Undergraduate Research

Cornell has a long tradition of meaningful faculty-student research in the sciences. Faculty members approach these projects as mentors in a collaborative, educational process, generally working with no more than two students at a time. The Berry Center seeks to extend this strength to the areas of economics, business, and public policy and, to this end, has funded student summer research in the areas of public policy and economics.

Chelsea Korpanty '11 researched the effects of policy on coral

Under the direction of Professor Ben Greenstein (Geology), Chelsea Korpanty analyzed both coral samples and local public policy enacted to conserve coral reefs on Curacao to determine whether efforts to conserve the modern reefs adjacent to Curacao have thus far been effective. Her meticulous research has shown that not only are the intended consequences of the legislation absent, the unintended consequences are detrimental to reef stability.

Undergraduate Research Experiences Previously Supported by the Berry Center

• Economic Research: Labor Markets of the Eighteenth Century East India Company
  Research completed by Alison Scharmota under the direction of Professor Santhi Hejeebu (Economics and Business)
• Public Policy Research: An Oral History of Reproductive Policy in Iowa
  Research Completed by Kelly Siglin and Ariel Glasman under the direction of Professor Anne Busha (Psychology)

To learn more about faculty-student summer research opportunities supported by the Berry Center,
contact the Berry Center Associate Director.