Outgoing RCA undergraduate research director Huang expands research opportunities for undergraduates
As an undergraduate student, Ying Huang, NDSU professor and chair of civil and environmental engineering, participated in a research project during her senior year. It was, in her words, “a transformative experience” that led her to pursue a career in academics.
“I learned how to think critically, to solve problems, and to approach questions in a way that I had never experienced in the classroom,” said Huang. “More importantly, it inspired me to pursue graduate school and ultimately led me to an academic career.”
Huang’s tenure as RCA undergraduate research director, a position she has held since 2023, will soon be completed. She aimed to build a stronger undergraduate research ecosystem at NDSU during her time as director and provide those same research opportunities for undergraduate students at NDSU. “I wanted to make research opportunities more accessible, better supported, and more visible to students and faculty,” she said.
Huang appreciated the opportunity the role gave her to expand her impact beyond her own research group and to provide undergraduates with opportunities to contribute to meaningful research alongside faculty across disciplines, including engineering, agriculture, health sciences, business and the arts. “I'm passionate about making research opportunities more accessible and helping students from all disciplines engage in mentored research, scholarship, innovation, and creative activities.”
“Undergraduate research is a cornerstone of North Dakota State University's mission because it connects the university's identity as a top-tier research institution with its commitment to student success,” Huang said.
“Ying has provided exceptional leadership to RCA's undergraduate research programs, overseeing a broad portfolio of student research initiatives and professional development opportunities,” said Sheri Anderson, NDSU associate vice president for strategic research initiatives. “As undergraduate research director, she administered grant programs that supported more than 140 funded student research projects, coordinated workshops and professional development opportunities for undergraduate researchers, and organized events that showcased the work of more than 500 student research projects.”
During her time as director, Huang focused on expanding undergraduate research opportunities and mentoring, developing training and resources for faculty and students. She initiated and led the NIH IDeA Networks of Biomedical Research Excellence and helped faculty develop programs within funding opportunities such as the NSF Research Experiences for Undergraduates and Research Opportunities for Teachers.
A collaboration between Huang and the Provost’s Office led to the launch of a Faculty Luncheon series, which provided an opportunity for experienced NDSU faculty to gather and discuss best practices and topics such as mentoring, retaining and recruiting undergraduate student researchers.
“My goal was to create a holistic mentoring environment that not only supported research skills but also helped students clarify their academic and career goals while fostering engagement with the university and broader communities,” she said.
Being at the forefront of this growth of undergraduate research opportunities, along with the strengthening of the infrastructure that bolsters that research, has been rewarding for Huang.
“I'm proud of what we accomplished, from improving mentoring practices and communication, to expanding research opportunities and strengthening the infrastructure that supports undergraduate research,” she said. “I came away from the experience with an even stronger belief that undergraduate research is one of the most powerful educational experiences a university can offer. It advances scholarships while transforming students' lives, and I feel fortunate to have played a role in helping make those opportunities available to more students.”
Huang is an NSF CAREER awardee and has been at NDSU since 2012.