Undergraduate Research

Luther students often collaborate with faculty on research projects, addressing challenging questions that go beyond what's learned in semester-long courses.

I felt really good with the research I did at Luther, being able to raise awareness and teach other people about all these things I was excited about.
Emmelyn Cullen ’24, biology and theatre major from Madison, Wis., sits in a lab at a microscope.
Emmelyn Cullen ’24
biology and theatre major
Read Emmelyn's Story

Take a Peek into Luther's Labs

A student and a professor study a notebook with lab results.
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Professor Dawn Reding and Avery Wrage '25 researched Iowa's wild turkey population.

A student examines c. elegans in a biology lab
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Professor Brian Hiester's students use genetics to investigate the impact of environmental stress.

a student in a hat catches bees with a net in a flowering prairie
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Professor Kirk Larsen's students assess bee diversity on Luther grounds and natural areas.

A student in purple lab coat and purple gloves peers into a microscope
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Professor Enos-Berlage's microbiology class is looking for solutions in Iowa soils.

Grants and Other Funding

Summer student/faculty collaborative research grants make student-faculty collaborations possible. You can also undertake independent research or creative projects through student research grants.

Students also have opportunities to present their work, both on campus and at regional and national conferences.

Learn More About Research Grants and Opportunities to Present Your Research

Research Projects with Community Impact

Group of people gather for a photo in front of the red barn at Seed Savers Exchange farm.
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A Luther team provided a data analysis tool for Seed Savers Exchange.

In the art center, two students sit at a desk with computers, looking at the ArtHaus director.
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Students created visitor check-in software for Decorah's ArtHaus non-profit organization.

A woman looks into the distance.
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Megan Priest researched a new type of educational curriculum.

A student fist bumps someone while his professor looks on.
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Sam Schillinger compiled biographies for an anthology that will showcase Black intellectuals.

We are training people to do science. They can ask and answer really important questions about the ecosystems that sustain us. They are entering their careers having learned how to collect data and how to tell stories about what’s happening in the world.

Beth Lynch
Professor of Biology

Recent Research Includes Many Fields

Group of people gather for a photo in front of the red barn at Seed Savers Exchange farm.

“This dashboard allows us to look at our sales history and make data-informed decisions,” said Meredith Burks of Seed Savers Exchange.

September 23 2025
college students and their professor look at computer screen

Remote sensing technology is a growing movement in archaeology to adopt non-invasive methods.

August 26 2025
Jack Moriarty head shot

For the 2024–25 academic year, Moriarty will receive $10,000 from the Thomas D. Rossing Fund for Physics Education.

September 30 2024