The UF GeoGator Summer Research Program is a research opportunity for undergraduate students to participate in an active research project with a faculty member in the Geography department. The program provides students with the opportunity to gain hands-on experience, the chance to be involved with cutting edge research and lab environments, the opportunity to identify and develop career-related skills and abilities, and also provide a chance to network with professionals. This program aims to prepare students for future careers by gaining valuable and marketable experience, and expanding their knowledge beyond the classroom. This for-credit research experience occurs launch during 2025’s Summer C term.
Program participants must be located in Gainesville, FL unless otherwise approved by the research mentor. Weekly professional development seminars allow participants to learn from each other’s experiences and contextualize their research projects within the field. Seminar themes and events include career and graduate school exploration, science communication, the ethics of research. Students will present their projects at a Fall 2025 symposium.
Questions about the GeoGator Summer Research Program should be directed to the program coordinator, Dr. Gabriela Hamerlinck (ghamerlinck@ufl.edu).
Project Descriptions
Click above for full project descriptions from the 2024 cohort. Project descriptions for the 2025 cohort will be available in November.
2025 Summer C Program Schedule
| Dates | Schedule | |
|---|---|---|
| Week 1 | May 12-16 | Orientation week • May 12: Welcome session • May 14: What is research and how to be successful in this program • May 16: Team building activity • Assignment: meet your mentor & research “contract” |
| Week 2 | May 19-23 | Independent research • Weekly professional development topic: Mentor/mentee relationship building • Assignment: weekly progress report |
| Week 3 | May 27-30 | Independent research • Weekly professional development topic: Scientific literature (library field trip) • Assignment: weekly progress report |
| Week 4 | June 2-6 | Independent research • Weekly professional development topic: Research ethics • Assignment: weekly progress report |
| Week 5 | June 9-13 | Independent research • Weekly professional development topic: Data life cycles • Assignment: weekly progress report |
| Week 6 | June 16-20 | Independent research • Weekly professional development topic: Academia vs industry (career panel discussion) • Assignment: weekly progress report |
| Week 7 | June 30-July 3 | Independent research • Weekly professional development topic: Developing a career plan • Assignment: weekly progress report |
| Week 8 | July 7-11 | Independent research • Weekly professional development topic: The next steps – applications for graduate and professional school • Assignment: weekly progress report |
| Week 9 | July 14-18 | Independent research • Weekly professional development topic: The next steps – applying for fellowships and scholarships • Assignment: weekly progress report |
| Week 10 | July 21-25 | Independent research • Weekly professional development topic: Communicating science – how to write a research paper • Assignment: weekly progress report |
| Week 11 | July 26-August 1 | Independent research • Weekly professional development topic: Communicating science - elevator pitches for your project • Assignment: elevator pitch recording & peer review; weekly progress report |
| Week 12 | August 4-8 | Wrap up week • Poster presentation practice session • Assignment: poster draft |
| Fall Semester | Tentative Date: August 28th, 3-4pm | First department colloquium: Summer Research Program student poster presentations |
Expectation of Students
All students selected for the GeoGator Summer Research Program are expected to conduct research with their assigned mentor during the 2025 Summer C term. The individual expectations of each student participant may differ according to project and/or mentor.
Eligibility
Applicants must:
- Be a UF student capable of taking 0-3 ch in the Summer C term
- Have completed at least one year of undergraduate study by the start of Summer 2025
- Have at least one semester of study remaining after the completion of the GeoGator Summer Research Program
Students who are from historically excluded groups OR who are from low-income homes OR who are the first in their family to attend college are strongly encouraged to apply.
How to Apply
The application closes at the end of February.
Application Link: 2025 Summer Research Program **Applications will open in November, 2024**
*Note* In order to complete the application you must be logged into google using your UF Email Account
During the application process, you will need to provide:
- Electronic version of your college transcript (scanned hard copies if electronic transcripts are not available); unofficial transcripts are acceptable.
- A current CV or resume
- Three short personal essays (500 word maximum per essay)
- How would your participation in the GeoGator Summer Research Program contribute to your future goals and career plans
- Although previous research experience is not required to be considered for participation in our summer program, please describe any past research experience. This may include research experiences as part of a course if you do not have any other research experiences.
- Describe any pertinent experience or coursework that you believe will benefit the project you are interested in completing
Selection and Placement
Selection and project placement of students will take place in early March. Applicants who are not placed will be notified by the end of March.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q) Can I apply if I am a first-year student? Or a graduating senior?
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- Applicants must have completed at least one year of undergraduate study by the start of summer research and have at least one semester of study remaining after the completion of summer research.
Q) Is there a GPA requirement?
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- No, there is no GPA requirement to conduct summer research.
Q) Can I take another summer course during while completing the GeoGator Summer Research Program?
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- Yes, as long as you can still complete the required program commitments (e.g. attending weekly professional development sessions, spending an average of 10 hours per week on research-related work, etc.)
Q) Can I have a job while completing the GeoGator Summer Research Program?
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- Yes, as long as you can still complete the required program commitments (e.g. attending weekly professional development sessions, spending an average of 10 hours per week on research-related work, etc.)
Q) Do I need to be a Geography major or minor to participate?
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- No, but preference may be given to Geography majors or those who have relevant coursework or experience for a project.
Q) I want to register for less than 3 credit hours, can I spend less time on the research project?
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- All GeoGator Summer Research Program participants are expected to devote an average of 10 hours per week to their research project. If you are interested in signing up for less than 3 credit hours, you must coordinate this with Dr. Hamerlinck.
Q) How many students do you accept into the program?
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- We anticipate selecting 10-14 students into the program.
Q) How are applications reviewed?
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- An initial screen of applicants is made by the program coordinator. Files from the best-qualified applicants are forwarded to particular faculty mentors based on research interests expressed by students in their applications. Each mentor reviews the applications and determines which student is the best fit for their research. The program then contacts the selected student to confirm their interest in a specific project and offer them a summer research position.
Q) I still have questions, who can I contact?
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- Please reach out to the program coordinator, Dr. Gabriela Hamerlinck (ghamerlinck@ufl.edu) with any questions.