Learn to design experiments, conduct electrochemical tests and cell assembly.
Learn the data analysis/processing after getting the testing data and data interpretation.

URL: https://li.chemistry.ucsc.edu/

Computational Media (CPM)

CPM-01: AI-Mediated Interpersonal Interactions and Self-Formation

Primary Mentor: Eve Wang (she/her)

Number of Interns: 4

Project Description: In this project, you’ll customize an AI mediator to guide conversations with family or friends. By designing how the chatbot thinks and responds in multi-user discussions, you’ll explore how your own thought patterns influence communication.

Tasks: You’ll engage in prompt engineering to design an AI mediator that guides conversations with your family or friends. As you test your AI, you’ll write diary reports reflecting on how your design supported or hindered discussions, what changes you made to improve it, and why. Through this iterative process, you’ll contribute to research on how AI can help teenagers explore self-awareness and navigate their relationships.

URL: https://www.kateringland.com/about/#/hcistudentreadinglist

CPM-02: Exploring Fandom Community Using Social Media and Other Online Platforms to Maintain Friendship, and How LLM Might Play a Role

Primary Mentor: April Zhang (she/her)

Number of Interns: 3

Project Description: I’m seeking to investigate how people in a fandom might build relationship, friendship beyond fan activities. This involves in understand what are the reasons whether fans decide to be friend with each other. Would AI can be a feature to help people to be more close to each other online?

Tasks: Interns might be asked to participant in supporting tasks when we conduct interviews (collecting demographic data of participants, etc), observe, and taking notes, etc. Help with processing qualitative data.

URL: https://www.misfit-lab.com/

CPM-03: An Astro-nomical Study: Documenting PS Trophy Hunting Journeys through Astro Bot

Primary Mentor: Derusha Baskaran (she/her) or (they/them)

Number of Interns: 4

Project Description: For this project, we will document our PlayStation (PS) trophy hunting journeys by attempting to earn the platinum trophy in Astro Bot — 2024’s Game of the Year! Using the user diary method, we will conduct collective autoethnographic research while playing and then analyze our experiences to identify common themes/patterns. This study will contribute to and advance game studies by providing rich insights into player experience types and recommendations for designing reward systems that balance challenge and enjoyment.

Tasks: SIP interns will need the following for their research in this project: – Any computer/laptop or tablet (to document notes & access/upload files) – A PlayStation 5 (PS5) & PS5 DualSense controller – Astro Bot Game (PS5 version) SIP interns will do the following tasks for this project:

Play through the Astro Bot game on a PS5 and try to collect all PS trophies (aka obtain the platinum trophy).
Write detailed notes about your PS trophy hunting experience in a user diary
Discuss and analyze themes from your trophy hunting experience
Create a list of design recommendations for an ideal trophy list 5) Read and synthesize HCI/Games Study literature

URL: https://www.misfit-lab.com/

CPM-06: Augmented Creativity or Co-Creation: Understanding Human-AI Collaboration in Design Workflows

Primary Mentor: Yuki Yin

Number of Interns: 4

Project Description: This project aims to explore how AI-augmented features in modern design tools—such as Figma AI, Miro Assist, and Canva Magic Studio (AI Suite)—are influencing designers’ creative practices. How do designers interact with AI-augmented features in everyday design tools? Are these tools changing how designers think, collaborate, or create? Do they feel like collaborators, productivity boosters, or something else?
By studying how these tools support tasks like wireframing, brainstorming, and Interface design, the project investigates whether users perceive AI tools in their design workflows. We will first conduct tool exploration and then do interviews and observational studies with designers using AI-facilitated design tools. We aim to understand how these technologies shape ideation, visual design, creative control, and inform the design of future AI-augmented tools.

Tasks: Interns will explore how AI features in popular design tools (like Figma AI, Miro AI, and Canva) are used to support creativity and design thinking. They will test out these tools, document their experiences, and help analyze how AI assists in tasks like brainstorming, layout suggestions, and organization. Interns will also need to design and conduct interviews or observational studies with users and contribute to identifying patterns in how people interact with AI in design. Prior experience with visual design, UI/UX, or tools like Figma is preferred. This project is ideal for students interested in design, technology, and human-computer interaction.

URL: https://tech4good.soe.ucsc.edu/

CPM-07: Analyzing Metaphors in Agent-Based Game Design Spaces

Primary Mentor: Kyle Gonzalez (he/him)

Number of Interns: 3

Project Description: Although there are a few concrete examples of AI-based game design, we do not yet have a methodology clearly showing how to do AI-based game design research. In this project we gather data by playing a wide variety of agent-based games (e.g. Cities Skylines 2, Totally Accurate Battle Simulator, Oxygen Not Included, …), and use a grounded theory approach to elicit the underlying metaphors that enable players and designers to make sense of agent dynamics. Taking stock of existing metaphors in agent-based games allows us to clarify novel ones, and understand how metaphors for AI techniques scaffold extensive portions of design space.

Tasks: Reading and discussing background literature on game design, design spaces, and grounded theory. Preparing a presentation on work completed this summer (Interns just need any laptop that allows them to use text-processing, email, Discord, and online group collaboration tools). Practicing research skills including qualitative and interpretive analysis of games and game design. Playing and observing others play video games in a reflective way. Regularly reviewing results as a group and writing short reports

URL: https://eis.ucsc.edu/

CPM-08: Causeway: Evaluating a web platform for scaling experiential learning through micro-roles

Primary Mentor: Pragna Chennuri (she/her)

Number of Interns: 3

Project Description: While educational technologies have scaled content-based learning, they have struggled to scale experiential, project-based learning. Causeway is a web platform that models learning after the workplace, organizing the learning process around small experiential “micro-roles.” These micro-roles are the building blocks for two structures: learning pathways that scaffold skill development, and project hierarchies that break down complex work into manageable steps. This approach helps learners understand how their skills contribute to real-world projects and enables them to start contributing while still learning. Causeway supports both fully online learners and those participating in programs that integrate hands-on, team-based project work. Thus far, we have developed parts of the platform but have not conducted formal studies on the experience of learning on the platform, which we plan to do this summer.

Tasks: Over eight weeks, students will set up their Angular environment, complete onboarding, and attend lab orientations. They’ll explore Causeway, identify usability issues, and document feedback. Weeks 2–5 focus on skill-building and iterative usability testing. Students will also engage in group critiques and submit usability reports on Causeway. In Weeks 6–7, they finish conducting usability studies, and finish all the skill building activities. Students will start preparing SIP presentations with peer feedback. The program concludes in Week 8 with finalized presentations delivered on Presentation Day (August 9, 2025). Throughout, students gain technical skills, practice collaborative critique, and contribute to improving the Causeway platform through user-centered design.

URL: https://tech4good.soe.ucsc.edu

Computer science (CSE)

CSE-01: Neural Network Implementation and Deployment: From Scratch to Advanced Libraries

Primary Mentor: Pooneh Safayenikoo (she/her)

Number of Interns: 3

Project Description: Deep learning drives transformative innovations in artificial intelligence. This project empowers SIP interns to explore neural network fundamentals by implementing a simple model from scratch using Python. Interns then transition to advanced deep learning techniques with powerful libraries such as PyTorch, designing and deploying practical applications including cutting-edge large language models (LLMs). They will gain experience building deep neural networks featuring convolutional and fully connected layers and learn modern best practices in model development and deployment. Throughout the project, interns will engage with technical literature and enhance their coding proficiency.

Tasks: Explore Fundamentals:

Study neural network and large language model architectures and theories.

Implement Basics: Code a simple neural network from scratch in Python.

Embrace Deep Learning Libraries: Build advanced models using PyTorch.

Design and Deploy: Create applications to deploy neural networks and language models for real user requests.

Evaluate and Document: Assess model performance and document findings with insights from current technical literature.

CSE-03: Deep Learning Models for Data-driven Lagrangian Data Assimilation in Ocean Dynamics

Primary Mentor: Niloofar Asefi (she/her)

Number of Interns: 3

Project Description: My project is about artificial Intelligence and advanced deep learning models in climate data including ocean science. The lack of sufficient data is a major problem in ocean science. Because it is difficult to monitor the deep ocean everywhere, at all times, there aren’t many observations. To fill in the gaps, my project makes advantage of deep learning, an effective type of artificial intelligence. Deep learning learns directly from real ocean data and can replicate entire ocean patterns, even with very limited input data, in contrast to standard methods that rely on complicated physics and assumptions. By using less data and producing more precise and realistic results, this aids in our understanding of ocean currents and climate systems.us systems that can operate in diverse environments, from search-and-rescue to industrial automation.

Tasks: The SIP interns will:

Learn how various deep learning models are applied to climate and ocean domains;

Gain foundational knowledge in machine learning and deep learning;

Understand key challenges in oceanography and learn how to process data for use in ML models;

Complete assigned coding challenges in Python and present their solutions;

Explore different evaluation metrics to assess model performance;

Learn how to conduct and present novel research in applied machine learning for climate data and forecasting;

Present their findings to the class while improving their presentation and communication skills.

The interns will need access to a laptop for this research project. Higher resource configuration helps faster AI training, but it’s not required.

URL: https://sites.google.com/view/ashesh6810/people?authuser=0

CSE-04: Graph-Based SLAM Simulation in Python for Differential Drive Robots

Primary Mentor: Carlos Isaac Espinosa Ramirez (he/him)

Number of Interns: 3

Project Description: This project introduces students to Simultaneous Localization and Mapping (SLAM) using a graph-based approach. We will simulate a differential drive robot in Python, focusing on how it collects sensor data and constructs a map while estimating its own position. By examining key algorithms and coding techniques, participants gain hands-on experience bridging theory and practice in robotic navigation. This work supports broader research on robust, autonomous systems that can operate in diverse environments, from search-and-rescue to industrial automation.

Tasks: Interns will work with a Python-based simulator to explore Graph-Based SLAM using a differential drive robot model. Tasks include setting up and modifying the simulator, generating synthetic sensor data, and writing code to build and optimize a pose graph. Interns will study how robots localize themselves and map unknown environments. They will also visualize results and document their findings. Each intern will need a laptop (Windows, macOS, or Linux) capable of running Python 3 with PyQt5 and pyqtgraph installed. By the end of the program, interns will gain hands-on experience with core robotics and autonomous navigation concepts.

URL: https://asl.soe.ucsc.edu/home

CSE-05: Enhancing Academic Integrity Systems: Developing Advanced MOSS Tools for Automated Plagiarism Detection

Primary Mentor: Suryakiran Valavala (he/him)

Number of Interns: 3

Project Description: This project builds on my work developing innovative tools to enhance the MOSS (Measure of Software Similarity) system used for detecting code plagiarism in academic settings. Interns will contribute to designing a web-based platform that improves how instructors review and manage academic integrity in programming courses. You’ll gain hands-on experience with real-world software development, learning web technologies, database design, and algorithm optimization. This research directly addresses the growing challenges of maintaining academic integrity in computer science education while providing you with valuable skills in full-stack development, data analysis, and ethical computing.l automation.

Tasks: Interns will develop and enhance tools for the MOSS (Measure of Software Similarity) plagiarism detection system. Tasks include: (1) Analyzing existing MOSS outputs and identifying patterns in code similarity reports; (2) Developing a web-based dashboard for visualizing plagiarism detection results; (3) Creating automated tools to process historical submission data efficiently; (4) Optimizing algorithms to improve detection accuracy; and (5) Implementing user-friendly interfaces for instructors to review potential cases. Interns will gain hands-on experience with full-stack development, data visualization, and algorithm implementation while contributing to academic integrity systems.

URL: https://github.com/suryaCS719

CSE-07: Enhancing Indoor Localization Using Machine Learning Models with the 802.11az Protocol in MATLAB

Primary Mentor: Nayan Bhatia (he/him)

Number of Interns: 4

Project Description: This project explores how everyday WiFi signals, normally used for the internet to aid in tasks like indoor navigation, fall detection, and more. As WiFi waves bounce off walls, furniture, and people, they slightly change. We use those changes to “sense” what’s happening in a room without needing cameras or wearables. With tools like Channel State Information (CSI) and machine learning, we can detect movement, count people, or even monitor heart rate. It’s private, low-cost, and works with existing WiFi. Our goal is to show how useful and powerful WiFi can be beyond just getting you online.

URL: https://inrg.engineering.ucsc.edu/people/nayan-bhatia/

Economics (ECO)

ECO-01: The Impact of the Ban on Willful Defiance Suspension on Teacher’s Transfer

Primary Mentor: Seono Yun (he/him)

Number of Interns: 4

Project Description: In 2024, California Governor Gavin Newsom signed a bill banning “willful defiance” suspensions (WDS) in all K-12 public schools. Using datasets from the California Department of Education (CDE), I am analyzing the impact of this policy on student and teacher behavior. Preliminary findings suggest that students are staying longer at school and showing increased willingness to study. However, teachers report losing control of their classrooms and experiencing higher levels of stress. I plan to support these hypotheses with data analysis.

Tasks: Connecting Social Events to Analysis Learning Basic Statistics Managing Datasets Computer Programming (Excel & Python)

URL: https://economics.ucsc.edu/

ECO-02: What Factors Contribute to the High Rate of Medical Claim Denials in the Affordable Care Act Marketplace?

Primary Mentor: Hyunjin Yun (he/him)

Number of Interns: 3

Project Description: When hospitals or doctors ask insurance companies to pay for a patient’s medical visit, they submit a claim to insurance companies. However, about 20% of these claims get denied. If too many claims are denied, patients may have a bad experience and decide to switch to a different insurance plan. But if denying claims can make customers leave, why do private insurance companies still do it? In this research, we want to understand what causes claim denials to learn more about how health insurance works.

Tasks:

SIP interns are expected to:

1. Conduct a literature review – Identify relevant research papers to understand covered topics and key insights.

2. Find datasets – Locate and gather relevant data

3. Analyze data – Compute summary statistics (e.g., mean, standard deviation) and, if possible, perform regression analysis.

4. Generate figures and tables – Create visual and tabular representations of results.

ECO-03: The Impact of the Ban on Willful Defiance Suspension on Teacher’s Transfer

Primary Mentor: Sajad Tahavori (he/him)

Number of Interns: 4

Project Description: What if big crime data could help us understand where students go to school‚Äîand why? This project dives into millions of real crime records from cities like Los Angeles, Chicago, and New York to explore how neighborhood safety shapes school enrollment. We clean and organize massive datasets, map crime near schools, and uncover patterns in how families respond. Do they transfer schools? Avoid certain areas? Move altogether? By turning raw data into real insights, this research shows how big data and smart analysis can help make schools safer, more equitable, and more accessible‚Äîespecially for students living in high-crime neighborhoods.

Tasks: Interns will help explore how neighborhood crime impacts school outcomes in major U.S. cities. Tasks include reviewing research articles, cleaning and organizing large datasets, and working with school and crime data from multiple sources. Interns will assist in finding patterns, summarizing key statistics, and highlighting interesting facts. This project offers hands-on experience with data analysis, mapping, and research writing‚Äîperfect for students interested in education, cities, data science, or social equity.

Ecology and Evolution (EEB)

EEB-01: Decoding Hibernation: Gene expression Changes in Grizzly Bear Blood

Primary Mentor: Alexis Enstrom (she/her)

Number of Interns: 3

Project Description: Hibernation in brown bears (Ursus arctos) includes major physiological changes, enabling them to endure prolonged periods of fasting and immobility. During hibernation, the bears undergo changes such as reductions in body temperature, metabolic suppression, and temporary insulin resistance. Yet, bears remarkably evade the detrimental health effects associated with prolonged inactivity in humans. My project compares blood samples from brown bears at different time points to investigate gene expression changes associated with hibernation using RNA-sequencing (RNAseq). Identifying genes with significant changes across seasons offers a unique perspective on systemic adaptations, including changes in the immune system and metabolic regulation. The findings from this project have implications for human medicine, including advancements in treating metabolic disorders, identifying mediators of metabolic homeostasis, and potential therapeutic approaches for muscle-wasting diseases.

Tasks: Interns will gain hands-on experience in both wet lab and computational biology. They’ll learn essential molecular techniques such as pipetting, RNA extraction (from brown bear blood!!), PCR/qPCR, and RNA quality assessment on a bioanalyzer. In the dry lab, they’ll practice Bash scripting (Mac is preferred but not required) on a high-performance computing cluster, run RNA-seq analysis pipelines, and use R (will need to download RStudio) and Python for data visualization. Interns will also engage in literature review, protocol writing, and scientific communication. This program will introduce real-world genomics research while building foundational lab and coding skills. This work is for students interested in molecular biology, bioinformatics, and/or wildlife conservation!

URL: https://evogenomes.sites.ucsc.edu/

Education (EDU)

EDU-01: Project Leverage

Primary Mentor: Carla Suarez Soto (she/her)

Number of Interns: 3

Project Description: Project leverage aims to support students in mastering STEM concepts while also developing their language skills by training bilingual STEM teachers. Project Leverage is a partnership between several universities to support middle and high school STEM teachers who work with bilingual students. The program helps teachers learn new teaching methods and complete the requirements for a bilingual teaching credential. We focus on professional development that builds on students’ strengths and improves their learning opportunities by connecting STEM subjects with literacy. Teachers take courses on bilingual education and content literacy, along with receiving hands-on coaching, to help them use effective teaching strategies.

Tasks: SIP interns will play a key role in Project Leverage by transcribing and analyzing interviews with bilingual teachers who participated in the program. They will develop qualitative research skills by identifying themes in teacher experiences and will also look through teacher surveys. Interns will also gain experience finding credible research articles, reading academic papers, summarizing key ideas, and writing literature reviews. Additionally, interns will be introduced to quantitative analysis while assisting in program evaluation. They will have opportunities to join research meetings, observe other projects with Dr. Mosqueda’s team, and practice presenting research findings, which will help them grow as emerging researchers and critical thinkers.

URL: https://leverage.sites.ucsc.edu/

Electrical and Computer Engineering (ELE)

ELE-01: Electrical and Computer Engineering

Primary Mentor: Kimia Gholami

Number of Interns: 3-5

Project Description: Image segmentation is a fundamental part of computer vision that allows computers to identify and differentiate parts of an image, making sense of complex visual data. In this project, we explore various Artificial Intelligence (AI) models to understand how effectively they can segment images and distinguish pixels related to an object from the background. By comparing different models and analyzing their performance, we uncover ways to improve the accuracy of various models. The goal of this work is to deeply understand current models of AI in visual processing and contribute to advancements in this field.

Tasks: Gain hands-on experience with artificial intelligence (AI) models by working on various image segmentation tasks in medical imaging, robotics, and autonomous driving. Interns will preprocess image data, train AI models, and evaluate their performance using accuracy metrics. By experimenting with different segmentation techniques, they will gain insights into how AI interprets visual information. They will also visualize and analyze results to identify areas for improvement. This project provides an exciting opportunity to explore the current AI models in image segmentation tasks while contributing to advancements. No prior experience is required—just curiosity and enthusiasm for technology and problem-solving!

ELE-02: Recovery of composite refractive index of environmentally aged pure ozone AlOx protective coatings on silver mirrors from reflectance spectra using dispersion relation modeling

Primary Mentor: Soren Tornoe

Number of Interns: 3

Project Description: Silver (Ag) excels as a metal-base for astronomical mirrors for its high reflectivity across the visible to infrared spectral range. However, Ag degrades quickly in an observatory environment, necessitating a protective coating like aluminum oxide (AlOx). High-purity ozone (PO) as an atomic layer deposition (ALD) oxygen precursor has shown potential as a better precursor over the more conventionally used H2O, with improved film quality and reduced deposition times. After enduring high humidity high temperature (HTHH) testing PO boasted a minimal reflectance reduction (~12%) over H2O (~30%). The goal of this project is to elucidate the composite material properties unique to each of the HTHH tested PO samples. This will be done by performing dispersion relation modeling on collected reflectance data to recover the refractive index spectra for each PO sample.

Tasks: Interns will model and optimize the material properties of AlOx coated Ag mirrors by writing code using a programming language like MATLAB/GNU Octave and developing dispersion relation models to calculate the refractive indecies of the coated mirror samples. The mentor will teach a basic understanding of atomic layer deposition, light interactions on multilayered thin film structures, complex refractive index and holomorphicity, as well as go over the principles behind dispersion relation modeling; it’s uses and its shortcomings. Programming experience is strongly recommended but not required. A computer capable of running MATLAB/GNU Octave or other similar complex mathematics software is required.

ELE-03: Autoencoders In Wiretap Channels

Primary Mentor: Adam Rammaha (he/him)

Number of Interns: 3

Project Description: This project explores the use of deep learning-based autoencoders for secure communication over wiretap channels. Specifically, we design and train neural network models that encode messages in a way that allows the legitimate receiver (Bob) to decode them reliably, while minimizing information leakage to an eavesdropper (Eve). Our system operates in the presence of Gaussian noise and simulates varying levels of signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) for both Bob and Eve. We analyze system performance through metrics such as Bit Error Rate (BER), Block Error Rate (BLER), and information leakage upper bounds. The architecture is flexible and enables experimentation with different loss weighting strategies to control trade-offs between reliability and secrecy. This work aims to improve upon existing models and lays the foundation in the area of physical-layer security using deep learning.

Tasks: Interns will work on developing and improving deep learning-based communication systems over wiretap channels. Tasks include implementing and training autoencoder models, evaluating performance through BER, BLER, and leakage metrics, and experimenting with different network architectures and training strategies. Interns will gain hands-on experience with Python, TensorFlow, and secure communication concepts, while also contributing to research-level code.

ELE-05: Autonomous Systems, Electrical and Computer Engineeringt Marketplace?

Primary Mentor: Haitham Alsaade (he/him)

Number of Interns: 3-5

Project Description: Autonomous systems have efficiently supported the transportation of either a ground vehicle or an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV). In particular, Autonomous Ground Vehicle Navigation in Unstructured Environments. One of the most essential takes is when the ground vehicle in Unstructured Environments with dense trees and changing terrain goes up and down, sometimes losing the navigation system signal. The objective of this research project is to substantially enhance mapping and localization identification via a comprehensive learning-based framework leveraging lidar, depth camera, MIDG II, etc..

Tasks: 1- Gain knowledge about autonomous systems and mechatronics.
2- Learn about the main parts of the autonomous ground vehicle, such as electric circuit learning, mechanical learning, and Python software learning.
3- Design a small robot with Python software.
4- Develop the small robot and do a simulation by Rviz and Gazebo.
5- Develop the skills to connect the software and hardware to drive the robot.”

Earth & Planetary Sciences (EPS)

EPS-01: Exploring Evolutionary Change in Response to Climate Change 51 MYA

Primary Mentor: Jay Fearon (they/them)

Number of Interns: 5

Project Description: It is accepted as scientific consensus that sudden changes in earth’s climate can and have caused mass extinctions and rapid ecological changes. In recent years, our estimations of past climate change have become more accurate and precise. This project bridges paleoclimate and paleoecology by studying ostracod evolution before, during, and after the Paleocene-Eocene Thermal Maximum (PETM), an abrupt early Cenozoic warming event 51 million years ago. Ostracods are tiny crustaceans about the size of a grain of sand. Our goal is to see what evolutionary trade-offs ostracods made to survive high water temperatures and ocean acidification in their rapidly changing world.

Tasks: Interns will extract ostracod fossils from sediment samples using a light microscope, and measure them for length, width and weight. These metrics will provide a case study of how ecological populations react to climate change, as well as how ostracod body shape evolved over the short term to deal with stressful conditions. Interns will learn how to read a scientific paper and gain skills in data manipulation, data wrangling, statistics, and commonly used methods in invertebrate paleontology. Previous experience with light microscopes is preferred but not required.

URL: https://jfearon.sites.ucsc.edu/

EPS-02: Reconstructing 50 million years of Marine Mammal Behavior with Trace Metal Stable Isotopes

Primary Mentor: Tessa Holzmann (she/her)

Number of Interns: 3

Project Description: My project explores how seals and whales survived in changing oceans 50 million years ago to today by studying the isotope chemistry of their teeth and bones. Every animal’s behavior leaves chemical “fingerprints” in their skeletons, and I use these isotopic fingerprints to investigate what ancient and modern animals ate and where they lived. I necropsy and collect modern marine mammal skeletons from local strandings to see marine mammals adapted to changes in their environment over time. This helps us understand how they might respond to challenges today, like climate change and habitat loss.

Tasks: Basic chemical laboratory work: pipetting, mixing chemicals, working in the fume hood, weighing Paleontological sampling: drilling teeth/bones, pretreating fossil material for isotope analysis Mass spectrometer data collection & analysis Statistical Analysis Necropsy/Autopsy of local stranded whales and seals to collect bones and teeth (optional but fun) Collection of fossils and rocks from field areas in Northern California.

URL: https://sites.google.com/view/tessaholzmann/bio?authuser=0

Latin American & Latino Studies (LAL)

LAL-01: Oral, Digital and Material Histories of Colombian Surfing

Primary Mentor: Brianne Cotter (she/her)

Number of Interns: 3

Project Description: This project analyzes the patterns, images, tropes, references, political currents, economic trends, surfers, and sponsors that characterize the popularization of surfing and surf history in Colombia. This research draws from surf media (e.g., Instagram reels, tourism websites, recorded interviews, surf and travel magazines, YouTube surfing compilations, etc.) to understand the political, economic, social, cultural, and ecological factors that led to surf’s expansion across the Pacific and Caribbean coasts of Colombia. Studying the surf cultures and industries of Colombia reveals the power dynamics shaping tourism, mass media, consumption, leisure, and beach access across the Americas.

Tasks: Interns will perform digital media research and transcription. We will work with a range of sources, including YouTube videos (e.g., surfing compilations, travel vlogs, tourist reviews), tourism sites (e.g., Booking.com, Airbnb, Hostelworld.com), online surf magazine articles (e.g., Surfer Magazine, Surfer’s Journal, Surfline) and other media. Interns will summarize sources, cite relevant material, and analyze material for relevant subthemes of interest (e.g., tourism, infrastructure, geography, industry, conservation, race, class, gender, sexuality, ability, and nationalism). We will pay special attention to the Instagram page of @elpalosurfinterviews, a vlogger who hosts weekly interviews with Colombian surfers. Interns may transcribe limited sections of these recorded interviews, analyzing the content for relevant themes, references, and people.

URL: https://lals.ucsc.edu/graduate/grad-directory.php?uid=brcotter

LAL-02: Queer Latinidades: Cuban American Migrations, Musics, and Drag Performances

Primary Mentor: Jen N Gottlieb (they/them)

Number of Interns: 3

Project Description: Queer Latinidades: Cuban American Migrations, Musics, and Drag Performances

Tasks: Tasks include gathering data online from a variety of sources such as Cuban American news sources, Cuban blogs, CubaCuir data base, as well as social media accounts of nightclubs which have Latine drag nights or regular Latine drag performers, and the social media accounts of Latine drag performers and performances. Essentially students will be given different categories to find data online, which include use of Youtube, Instagram, TikTok (pending availability), news webpages, and other online archives like that of University of Miami’s Cuban Heritage collection.

URL: https://lals.ucsc.edu/graduate/grad-directory.php?uid=jngottli

LAL-03: COLLECTING AND DISPLAYING. THE POLITICS AND POETICS OF ARCHIVING LATIN/X AMERICAN FASHION

Primary mentor: Edward Salazar Celis (he/him)

Number of interns: 3

Project description: Fashioning the body is an activity that all humans engage in. We dress ourselves every day, often expressing our feelings, beliefs, and cultural identities through what we wear. My project investigates Latinx and Latin American dress and fashion in museums, as well as in artistic and design practices across the Americas. I aim to map how the clothing of diverse groups is represented in these contexts. The study of Latinx and Latin American fashion remains limited, so I am excited to contribute to this growing field while exploring its rich histories and visual narratives. Through this project, I hope students will help create a visual archive of fashion to support my research by exploring online resources from museums, galleries, and archives. This initiative offers an opportunity to delve into the captivating world of Latinx and Latin American dress, fashion, and bodily adornment as powerful forms of cultural expression.

Tasks: Interns will explore online museums, galleries, and archives to find images and information related to Latinx and Latin American dress, fashion, and artworks that engage with fashion. They will also complement this research by gathering information from media outlets, newspapers, and other digital sources to identify relevant content about Latinx dress in these contexts. Interns will assist in organizing, classifying, and describing these materials according to the research guidelines provided by the mentor.

URL: https://lals.ucsc.edu/graduate/grad-directory.php?uid=edfsalaz

LAL-04: The Latino Far-Right on Social Media

Primary mentor: Stephanie Shugert (she/her)

Number of interns: 4

Project description: This project analyzes Latino political far-right trends in the 2024 US election. This research is specifically interested in analyzing far-right Latino content on social media, like Reddit, TikTok, Instagram, Threads, X (Twitter), and YouTube. Content includes political news videos, reels, memes, original posts, and comment sections. The goal of this project is to understand the social, cultural, political, and economic factors that push Latinos to join the far-right movement in the US. This research is interested in providing a discourse analysis of contemporary Latinos by observing their social media engagement.

Tasks: Interns will be tasked with finding and collecting research materials related to my project on social media. We will work on finding relevant social media accounts (e.g. Latinos for Trump or conservative Latino pages) and looking through their posts/uploads. Interns will help summarize sources (posts), cite relevant material, and analyze material for relevant subthemes of interest (e.g. immigration/immigrants, economy, race/racism, gender, sexuality, class, nationalism, patriarchy). I will provide interns with a starting list of social media accounts, including that of Bianca Gracia, a Mexican-American conservative Texas politician. Interns will be asked to help transcribe audio from videos on the accounts observed.

Literature (LIT)

LIT-01: Literary Legacies and Alternate Afterlives in Bungo Stray Dogs

Primary Mentor: Zoë Sprott (they/them)

Number of Interns: 4

Project Description: This summer, dive into Kafka Asagiri’s rich world of Bungo Stray Dogs, a manga and anime series that features characters based on significant literary figures. The goal of this project is to analyze the network of literary legacies and alternate afterlives in the text and to consider the ethics of adapting real people into fictional characters. Working closely with their mentor, interns will have the opportunity to research the real authors alongside their fictionalized characters and to explore particular aspects of Bungo Stray Dogs, such as gender, genre, fashion, textuality, and (in)humanity.

Tasks: For the first three weeks of the program, the interns will watch the series alongside their mentor and hold discussions while watching. During independent working time, interns will compile reflection notebooks, effectively conducting close reading, outlining the research process, and developing their own research interests. As the program progresses, interns will develop their own research interests related to the series, and work closely with their mentor to develop a research plan that will entail close reading, historicization and contextualization, and a robust theoretical framework. No language fluency outside of English is required, but Japanese language learners are especially encouraged to apply.

URL: https://campusdirectory.ucsc.edu/cd_detail?uid=zsprott

LIT-02: Science Fiction and Robots: Rethinking Our Relationships to Technology through Iron Man, Oppenheimer, and Martha Wells’ Murderbot Diaries

Primary Mentor: Caitlin-Anne Flaws (she/her)

Number of Interns: 3-5

Project Description: This summer, watch Oppenheimer, Iron Man, and read Martha Wells’ Murderbot Diaries book series to evaluate and address the history and current roles technology has within our everyday lives. The goal of this project is for interns to focus on and complicate the following questions: Who is technology for? How does it relate to my life? What might enable technological innovation? What is the future of technology? What is a robot? This project will introduce interns to cross-disciplinary materials taken from literature, history, sociology, film studies, and philosophy, and introduce them to the principles of design justice and inclusive design.

Tasks: For the first two weeks of the program, interns will watch Oppenheimer and Iron Man alongside their mentor and hold discussions while watching. The remaining weeks will be spent reading the first 5 books in Martha Wells’ Murderbot Diaries. During independent working time, interns will compile reflection entries in a notebook, conducting close reading, outlining the research process, and developing their own research interests related to technology. As the program progresses, interns will develop their own research interests related to the films and books and work closely with their mentor to develop a research plan that will entail close reading, historicization and contextualization, and a robust theoretical framework. No language fluency outside of English is required.

LIT-04: Literary Epiphany: Revelation Across Global Traditions

Primary Mentor: Shane Baker (he/him)

Number of Interns: 3-4

Project Description: Have you ever experienced a moment of sudden understanding, a kind “ah ha!” moment when something about yourself, the world, or time unexpectedly becomes clear? Then you’ve had an EPIPHANY! But did you know the word “epiphany” was coined by a famous modern author, James Joyce? It just so happens that narrating such special moments, when we suddenly gain new knowledge, almost as if some divine spirit planted it in our minds, became a popular trend in twentieth-century literature. In the past, such moments were referred to as “revelation,” a religious word denoting what was understood to be a religious phenomenon. However, as the influence of religious institutions waned in the modern era, the emerging field of psychology stepped in to fill some of the void, which modern authors like Joyce noticed. The question for many people in the modern West then became: From a secular or scientific point of view, how do we honor and make sense of such experiences? Of course, in our own century, we know that religion is not going anywhere, and “secularization” is not just a historical process that happened in the Western world.

I am writing a journal article about the concept of “literary epiphany,” and you’re going to help me! I’m interested in exploring a couple of big questions: When is the distinction between religious and secular helpful, and when does it blind us the richness of certain events? How do Western and non-Western literary traditions contribute to our understanding of the process of secularization? Can literary epiphany tell us something about the future of religious belief and practice? What new pathways of research might we open up between literary studies and (neuro)psychology by studying the way writers write––and readers read––moments of epiphany?

Tasks: Interns will:

Search for and aggregate the appearance of epiphanic moments in various texts by utilizing the library database, 2) learn how to write a summary (“précis”) of research findings, 4) read and discuss many selections from literary and some non-literary texts that narrate epiphanies.
You are not an innocent bystander! Your mentor is writing an article for a peer-reviewed journal, and intern tasks are designed so that you will be helping your mentor complete his article. This is not a drill; this is real research!
Research tasks will take place within the normal internship day schedule. However, if there are special events or other programmatic activities, interns will be encouraged to attend these to get a feel for the SIP as a whole.

URL: https://bulletin.hds.harvard.edu/the-trouble-with-oneness/

LIT-05: Catullus’ Love Poetry: Subtleties in Translation and Their Effects

Primary Mentor: Lena Minh Thai (she/her)

Number of Interns: 3

Project Description: TGaius Valerius Catullus, commonly referred to as just Catullus, was a Latin neoteric poet whose works continue to serve as teaching tools to aspiring Latin language learners 2000+ years later. Catullus’ poems are accessible, engaging, and most importantly, personal and relatable. Catullus’ corpus was definitely diverse in tone and topic. Offensively childish at times and deeply wistful at others, his works attends to all aspects of life and all its antitheses: love and betrayal, courtesy and obscenity, friendships and pettiness, seriousness and frivolity. As a young adult, Catullus also wrote about the joys and sorrows of life at that age as well: from kissing a lover to the loss of a loved one to the apparent theft of a beloved napkin a friend gave to him to vocational passions, Catullus’ poetry was deeply felt, whether it be aggrieved indignance or agonized infatuation. This project aims to begin Latin language learning to explore the nuances and subtleties in Catullus’ writing alongside the application of Translation Theory. Familiarity with the Latin language is not required, and interns will work with a copy of the poems in English.

Tasks: Interns will maintain a notebook for weekly translations. Independently and with the mentor, interns will prepare translations of poems weekly. Interns will read supplementary texts about Catullus and his time period. Interns will learn about and apply Translation Theory. Interns will keep a Commonplace Log.

URL: https://literature.ucsc.edu/graduate/current-students/grad-student-directory.php?uid=lmthai

Molecular, Cell and Developmental Biology (MCD)

MCD-01: Validation of Transcriptional Expression in a THP1 Modified Cell Line

Primary Mentor: Jillian Ward (she/her)

Number of Interns: 3

Project Description: According to the American Cancer Society, 1 in 4 children with leukemia have acute myeloid leukemia (AML) which occurs when myeloid cells like monocytes over-proliferate. Although long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) make up the largest portion of the human transcriptome, most of their functional roles remain unknown. At the Carpenter lab, we focus on investigating the role of lncRNAs in monocyte and macrophage biology. We
have successfully identified a novel growth suppressor lncRNA, linc02642, in the acute monocytic leukemia cell line, THP1. Knocking down linc02642
using CRISPR interference (CRISPRi), leads to changes in biological pathways involved in cell development, metabolism, and proliferation. The aim of this project is to validate transcriptional expression changes of these genes. Students will learn how to use the UCSC Genome Browser to design
primers, extract RNA from THP1 cells to do qPCR, followed by primer validation by running gels and sending out products for sequencing.

Tasks: Throughout the summer SIP interns will learn how to use the UCSC Genome Browser to design a primer for a specific gene. They will then extract transcriptional RNA from THP1 cells and then create complementary DNA for their gene of focus. The complementary DNA and designed primers will be used to run qPCRs to amplify their gene of interest. With the gene amplified SIP interns will run a gel electrophoresis experiment to visualize their amplified gene. Finally, after running the gel SIP interns will preform a gel extraction and send the extraction out for sequencing to validate that the designed primers are amplifying the correct gene.

URL: https://sites.google.com/a/ucsc.edu/carpenter-lab/home?authuser=0

Microbiology and Environmental Toxicology (MET)

MET-03: Child micronutrient status and telomere length in rural Bangladeshi children

Primary Mentor: Sumukh Cadpakar (he/him)

Number of Interns: 3

Project Description: This project is for students passionate about global health and the use of statistical analysis tools to advance policy decisions to support vulnerable communities!
Telomeres are the protective caps at the ends of our chromosomes that protect our genetic code. The length of telomeres has been associated with various diseases and early mortality. Specifically, newborn children are highly susceptible to changes in their genomic structure due to a variety of environmental factors. Our project will analyze how nutrient deficiencies, micronutrients, cause changes in telomere length, leading to potential dangers to health and disease. Our project analyzes experimental data from a global health initiative (WASH Benefits) in rural Bangladesh. Students will be able to conduct a literature review, conduct statistical analysis using R software, and work on developing a manuscript. This project will advance efforts to conduct statistical analysis for a final paper to be published with the discovered findings.”

Tasks: The interns will be involved with literature review, data cleaning, data analysis, statistical analysis, helping their mentor in the interpretation of results, creating figures and tables, and outlining a scientific manuscript.

Students will need a computer with the ability to download R statistical analysis software and Zotero for literature management.

URL: https://audrielin.com/

Music (MUS)

MUS-01: Microtonality, Rhythmic Cycles, and Instrumental Systems in Iranian Music: An Introduction to Non-Western Musical Structures

Primary Mentor: Siamak Barghi(he/him)

Number of Interns: 5

Project Description: This project introduces high school students to the core structures of Iranian music, offering a unique perspective beyond Western musical theory. Students will explore microtonal scales and tetrachords—intervals not found in Western tuning systems—through guided listening and vocal exercises. They’ll also study historical rhythmic cycles from the Middle East using hand percussion and vocalization. In addition, students will help transcribe and write musical scores for several original compositions, gaining hands-on experience in music notation. Each student will score multiple pieces, contributing to a creative, collaborative outcome that deepens their understanding of global music and cross-cultural musical literacy.

Tasks: Interns will actively engage in group and individual activities focused on Non-Western music, particularly Iranian music theory. They will explore microtonal scales and intervals not found in Western music, learning to identify and sing these unique tonalities. Interns will study historical rhythmic cycles from the Middle East, performing rhythms vocally and with body percussion. They will also examine the organology of Iranian music through instrument classification and analysis. In addition, interns will support the creation of musical scores for several compositions by transcribing and notating music. Each student will help score multiple pieces, contributing directly to the project’s creative output.

URL: https://campusdirectory.ucsc.edu/cd_detail?uid=sbarghi

MUS-02: Exploration of Music’s Influence on Film Narrative

Primary Mentor: Nina Barzegar(she/her)

Number of Interns: 3

Project Description: This project explores the impact of music on film narrative. The mentorship aims to deepen interns’ understanding and empower them to create impactful sonic designs for one-minute videos, whether original videos or selected scenes from existing films. Throughout the project, interns will learn composition techniques, software (Logic Pro) proficiency, and sound editing, emphasizing how sonic elements contribute to the overall narrative and audience experience. Collaborative discussions and exercises will support interns to experiment and refine their designs. Ultimately, interns will apply their acquired knowledge and analytical skills to create music and sonic designs for short videos.

Tasks: Exploring concepts of music, films, and storytelling through various examples. Creating or selecting short videos for their project. Learning the fundamentals of film music composition, including understanding the influence of harmony and instrumentation on film music. Acquiring basic proficiency in Logic Pro, a music software designed for Mac systems. Crafting their music and sound project using Logic Pro, integrating video and sound components. Presenting their finalized video projects.

Philosophy (PHI)

PHI-01: Can Art Be Wrong? Rethinking Justice and Morality Through Aesthetics

Primary Mentor: Vivian Dong (she/her)

Number of Interns: 3

Project Description: This research project invites SIP interns to explore how philosophy can be used as a tool to understand the relationship and intersection between art, ethics, and social justice. Interns will begin with foundational questions such as: What is art? and How should we evaluate its aesthetic value? From there, the project will move into more practical and socially pressing topics, including: Can an artwork or artistic genre be immoral? Is it acceptable to use AI in the creative process? How do unjust social conditions shape artistic expression—and how can art respond to or resist those conditions? To engage with these questions, interns will read and discuss philosophical texts alongside their mentor, drawing from the fields of aesthetics, moral philosophy, and social justice theory. By doing so, interns will begin to build their own reasoning framework for navigating controversial and timely debates at the intersection of art and society.

Tasks: As the project progresses, interns will choose a topic of personal interest or select from mentor-provided prompts, focusing on specific issues such as cultural appropriation, censorship, or AI-generated art. They will then develop this topic into a final research project, which can take the form of a philosophy research paper or a public-facing website. The goal is not only to provide students with hands-on experience in philosophical inquiry but also to support them in producing thoughtful, socially engaged work that raises public awareness of the ethical and political dimensions of art.

URL: https://mostajo-radji.com

Physics (PHY)

PHY-01: Liquid Exfoliation of Two-Dimensional Materials

Primary Mentor: Carlos Gonzalez (he/him)

Number of Interns: 3

Project Description: A new computing architecture has been studied recently to go beyond Moore‚Äôs Law known as neuromorphic computing. One device type that can realize neuromorphic computing is memristor, which mimics the human brain by integrating memory and processing. We will use 2D transition metal dichalcogenides (TMDs) as the semiconductor in these devices. A ‚Äútop-down‚Äù method called liquid phase exfoliation (LPE) will be implemented to fabricate atomically thin TMDs. This technique involves immersing the crystal in a solvent that separates the layers. Compared to the Nobel prize-winning scotch-tape method, LPE has a higher exfoliation yield of atomically thin flakes. Interns will implement this technique to achieve large, atomically thin flakes for use in memristor devices.

Tasks: In this project, interns will be performing hands-on research in the lab to acquire 2D TMD flakes. The purpose is to use these flakes for new devices. The exfoliation technique is new to the lab, so the interns will combine literature research and experimental trial-and-error to achieve a high yield of large, atomically thin flakes. They will work with graduate and undergraduate students to characterize the quality of these flakes with an optical microscope and atomic force microscopy (AFM).

URL: https://ayanlab.sites.ucsc.edu/

PHY-02 In situ TEM study of polar domain dynamics in 2D ferroelectrics

Primary Mentor: Hem Prasad Bhusal (he/him)

Number of Interns: 3

Project Description: Recent research has revealed that ferroelectricity can emerge in non-polar van der Waals materials when their individual layers are stacked in a manner that disrupts inversion symmetry. This phenomenon, known as sliding ferroelectricity, has attracted considerable attention because it offers a new way to introduce ferroelectric properties in a wide range of non-polar 2D materials, opening possibilities for novel electronic applications. In this project, we employ operando transmission electron microscopy (TEM) to investigate how polar domains behave and switch in response to an applied electric field in twisted bilayers of transition metal dichalcogenides (TMDs), such as MoS2 and WS2. To prepare these 2D ferroelectric samples, monolayer TMDs are exfoliated from a bulk crystal and assembled into bilayers using a tear-and-stack approach, creating structures with small twist angles. These bilayers are then encapsulated with multilayer hexagonal boron nitride (hBN) and contacted with top and bottom graphite layers. The completed stack is transferred onto a Protochips electrical e-chip for TEM analysis. This study focuses on studying domain dynamics in ferroelectric 2D heterostructures.

Tasks: This research project is primarily experimental and focuses on preparing samples for transmission electron microscopy (TEM) studies. SIP interns will play a key role in the sample preparation process. Their responsibilities include mechanically exfoliating bulk TMDs, graphite, and hBN using the scotch tape method to obtain monolayer and multilayer flakes. Interns will use optical microscopy to identify flake thickness and size and will also be trained in Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM) to confirm layer numbers. They will then assist in fabricating heterostructures by transferring selected flakes and stamp down them onto a protochip TEM substrate. These prepared samples will be used for in situ TEM investigations of ferroelectric domain dynamics.

URL: https://ayanlab.sites.ucsc.edu/

Psychology (PSY)

PSY-01: The Speed of Change: Collective Future Thinking & Its Role in Political Activism

Primary Mentor: Joshua Rotondo (he/him)

Number of Interns: 3

Project Description: With this study, we hope to understand how one’s imagination of their country’s future relates to their political opinions and behaviors, as well as how their anxiety about their country’s future relates to these same opinions/behaviors. We hypothesize that people who are more anxious about their country’s future will have a harder time imagining their country’s future; similarly we also hypothesize that people who have more ambitious ideas for their country’s future will also have a similar relationship.

Tasks:

1. Reviewing research papers related to the project so we can write a background for the study.

2. Using computer software to analyze and visualize the data collected for the study.

3. Help write the research paper reporting on the study’s data.

PSY-02: Counterfactual Thinking in Collective Memory: How Imagined Past Influences Collective Future

Primary Mentor: Emine Seyma Caglar Kurtulmus (she/her)

Number of Interns: 3

Project Description: When we think about ourselves, we often imagine alternative realities for past events, asking ourselves, “What if I had done this instead?” or “Would the outcome have been different if I had acted differently?” These kinds of thinking are called counterfactual thinking. But what about counterfactual thoughts generated about collective memories? How do these imagined past events affect collective future thinking? This study primarily aims to explore how imagined past events (events that didn’t happen but could have) influence collective future thinking. Specifically, we will investigate how these imagined past events affect agency, temporal distance (subjective distance), level of construal (type of events), and the emotional valence of collective future thoughts.

Tasks:

1. Literature Review‚ Interns will review and summarize existing research on counterfactual thinking and collective temporal thought. Discussions on key articles will provide a deeper understanding of the topic.

2. Data Coding‚ Interns will analyze qualitative data by coding counterfactual content, focusing on agency and emotional valence.

3. Statistical Analysis, Interns will gain experience using Excel and statistical software to analyze coded data, providing insight into data processing and interpretation.

PSY-03: The Effects of Digital Technologies on Cognitive Processes

Primary Mentor: Jexy An Nepangue (she/her)

Number of Interns: 3

Project Description: My research explores how different technologies—such as generative AI, photo-taking, and the internet —affect memory. We often rely on tools like AI chatbots or our phones to store information, but does this change how we learn? Taking photos, for example, might help us capture moments, but does it also make us forget details? By studying how these technologies impact attention, memory, and learning, my work helps us understand when digital tools support memory and when they might hinder it. This research is crucial for improving our learning in a world where technology is everywhere.

Tasks: Interns will gain hands-on experience in psychological research by helping run experiments, reading and discussing scientific articles, and presenting key findings. They will also learn basic data analysis skills with minimal work in R (a statistical programming tool). This is a great opportunity for students curious about how technology affects memory and learning and who want to explore how research is conducted in cognitive psychology. No prior experience is required—just enthusiasm and a willingness to learn! Computation resources needed: Any laptop

URL: https://people.ucsc.edu/~bcstorm/

PSY-04: Hetereogeneity in American Collective Temporal Thought: The Role of Ethnicity, Framing, and Age

Primary Mentor: Zizhan Yao (he/him)

Number of Interns: 3

Project Description: Based on a previously collected American dataset, this project investigates the potential convergence and divergence in American’s social representation of their nation’s past and future. We will look at how different ethnic groups may have varied collective memory and future projections as well as potential age-related difference. In addition to looking at participant’s emotional valence towards collective temporal thought, we will employ network science approach to uncover the embedded narrative structure of each group’s collective representations. Findings will shed light on the complexity of an American idenity and the importance of looking beyond white sample.

Tasks:

-Code textual data based on themes
-Run statistical analysis such as t-tests and ANOVA
-Create R scripts to run network analysis and generate plots
-Read the necessary background readings on psychology, sociology, etc.
-Present research findings in lab settings and research seminars
-Learn to use basic statistical softwares such as SPSS, Jamovi, Jasp, R

PSY-05: False Memory and Social Media

Primary Mentor: Melissa Chen (she/her)

Number of Interns: 3

Project Description: False memories are memories that have been distorted from the original memory due to many factors (e.g., passage of time, suggestibility). This study explores the impact of social media usage on false memories using the Deese-Roediger-Mcdermott (DRM) paradigm. The DRM paradigm has been used widely used by researchers to study false memories. SIP interns will dive in to the literature of false memories to learn about the mechanisms, theories, and how it shows up in applied settings. Interns will also learn how experiments are created ran, and how recall data is analyzed.

Tasks: SIP interns will be conducting literature reviews to gain a better understanding of false memories and how social media may play a role in false memory creations. They will also learn how memory experiments are set up, created, and run on Qualtrics. Interns may also analyze recall data.

URL: https://people.ucsc.edu/~bcstorm/research.html