ANN ARBOR—As an undergraduate in the late 1980s, Dr. Arul Chinnaiyan wanted to learn more about biology and the type of research it involved. Fortunately for him, his interest coincided with the university unveiling a fledgling program that provided students research opportunities with faculty members.

Chinnaiyan, director of the Michigan Center for Translational Pathology, still uses the skills and experienced gained two decades ago from his faculty mentor through the Undergraduate Research Opportunity Program. His mentor was Stephen Weiss, a research professor in the Life Sciences Institute.

“I learned how to think critically, write manuscripts, design experiments and how to conduct high-quality biomedical research,” said Chinnaiyan, who co-mentors more than 40 UROP students with the help of other individuals in the lab.

UROP allows students to work one-on-one or with a small group of students with faculty members conducting research in social sciences, humanities, biomedical sciences and engineering/physical science/natural science.

The program celebrates its 20th year with its annual event?which is free and open to the public?on April 1 in the Michigan League.

• Research Forum, 11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. Students in the Junior-Senior Program and Research Scholars Program will present their projects in poster presentations.

• Research Symposium, 4-7:30 p.m. Students will give oral and poster presentations.

The number of research partnerships has grown from 14 in 1989 to more than 1,000 students and 600 faculty researchers today, making it one of the university’s largest undergraduate research programs. All U-M schools and colleges participate to inspire students to discover the world of research.

UROP Director Sandra Gregerman said the last 20 years have seen an increase in faculty who value students getting engaged in research early in their academic careers. Nationally, universities increasingly offer undergraduate research programs.

“We have really been ahead of the curve in terms of engaging first- and second-year students in undergraduate research, and this is being copied nationally,” she said.

Students choose research projects from a catalog of faculty research projects, and then interview for the positions with the faculty researcher.

Gregerman said students typically spend six to 12 hours per week on their projects. They can participate in the program for academic credit or they can be paid for their research if they qualify for work-study funds.

All students in the program must attend bi-monthly research peer seminars, meet monthly with a peer adviser, read research-related articles and keep a research journal, Gregerman said.

UROP enabled many of its participants, such as Nicole Exe, to secure jobs involving work they did in the program.

Exe works at U-M/Ann Arbor VA Medical Center and conducts surveys about patients’ medical decisions. She recently had been chosen to serve on a search committee to fill a job opening at the center?a task that will utilize her UROP skills. She learned about resume writing and knows what to look for in applicants’ resumes, such as concise job descriptions and skills applicable to the position, she said.

“It was great that UROP really helped you get those skills early on, not just as an after-thought for those preparing to graduate,” said Exe, who received her bachelor’s degree in biology and a Master of Public Health Degree in health behavior and health education at U-M. She participated in UROP from 2002 to 2005, including two years as a student peer adviser.

UROP—which is supported by the university’s general fund and private individuals and foundations—was founded in 1989 to further undergraduate education with research based projects.

UROP is on the first floor of the Undergraduate Science Building. The program is accepting applications for 2009-2010 through May 1 for current U-M students and June 1 for incoming first-year students and transfer students.