Tune in to hear prominent UCLA scholars, alumni, and community members discuss their academic work, unique career paths, and industry trends. For our speakers, their journey started with undergraduate research.

Hear from UCLA alum and Editor-at-Large for Semafor Steve Clemons about his experience as a journalist during a discussion moderated by UCLA Anderson Executive Coach Caryl Carothers, with opening remarks from Dean Adriana Galván.

“From Academia to Practice in Sustainable Development”

Hear UCLA and Undergraduate Research Center alumna Erika Drazen talk about how her undergraduate and graduate research experiences led to her work with the WWF and USAID, followed by a discussion moderated by Near Eastern Languages and Cultures professor Dr. Cate Bonesho.

“Science and Storytelling: How to Make an Impact with Research”

Hear UCLA alum, professor, and scientist Dr. Yalda T. Uhls speak on how she aims to bridge the gap between science and the entertainment industry to advance social change through her research on how media affects the social behavior of teens, followed by a discussion moderated by Undergraduate Research Center – Humanities, Arts, and Social Sciences Director Dr. Jacquelyn Ardam.

“Hunting for the Universe’s Missing Matter”

Hear UCLA professor, scientist, and Terasaki Endowed Chair in Physical Sciences Dr. Alvine Kamaha talk through her research on dark matter, followed by a discussion moderated by Assistant Dean for Undergraduate Research and Undergraduate Research Center – Sciences Director Dr. Tama Hasson, with closing remarks from Vice Chancellor of Research and Creative Activities Dr. Roger Wakimoto.

Alumni, faculty and community members provide insight into various research industry topics, while highlighting the power of undergraduate research, in our Exploring Research Across UCLA Speaker Series during Undergraduate Research Week 2022.

UCLA Professor Victoria Vesna discusses the intersection of art and science and her research on how communication technologies affect collective behavior and perceptions of identity shift in relation to scientific innovation.

“All Research is Me-Search: Scholarship, Adversity, and The Healing Power of Academic Research”

UCLA alum Ilona Gerbakher discusses overcoming adversity and the different challenges she faced as a non-traditional student in order to continue on her research path.

“How I Built a Bakery: What Undergraduate Research Taught Me about Entrepreneurship”

UCLA alum Zach Martinucci discusses research and entrepreneurship, including how the skills he learned as an undergraduate researcher helped him start his successful business, Rebel Bread.

“For the Love of Science: Letting Scientific Discovery Lead the Way.”

UCLA alum and Professor D’Juan Farmer discusses his research as an undergraduate and how that led to his current research in the field of Molecular, Cell, and Developmental Biology (MCDB).

The Undergraduate Research Week 2021 Lunch Speaker Series featured speakers presenting on a variety of research industry topics. Watch recordings of each inspiring keynote talk below.