Student Research Program
Student Inquiry and Research (SIR) supports student investigations conducted on and off campus. Formalized in and evolving since 1989, the SIR department provides a framework for students to conduct original investigations on compelling questions of interest, collaborate with other students and professional researchers, and share their investigation results through public presentations and publications. Student participation varies slightly each year, but recent trends suggest that about 75% of all IMSA students will conduct at least one investigation during their enrollment at the Academy. For current SIR guidelines, students should email a request to SIR@imsa.edu.
During the academic year, SIR runs a one-credit, graded course. Students work with research mentors both on and off campus. The projects are designed to last between one and two years. SIR manages the solicitation of projects, recruitment of students, logistics of sending students to research sites, and oversight of projects and student outcomes.
To be eligible for participation in the program, students must have completed their first year at IMSA and be in good academic standing. Inquiry Days (usually Wednesdays) are set aside for students to pursue their research. IMSA provides a variety of unique resources to help facilitate SIR investigations.
The goal of the SIR program is to teach IMSA students how to carry out authentic research. The program intends to instruct students in research methods in a discipline of their interest.
What happens at each stage of research will vary slightly depending on the student’s proposed project and discipline, but students will undertake some version of the following:
- Phase 1: Getting acquainted with the field
- Phase 2: Development of research plan
- Phase 3: Execution of the research
- Phase 4: Communication of research results
The research mentor and SIR team guide and support students in working through this process.
Research Mentors
IMSA is grateful for the generosity of all professionals who commit seriously to supporting students engaged in research. Mentors interested in working with IMSA students or know of others who might be should contact the SIR office for further information.
IMSAloquium
IMSAloquium is an annual public event during which IMSA students showcase their work. SIR students present their research, students participating in the Business Internship Program present their experience, and students doing independent studies and other innovative work are also invited to contribute. The event also features a keynote speech and brief comments from members of the IMSA staff. Parents, research mentors, IMSA staff, students, and outside visitors are welcome.
Abstracts from past years are available on DigitalCommons.
Recent SIR News
- SIR Student Presents Project at the St. Jude Pediatric Infectious Diseases Research ConferenceKavya Reddy’24, was accepted to present her project, “Epidemiological trends of SARS-CoV-2 infections during pregnancy in Chicago” in the poster session at the 23rd annual 2024 St.
- Student in Drug Discovery SIR Course accepted to Present Project at the International Forum on Research Excellence ConferenceSindhu Chalasani ’24 traveled to California in November 2023, to present her research at the International Forum on Research Excellence Conference.
- Two SIR Students Represent IMSA at the International Students Science Fair (ISSF)The International Students Science Fair (ISSF) brings together students who are passionate about innovative research and allows them to meet and collaborate with students from across the world.
- Four Students from the Drug Discovery SIR Course Present at the Spring Symposium for Emerging ScientistsFour students from the Drug Discovery SIR Course presented their research investigations on April 25, 2024, at the Annual Biomedical Research Conference for Minoritized Scientists (ABRCMS) ePoster Spring Symposium for Emerging Scientists.
- SIR Student Receives Recognition at the Sigma Xi Student Research ShowcaseOn April 23, 2024, SIR student, Jaden Blankenship ’25, won the People’s Choice Award at the Sigma Xi Student Research Showcase for his project, “A Novel Treatment for Triple-Negative Breast Cancer: NS1643.” The annual virtual competition helps students improve their science communication skills.
- Illinois Junior Academy of Science (IJAS) Awards Several SIR Students with Gold Level Certificates for Research Projects Presented at the State Expo
