The way Gary Gabriele sees it, research helps an undergraduate to grow emotionally as well as intellectually.
Students get to see what they can do, and as a result there's some self-esteem building going on.
Since then, undergraduates have taken part in such projects as monitoring crystal growth aboard the space shuttle Columbia, testing and marketing the first new drug in 30 years for treating alcoholism, and designing and improving parts of the Anthrobot robotic hand. URP enrollment spans all schools and departments, and all full-time enrolled Rensselaer students are eligible to participate in the program. Qualified undergraduates can earn course credit or receive a stipend. Research, Gabriele said, enables undergraduates to apply classroom knowledge to real problems, network with faculty, gain leadership and team-building skills, establish support groups of faculty and students, and actually have fun while learning.