Stepping through the iconic Roddick Gates for the first time is, for many ɬ students, a first dip into independence with late-night study sessions, early morning coffee runs and nerve-racking midterms. But for undergraduates hoping to get involved in research, the question is often: “where do I even start?”
It’s a vicious circle: to get experience, you need experience. For students just beginning their research journey, that first step can feel out of reach. This rings especially true for first-generation university students, who may not have anyone in their life with insider knowledge of academia. In 2024, the Healthy Brains, Healthy Lives (HBHL) Trainee Committee set out to shift that dynamic with a brand-new undergraduate research funding initiative designed to open doors for those who have been traditionally kept out.
Building a program from the ground up
Ethan Draper joined HBHL’s Trainee Committee in 2023 to meet fellow trainees and help with the annual Symposium. Little did he know, this group would soon launch new funding program built by students, for students.
“It was a profoundly impactful experience,” said Draper. “HBHL generously funded this project, allowing us to create a four-month research internship program for undergraduate students at ɬ.”
The idea for the Undergraduate Summer Research Internship (USRI) program was born from a casual back-to-school chat at the Trainee Committee’s first meeting. Members swapped stories about how hard it was to land their first research position and began wondering what could have made this pursuit easier.
When so many opportunities go to students with pre-existing connections or research jobs on their resumes, they wondered how they could help students who did not have these resources. What if they could make research more accessible for first timers? What if they developed a program that identified students with high potential who just needed an extra push?
Soon, an idea that was casually tossed around became a full-blown program for undergraduates interested in brain health research.
The committee built the USRI from scratch: they drafted a call for proposals, planned promotional efforts, led workshops on how to apply and created unique selection criteria that favoured motivation, potential and lived experience over traditional metrics.
To be eligible, applicants could not have held a paid research position before—ensuring that the program went to true first timers. The Committee also prioritized first-generation students and those from equity-deserving backgrounds to ensure fairer representation in the fields of sciences, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM).
“Being queer in STEM, I’ve been a long-standing advocate for making space in academia and appreciating diverse perspectives,” said Draper. “By diversifying who does science, we transform the questions asked and the frameworks used, setting a more inclusive tone in the field.”
When the Committee received 96 applications, they knew they’d struck a chord. This was proof that many students are eager to explore research but simply haven’t had the chance. Nearly 30 reviewers were recruited to select the final 20 awardees from across the university who would spend the summer gaining hands-on research experience in brain and mental health science.
“The greatest value was being involved in something that made a tangible difference in the lives of incredibly deserving students,” Draper said. “I was able to serve my community in a meaningful way that I’d never had the infrastructure or financial means to do so.”
Opening doors to opportunity
Nicole Iordache applied to the USRI in the hopes of gaining research experience, but something else drove her.
“I also wanted to begin building a network of mentors within the research space. As undergraduates, opportunities to do research are not always common or accessible for us, so it was a no brainer for me,” she said. “Seeing how much you can achieve in just one summer makes you dream about even bigger goals and achievements yet to come.”
By design, the USRI was more than just an internship. It was also meant to empower young students in the research world. For Riv Beauchesne, the program gave him clarity about his graduate studies but also his self-perception.
“Before applying, I felt like research experience and labs were out of my reach because I thought you needed internal contacts and experience to prove yourself just to get in, but this experience proved me wrong. It makes a difference to have those, but your passion makes a bigger impact,” he stated. “Beyond the research side, it taught me to go after what I think is out of reach because it may not be.”
Strengthening the love of research
First-year student Viktor Dekarli was already volunteering in Dr. Xiaoqian Chai’s lab when she suggested he apply for the USRI initiative, which culminated with the interns presenting their work to a lay audience at the .
“I was really excited by the different aspects of the program, especially the poster presentation because I was fascinated by the idea of going through the whole research process, from the proposal to the public,” he shared. “It was such a great learning opportunity for someone who’s new to research.”
Beyond gaining research and science communication experience, the USRI also made it possible for him to stay in Montreal for the summer and continue working in the lab—this time with financial support.
“I always knew I wanted to get involved in neuroscience research, but the USRI amplified my goals. I already had this idea going into the program, but now it’s helped me narrow it down and it gave me a better sense of where I want to go in the future. I’m very enthusiastic about moving forward in research.”
For Dekarli, what stood out just as much as the research experience was how the program was built. The fact that it was student-led made it feel uniquely approachable and supportive.
“The fact that this was designed by students means everything about this program,” said Dekarli. “Other students are on the same playing field and are more likely to know what it is that students like me need when it comes to a program like this. I think that unlike a more traditional program, this is where support is built. They know what it means to be a first timer in research, coming in and having no idea where to go or what to do.”
Thanks to the HBHL Trainee Committee, the USRI redefined what early-stage access to research could look like at ɬ, reminding us that sometimes, the best ideas come from the people who understand the need firsthand.
