Misericordia University's SURF Program: Research with a Purpose

Misericordia University's SURF Program: Research with a Purpose

DALLAS, PA - Each summer, select Misericordia University undergraduates gain valuable experience through the Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowship (SURF) program. This competitive 10-week program pairs students with faculty mentors for hands-on, thesis-driven research across disciplines, from original projects to foundations for larger studies.

SURF goes beyond the typical internship by offering students full-time research experience—27 to 35 hours per week—with tangible deliverables such as papers, presentations, or grant proposals. Participants also benefit from free on-campus housing and weekly mentorship meetings to keep projects on track.

The program is open to students with at least 15 credits and a 3.0 GPA (with some exceptions), prioritizing first-time participants. Students can join by proposing their own research ideas with a faculty mentor or by contributing to existing faculty projects. Along the way, they build clear plans with goals, timelines, and expected outcomes.

Jennifer Black, SURF program coordinator, noted that Misericordia's program is one of the region’s only funded research experiences open to undergraduates of all majors, welcoming students from sciences, health fields, business, and the humanities. "SURF offers a genuine one-on-one mentorship experience that feels like grad school but happens at the undergraduate level," Black said.

Faculty mentors praise the program’s impact. Dr. Chitrali Mamlekar shared, “Through SURF, I have had the opportunity to watch students grow into more confident, independent thinkers. It’s rewarding to see that progress and to be part of that journey.”

Dr. Asirvatham, of the Biology Department, added, “Misericordia’s small environment gives students access to state-of-the-art equipment and one-on-one research with faculty. It’s a wonderful opportunity to complete projects, present at conferences, and prepare for graduate, medical, or veterinary school.”

Misericordia’s SURF program continues to stand out by supporting personal and academic growth through meaningful, mentored research opportunities.