Snider Undergraduate Research Experience (SURE)

The Snider Undergraduate Research Experience (SURE) presents undergraduate students in any field at the University of Maryland College Park with individualized research experience.

SURE fellows work with the program’s director to choose a research topic. Then they are uniquely matched with a faculty champion who has expertise in that subject area and acts as the fellow’s advisor. The SURE experience culminates in a public presentation to faculty and peers and a publication. During the program, fellows attend workshops in scoping, research writing and presentation. Fellows receive $250 for participating as well as course credit.

The program promises not only to expose students to hands-on research methodologies but also to offer underclassmen an opportunity to contribute to the collective knowledge pool. Little experience is needed; however, determination, time management, open-mindedness are qualities that distinguish an outstanding SURE fellow.

We at the Ed Snider Center for Enterprise and Markets promote free enterprise and markets by researching what makes individuals, organizations and economies flourish. As an interdisciplinary center, we embrace a diversity of educational backgrounds and want you to know that a business major is not required to participate in SURE. Previous cohorts have welcomed fellows from computer science, business, public policy, behavioral and social sciences. As you consider potential research topics we invite you to explore the Ed Snider Center and Snider Focus websites for themes that resonate with you and also align with our vision and objectives. Please note that SURE cannot offer any lab space for research. If your topic involves lab research, you are responsible for securing a working area or the necessary resources before your interview.

Applications for the 2021-22 cohort closed on September 30, 2021.

Research topics have included:

  • Impacts of Data Analysis Pitfalls on Decision-Making
  • Saudi Aramco’s $2 trillion IPO in a period of crude oil turmoil
  • Effects of decriminalizing drug use in Portugal
  • Human Resource Information Systems (HRIS)
  • Coastal Erosion in Louisiana

Have questions? Email the SURE team at umdsure@gmail.com.

Advisory Board

  • Dr. Rajshree Agarwal, Robert H. Smith School of Business
  • Dr. Mircea Raianu, Department of History
  • Dr. Jim Purtilo, Department of Computer Science
  • Dr. C. Scott Dempwolf, School of Architecture, Planning and Preservation

2021-22 Student Co-directors

Coby KranzCoby Kranz
Coby Kranz is a junior at the University of Maryland, College Park. He is enrolled in the undergraduate program at the Robert H. Smith School of Business and is majoring in finance. Kranz is currently interning at the U.S. Department of the Treasury and is the co-founder and president of the Short-Term Finance Club at the university.

Razan MikdashiRazan Mikdashi
Razan Mikdashi is a junior majoring in Operations Management and Business Analytics, additionally pursuing the pre-medical track. She is interested in health decision sciences in the context of sports and is currently conducting research examining the effect of winning soccer games on COVID spikes in home cities. She is involved in multiple on-campus programs that foster cross-disciplinary collaboration.

Omolola OjaomoOmolola Ojaomo
Omolola Ojaomo is a senior majoring in finance and information systems at the Smith School. She is interested in the intersection of media, entertainment, and new technologies. Currently, she works as a resident assistant on campus, and as a student coordinator for the honor ambassadors organization in the Honors College.

2021-22 SURE Fellows

Elaine BergerElaine Berger
Elaine Sultana Berger, or Lanie, is a sophomore business management and Jewish studies double degree. Berger works as a program assistant at the Office of Student and Community Development Programs within the Department of Resident Life. She is also a Bat Mitzvah tutor with her hometown synagogue in Sandy Springs, Georgia. She is involved in the Jewish community on campus, as well as organizations such as National Residence Hall Honorary, College Park Scholars Peer Mentors, and Avirah Israeli Dance Company. When she has free time, Berger enjoys photography, hiking, climbing, playing guitar and piano, and occasionally writing original songs.

Ian NachmanIan Nachman
Ian Nachman is a freshman at the University of Maryland. Nachman is majoring in economics and is interested in development economics, poverty, and the use of randomized control trials and natural experiments in economics.

Ila Quinn RoesIla Quinn Roes
Ila Quinn Roes is a junior undergraduate student hoping to study accounting. For three years, she ran a successful eBay account with over 800 transactions. This venture sparked her passion for all things e-commerce. Additionally, she completed a full-time, busy-season audit internship at PwC Baltimore and has worked as a part-time sales associate.

Eric YiEric Yi
Eric Yi is a sophomore student studying computer science and mathematics at the University of Maryland. He is also a member of the ACES Cybersecurity honors program and a member of the QUEST honors program. He is interested in software development, applied mathematics, and real-world applications of machine learning and artificial intelligence.

2020-21 Student Co-directors

  • Ashley Deng
  • Jackson Devadas
  • Joseph Ward

2020-21 Fellows

  • Brandon Budoo
  • Alexandra Graninger
  • Amara Kamal
  • Coby Kranz
  • Rohit Krishnagopal
  • Bradley R. Mascarenhas
  • Tima Mikdashi
  • Razan Mikdashi
  • Omolola Ojamomo
  • Kristen Villaverde

2019-20 Student Co-directors

  • Kunal Harmalkar
  • Liuxin Yan

2019-20 Fellows

  • Zachary Bee
  • Ashley Deng
  • Jackson Devadas
  • Iman Durrani
  • Aaron Fogelson
  • Efia Ofosu-Ntiamoah
  • Nitin Reddy
  • Joey Ward

2018-19 Student Co-directors

  • Mohammed Alghaffari
  • Ethan Liu
  • Mario Menendez

2018-19 Fellows

  • My-Asia Chaplin
  • Madeleine Cheng
  • Courtland Climer
  • Nadia Doherty
  • Elizabeth Geary
  • Michael Gordon
  • Kunal Harmalkar
  • Beixuan Jia
  • Christian Kincaid
  • Sophie Lin
  • Eunisa Lu
  • Srivats Narasimhan
  • Carley Peyser
  • Elizabeth Thilmany
  • Siddharaj Vaghela
  • Shreyas Vaidya
  • Liuxin Yan
  • Eric Zhang

2017-18 Student Directors

  • Sade Ayinde
  • Adam Hostetter

2017-18 Fellows

  • Mohammed Alghaffari
  • Modibo Abbo
  • Adwoa Boateng
  • Sydney Edwards
  • Hannah Koh
  • Ethan Liu
  • Mario Menendez
  • Erin Musselman
  • Alden Newman
  • Shiv Patel
  • Ashwin Suryavanshi
  • Jonathan Taylor
  • Gareth Weakly
  • Jeffrey Yin

2016-17 Student Director

  • Lalitha Cheruvu

2016-17 Fellows

  • Shabnam Ahmed
  • Sade Ayinde
  • Hamaza Choudery
  • Jack Garabedian
  • Adam Hostetter
  • Gurleen Kaur
  • Derek Xio

SURE Founder And Student Director 2015-16

  • Amanda Yard

2015-16 Fellows

  • Lalitha Cheruvu
  • Matt Ernst
  • Sarina Haryanto
  • Anjali Kalavar
  • Vikash Sahu

Research Journals

The Snider Undergraduate Research Journal is an undergraduate research journal of business published by the University of Maryland at College Park.

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