Over the past academic year, five University of Miami undergraduate students have explored the extensive research collections available through University Libraries to develop projects that augment their academic interests. These five students, selected as this year’s Library Research Scholars and Adobe Scholars, will share their project results during a reception hosted by University Libraries.
“The scholars programs provide a unique opportunity for students to take charge of their intellectual interests and pursue them, with guidance from librarian mentors,” said Lauren Fralinger, head of Richter Learning and Research Services. “Projects completed through the programs are often springboards into the future for students, as these projects help prepare scholars for graduate school or for entering the workforce after graduation.”
Anika Engel, a senior majoring in communications, and Rafaela Ochoa, a junior majoring in English, worked with their individually assigned library faculty mentor and received specialized training from experts with the Creative Studio as a part of this year’s Adobe Scholars Program. Sponsored through an endowment provided by Adobe Systems Inc., the program began in 2018 and provides two students each academic year with mentorship that results in an audiovisual or a multimedia intellectual project.
This year’s Adobe Scholars projects are “Good Vibes and High Tides: A visualization of well-being and the sea” by Engel and “The Everglades Through the Eyes of a Journalist: The Legacy of Marjory Stoneman Douglas” by Ochoa.
Since 2015, the Library Research Scholars Program has chosen three undergraduate students to participate in the mentorship program guided by a librarian faculty member. Sponsored by the Dean of Undergraduate Affairs and the Dean of Libraries, this academic year, Anastasiia Hadomska, a sophomore majoring in geography and sustainable development; Jayla Paschalis, a junior majoring in data science and artificial intelligence; and Josh Patel, a senior majoring in neuroscience, collaborated with their individually assigned library faculty mentor to investigate research materials in the library’s collections.
Rich with digitized and physical historical resources, University Libraries has many archival repositories including Special Collections, University Archives, the Cuban Heritage Collection, Digital Collections, the Marta and Austin Weeks Music Library, and the Architecture Research Center.
“Participation in the Library Research Scholars and Adobe Scholars programs gives undergraduate students an opportunity to explore the University Libraries’ vast collections and gain significant experience performing research,” said Fralinger.
With guidance from their assigned mentor and a deep dive into the library’s comprehensive research materials, the Library Research Scholars developed compelling projects that include “From War to Refuge: Addressing the Resource Crisis for Ukrainian Refugees” by Hadomska; “Mind Meets Machine: Code Behind Consciousness” by Paschalis; and “The Long-Term Health Impact of Colonialism on the Indian Subcontinent” by Patel.
The Library Research Scholars and Adobe Scholars reception will take place on Friday, April 25, from 5-6:30 p.m. at the Otto G. Richter Library, third floor conference room. Register to attend via Zoom or in person.
Learn more about the Library Research Scholars and Adobe Scholars programs, including how to apply. View last year’s reception.
