Louisiana Undergraduate Research Association

The Louisiana Undergraduate Research Association (LaURA) is a nonprofit organization that promotes and supports undergraduate research participation in faculty-mentored research and creative projects.  The membership comprises Louisiana public and private college and university faculty, administrators, and staff who support the high-impact practice of undergraduate research participation at their respective universities.

Membership

Interested in joining LaURA or want to be added to the contact list? 

Undergraduate Research Excellence

LaURA’s purpose is to unite faculty, staff, administrators, and industry professionals across campuses and disciplines to advocate for access and opportunity for all undergraduate students in Louisiana. Providing more students with the opportunity to participate in this high-impact educational practice.

Laura’s current goals

Increase communication and awareness about undergraduate research

Advocate for undergraduate research in front of Louisiana legislators

Promote the importance of research and higher education

Establish an Undergraduate Research Day at the Capital

Grow membership from across Louisiana’s Colleges and Universities

Share your event with the LaURA community

If you have an undergraduate research activity that is open to at least three institutions, please let Louisiana know. Increase the number of students attending your event and inform your colleagues about your efforts.

Upcoming Events

LaURA uses the definition of ‘undergraduate research’ provided by the Council on Undergraduate Research (CUR), the national professional association for those who work in support of undergraduate research.

Describe Undergraduate Research

CUR definition: Undergraduate research, scholarship, and creative inquiry is fundamentally a pedagogical approach to teaching and learning. With an emphasis on process, CUR defines undergraduate research as: A mentored investigation or creative inquiry conducted by undergraduates that seeks to make a scholarly or artistic contribution to knowledge.

Poster day June 9th, 2025

LaURA: OFFICERS

SherryKrayesky_Self

President

Sherry Krayesky-Self

University of Louisiana at Lafayette

sherry.krayesky@louisiana.edu

ChrisMarvel_LSU

Committee Chair: Posters at the Capital

Chrisopher Marvel

Louisiana State University

cmarvel@lsu.edu

Ekhtear Hossain

Vice President and Finance & Admin Committee Chair

IMd Ekhtear Hossain

Southern University and A&M College

mdhossain@subr.edu

JoelStake_LaTECH

Committee Chair: Membership

Joel Stake

Louisiana Tech University

jstake@latech.edu

Sarah Ferstel

Secretary

Sarah Ferstel

Louisiana State University

sferst1@lsu.edu

Ojasvi Dutta

Committee Chair: Communications

Ojasvi Dutta

Louisiana State University

odutta@lsu.edu