Start early. Build an advantage.

Research experience compounds over time. Students who begin in their first year have more time to build lab skills, develop mentor relationships, pursue fellowships, contribute to projects, present their work, and prepare for graduate study.

In its first three years, NU Nano Scientist has served 45 students, and 65 percent have continued working in labs after their first year.

Students who use NU Nano Scientist as the start of a four-year research pathway can graduate with a level of experience that gives them a significant advantage over peers from other universities when applying to graduate programs, fellowships, and research opportunities.

At a Glance

• Cohort size: 15 students
• Who it is for: Eligible incoming first-year students, including Arch Scholars
• Best fit: Students interested in STEM, chemistry, materials, sustainability, energy, nanotechnology, and lab research
• Experience needed: No prior research experience required
• Program length: Fall seminar, winter writing workshop, spring research experience, and summer research
• Summer research: Guaranteed
• Summer stipend: $4,000 to help with living expenses
• Program history: 45 students over the first three years
• Research continuation: 65 percent have continued working in labs after year one

Who should select this program?

This program is for students who want to work in a lab and ask big questions.

NU Nano Scientist is a strong fit if you are interested in:

• What materials are made of
• How chemistry can help solve global challenges
• Clean energy and climate solutions
• Sustainability and environmental technologies
• Catalysts, sensors, quantum dots, polymers, nanolayers, and advanced materials
• Hands-on research in a laboratory
• Building toward graduate school or a research-focused career
• Learning how scientists think, test, revise, and discover

Students interested in biology or medicine are welcome if they are also curious about materials, chemistry, nanotechnology, or hands-on lab research. However, NU Nano Scientist is not primarily a pre-med or biomedical research program.

This program may not be the best fit if you are looking only for a general pre-med experience, a biomedical shadowing opportunity, or a seminar with no interest in lab-based research.

Research should be open to more students.

Many students arrive at Northwestern interested in science but unsure how to find a lab, talk to a researcher, or take the first step into undergraduate research. NU Nano Scientist is designed to make that path clearer, more supported, and more accessible.

The program is especially interested in bringing in students from underrepresented groups and students who may not otherwise choose research during their first year.

Students do not need to arrive with previous lab experience or a background in chemistry research. NU Nano Scientist gives students structured seminars, mentorship, research group matching, and a paid summer experience so they can begin building confidence and skills early.

How the program works

NU Nano Scientist begins with a fall seminar, continues with a winter writing workshop, includes a spring research experience, and leads into guaranteed paid summer research in a Northwestern nanoscience and technology lab.

What kind of research could you do?

NU Nano Scientist connects students with faculty working across chemistry, materials science, energy, sustainability, catalysis, optics, quantum science, and nanotechnology.

2026 summer research projects include:

• Encoding Optical Functionality in Hierarchical Biopolymer Assemblies
• Lasers and nanolayers for understanding water splitting
• Spin polarization transfers: exploiting the quantum mechanical nature of matter in biological systems and solid-state materials
• Pursuing novel perovskites and perovskitoids
• Silver nanocatalysts for electrochemical and photochemical reaction discovery
• Electrolyzer component engineering for high-concentration alcohol production from CO electrolysis
• Infrared-Active Quantum Dot Photodetectors
• Properties of refractory nanoparticles, including HfC, from electronic structure theory
• Understanding two-photon absorption using electronic structure methods

These projects give students a chance to explore real research questions in nanoscience and technology, from materials that interact with light to catalysts, quantum materials, energy systems, and next-generation sensing technologies.

Frequently asked questions

Q) Do I need previous research experience?
A) No. The program is designed to welcome students at all experience levels. Students are encouraged to participate with or without a background in chemistry or research.

Q) Do I need to major in chemistry?
A) No. The program is especially relevant for students interested in chemistry, materials, energy, sustainability, nanotechnology, and lab-based STEM research, but it does not require students to commit to a chemistry major.

Q) Is this a pre-med program?
A) No. This is not primarily a pre-med or biomedical research program. Students interested in biology or medicine are welcome if they are also interested in chemistry, materials, nanotechnology, or hands-on lab research.

Q) Is summer research guaranteed?
A) Yes. Students in the cohort are guaranteed a summer research experience.

Q) How much is the stipend?
A) Students receive a $4,000 stipend to help with living expenses during summer research.

Q) How long is the summer research experience?
A) The summer research experience is approximately eight weeks and is full-time.

Q) Do I have to commit to research for four years?
A) No. NU Nano Scientist is not a binding four-year commitment. However, students who continue in research after their first year can build a powerful long-term advantage.

Q) How many students are selected?
A) The cohort is limited to 15 students.

Q) Is the program competitive?
A) Yes. Because the cohort is small and the summer research experience is guaranteed, students should treat NU Nano Scientist as a selective opportunity.

Q) What happens after the summer?
A) Students may continue research in their current lab or explore a new lab. They are also encouraged to apply for academic-year undergraduate research grants through the Office of Undergraduate Research.

Q) Who should I contact with questions?
A) Wondering whether NU Nano Scientist is the right fit for your interests? Contact Sarah Petrosko for more information about the program, eligibility, and the student experience.