Honors Student Listserv
Coming up in the Honors College
- CARE Fair 2025
- Honors Ambassadors Application Now Open
- Apply to the Houston Scholars Program
- REACH Program now open!
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ANNOUNCEMENTS & OPPORTUNITIES
Grand Challenges Forum
The New Grand Challenges Forum encourages students to think critically, discuss openly
and learn unequivocally. The New Grand Challenges Forum offers students, faculty,
staff, alumni and members of the local community a time to hear a wide range of lectures
dedicated to a compelling theme. Fridays from 1-2 p.m. in the Honors College Commons.
Friday, September 5, 2025
Joshua Ellis, M.D., MPH (’12) Attending Faculty Physician and Clerkship Director of
Emergency Medicine at University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences
"When Every Second Counts: Lessons from the ER and the Journey to Becoming a Healer"
Friday, September 19, 2025
Paul Carrese, Ph.D. Founding Director, School of Economic and Civic Thought and Leadership
"Civic Education for Our Constitutional Order"
Friday, October 24, 2025
Robert Proctor, Ph.D. Professor Emeritus, Connecticut College
"Cicero’s Rhetoric, Political Violence, and the Collapse of the Roman Republic"
Friday, November 7, 2025
Robert Satcher, M.D., Ph.D. Former NASA Astronaut
Associate Professor, Department of Orthopaedical Oncology,
The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center
"Space Exploration, Space Tourism, and the Future of Space Travel"
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Houston Scholars Program
Houston Scholars is a competitive program for high-achieving freshmen to receive mentorship
and a $500 scholarship per semester to pursue research, internships, and other unique
opportunities. Throughout the 2026 academic year, Houston Scholars will hone academic
and professional skills, engage in scholarly endeavors, develop relationships with
faculty, and prepare for nationally competitive scholarships and graduate programs.
High-achieving freshmen and sophomores are eligible to apply. Rising sophomores must
have at least a 3.5 GPA to participate in Houston Scholars. Incoming freshmen should
have demonstrated potential for academic and extracurricular achievement in their
applications.
Learn more and APPLY HERE Submission Deadline is: August 29, 2025 at 11:59 p.m.
CARE Fair 2025
Are you a new or returning student looking to get involved, make friends, and create
change? Join Honors at CARE Fair 2025, the official kickoff to COMMUNITY ADVOCACY & RESPONSIVE ENGAGEMENT (CARE) program! Discover opportunities for meaningful leadership, hands-on service, and
community impact through Honors-supported projects.
Join us on Saturday, August 30 from 7 a.m. - 3:30 p.m. for a day of service, mentorship, and community building as we kick off the 2025–2026 academic year. Whether you're new to CARE or returning for another year, this event is for you. Join us to learn more about who we are, our mission, and our projects!
We will volunteer as a group during a two-hour service shift at Houston Food Bank and head back to the Honors College for the rest of the day. This full-day event is the perfect way to explore hands-on projects that let you work on real issues in Houston - like college access, education equity, and food insecurity - while building community with like-minded students.
What to expect:
• Volunteer with friends at the Houston Food Bank
• Discover CARE projects through live project pitches
• Join mentorship groups and connect with peers and upperclassmen
• Learn leadership tools through interactive activities
• Enjoy a free lunch, professional headshot, and CARE T-shirt!
Whether you’re curious about what CARE is or ready to join a project, CARE Fair is a welcoming, fun, and inspiring way to kickstart your UH experience. RSVP by August 8th to confirm your attendance. Carpooling is provided. Follow us at @honors.care on Instagram for any updates.
RSVP here: https://forms.gle/sQ1mxC97K4fevSuz5 Questions? Email us at uh.honors.care@gmail.com
Honors Ambassadors Application
The application to join the 2025-2026 Honors Ambassadors cohort is now open!. Honors
Ambassadors promote the Honors College in a variety of ways, including organizing
and assisting with events such as college fairs, college tours and Open Houses. They
also represent the Honors College at Cougar Preview and help guide incoming students
during the Scholars Invitational.
Learn more at: https://www.honorsambassadors.com To apply, complete this form and submit all supplemental documents requested by 12:01 a.m. on Tuesday, Sept 7, 2025. Late and incomplete applications will not be reviewed.
Getting Started in Research Webinar
Learn the ins and outs of applying to undergraduate research programs offered by the
Office of Undergraduate Research and Major Awards in this webinar presented by Livia
Garza and Katie Welsh of OURMA! Registration is required, REGISTER HERE.
Dates:
• September 16, 2025 at 4-5 p.m.
• September 26, 2025 at 2-3 p.m.
Applying to Ph.D. Programs in STEM Webinar w/ Dr. Richard Meisel
Learn how you can prepare for and apply to graduate programs in the life sciences
and STEM with appication expert Dr. Richard Meisel, associate professor in the Department
of Biology and Biochemistry. Registration is required, REGISTER HERE.
Webinar will take place on September 19, 2025 at 2-3 p.m.
Volunteer for Project Sunshine!
Project Sunshine is a national nonprofit organization aiming to deliver the healing
power of play to children with medical needs. At the University of Houston, our chapter
proudly partners with local hospitals in the Texas Medical Center, such as Texas Children's
and Ronald McDonald House, to facilitate passionate, dedicated, and capable volunteers
and provide meaningful volunteer experiences.
Volunteers will have various opportunities, including Here to Play, a program where volunteers will be given the opportunity to gain in-hospital volunteer experience with the children. The UH chapter will also participate in various different activities such as Kits for Play, where volunteers come together and assemble fun, hands-on activity kits that are later distributed to children in hospitals. More opportunities to come!
Please visit our website at https://uhprojectsunshine.wixsite.com/2025 for more information, and contact us at: uhprojectsunshine@gmail.com
Fall 2025 LAUNCH Services
The Learning Advancements for Undergraduate Cougars of Houston (LAUNCH) office is
offering several back-to-school services during the fall 2025 semester. Located on
the second floor of the Student Service Center 1 building, LAUNCH will offer peer
tutoring beginning the first week of classes, along with peer-assisted study sessions
for select STEM and business courses. LAUNCH also offers academic coaching on subjects
such as time management and test anxiety reduction, with appointments available through
the UH Navigate app. Additionally, LAUNCH is hosting a Math Mania workshop series
and a success series this fall. Visit the LAUNCH website to learn more, and email launch.uh.edu with any questions.
Foundations in Digital Humanities - Undergraduate Micro-credential
This micro-credential in the Digital Humanities program introduces students to the
concepts and competencies that are core to digital humanities work, preparing students
to plan and implement their own project or participate in an ongoing digital humanities
research project. This program is available to active University of Houston undergraduate
students interested in research or with an idea that incorporates an element of digital
scholarship. Students who complete the Micro-credential in the Digital Humanities
badges gain access to the full range of services and infrastructure offered by the
Digital Humanities Core facility and become part of growing cohorts supported by the
HPE DSI and UH Libraries, aimed at nurturing new research and scholarship. For more
information, contact dhcf@central.uh.edu.
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TRAVEL & SCHOLARSHIP OPPORTUNITIES
Fulbright U.S. Student Program
Interested in teaching English or conducting a research project abroad for a year? Consider applying to the Fulbright US Student Program! Fill out the interest form to schedule an appointment to discuss more.
Fulbright Fridays - Must register to attend virtual meeting
Fulbright Friday: Getting and Implementing Effective Feedback - August 22, 12- 1 p.m. https://uh-edu-cougarnet.zoom.us/meeting/register/a3PH8JysRcaqonwYkOmYtA2026 Schwarzman Scholars
Schwarzman Scholars is a fully-funded, one-year master's degree and leadership program
at
Tsinghua University in Beijing, China. The curriculum is focused on three multidisciplinary
pillars: Leadership, China, and Global Affairs. Once completed, all Scholars receive
a Master's Degree in Global Affairs. Schwarzman Scholars receive a world-class education
through interactions with foreign ministers, political leaders, cultural luminaries,
and entrepreneurs. Eligible applicants must possess an undergraduate degree in any
field by August 2026, be 18-28 years of age, and possess English proficiency. Submisson deadline is September 10, 2025 at 2 p.m. CST. Program dates are August 2026 - 2027 Learn more and APPLY HERE
2026-2027 Luce Scholars Program
The Luce Scholars Program is a yearlong opportunity for emerging leaders to deepen
their
ties and understanding of Asia's countries, cultures, and people. The 13-month-long
program provides stipends, language training, and individualized professional placement
in Northeast, Southeast, or South Asia. Applicants must be U.S. citizens or permanent
residents, and graduating seniors, recent graduates, or young professionals. Applicants
must be at least 18 years old and have earned a bachelor's degree or its equivalent
by the start of the Luce Scholars orientation in late June. Submission deadline is September 15, 2025. Program dates: June 2026 - July 2027 Learn more and APPLY HERE
EIT Graduate Research Projects at the University of Oxford
The Ellison Institute of Technology (EIT) Provides fully-funded doctoral (DPhil/PhD)
study at the University of Oxford, where students directly contribute to progressing
an EIT project. Spanning AI, Generative Biology, Pathogens, Chemical Biology, Economics,
Correlates of Immunity and Plant Biology, these projects tackle global challenges through cutting-edge technology, offering graduate students
the chance to collaborate with world-leading experts to develop innovative solutions. Submission deadline is October 1, 2025 (First Rolling Deadline) Learn more and apply at: https://www.eit.org/scholars/graduate
2026 Knight-Hennessy Scholars at Stanford University
The Knight-Hennessy Scholars is a multidisciplinary, multicultural graduate scholarship
program at Stanford University, where each scholar received up to three years of financial
support to pursue graduate studies in any of Stanford's seven schools. Scholars form
a supportive community with one another while engaging in experiences that prepare
them to be visionary, courageous, and collaborative leaders who address complex challenges
facing the world. To be eligible for the 2026 application cycle, applicants must be
concurrently or have preemptively applied and be accepted/enrolled in a full-time
Stanford graduate degree program, and have earned a U.S. bachelor's degree or its
equivalent from a college or university of recognized standing in January 2019 or
later. Learn more and apply at: https://knight-hennessy.stanford.edu/ Submission deadline is October 8, 2025 at 3 p.m. CST
2026 Paul & Daisy Soros Fellowships for New Americans
The Paul & Daisy Soros Fellowships for New Americans provides merit-based funding
for New Americans, immigrants and children of immigrants, who are poised to make significant
contributions to US culture, society, and academia. The fellowship offers recipients
up to $90,000 towards their graduate education over the course of one to two years,
including tuition and a stipend to the Fellow, and entry into the lifelong alumni
community. To apply, applicants must be 30 years old or younger, planning to start
or continue an eligible graduate or professional degree program in the U.S. in the
2026-2027 academic year, and be a New American. Learn more here about what qualifies for the New American status. Deadline to apply is October 30, 2025 at 1 p.m. CST
Princeton in Asia Fellowship
Princeton in Asia fosters mutual appreciation and cross-cultural understanding between
the United States and Asia through immersive work fellowships in host organizations
and communities. As of now, 60 fellowships in 16 countries and regions are anticipated
for the 2026 cycle. College seniors, recent graduates, and candidates with master's
degrees are encouraged to apply for a 2026 PiA fellowship starting August 27, 2025.
Virtual information session details can be found on the PiA website. Submission Deadline is November 1, 2025
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RESEARCH OPPORTUNITIES
Undergraduate Research Opportunity - Şen Lab, UH Biology and Biochemistry
The Şen Lab has openings for volunteer and paid College Work-Study positions available
and is looking for motivated sophomore and junior undergraduates to explore the molecular
motions of biomolecules using a mix of unconventional and and cutting-edge tools.
Students will have the chance to build a strong foundation in robotics, artificial
intelligence, machine learning, high-performance computing, quantum mechanics, molecular
mechanics, and thermochemistry - while turning your research into a senior thesis
and scientific manuscript. Majors in computer science, physics, electrical and computer
engineering, or mechanical engineering are a great fit, along with students who are
comfortable with Linux OS and excited to learn interdisciplinary approaches to biological
questions. Interested students can email an unofficial transcript and a brief (max.
half-page) statement of purpose describing their motivation and future goals to Dr. Mehmet Şen (msen@uh.edu). Learn more about the Lab here: http://receptor.nsm.uh.edu/
Community Health Promotion Lab Internship
The Community Health Promotion Lab conducts several research projects aimed at promoting
health, well-being, and health equity, with a focus on diverse communities. As an
intern, you will have the opportunity to work closely with Dr. Craig Johnston (Associate
Professor), Dr. Tracey Ledoux (Associate Professor), and Dr. Aliye Cepni (Research
Assistant Professor). Duties include attending weekly research meetings, maintaining
regular communication with study participants, and assisting with data collection
and entry. Exceptional interns may have the opportunity to contribute to peer-reviewed
journal manuscripts and scientific conference abstracts.
To be eligible, you must have a minimum overall GPA of 3.0 and ability to commit 6-8 hours per week during 2025 fall semester.
Complete application form at: https://forms.office.com/r/dhTbBX1JGq Application closes September 5. 2025
The REACH Program is now open!
The Office of Undergraduate Research and Major Awards (OURMA) invites sophomore, junior,
senior, and transfer students in humanities disciplines to apply for the Research
for Aspiring Coogs in the Humanities (REACH) program. REACH is a year-long, introductory
research program that connects undergraduate students with existing humanities research
projects at the University of Houston. From October 2025 to May 2026, students will
participate in a minimum of 6-7 hours of research activity per week, as well as attend
OURMA webinars and bi-monthly check-ins. Participants receive a $1,500 scholarship
split between the fall and spring semesters and three points towards the Honors in
Co-Curricular Engagement transcript designation. The 2025-2026 REACH application deadline
is September 5, 2025. For more information and to apply, please visit: https://uh.edu/honors/undergraduate-research/our-programs/reach-program/
2025 IFoRE Virtual Conference - Call for Submissions
The 2025 International Forum on Research Excellence (IFoRE) is accepting submissions
for the virtual conference's student research competition. Students are encouraged,
but not required, to connect their research to the conference theme, "Science and
Society: Crafting a Vision for a Sustainable Tomorrow." Students must submit a short
video, a slideshow, and an abstract, along with participating in a Zoom meeting with
judges before the conference. Accepted submitters are required to register for the
conference to confirm their participation. Submission Deadline is September 5, 2025. The conference will run from October 30 - November 1, 2025. Learn more and APPLY HERE
Undergraduate Researcher - UH Biomedical Engineering Lab Position
KumarLab is a dynamic lab investigating peptide-hydrogel (biomaterial/drug) therapeutics
from design (computational) to in vitro and in vivo studies. The lab is seeking dedicated
and reliable undergraduate research students, including freshmen, sophomores, and
juniors, who are interested in translational research, particularly computational
AI/ML and in silico tools for drug design and pre-clinical animal studies. The students
will be required to learn computational and molecular design software packages, assist
with a range of chemical synthesis and molecular binding to cell culture studies,
or be trained and assist with specific animal surgeries and care of the animals. The
expected workload is 9-12 hrs/wk. Contact Dr. Vivek Kumar (vkumar24@cougarnet.uh.edu) with any questions and to apply. LEARN MORE HERE
Cancer Metabolism/Chemical Proteomics Research Assistant
Dr. Thomas Hanigan is looking for undergraduate students to conduct research at the
intersection of cancer biology, metabolism, and drug discovery. The research focuses
on investigating enzymes involved in inborn errors of metabolism (IEM) and their role
in cancer, to develop selective, first-in-class inhibitors. Students will gain experience
in chemical proteomics, medicinal chemistry, molecular biology, and/or biochemistry
techniques. Students should dedicate at least two afternoons per week (preferably
consecutive), amounting to at least 10 hours per week in the fall and spring semesters.
Additionally, students are expected to continue research during the summer (8 weeks)
and are encouraged to apply for PURS/SURF funding. To apply, send a single PDF file
containing a cover letter, CV, and reference information from a lab/course instructor
to Dr. Thomas Hanigan (thanigan@central.uh.edu).