Research experience can open doors for students, helping them explore new interests, develop technical skills, and build relationships with mentors who support their academic growth.
At UC Riverside's Marlan and Rosemary Bourns College of Engineering (BCOE), summer 2026 brought these opportunities to high school, transfer, and undergraduate students through three research programs and an annual symposium celebrating their accomplishments.
Supported by faculty, mentors, and the college's student success efforts, participants spent the summer conducting research, developing professional skills, and connecting with scientific communities on campus and across California.
Supporting transfer students through Summer Bridge to Research
For transfer students, entering a university research environment can bring new opportunities alongside the challenges of adjusting to a different academic setting.
BCOE's Summer Bridge to Research program welcomed 10 transfer students for an intensive 10-week experience designed to support their transition into university-level engineering research.
Sponsored by ATP Bio and the Inland Engineering Pathways Partnership (IEPP), the program combined hands-on laboratory training with professional development workshops, giving participants opportunities to strengthen their research skills and prepare for future academic experiences.
At the conclusion of the program, students presented their research findings to faculty, peers, mentors, and family members during the BCOE Summer Research Symposium.
Introducing local high school students to stem cell research
BCOE also extended research opportunities to students throughout the Inland Empire through STRIDE, a program funded by the California Institute for Regenerative Medicine (CIRM).
Over five weeks, 12 students representing 11 high schools across Riverside and San Bernardino counties gained hands-on experience working in stem cell research laboratories.
The program introduced participants to scientific research while providing opportunities to learn laboratory techniques, work alongside mentors, and explore potential pathways in science and engineering.
Their experience culminated in a trip to UC Berkeley, where they presented their research alongside student researchers from across California. The presentations gave participants an opportunity to share what they had learned and engage with a larger scientific community.
Connecting undergraduate researchers with the scientific community
For undergraduate students interested in regenerative medicine, RAMP offered another opportunity to gain research experience and connect with professionals in the field.
Also supported by CIRM, RAMP serves students from BCOE and UCR's College of Natural and Agricultural Sciences (CNAS), supporting their development through research training and mentorship.
This summer, RAMP scholars from multiple cohorts represented UCR at the CIRM 2026 Trainee Networking Conference in Sacramento.
The conference brought students together with researchers and leaders in regenerative medicine, providing opportunities to exchange ideas, learn about developments in the field, and build professional connections.
Among the participating UCR students, two RAMP scholars were selected to deliver oral presentations, sharing their research with a statewide audience.
Bringing students, mentors, and families together
The summer's research experiences also came together at the annual BCOE Summer Research Symposium, which brought participants from the college's summer programs together to present their work and celebrate their progress.
The symposium provided an opportunity for students to communicate their findings, learn about their peers' research, and reflect on the skills they developed throughout the summer.
Faculty and mentors joined the students, along with family members invited to take part in the celebration. Their presence highlighted the broader community supporting students throughout their academic journeys.
The event marked the conclusion of a summer that extended research opportunities across different stages of education, from high school students exploring stem cell science to transfer students entering university research and undergraduates presenting their work at statewide conferences.
Through these programs and the people who support them, BCOE continues to make research, mentorship, and community engagement part of the student experience.