About
ABOUT OUR
The office of undergraduate research (OUR)
The Office of Undergraduate Research supports UNC Charlotte students, faculty, and staff in their endeavors to expand the quantity and enhance the quality of undergraduate research experiences on campus. OUR provides undergraduate research fellowships and opportunities to communicate research to others through multiple research symposiums and funding to national conferences to present the research. Browse our research related opportunities and information for UNC Charlotte undergraduate students interested in engaging in independent or collaborative research with faculty members and research professionals. Meet the Staff or learn about OUR Faculty Fellows. Please use this site as your starting point to learn about the many opportunities for UNC Charlotte students in undergraduate research, scholarship and creative activities. Click here to see where we are located!
our Mission
The mission for the Office of Undergraduate Research at UNC Charlotte is to promote scholarly identities through experiential learning by advancing access to and engagement with mentored research and creative activities as an integral part of the undergraduate curricular and co-curricular programs for Charlotte’s entire student body.
our VISION
Our vision is to expand research opportunities and promote academic success for undergraduate students through innovation, mentored scholarship, creative expression, and entrepreneurship. This high-impact practice enhances students’ ability to construct knowledge and prepares them to become life-long learners and to address future problems as enlightened citizens and leaders.
Key aspects of fulfilling this vision include:
- Creating equitable opportunities for all undergraduates to engage in creative learning and critical inquiry that increases relevant career competencies and curiosity about how they can impact their personal and professional communities.
- Removing financial, social, and/or cultural barriers, so research can become a central feature of the undergraduate experience for all interested students at UNC Charlotte.
- Serving as the primary campus resource for students, faculty, and staff seeking guidance or support related to each of these activities.
our Vision in Action
We strive to be an office that provides opportunities for research training and development while fostering academic and professional growth for students. The goal of OUR is to build community for scholars, artists, and researchers at UNC Charlotte.
OUR will accomplish its mission and vision by:
- Directly providing opportunities for students to engage in mentored research and scholarly activities through the OUR Scholars programs.
- Promoting scholarly discussions through dissemination and communication of research via an undergraduate research journal and multiple on-campus presentation events each year.
- Developing professional skills in mentors and mentees through workshops, seminars, learning communities, and educational sessions.
- Supporting researcher identity development through off-campus conference participation via conference attendance grants.
Meet the staff
Lance Barton, Ph.D. is Director of the Office of Undergraduate Research. A biochemist and cellular immunologist by training, he earned his B.S. from Dickinson College and his Ph.D. from the University of Cincinnati College of Medicine. His research and mentoring have focused on immunology, cell stress, and cancer biology, and his own undergraduate research experiences […]
Areas of Focus: Student Professional Development, “My First Research” Programs, Undergraduate-Graduate Mentoring/Shadowing Initiatives Sarah joined the OUR in May 2023. Prior to her role at UNC Charlotte, Sarah worked in student success at West Virginia University, where she also obtained her PhD in Educational Theory & Practice in 2022. Sarah began her career in the […]
Sarah joined the Advising Center in May 2013. She began her work at UNC Charlotte in 2010 in the University College Department as a federal work-study student worker while pursuing her undergraduate studies at UNC Charlotte. Originally from Fayetteville, NC, Sarah graduated in 2013 with a Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology and a minor in Women […]
Caelan Murphy is the OUR Graduate Assistant for the 2026-2027 school year. She is a first-year Master’s in Public Health student with a concentration in Community Health Practice. She has experience in community-based research working to better understand and promote health literacy and cultural competency in rural areas. In OUR and her time at UNC […]
Atenas Hidalgo is a senior at UNC Charlotte pursuing a double major in International Business and Marketing, with a minor in French. She is passionate about professional development, research, creative communication, and creating opportunities that help students connect their academic experiences with their future careers. Atenas is actively involved in campus leadership as the Membership […]
Gabby is an undergraduate student at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte, where she is pursuing a bachelor’s degree in Sociology with double minors in Psychology and Communication Studies. Raised in Charlotte, she is currently a college senior and serves as a Student Assistant in the Office of Undergraduate Research (OUR), where she has […]
Connect with us!
Our office is located in Barnard 109B
Fall 2026 Semester Drop-in hours
- Tuesdays 12:00 PM to 1:30 PM
- Thursdays 11:30 AM to 1:00 PM
Have Questions? Contact Us
- Phone: 704-687-5316
- Email: undergradresearch@charlotte.edu
Follow OUR on Socials!
Support us!
Why support undergraduate research?
As a comprehensive research university, Charlotte provides all students with the unique and valuable opportunity to conduct research and collaborate with faculty experts during their undergraduate years.
There are numerous educational benefits to doing research. Students learn to work collaboratively with a faculty mentor; sharpen their problem-solving skills; learn about current issues, methods, and leaders in their chosen field(s); and apply concepts learned in the classroom to “real life” situations. Of particular benefit to them on a professional level are the opportunities to explore potential careers, improve their communication skills, and learn how to work effectively as part of a team. All of these things allow the student to grow as a critical and independent thinker, build confidence and independence, and increase awareness of ethical issues. As a result, the student will be well prepared to enter the workplace or to attend graduate and other professional schools.
If you are interested in giving to the Office for Undergraduate Research, please contact Dr. Lance Barton – Director of the Office of Undergraduate Research, at lbarton9@charlotte.edu. You can also give through the UNC Charlotte Giving portal.
Thank you so much for your support of Charlotte’s student undergraduate research!