Undergraduate Research

DNS faculty explore how nutrition impacts human health, from cells to society, studying topics like nutrient metabolism, diet, disease prevention, and public health. By working with DNS faculty, you will contribute to research that improves lives at both the individual and community levels.

To get started:

1. Identify your research interests.
2. Contact faculty and create a research plan.
3. Complete DNS procedures including obtaining faculty permission and submitting the CHE special studies enrollment form.

You can work with faculty in other departments. Here are some common examples of where DNS undergraduates conduct research outside of DNS: 

College of Veterinary Medicine
Molecular Biology and Genetics
Department of Psychology 
School of Biomedical Engineering
Animal Science 
Neurobiology and Behavior
Cornell Center for Comparative and Population Genomics

Research-focused students with strong academic records can apply to the Honors Program in their final semesters. 

You may receive funding through fellowships or faculty grants. Paid research positions do not provide credit. See “funding for summer research” (below) for more information.

Unpaid internships or volunteer roles are common, particularly in the summer. You should coordinate with the faculty member and DNS Human Resources prior to beginning to ensure safety and liability. No credit or pay.