Program Format
Students participating in the Summer Research Academies will earn 4 university credits by taking an interdisciplinary research course that teaches fundamental concepts in the particular track they choose. The program starts with a required virtual component designed to academically and professionally prepare students for an intensive research experience. It will also give students the opportunity to build community with their peers through participation in social activities. Students will convene at UC Santa Barbara for the Welcome Event that will kick off an exciting four-week in-person experience.
During the first half of the program, students will form research groups, develop an appropriate research question, and build the framework for their project. They will participate in specially designed hands-on labs that demonstrate concepts and reinforce principles learned in lecture. In the second half, the focus will shift from labs to investigation and analysis in order to allow students to present their results in a formal capstone seminar at the conclusion of the program.
The general academic component of the program is as follows:
Week 1: 4 Lectures | 2 Labs | 1 Discussion | 2 GRIT talks
Week 2: 4 Lectures | 2 Labs | 2 Discussions | 2 GRIT talks
Week 3: 4 Lectures | 3 Discussions | 2 GRIT talks
Week 4: 3 Lectures | 3 Discussions | 1 GRIT talk | Capstone Seminar
Depending on the nature of their project, students will dedicate 25 to 40 hours a week to research. They are expected to utilize the library, participate in all program components, and may occasionally find themselves working into the night. Over the course of the program, students will learn to effectively describe their research findings in a technical research paper, present at a formal capstone seminar, and earn college credits that will become part of their permanent record. Due to its intensive nature, students may not concurrently enroll in other courses, activities, or programs during SRA.
2025 SRA Research Tracks
Track Descriptions
Track 1: Complex Systems – Interactions, Inputs, and Networks for Natural and Engineered Systems
After decades of research, scientists and engineers have developed sophisticated mathematical tools to understand and predict complex behaviors across physical, biological, chemical, social, and engineered systems. From the way birds stabilize in flight to how the human body regulates blood pressure, patterns of stability, feedback, and control observed in natural systems inspire the field and theories of dynamical systems. In this course, students will learn how researchers are creating new ways to manage the behavior of everything from robotic arms to autonomous vehicles by studying how systems evolve and respond to disturbances. Students will delve into principles to examine case study applications of biology, robotics, game theory, and more to understand the nature of these systems and uncover control methods. By the end of the course, they will be equipped with the tools to analyze and design complex systems that respond effectively to change.
Track 2: Climate is Lit – The Craft of Narrating a Global Crisis
Climate change is not only a physical reality but also a cultural narrative. As humanity faces a future marked by heightening hurricanes, heat waves, and ecological extinctions, the stories we tell shape the actions we take and the solutions we build. Climate change literature enables readers to explore potential futures, urging them to engage with the complexities of this crisis and its far-reaching effects on both human and ecological systems. In this course, students will research how various genres of literature—including narrative nonfiction, literary journalism, and science fiction—articulate the intricacies of the climate crisis and expose the power dynamics of representation. Students will debate and discuss how race, class, gender, and history influence climate narratives, and to what effect. Through their research, students will acquire tools to strategically communicate climate change to their desired audience in pursuit of meaningful change.
Track 3: Defying Fluidity – Diving Into the World of Bio-Inspired Fluid Mechanics
Most life on Earth began in the ocean, and over millennia, organisms have evolved to manage and harness the power of moving fluids like water and air. Engineers have learned how nature can support the creative design process to develop new technologies ranging from aquatic locomotion to flapping flight to respiratory treatments. In this course, students will learn the fundamentals of fluid mechanics and discover how biological principles can inspire innovative engineering solutions such as shark scale swimsuits and drone systems. Students will analyze case studies, conduct hands-on experiments, and run multiphysics simulations to investigate topics including superhydrophobicity, surface tension, swimming mechanics, lift and drag, and much more. By performing a quantitative analysis of organisms with unique fluid-related adaptations, students will leverage engineering principles to translate nature’s strategies into real-world applications with positive societal impact.
Track 4: Inside Scoop – Mapping Organizational Structures and Networks Through Data Science
Organizations such as small businesses and global corporations are intricate networks of people, resources, and processes that shape daily life. Understanding these networks and corporations provides vital insight into how companies structure themselves, manage resources, and foster collaborations to remain competitive in an ever-changing landscape. This course provides an in-depth exploration of organizational dynamics to understand principles such as hierarchies and leadership, financial resources and innovation flow within networks, and nuances of conflict and negotiation. Through the lens of theoretical and methodological frameworks used by business analysts and organizational researchers, students will work with curated real-world datasets to gain hands-on experience in data science and Python programming. By applying machine learning and network analysis techniques, students will be equipped with critical skills to identify, analyze, and optimize network patterns and model organizational structure, change, and customer interaction.
Track 5: Molecular Clock – Harnessing the Power of Bioinformatics to Reveal Mechanisms Behind Aging
Recent breakthroughs in genetics and molecular biology have increased our understanding of aging. Researchers have identified the mechanisms behind many age-related pathologies, such as an increase in mitochondrial dysfunction, weakening neurons, accumulation of DNA damage, and decline in vascular function, bringing us closer to a universal solution to control aging. In this course, students will use bioinformatics to propose genetic candidates that regulate the aging clock by studying the well-characterized model organism C. elegans. They will investigate how differing genotypes from varying wild isolate strains affect behaviors and longevity. By querying existing databases, they will access information about the entirety of the C. elegans genome and analyze large datasets to test different combinations of relevant genotypes and their behavioral phenotypes. This effort will present new gene classes and mechanisms to pursue as aging regulators that can serve as targets for treatment.
Track 6: Money Moves – Exploring Cultures of Capitalism, Consumption, and Corporation
Capitalism shapes far more than just markets—it influences how we see ourselves, relate to others, and imagine our futures. It is also a powerful cultural force that impacts values, beliefs, and everyday choices in ways that are both obvious and subtle. This course examines how capitalism extends beyond commerce to shape society by exploring how it influences everything from consumer behavior and social media to career choices and the rise of non-traditional jobs, like influencers. Drawing on case studies from corporations, celebrities, and contemporary trends, students will research the cultural effects of economic systems on our sense of identity, community, and humanity. By analyzing capitalism’s intersections with technology, culture, religion, and nature, students will develop an understanding of the cultural dynamics that shape modern life and apply their insights to real-world examples.
Track 7: Quantum Intelligence – Unlocking the Future of Computing and the Power of AI
Quantum computers have proven powerful in solving complex problems significantly faster than classical or supercomputers. Using the power of quantum mechanics, researchers have developed breakthrough algorithms to advance fields such as cryptography, resulting in the chase for qubit supremacy. In this course, students will build on foundational concepts, from qubits to quantum states, to gain a deep understanding of this interdisciplinary field. Renowned algorithms such as Simon’s, Grover’s, and Prime Factorization will form the basis for exploring topics that include system and architecture, mathematical models and their applications, and error correction codes. Students will learn about quantum information, quantum complexity theory, entanglement and measurement, and much more. By the end of this course, students will engage in research to investigate how quantum computing applications push the capabilities and limitations of various systems.
Track 8: Hate Speech – Examining Rhetoric, Influence, and Social Harm in the Digital Age
The exploitation of divisive and inflammatory language proliferates as online platforms infiltrate our lives. Studying the impact of exposure to such rhetoric will help us understand how perceptions of “the other” are shaped in daily conversations. This course investigates hate speech, focusing on how platforms like social media and news sites contribute to its spread. Students will examine how algorithms amplify hateful language, analyze how rhetorical strategies target marginalized groups, and assess the role of bots and fake accounts in escalating hostility. By applying Python, machine learning, and large language models to detect occurrences, students will dissect the relationship between hateful content, ethno-violence, political extremism, and moderation policies' effects on hate speech prevalence. By the end of this course, students will be equipped with the skills to critically evaluate and define solutions that address the societal impacts of hate speech in digital spaces.
Track 9: Code Breaker – Unraveling Genetics from DNA to Cutting-Edge Engineering
From Mendel’s discovery of heritable traits in pea plants to the transformative gene-editing technology, CRISPR-Cas9, genetic researchers have made major advances in the last 150 years. As the blueprint of human bodies, genes influence function including susceptibility to genetic ailments such as Turner Syndrome and Sickle Cell disease. Gene editing has the potential to revolutionize modern medicine by modifying DNA to improve our ability to treat and cure illnesses like cancer and cystic fibrosis. In this course, students will build on the history of genetics to uncover modern discoveries by analyzing and interpreting data from genetic experiments. By studying the model organism Drosophila melanogaster, they will determine how gene disruption affects phenotype and apply genetic techniques to their projects. By the end, students will develop skills in experimental design and gain a deep understanding of genetic principles, preparing them for future scientific exploration.
Track 10: Predictive Modeling – Leveraging Phenomenological and Mechanistic Models to Solve Problems
Predictive modeling is the foundational theory of and underlying technology for modern science and engineering. It can be used as an effective way to organize and simplify our complicated world by forecasting the dynamics of intricate systems in areas such as physics, biology, and social sciences. By capturing behaviors that change over time, dynamical systems describe real-world situations such as the motion of planets, population growth, animal behavior, weather patterns, and the spread of diseases. In this course, students will analyze such systems by identifying mathematical models based on specific data sets. Using Python, they will visualize their models and methods to formulate an optimization problem that makes meaningful predictions with increased accuracy and efficiency. Students will learn about recent breakthroughs in this interdisciplinary field, gain the technical skills to simulate complex systems, and navigate the pitfalls and blind spots in predictive modeling.
Track 11: Policy Puzzle – Piecing Together the Underlying Principles Behind Policymaking
Public policies shape our lives multifacetedly, influencing economic, political, societal, and individual outcomes. Analyzing these impacts is critical in identifying solutions, assessing their effectiveness, and understanding wider effects. This course dives into the foundational principles of interdisciplinary social science research through a focus on empirical analysis, including qualitative, quantitative, and mixed methods, by exploring applications across diverse substantive areas, such as economic growth and structural change, human welfare, population growth and health, labor markets and migration, education and social policy, and environmental policy. Students will critically assess the limitations of current methods and theories used to evaluate policy impact on key issues such as international trade, industrialization, and globalization by connecting research findings to real-world challenges. By the end of the course, students will develop the skills to conduct original, theoretically informed research, equipping them to effectively analyze, evaluate, and communicate findings to inform public policy and law.
Track 12: Digital Brain – The Science Behind How New Media Is Shaping Our Brain and Behaviors
In today’s digital world, our brains are constantly engaging with media—from social scrolling to immersive gaming. Scientists have long sought to understand how this consumption alters our brains, thoughts, and behaviors. As digital media becomes increasingly integral to daily life, concerns grow about its effects on brain development in children and teens. This course addresses the effect of this medium on mental health and disorders such as addiction through three core areas: neuroscience research on the brain systems of reward and inhibition, the foundational psychological models of learning and development, and communication theories on media impact. Students will conduct MRI scans, analyze imaging data, and collect survey responses to investigate the consequences of digital technology on brain health and behavior. By the end of this course, students will be equipped to think critically and contribute to scholarship on a critical topic currently impacting policymakers, educators, and families.
Competitions and Further Research
After completing SRA, students may wish to share their research experience in a variety of contexts, including but not limited to competitions, college applications, and other academic activities. In order to reference the research conducted during the program, students must receive proper permission from the involved parties — their Instructor and the Director of Academic Programs. Failure to receive proper permission is subject to legal action. In some instances, it is possible for our students to continue their research remotely throughout the school year, though this must only be done with the guidance and consent of the Instructor and the Director of Academic Programs.
For more information or to download the research consent form, please visit SRA Alumni Resources.