The Undergraduate Research Support Office (URS) promotes undergraduate research at Duke through workshops, the annual Visible Thinking Symposium, funding independent research, assistantships and conferences and by providing support for summer research programs. See the complete list of URS programs.
Additional research opportunities and support are available directly through the departments and institutes of Duke University. See More Opportunities.
The Undergraduate Research Support Office (URS) encourages and facilitates students and faculty engaging in meaningful research via mentor-mentee relationships through training, programming, opportunities and funding.
Director of Undergraduate Research Support Office
Jessica Harrell is the Undergraduate Research Support (URS) Director. She came to Duke in 2020 via the Academic Advising Center where she has served as the Director of Academic Engagement (DAE) for Natural and Quantitative Sciences. In this role, Dr. Harrell has helped Duke undergraduates identify and engage in co-curricular opportunities, cultivate relationships with mentors, and apply to fellowships, summer research programs, and post-baccalaureate opportunities. She is also an adjunct faculty in the Biology department and has co-directed the summer BSURF program. Prior to this, Dr. Harrell served as the Director of Pre-Doctoral Student Development and Support in the Office of Graduate Education at the UNC School of Medicine. In this capacity, she directed several programs to support the engagement and persistence of students from underrepresented groups in the biomedical sciences and in pursuit of scientific-research career paths, with the express goal of increasing diversity within the scientific enterprise. Beyond her academic appointments, Dr. Harrell is a trained facilitator for the National Research Mentoring Network and has led numerous workshops for faculty and students to improve the mentor-mentee relationship, specifically helping faculty create inclusive lab environments and students to “mentor-up.” She is a first-generation student and completed her Bachelor of Science in Biochemistry at Louisiana State University and her PhD in Cell and Developmental Biology from UNC-Chapel Hill. A native of Louisiana, you can often find Dr. Harrell rooting for her beloved Tigers, arranging crawfish boils, and enthusiastically preparing for Mardi Gras (no matter the time of year).
Program Coordinator
Sarah Koop is the new Program Coordinator for the Undergraduate Research Support Office. Sarah has a diverse background in theater, marketing, and community events. As a proud Meredith College alumna with a Bachelor of Arts in Theater and a minor in English, Sarah has deep roots in the North Carolina Triangle. She excels in event coordination, arts administration, and marketing. Previously, as a Senior Program Assistant, she has been an integral part of the Town of Cary's cultural landscape since 2018 by coordinating concerts and supporting various cultural events with communications and admin.
Additionally, Sarah has a strong marketing background focused on social media management and engagement in her work at companies like Raleigh Woodworks, Corridor Consulting Company, Web Badger, and Dakno Marketing. She freelances as a theatre artist and has worked with esteemed local theatre companies such as the former Manbites Dog, Justice Theater Project, Women’s Theatre Festival, Bulldog Ensemble Theatre, and the Capital Arts Theater Guild. Sarah's dedication to arts and community, combined with her marketing acumen, underscores her commitment to enhancing engaging experiences and fostering creative expression. Off the clock, she enjoys reading, supporting her local library, swimming, and roller skating.
