9 answers
Apurv
Student
Santa Clara, California
1
Question
Updated
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How do I find proffessors to email for research?
I'm currently a rising Junior in highschool looking for ways to email professors for research oppurtunities(interested in electrical engineering/maching learning) and I was wondering how to find professors who are currently doing labs, or should I just email professors from these fields and in my email say "If there is currently a lab available I would be interested in doing any sort of work to get hands on experience" or something like this?
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8 answers
Michelle M.
Actress
3284
Answers
Updated
Michelle’s Answer
Hello, Apurv !
The way that you will find professors to contact for electrical engineering research experience would be to go to Santa Clara University's website and find a list of the engineering professors.
If that is not available, visit Santa Clara University in person, speak with staff at the Engineering Department and express that you are seeking that opportunity. They would be the best source for the information and guidance on this. It helps if you can go in person and network so people will know who you are. I suggest Santa Clara University because it is in your town and not far away and has an Engineering Department. Those are the types of colleges that would be good for this.
You can write what you stated but also mention that you are very interested in assisting students also when they are working on projects and practicums. You could probably be a big help to the students while learning a lot from them. Since you are in High School, you can also contact the Research Science Institute and the MITES program which offers research opportunities for your age group. Links to their websites are below.
Also explore Lumiere Research Scholar Program, COSMOS | California State Summer School for Mathematics & Science for next summer, it's a four week program, Horizon Academic Research Program, Stanford Institute of Medicine Summer Research Program for next summer, Scripps Student Research Internship, Bioengineering Research Scholars Program, Simons Summer Research Program for next summer, and the Anson L. Clark Scholars Program for High School Juniors and Seniors. You can look for their websites for more information by doing a search online.
I hope this helps and I wish you all the best !
MITES PROGRAM (find out of this is a remote experience) - https://mites.mit.edu/
RESEARCH SCIENCE INSTITUTE https://www.cee.org/programs/research-science-institute
The way that you will find professors to contact for electrical engineering research experience would be to go to Santa Clara University's website and find a list of the engineering professors.
If that is not available, visit Santa Clara University in person, speak with staff at the Engineering Department and express that you are seeking that opportunity. They would be the best source for the information and guidance on this. It helps if you can go in person and network so people will know who you are. I suggest Santa Clara University because it is in your town and not far away and has an Engineering Department. Those are the types of colleges that would be good for this.
You can write what you stated but also mention that you are very interested in assisting students also when they are working on projects and practicums. You could probably be a big help to the students while learning a lot from them. Since you are in High School, you can also contact the Research Science Institute and the MITES program which offers research opportunities for your age group. Links to their websites are below.
Also explore Lumiere Research Scholar Program, COSMOS | California State Summer School for Mathematics & Science for next summer, it's a four week program, Horizon Academic Research Program, Stanford Institute of Medicine Summer Research Program for next summer, Scripps Student Research Internship, Bioengineering Research Scholars Program, Simons Summer Research Program for next summer, and the Anson L. Clark Scholars Program for High School Juniors and Seniors. You can look for their websites for more information by doing a search online.
I hope this helps and I wish you all the best !
Michelle recommends the following next steps:
ogundiji samson
Engineer
8
Answers
Lagos, Nigeria
Updated
ogundiji’s Answer
This is a great question, and it's fantastic that you're taking the initiative to seek out research opportunities so early. Finding a professor to work with can be a challenge, but with a strategic approach, you can significantly increase your chances of success. Here's a breakdown of how to find professors to email for research, specifically in electrical engineering and machine learning, and how to structure your approach.
Step 1: Identify Your Research Interests
Before you even start looking for professors, you need to be specific about what you're interested in. You've already mentioned electrical engineering and machine learning, which is a great start. Now, try to narrow it down further.
For example:
Machine Learning: Are you interested in computer vision, natural language processing (NLP), reinforcement learning, or something else?
Electrical Engineering: Are you interested in circuits, signal processing, robotics, or a combination of these with machine learning?
The more specific you can be, the more you can tailor your search and your emails.
Step 2: Find Professors and Their Labs
Once you have a clearer idea of your interests, you can start looking for professors and their labs.
Here are some effective ways to do this:
University Websites: This is your primary resource. Go to the websites of universities you're interested in (e.g., local universities, schools known for their engineering programs). Navigate to the Electrical Engineering and Computer Science departments.
Look for a faculty directory.
Faculty Profiles: When you find a faculty member, look at their profile page. This will usually include:
Research Interests: This is a key section. Read through it to see if their work aligns with your interests.
Publications: Look at their recent papers. Reading the titles and abstracts can give you a good sense of their current projects.
Lab Website: Many professors have a separate website for their research group. This is often the best place to find information about ongoing projects, lab members, and recent news.
Search Engines: You can use tools like Google Scholar to find professors. Search for topics you're interested in (e.g., "deep learning for signal processing," "robotics and machine learning"). The search results will often show papers with the authors' names. You can then search for those authors to find their university and lab.
Conferences: Look at the websites for major conferences in your field (e.g., NeurIPS, ICML for machine learning; IEEE conferences for electrical engineering). The conference program will list speakers and their affiliations. This is an excellent way to find leading researchers.
Step 3: Craft a Strategic Email
This is the most crucial part. The goal of your email is to be concise, respectful, and demonstrate genuine interest.
Here's how to structure it:
Subject Line: Make it clear and professional. Something like: "High School Student Seeking Research Opportunity - [Your Name]" or "Inquiry about Research in [Specific Research Area]"
Introduction:
Start with a polite greeting (e.g., "Dear Professor [Last Name]").
Introduce yourself: State that you're a high school student, what grade you're in, and what school you attend.
Explain why you are emailing them specifically. This is where you show you've done your homework. Mention a specific paper they've published, a project from their lab website, or a research interest of theirs that caught your attention. For example, "I was fascinated by your recent work on [specific topic] and found the approach to be incredibly innovative."
Body Paragraph:
Briefly describe your own background and skills. Mention any relevant coursework, projects (personal or school-related), or coding experience you have. For example, "I have experience with Python and have completed a project using a neural network to classify images."
Explain your motivation for seeking a research opportunity. Talk about your passion for the field and your desire to gain hands-on experience.
The "Ask": This is where you need to be realistic and respectful of their time. Instead of asking if a lab is "available," which can be vague, be more direct and humble. Here are a few options:
"I am eager to contribute to a research project and would be grateful for any opportunity to assist with lab work, data analysis, or literature review."
"I understand that a formal research position may not be feasible. However, I would be extremely interested in the possibility of shadowing a graduate student or helping with a smaller task to gain exposure to the research process."
"Would you have any suggestions for a rising high school junior interested in this field?"
Closing:
Attach your resume or a brief summary of your relevant skills.
Offer to meet or speak with them at their convenience.
Thank them for their time and consideration.
Sign off with a professional closing (e.g., "Sincerely," "Best regards," followed by your full name, high school, and contact information).
A Note on Expectations
Be Patient: Professors are incredibly busy. Don't be discouraged if you don't hear back immediately.
Don't Take it Personally: Many professors simply don't have the bandwidth or funding to take on high school students. A non-response is not a reflection of your potential.
Start Small: Your goal at this stage isn't to lead a project. It's to get your foot in the door, learn from graduate students, and experience the research environment.
By following these steps, you'll be well-prepared to make a strong and professional impression. Good luck with your search!
Step 1: Identify Your Research Interests
Before you even start looking for professors, you need to be specific about what you're interested in. You've already mentioned electrical engineering and machine learning, which is a great start. Now, try to narrow it down further.
For example:
Machine Learning: Are you interested in computer vision, natural language processing (NLP), reinforcement learning, or something else?
Electrical Engineering: Are you interested in circuits, signal processing, robotics, or a combination of these with machine learning?
The more specific you can be, the more you can tailor your search and your emails.
Step 2: Find Professors and Their Labs
Once you have a clearer idea of your interests, you can start looking for professors and their labs.
Here are some effective ways to do this:
University Websites: This is your primary resource. Go to the websites of universities you're interested in (e.g., local universities, schools known for their engineering programs). Navigate to the Electrical Engineering and Computer Science departments.
Look for a faculty directory.
Faculty Profiles: When you find a faculty member, look at their profile page. This will usually include:
Research Interests: This is a key section. Read through it to see if their work aligns with your interests.
Publications: Look at their recent papers. Reading the titles and abstracts can give you a good sense of their current projects.
Lab Website: Many professors have a separate website for their research group. This is often the best place to find information about ongoing projects, lab members, and recent news.
Search Engines: You can use tools like Google Scholar to find professors. Search for topics you're interested in (e.g., "deep learning for signal processing," "robotics and machine learning"). The search results will often show papers with the authors' names. You can then search for those authors to find their university and lab.
Conferences: Look at the websites for major conferences in your field (e.g., NeurIPS, ICML for machine learning; IEEE conferences for electrical engineering). The conference program will list speakers and their affiliations. This is an excellent way to find leading researchers.
Step 3: Craft a Strategic Email
This is the most crucial part. The goal of your email is to be concise, respectful, and demonstrate genuine interest.
Here's how to structure it:
Subject Line: Make it clear and professional. Something like: "High School Student Seeking Research Opportunity - [Your Name]" or "Inquiry about Research in [Specific Research Area]"
Introduction:
Start with a polite greeting (e.g., "Dear Professor [Last Name]").
Introduce yourself: State that you're a high school student, what grade you're in, and what school you attend.
Explain why you are emailing them specifically. This is where you show you've done your homework. Mention a specific paper they've published, a project from their lab website, or a research interest of theirs that caught your attention. For example, "I was fascinated by your recent work on [specific topic] and found the approach to be incredibly innovative."
Body Paragraph:
Briefly describe your own background and skills. Mention any relevant coursework, projects (personal or school-related), or coding experience you have. For example, "I have experience with Python and have completed a project using a neural network to classify images."
Explain your motivation for seeking a research opportunity. Talk about your passion for the field and your desire to gain hands-on experience.
The "Ask": This is where you need to be realistic and respectful of their time. Instead of asking if a lab is "available," which can be vague, be more direct and humble. Here are a few options:
"I am eager to contribute to a research project and would be grateful for any opportunity to assist with lab work, data analysis, or literature review."
"I understand that a formal research position may not be feasible. However, I would be extremely interested in the possibility of shadowing a graduate student or helping with a smaller task to gain exposure to the research process."
"Would you have any suggestions for a rising high school junior interested in this field?"
Closing:
Attach your resume or a brief summary of your relevant skills.
Offer to meet or speak with them at their convenience.
Thank them for their time and consideration.
Sign off with a professional closing (e.g., "Sincerely," "Best regards," followed by your full name, high school, and contact information).
A Note on Expectations
Be Patient: Professors are incredibly busy. Don't be discouraged if you don't hear back immediately.
Don't Take it Personally: Many professors simply don't have the bandwidth or funding to take on high school students. A non-response is not a reflection of your potential.
Start Small: Your goal at this stage isn't to lead a project. It's to get your foot in the door, learn from graduate students, and experience the research environment.
By following these steps, you'll be well-prepared to make a strong and professional impression. Good luck with your search!
Richard A. (Tony) Eckel
49
Answers
Updated
Richard A. (Tony)’s Answer
Apurv,
The bigger question is, "What skills and experience will you bring to a research team?" What evidence of skills can present? Have you done any "Citizen Scientist" research work that shows you can contribute to a team, and not just sweep floors and get coffee?
Academic staff have budgets and time constraints like any businessperson and can't be bothered with every over-coached teenager looking to game the admissions system of whatever prestigious college they're looking to attend. You have to bring something to the table in trade.
SO - you might ask - What would catch the eye of an EE/ML sort of professor? THAT is the question you need to ask, because you can email blast all day and get nothing if you don't have a good story to tell (with data to back it up!).
Professors are interested in individuals who show three traits:
1) Ability to see a problem; something that doesn't work well or could work better (vision to find better ways of doing things)
2) Desire to take action to solve that problem in unique and efficient ways (Shows you understand the problem and the problem universe)
3) Skills to rigorously measure and classify the problem, design solutions that are practical, and the where-with-all to actually solve the problem.
Specifically for EE/ML - They're looking for systems problems like how to apply machine learning to improve elevator costs measured by minimizing the time random requests are completed; a person asked for a car to go from floor A to Floor B from the time they push the call button until the door opens on Floor B. There is a ton of skills involved, not least among them is the practice of careful data collection and recording.
One way to show interest and skill is to do some "Citizen Scientist" work, which really means collecting raw firsthand data and reporting on it. Examples: do some social, environmental, or economic research, like:
1) Measure the earth temperature at different soil depths at 12 sites on a weekly basis for one year
2) Observe bird sightings by species during first hour of sunrise every Saturday at a specific location
3) Measure the water level at 10 points at least 1/2 mile apart along a river or watershed each Saturday for one year
4) Collect 5 water samples each Saturday from very different locations and analyse them for microbial activity and chemistry for one year
5) Monitor and record the amount of garbage collected on your street for up to ten houses for one year.
6) Count the number and type of vehicles passing a point on a nearby well-traveled road between 9 and 11 AM on Saturday for one year
7) Put together a computer that does something "interesting" and "unique" like measuring those water levels with an Arduino and linking it back to an IOT end Point with LoRa in real time.
At the end of each year, report what you have seen and try to draw insight and conclusions based on the data you collected.
This will teach you how to keep records, quickly organize observations, learn about the things you don't know, how to relate your observations with external events (weather, time, events), and how to start seeing patterns in the data.
If you go to an academic (professor) with a good collection of data you sourced and analyzed, they would be stupid to not talk and help you find a suitable research situation, if not take you on directly.
So - first and foremost, show some initiative, dedication, and enthusiasm for science by being a scientist/engineer. After that, knock on a <few> well-chosen doors.
Good luck,
Tony
https://www.citizenscience.gov/#
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Citizen_science
https://news.stanford.edu/stories/2024/06/the-power-of-citizen-science
The bigger question is, "What skills and experience will you bring to a research team?" What evidence of skills can present? Have you done any "Citizen Scientist" research work that shows you can contribute to a team, and not just sweep floors and get coffee?
Academic staff have budgets and time constraints like any businessperson and can't be bothered with every over-coached teenager looking to game the admissions system of whatever prestigious college they're looking to attend. You have to bring something to the table in trade.
SO - you might ask - What would catch the eye of an EE/ML sort of professor? THAT is the question you need to ask, because you can email blast all day and get nothing if you don't have a good story to tell (with data to back it up!).
Professors are interested in individuals who show three traits:
1) Ability to see a problem; something that doesn't work well or could work better (vision to find better ways of doing things)
2) Desire to take action to solve that problem in unique and efficient ways (Shows you understand the problem and the problem universe)
3) Skills to rigorously measure and classify the problem, design solutions that are practical, and the where-with-all to actually solve the problem.
Specifically for EE/ML - They're looking for systems problems like how to apply machine learning to improve elevator costs measured by minimizing the time random requests are completed; a person asked for a car to go from floor A to Floor B from the time they push the call button until the door opens on Floor B. There is a ton of skills involved, not least among them is the practice of careful data collection and recording.
One way to show interest and skill is to do some "Citizen Scientist" work, which really means collecting raw firsthand data and reporting on it. Examples: do some social, environmental, or economic research, like:
1) Measure the earth temperature at different soil depths at 12 sites on a weekly basis for one year
2) Observe bird sightings by species during first hour of sunrise every Saturday at a specific location
3) Measure the water level at 10 points at least 1/2 mile apart along a river or watershed each Saturday for one year
4) Collect 5 water samples each Saturday from very different locations and analyse them for microbial activity and chemistry for one year
5) Monitor and record the amount of garbage collected on your street for up to ten houses for one year.
6) Count the number and type of vehicles passing a point on a nearby well-traveled road between 9 and 11 AM on Saturday for one year
7) Put together a computer that does something "interesting" and "unique" like measuring those water levels with an Arduino and linking it back to an IOT end Point with LoRa in real time.
At the end of each year, report what you have seen and try to draw insight and conclusions based on the data you collected.
This will teach you how to keep records, quickly organize observations, learn about the things you don't know, how to relate your observations with external events (weather, time, events), and how to start seeing patterns in the data.
If you go to an academic (professor) with a good collection of data you sourced and analyzed, they would be stupid to not talk and help you find a suitable research situation, if not take you on directly.
So - first and foremost, show some initiative, dedication, and enthusiasm for science by being a scientist/engineer. After that, knock on a <few> well-chosen doors.
Good luck,
Tony
Richard A. (Tony) recommends the following next steps:
Hi Tony, professors (some of them) absolutely look for student researchers e.g. doing Science Fair research. It's called outreach and there is funding for it. Teens are not expected to bring something to the table other than curiosity and an eagerness to get into research.
Karin P.
Hi Karin. If the student has a Science Fair project, then they ARE bringing something to the table that demonstrates eagerness and curiosity. Doing Citizen Science doesn't require anything more than "eagerness and curiosity".
Richard A. (Tony) Eckel
Hi Tony, if the university/department has an ongoing relationship with the Science Fair, the students often get integrated in existing research groups and get a part of a larger project. Purely homegrown projects don't win much these days. There is only so much you can do in mom's kitchen.
Karin P.
James Constantine Frangos
SOFTWARE ENGINEER SINCE 1972; NUTRITIONIST SINCE 1976.
7094
Answers
Gold Coast, Queensland, Australia
Updated
James Constantine’s Answer
Good Day Apurv!
The first thing is your geographical locality. Do a Google search of local colleges looking for EE ML [Electrical Engineering and Machine Learning].
Their websites will have the professors' emails. Compile a text file with all these emails, listing the university, the faculty, the academic staff name,
their concentration subject area, the email, the date. Communicate with these people. Search USA-wide until you find what you are looking for.
The first thing is your geographical locality. Do a Google search of local colleges looking for EE ML [Electrical Engineering and Machine Learning].
Their websites will have the professors' emails. Compile a text file with all these emails, listing the university, the faculty, the academic staff name,
their concentration subject area, the email, the date. Communicate with these people. Search USA-wide until you find what you are looking for.
Karin P.
Lecturer, Academic Advisor, Career Coach
1091
Answers
Göttingen, Lower Saxony, Germany
Updated
Karin’s Answer
Hi Apurv,
You can check out the Engineering Department at Santa Clara University and what they do. They do have an outreach program for high-school students that might be interesting for you and a good opportunity to make first contacts.
If you want to start your own research, check out the Santa Clara Valley Science & Engineering Fair Association how to get started. Winning awards at Science Fair is a great experience and highly valued for college admission.
If you are interested in any of the research at the university, you can approach a professor about opportunities to join their research group for some experience. You could also just e-mail the department admin person with your request. They'll pass it around to all the faculty members and maybe someone will pick it up.
I hope this helps! All the best to you!
KP
https://www.scu.edu/engineering
https://www.scu.edu/engineering/beyond-the-classroom/outreach
https://science-fair.org
You can check out the Engineering Department at Santa Clara University and what they do. They do have an outreach program for high-school students that might be interesting for you and a good opportunity to make first contacts.
If you want to start your own research, check out the Santa Clara Valley Science & Engineering Fair Association how to get started. Winning awards at Science Fair is a great experience and highly valued for college admission.
If you are interested in any of the research at the university, you can approach a professor about opportunities to join their research group for some experience. You could also just e-mail the department admin person with your request. They'll pass it around to all the faculty members and maybe someone will pick it up.
I hope this helps! All the best to you!
KP
Karin recommends the following next steps:
Haoran Qiu
Research Engineer
1
Answer
Redmond, Washington
Updated
Haoran’s Answer
That’s a great question -- and it’s impressive that you’re already thinking about research opportunities as a high school student.
The best way to find professors to email is to start by exploring university department websites (like you mentioned, in electrical engineering or computer science) and looking at the research pages of professors whose work mentions topics you find interesting, like robotics, machine learning, or hardware systems. Every research lab or professor must have their webpage these days, though some might not be updated very often.
Once you’ve found a few labs that align with your interests, send a short, polite email introducing yourself, explaining what excites you about their work, and expressing that you’d love to get hands-on experience — even if it’s through small tasks like data organization, basic coding, or literature review. If you already have some prior related experience or skills, don't hesitate to include them in the email.
Don’t worry if not everyone replies; professors are often busy, so persistence and genuine curiosity matter more than a perfect resume. Sometimes reaching out to the graduate students in the lab also works! They might be working on projects that need a hand.
Good luck~
The best way to find professors to email is to start by exploring university department websites (like you mentioned, in electrical engineering or computer science) and looking at the research pages of professors whose work mentions topics you find interesting, like robotics, machine learning, or hardware systems. Every research lab or professor must have their webpage these days, though some might not be updated very often.
Once you’ve found a few labs that align with your interests, send a short, polite email introducing yourself, explaining what excites you about their work, and expressing that you’d love to get hands-on experience — even if it’s through small tasks like data organization, basic coding, or literature review. If you already have some prior related experience or skills, don't hesitate to include them in the email.
Don’t worry if not everyone replies; professors are often busy, so persistence and genuine curiosity matter more than a perfect resume. Sometimes reaching out to the graduate students in the lab also works! They might be working on projects that need a hand.
Good luck~
Phill Pezo
Industrial Design
103
Answers
Nutley, New Jersey
Updated
Phill’s Answer
Hey Apurv,
It is good to hear you are looking to get experience in what you want to study. It is good to show this kind of initiative as it will look good on your resume when applying to schools or jobs. It can also give you good practical experiences and skills. There are a few ways you can go about getting some experience in electrical engineering and machining. Firstly, you can see if there are any courses or programs that are available to you to get some learning and experience. You can also see if there are any places that would be willing to let you shadow or intern. Start to search for companies that draw your interest. Reach out to them by phone, then email, then in person if needed. Show them you are eager to learn and what you can bring to the table. There is a chance there will be a company looking for some help. You can also start to search for universities near you that might allow you to shadow. If you go on their website, there tends to be a section that shows the emails and numbers of staff members. Feel free to reach out to professors, admin, and students that are currently enrolled. Be sure to share your interest to whom ever it is you are speaking to before asking for anything.
Best of luck on your journey!
It is good to hear you are looking to get experience in what you want to study. It is good to show this kind of initiative as it will look good on your resume when applying to schools or jobs. It can also give you good practical experiences and skills. There are a few ways you can go about getting some experience in electrical engineering and machining. Firstly, you can see if there are any courses or programs that are available to you to get some learning and experience. You can also see if there are any places that would be willing to let you shadow or intern. Start to search for companies that draw your interest. Reach out to them by phone, then email, then in person if needed. Show them you are eager to learn and what you can bring to the table. There is a chance there will be a company looking for some help. You can also start to search for universities near you that might allow you to shadow. If you go on their website, there tends to be a section that shows the emails and numbers of staff members. Feel free to reach out to professors, admin, and students that are currently enrolled. Be sure to share your interest to whom ever it is you are speaking to before asking for anything.
Best of luck on your journey!
Suzanna Hoang
Education Consultant
12
Answers
Boston, Massachusetts
Updated
Suzanna’s Answer
It's awesome that you're taking the initiative to reach out to professors and find opportunities for yourself!
It's basically what you'd imagine and what you're describing - Email 50 professors, introduce yourself (your grade & where you go to school), describe your academic/research interests (including any relevant projects/research experience), mention your interest in the professors' past research on x and/or y, and finally ask if they are currently doing/planning any research projects in the future that you would be grateful to contribute to. Follow up with your availability. Ideally, attach your resume. Wait. Get ghosted. Maybe get a few responses, and follow up on those.
Good luck!
It's basically what you'd imagine and what you're describing - Email 50 professors, introduce yourself (your grade & where you go to school), describe your academic/research interests (including any relevant projects/research experience), mention your interest in the professors' past research on x and/or y, and finally ask if they are currently doing/planning any research projects in the future that you would be grateful to contribute to. Follow up with your availability. Ideally, attach your resume. Wait. Get ghosted. Maybe get a few responses, and follow up on those.
Good luck!
How would I know if a professor is doing/planning a lab currently?
Apurv
You just have to ask them in their email. Or check out their website and see what they've done recently, if they have any phD students in the lab, etc.
Suzanna Hoang