Harvey Mudd College's Summer Undergraduate Research Program engages students in 10 weeks of full-time research.
More than 170 HMC students pursued research projects in the summer of 2011 alongside 45 faculty members in biology, chemistry, computer science, engineering, mathematics and physics.
Students test the use of RNA interference to genetically modify cells to combat HIV/AIDS. Their research may lead to the development of a gene therapy that would suppress HIV replication by genetically altering the cells that HIV normally infects, making them resistant to the virus.
A team of students studies how humans use their leg muscles when they walk. By measuring variables such as electrical activity in the muscles and force distribution in the feet, they gather data that can lead to advancements in prosthetics, robotics and footwear design.
Student researchers use green chemistry to synthesize natural medicinal compounds from plants. They also develop fluorescent molecules that act as chemical probes and are potential tools for biological studies and medical diagnosis.
Two math majors use insights from the geometry of intersecting intervals to shed light on social science question: under what conditions can we predict that a large fraction of voters will agree on a candidate? Their process of solving the problem sheds light on the beauty and creativity of mathematics.
Students develop an optical survey prototype that uses lasers to identify the presence of living organisms within rock and ice. The system, which provides an economical way to study samples without destroying them, may one day be used to identify life on other planets.
A student computer science team explores various computer-vision-based algorithms and machine-learning methods to help an ARDrone quad-rotor helicopter autonomously navigate its environment. Their research could benefit robots used in search and rescue operations, transportation, military applications and helping the visually impaired.