First published by UCLA Newsroom on May 14, 2026

Read full article by Kayla McCormack here. 

Research is a cornerstone of the undergraduate experience at UCLA, with more than 4,000 Bruins participating in research or creative inquiry each year. UCLA’s two Undergraduate Research Centers (URCS) — one dedicated to the sciences and one to the humanities, arts and social sciences — provide a support network that makes research possible for all students. The URCs connect students with the mentorship, funding and community to help them succeed as researchers.

Undergraduates who engage in research early are better positioned to become the scientists, physicians, engineers, policymakers and entrepreneurs who will address challenges across industries. Developing critical thinking skills and firsthand experience with complex problems prepares them for careers in academia and industry, and for leadership roles where evidence-based decision-making matters most.

Each year, UCLA Undergraduate Research Week celebrates these students and their work. This year’s special “Bruin Research Powers Progress” panel brings together eight researchers whose projects span biology, law, sociology, education, psychology and neuroscience. Here is what they are working on and why it matters.