PURSUE LAS is a program at the College of Liberal Arts & Sciences with the goal of expanding access to transformative undergraduate research experiences. It supports both established programs and new initiatives that connect students with faculty-led discoveries.
The program helps to meet the growing demand in LAS and sustain high-impact programs that build intellectual curiosity, academic confidence, and a strong foundation for students’ future paths.
Proposals can be submitted by LAS departments, schools, units, faculty, and campus partner units. Collaborative and interdisciplinary proposals are also encouraged. This year, 17 projects received more than $250,000 in total.
This year, a project of the department of climate, meteorology & atmospheric sciences was selected:
Broadening the Illinois Risk Lab through interdisciplinary undergraduate research
Jeff Trapp of the department of climate, meteorology, and atmospheric sciences and Frank Quan of the department of actuarial science and risk management submitted a cohort-based research program where undergraduates investigate real-world climate and catastrophe risk using data analysis and modeling. Students gain hands-on experience across the full research lifecycle while connecting coursework to pressing environmental and societal challenges.