Office for Undergraduate Research and Artistry
OURA Lab at CSU Spur
May 27 - August 1, 2025 (10 weeks)
Learn lifelong skills this summer at the remarkable CSU Spur campus
Apply to the paid undergraduate research program today!​
Application Deadline
March 14
CSU Fort Collins Student Application Deadline
–
March 30
CSU-Pueblo Student Application Deadline
Information Session Recording
What is the OURA Lab?
The TILT OURA Lab provides an opportunity for undergraduate students to learn laboratory and research skills that can be transferred to future research experiences. The OURA Lab is intended to be a comprehensive experience that allows students to engage in the many phases of research, from conducting background research to inform the project’s scope to the development and execution of experiments.
This program addresses two significant barriers to undergraduate research participation: lack of time and financial compensation.
OURA Lab provides a space to demystify research, give students confidence, and increase self-efficacy to do research past the OURA Lab. While fostering collaboration and community, the OURA Lab is a safe place to try new things, learn from mistakes, and test again without fear of a letter grade.
What is CSU Spur?
CSU Spur is a year-round destination for science, research, community service, and education for the greater public. Located roughly a mile from the intersection of I-25 and I-70 in Denver, The first of Spur’s three educational buildings – Vida, Terra, and Hydra – broke ground in May 2020 as a part of a transformation of the National Western Center, which is also host to the annual National Western Stock Show.
This collaborative campus brings together education, research, and engagement in essential areas like food, water, and health. CSU Spur aims to address global challenges through collaboration and innovation.
With programs like the OURA Lab, volunteer opportunities, community partners, and more, there is truly something at CSU Spur for everyone.
Why OURA Lab at CSU Spur?
Until now, TILT’s OURA Lab only offered paid student opportunities on CSU’s main campus in Fort Collins during the fall and spring semesters. Expanding the OURA lab to the CSU Spur campus increases both the number of students CSU can serve and the quality of research and learning opportunities available. CSU Spur has state-of-the-art research facilities built to engage in cutting-edge work. Because Spur has been intentionally designed to increase access to science and research for the general public, it is an ideal site for a program that introduces students to lab and research.
Understanding that not every student is able to participate in the OURA Lab during the school year due to other obligations, we are thrilled to provide this program for the first time in the summer of 2024 at CSU Spur.
CSU Spur and TILT’s OURA Lab strive for the same thing – provide educational resources to overcome barriers to science-related fields and have students observe and contribute to connecting research and community.
How Can I Apply?
Students interested should apply by midnight on February 29th for priority review. All applications after this date will be accepted on a rolling basis. Interviews will be conducted the following week either virtually or in person.
How Can I Apply?
Applications for OURA Lab at Spur Summer 2025 will open soon – check back soon!
For Immediate questions, please reach out to OURA’s Associated Director, Courtney Ngai, at [email protected]Â
How Can I Apply?
Applications for OURA Lab at Spur Summer 2025 are officially open!
Students can access the Application via Handshake
For immediate questions about the application, selection process, or summer program, please contact OURA's Associate Director, Courtney Ngai, at [email protected]
Handshake Job Posting #9556302​
Highlights from 2024 Cohort
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to live in Denver to be part of this program?
The program involves daily, in-person activities on campus and is committed to advancing Spur’s mission to support local communities. While living in Denver or nearby is not explicitly required, you will need to ensure you can reliably and realistically be at Spur each day for the duration of the program. Please see the linked recommendations for getting to Spur to plan your commute.
Is the OURA Lab at CSU Spur paid?
Yes, it is! Students will be paid $18.81 an hour. Students should expect to work 40 hours a week.
What is the difference in the Priority Application Deadline (Feb. 9) and the Regular Deadline (March 14)?
The Priority Application Deadline (Feb. 9) allows students to receive an earlier decision about their selection for the OURA Lab at Spur. Students who apply by this date will still be considered along with applicants from the Regular Deadline (March 14). Applying by Feb. 9 gives you a chance to know a decision sooner while remaining eligible for full consideration
When does the program start? How long does it last?
The program will start on Tuesday, May 27 and finish on Friday, August 1st, lasting a total of 10 weeks.
*For reference, the Spring 2024 semester ends on May 9th and the Fall 2024 semester begins on August 25th
Is this a class?
No, this is not a class. Since it is not a class, you will not earn college credit, pay a fee for participating, or need to register for this program with the registrar’s office.
This opportunity is more like a paid internship or a job where you are working and contributing to research, and is designed to help you in future courses, labs, and professional work.
What should I expect?
This 10-week program will have a “scaffolded” approach where students learn introductory lab and research skills, learn in different labs at CSU Spur to increase exposure to various types of research, and design a community engagement project at the end for a student showcase.
Students will be paid to learn 40 hours/week throughout the summer and will begin the first two weeks by being introduced to basic lab and research skills through the OURA lab.
The next seven weeks will involve students working in different CSU Spur labs to increase exposure to different types of research.
In the final week of the program, students will design an activity, exhibit, demonstration, or other form of interactive communication related to sharing research with the general public. The program coordinator will work with Spur staff to identify potential areas of research that students can make more accessible to the general public, and students will be invited to address the community engagement needs of Spur buildings for their project.
Is there lodging available?
Currently, there is not lodging available for students for this summer program, which is why we recommend students apply if they plan to live near or within driving distance of CSU Spur campus (4777 National Western Dr., Denver, CO 80216).
Do I need prior lab or research experience?
No you do not! The OURA Lab program is designed to provide any student with little to no lab or research experience with an opportunity to learn the necessary skills to go forward with lab work and research.
What major do I need to be in to participate in OURA lab?
Any major is welcome to apply
Where can I get more information?
A great way to learn more about this opportunity is by attending an Information Session either Tuesday, January 28, from 5-6 pm virtually via teams or Monday, February 3rd in-person in Johnson Hall, room 223 from 5-6 pm.
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For all your questions, contact the program coordinator, Courtney Ngai at [email protected]Â or submit a question using the form at the bottom of the page.
2025 Research Mentors
Dr. Jennifer Bousselot
Research Group: Green Roof and Urban Agriculture
Research Overview: Green roof agriculture topics like crop selection, shade tolerance, and environmental conditions
More About Dr. Bousselout's Research
What Projects Can Students Engage In?
Our raspberry production rooftop agrivoltaics research (data collection, plot maintenance, etc.) or the rooftop sown meadow research (counting flowers, weeds, etc. in plots).
Skills Students Will Learn
The seasonality of applied research data collection. We move between outdoors and controlled environments for our research. We often use a shared laboratory space.
How Big is The Research Group, and Who Would Students Be Working With?
Our team consists of a principal investigator, a postdoctoral fellow, three PhD graduate students and four Masters graduate students spread across the front range from Fort Collins to Colorado Springs. We always hire 3-5 interns and summer hourly help. Over half of our team is in Denver at the Spur campus.
Dr. Martha Calvert & Dr. Caitlin Clark
Research Group: CSU Spur Food Innovation Center
Research Overview: Food product development and sensory science research
More About Calvert & Clark's Research
Our research is supporting food and beverage companies with sensory research and testing needs, as well as food product development. This work supports local food businesses and entrepreneurs.
What Projects Can Students Engage In?
Kitchen skills (like following a recipe), note-taking and version tracking in a food-based lab, project management and planning, and communication strategies.
Skills Students Will Learn
- Understanding of food chemistry and applied food science,
- Literature searching skills,
- Project management skills,
- Data analysis (basic statistics) skills
How Big is The Research Group, and Who Would Students Be Working With?
Dr. Wilma Trujillo
Research Group: Soil Water and Plant Testing Labratory
Research Overview: Advance sustainable agriculture through hydroponics, aquaculture, and innovation, addressing global food security challenges
More About Dr. Trujillo's Research
Dynamic Soil Properties – Measurement of soil health indicators such as soil respiration, soil carbon, particular organic matter, soil texture and aggregate stability.
What Projects Can Students Engage In?
Skills Students Will Learn
Students will be able to execute protocols, from preparing reagents and samples, to operate instruments (ICP, pH, EC, Titrators, microplate readers), collect data and develop calculation spreadsheets, and reporting.
How Big is The Research Group, and Who Would Students Be Working With?
The lab includes a lab manager, two technicians, and four lab assistants
Dr. Alex Hendricks
Research Group: AEMS Corp.
Research Overview: Developing technology to make biological medications affordable, accessible, and suitable for at-home use
More About Dr. Hendricks' Research
AEMS Corp develops technology that makes it easier for pharmaceutical innovators to get their biological medications into the hands of those who need them most. This research is important because biological medications are incredible powerful, while at the same time being prohibitively expensive and fragile; most patients face difficulties getting access to biological medications due to price and oftentimes a need to travel into clinics for administration. Our technology allows next-generation medicines to be developed into products that can be taken at home, which improves access while lowering costs and complications.
What Projects Can Students Engage In?
From previous experience, student researchers would likely spend about 50% of their time in the lab and 50% of their time researching scientific literature (and/or working on business objectives such as marketing, customer outreach, etc. if there is interest). We are developing a Rapid Prototyping Facility which automates a fair amount of lab work, but we still conduct hands-on labor, mostly setup and analysis. Senior management of AEMS Corp. is committed to providing catered experiences based on what the goals of interns or employees are. Whether you’re interested in research or business development, we have plenty of interesting work available. Since we’re an early stage startup, you’ll likely be asked to wear a lot of hats and learn about broad aspects of an R&D company.
Skills Students Will Learn
- Competitive nature, trends, and other aspects of the pharmaceutical industry,
- Project management skills,
- Proficiency at the lab bench running and designing experiments,
- Professional presentation skills
How Big is The Research Group, and Who Would Students Be Working With?
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Dr. Jake Holley
Research Group: Metropolitan Agricultural Research Center (MARC)
Research Overview: Advance sustainable agriculture through hydroponics, aquaculture, and innovation, addressing global food security challenges
More About Dr. Holley's Research
The Metro Ag Research Center focuses on applied research in greenhouses, hydroponics, and vertical farming. Our research aims to test and validate new technologies, microbial inoculants, and fertilizer management strategies in Controlled Environment Agriculture.
What Projects Can Students Engage In?
Students may work on applied research projects in controlled environment agriculture, including greenhouse and hydroponic crop trials focused on growth, yield, and nutrient management. Activities include experimental setup, routine crop monitoring, data collection (plant growth and environmental variables), and assisting with data organization and analysis.
Skills Students Will Learn
Students will develop hands-on skills in greenhouse and hydroponic production, experimental design, and quantitative data collection. They will also gain experience in data management, basic statistical analysis, and communicating research results in written and verbal formats.
How Big is The Research Group, and Who Would Students Be Working With?
2 to 3 full time research associates, in addition to 2 co-managers. Undergrads will be primarily working with research associates
Dr. Guy Beresford​
Research Group: Soil, Water, and Plant Testing Lab
Giving Opportunities
With your help, more students can participate in life-changing experiences
Your generosity opens doors for more students to participate in the OURA Lab at CSU Spur. Your donations help provide hands-on experiences, mentorship, and resources that empower students to grow their skills, pursue their passions, and create lasting change in their communities.
Under “Designations“, select “All Other Areas Funds” and scroll to find “TILT Undergraduate Research and Artistry” to support undergraduate research and artistry at CSU
A special thank you for the financial support support from Chevron Corporation!
Questions?
Submit your questions or comments below and a member of our team will get back to you as soon as possible!
