Distinguished Undergraduate Researcher Program
A LSU Distinguished Undergraduate Researcher is a student who has demonstrated outstanding abilities as an advanced student researcher in their discipline.
Students that successfully earn the Distinguished Undergraduate Researcher graduation distinction:
- Are honored at a medal ceremony in their graduating semester
- The designation will be noted on their transcripts
- Have the opportunity for their research to be published in the LSU Scholarly Repository
- Are awarded a LSU Distinguished Undergraduate Researcher Digital Badge
| Awardee | Degree | Mentor(s) |
| Franchesca Ruiz | B.S. in Natural Resource Ecology and Management | Dr. Garrett Hopper |
Carefully review all of the eligibility requirements and next steps below to learn how to join the program.
How to earn the Distinction
Students must complete all activities listed in the following categories and meet all standards in order to earn the Distinguished Undergraduate Researcher medal and transcript notation. Students will no longer be eligible for the award if they fail to meet any of the standards, don't complete all of the required activities, and/or fail to meet the due dates.
Standards:
- All of the program requirements must be met by their respective due dates.
- Must have a minimum 2.5 GPA upon graduation.
- Must be in good standing with the university upon graduation.
- Must receive a positive recommendation from a faculty mentor.
Requirements:
Enrolled students will be added to the Distinguished Undergraduate Researcher Program to submit and track all completed requirements.
Research Practice Hours for DURP are hours a student spends working on their research project.
Distinguished Researcher candidates must complete 270 hours of Research Practice, which can be earned through faculty-mentored paid or voluntary research hours and/or through pre-approved LSU courses eligible for research practice hours.
All Distinguished Researchers are required to present at the University's annual undergraduate research and creativity conference, LSU Discover Day.
In addition to presenting at LSU Discover Day, Distinguished Researcher candidates are required to present or publish their work at least once to an audience beyond LSU in one of the activities listed below.
- Presentation at a professional or academic conference.
- Presentation at a non-LSU student conference.
- Presentation of a departmental or Honors Thesis defense.
- Publication in a peer-reviewed academic or professional publication.
- Publication in a non-LSU student research publication.
Distinguished Researchers must attend supplemental workshops and activities in order to broaden their research skills and knowledge. Students must attend 3 LSU OUR Workshops:
- CV Writing workshop.
- Abstract Writing workshop.
- Writing Personal Statements workshop
All candidates must complete the CITI Responsible Conduct of Research (CITI RCR) online training module and then submit their certificate.
Distinguished Researcher candidates are required to take part in at least two research-related Professional Development activities. The general catagories for these activities are workshops, trainings,a nd research events. These are activities where you are learning more about research-related topics. During orientation and once enrolled, candidates are provided with examples and types of professional development acitivities that qualify.
In your graduating semester, senior portfolios must be submitted. These will be sent to the faculty mentor and an LSU OUR faculty advisory board member for review and final approval.
Portfolio elements:
- Curriculum Vitae (CV).
- Reflective Essay.
- Final copy of research paper, poster, or publication with corresponding abstract to be submitted to the LSU Scholarly Repository.
Past Award Winners
View the list of students who have recieved the distinguished undergraduate researcher award
Student awardees at the Spring 2025 Distinguished Undergraduate Researcher ceremony.