Johns Hopkins University is one of the top research universities in the world, renowned for its groundbreaking discoveries and innovation across a wide range of fields. From medicine and public health to physics, applied mathematics, and the humanities, Johns Hopkins fosters a dynamic research culture that values collaboration and pushing the boundaries of human knowledge.
For students interested in pursuing research opportunities at Johns Hopkins, there are many ways to get involved during your undergraduate or graduate studies. Research involvement provides invaluable hands-on experience, mentoring relationships with faculty, and the chance to contribute to impactful projects.
Undergraduate Research Opportunities
Johns Hopkins encourages undergraduates to participate in research and provides many pathways to get started:
- Look for research opportunities in your department – Many departments and individual professors have research groups and projects that accept undergraduates. Reach out to professors whose work interests you.
- Apply for funded research programs – Johns Hopkins offers competitive research funding for undergraduates through programs like Woodrow Wilson Fellowships, Provost Undergraduate Awards, and SURF grants.
- Join a university research center – Johns Hopkins has over 40 cross-disciplinary research centers that engage undergraduates, like the Applied Physics Laboratory and the Whiting School’s Institute for NanoBioTechnology.
- Look for summer research programs – Many professors take on undergraduate researchers in the summer. Also apply for external summer research programs across the country.
- Volunteer in a lab – If funding is a concern, ask professors if you can volunteer in their labs to gain experience.
- Present at conferences – A great way to get involved in research is to present a poster or talk at academic conferences, such as the JHU Undergraduate Research Symposium.
The key is to be proactive in seeking out opportunities and approaching potential mentors. Many undergraduate research experiences arise through students actively reaching out to faculty members and demonstrating interest.
Graduate Student Research
For graduate students at Johns Hopkins, conducting original research is a central part of earning a masters or PhD. Graduate-level research involvement typically includes:
- Rotating through labs – In your first year, PhD students rotate through multiple labs to find the best research fit.
- Joining a thesis lab – By your second year, you choose a professor’s lab to carry out your thesis research.
- Developing your project – Based on your interests and your advisor’s guidance, you develop an original research project to pursue.
- Conducting experiments – The bulk of your time is spent running experiments, collecting data, and analyzing results.
- Publishing findings – You aim to publish your research in peer-reviewed journals, often co-authoring papers with your advisor.
- Presenting at conferences – Share your research at scientific conferences through talks and posters.
- Writing your thesis – Your original research culminates in writing and defending a PhD thesis or master’s thesis.
Through this intensive research process, graduate students make substantial contributions to advancing knowledge in their field while receiving expert mentorship.
Research Areas at Johns Hopkins
With over $2.5 billion in annual research funding, Johns Hopkins conducts research across every academic division. Here are some of the major research strengths at Johns Hopkins:
Medicine and Public Health
- Cancer research
- Neuroscience
- Cardiology
- Infectious diseases
- Biomedical engineering
- Drug discovery
- Gerontology
- Mental health
- Pediatrics
- Environmental health sciences
- Health policy
Natural Sciences and Engineering
- Physics and astronomy
- Chemistry
- Computer science
- Mathematics
- Materials science
- Space science
- Energy research
- Photonics
- Robotics
- Nanotechnology
Social Sciences, Arts, and Humanities
- Economics
- Political science
- International relations
- History
- Anthropology
- Psychology
- Sociology
- Archaeology
- Languages and literature
- Philosophy
- Music
- Art history
This range of research areas provides undergraduate and graduate students many diverse opportunities for research involvement. When reaching out to potential mentors, tailor your interests to the specific strengths at Johns Hopkins.
Tips for Getting Involved in Research
Here are some top tips for Johns Hopkins students looking to get involved with research:
- Start early – Make research a priority beginning freshman or sophomore year. The earlier you get involved, the more experience you can gain.
- Identify your interests – Reflect on what fields inspire you most and where you want to build expertise. Read faculty bios and publications.
- Be proactive – Email professors, introduce yourself, and convey enthusiasm for their work. Take the initiative.
- Build relationships – Make a good impression on faculty. Go to office hours and seminars. Show you are reliable.
- Work hard – Research will require dedication. Demonstrate your work ethic and commitment.
- Develop technical skills – Take relevant coursework to build expertise. Learn laboratory techniques and tools.
- Be patient – Finding the right research opportunity takes time and persistence. Don’t get discouraged.
Getting involved with research is an invaluable part of the Johns Hopkins student experience. With an abundance of resources and world-class faculty, students have immense opportunities to participate in substantive projects and make their scholarly mark prior to graduation.
Research Funding Available
Johns Hopkins provides several funding sources to support students in conducting research. Some of the main undergraduate and graduate research funding programs are summarized in this table:
Funding Program | Eligibility | Award Amount |
---|---|---|
Woodrow Wilson Fellowship | Undergraduates | Up to $5,000 |
Provost Undergraduate Awards | Undergraduates | Up to $3,500 |
SURF Grants | Undergraduates | Up to $3,500 |
Dean’s Undergraduate Research Awards | Undergraduates | Up to $1,500 |
Graduate Research Fellowships | PhD Students | Full tuition and stipend |
SPROUT Grants | Graduate Students | Up to $25,000 |
Students should consult their academic departments and the Office of Undergraduate Research for full details on applying for these competitive research funding opportunities.
Finding a Research Mentor
Connecting with a faculty research mentor is key for a successful research experience. Here are tips for finding and approaching potential undergraduate or graduate research advisors at Johns Hopkins:
- Identify faculty working in your areas of interest by exploring department websites.
- Read faculty bios, CVs, and publications to understand their research focus.
- Reach out via email to introduce yourself and express interest in their work.
- Schedule a meeting to discuss opportunities to get involved in their research.
- Ask about current projects and availability to mentor students.
- Convey relevant coursework, skills, and passion for research you could bring.
- Be proactive and follow up if you don’t hear back right away.
- If declined, thank them for their time and try contacting other faculty.
The right mentor-mentee pairing is crucial for a enriching research experience. Take time to get to know potential advisors and choose one aligned with your academic and career goals.
Developing Your Research Skills
Here are some key ways Johns Hopkins students can develop the core skills needed to thrive in research roles:
- Coursework – Take classes that provide strong foundations in research methods, writing, statistics, and technology tools.
- Technical abilities – Learn laboratory techniques, engineering tools, computer programs, and data analysis through classes or volunteer work.
- Communication – Hone skills in science writing and presenting research findings.
- Critical thinking – Analyze research papers to strengthen your ability to synthesize complex information.
- Time management – Research requires juggling multiple tasks and deadlines.
- Independence – Develop initiative and self-motivation to work through challenges.
- Collaboration – Cooperate well with your mentor, lab teammates, and other researchers.
Building these foundational skills will help you thrive in the fast-paced research environment at Johns Hopkins.
Networking Opportunities
Expanding your professional network is invaluable for getting the most out of your Hopkins research experience. Take advantage of these networking events and resources:
- Attend academic seminars and guest lectures to meet potential mentors.
- Join student groups like the National Society of Black Engineers to connect with fellow researchers.
- Participate in university research symposiums to present your work.
- Go to department mixers and research center social events.
- Attend office hours with professors and TAs.
- Introduce yourself to graduate students and post-docs in your lab.
- Stay connected through LinkedIn to build relationships.
- Follow university research Twitter accounts to discover events.
Making research connections early on can lead to fruitful collaborations, mentoring opportunities, and job prospects down the road.
Presenting and Publishing Undergraduate Research
Disseminating your research through conferences and publications provides valuable experience and exposure for undergraduates. Here are some top options for Johns Hopkins students:
- JHU Undergraduate Research Symposium – Present your work at this annual campus event.
- Maryland Collegiate Honors Conference – Share your research with students across Maryland schools.
- National Conferences – Apply to present posters or talks at major national conferences in your field.
- Lab Publications – Work with your PI to publish studies from the lab in academic journals.
- Undergraduate Journals – Submit manuscripts to undergraduate research publications like the Journal of Young Investigators.
Communicating findings provides valuable feedback and enhances research skills. Be proactive in seeking out presentation and publication opportunities.
Preparing a Strong Research Resume
Highlighting your research experience in your resume and job applications is key. Some tips for emphasizing research on your resume:
- Dedicate a full section to “Research Experience” and detail your projects, methods used, contributions, and outcomes.
- Quantify your accomplishments like papers published, presentations given, and awards received.
- Include technical skills and laboratory techniques mastered.
- Describe any leadership roles like mentoring underclassmen in your lab.
- Tailor descriptions to connect your research to qualifications for positions of interest.
- List research keywords to help your resume get picked up in applicant tracking systems.
A well-crafted research resume section allows you to stand out as an applicant for graduate school, fellowships, or science careers.
Conclusion
From groundbreaking discoveries in medical fields to trailblazing work in space science and applied physics, Johns Hopkins sets the global standard for excellence and ambition in research. Undergraduate and graduate students alike have immense opportunities to contribute to this vibrant research community and make their marks prior to graduation.
By identifying faculty mentors, developing technical skills, taking advantage of funding and presentations, and articulating your experience, you can obtain unparalleled research experience. An early start and proactive approach are key. Johns Hopkins’ robust resources and renowned faculty ensure limitless potential for students to pursue meaningful research and launch successful careers at the forefront of discovery and innovation.