91¿´Æ¬Íø

Student Research Ambassadors champion undergraduate research

During her freshman year, Clara Rinker ‘26 began exploring summer research opportunities as a mathematical biology and Hispanic studies double major. Undergraduate research can be intimidating for a first-year student, but Rinker found confidence in an unexpected place. She met with a fellow student, a Research Ambassador, who walked her through grant applications and Institutional Review Board processes. 

“The fact that somebody was willing to sit down was enough to encourage me to keep going,” Rinker said. 

W&M is unique not only for its plentiful opportunities for undergraduate research but also for the collaboration and support fostered among students as they navigate the research process. 

With support from Kate Patterson, undergraduate research program administrator at the Charles Center, Research Ambassadors are resources to students interested in completing research during their time at W&M. Working alongside the Charles Center, their guidance supports students throughout each stage of the research process. The Research Ambassadors host weekly office hours where they help students as they begin identifying a research area of interest, finding a faculty mentor, and applying for research grants. 

“My job is to help students become aware of the benefits of research, how they can get plugged in through various avenues at 91¿´Æ¬Íø, and facilitate all the funding that the Charles Center has available for students to actually do their research,” Patterson said. 

The early encouragement Rinker received led her to conduct multiple research projects, from the Reconquista in Spain to genetic biostatistics. She also now serves as a Research Ambassador, connecting other students with the same opportunities that shaped her academic path. 

“It feels like my job is mostly boosting confidence,” Rinker said. “We’re ready to answer anything.” 

Similarly, Micah Dill '26 was inspired by his own positive research experiences to become a Research Ambassador. Dill studies integrative conservation and philosophy, and his research focuses on local ecological knowledge and conservation geospatial analysis. 

“Participating in undergraduate research was one of the most important and rewarding experiences I had at 91¿´Æ¬Íø,” Dill said. “Because of this, it’s a privilege to be able to connect students with their own opportunities and help them have the experience that I was able to have.” 

Most recently, Dill conducted a research project that involved developing data collection methodologies for private landowners in Colorado for the Institute for Integrative Conservation. He gathered spatial data on properties, including interactive maps and mobile apps. Dill was also awarded funding from the Charles Center summer research grants in 2024, which he used to expand on traditional ecological knowledge in relation to fishery conservation along the Rappahannock River.  

Dill’s passionate about encouraging students to take the first step in pursuing research. “It’s exciting to be able to work with a student that is clearly passionate about a particular topic or question and help them turn that passion into a project,” Dill said. 

As fellow undergraduate students, the Research Ambassadors are approachable resources for students. They can ask questions and explore options without feeling intimidated. With grant deadlines approaching soon, Rinker and Dill anticipate receiving a lot of questions about how to write a strong research proposal.  

“I'm really in this position because I'm just a student who likes doing research, and I think it makes it a lot less daunting [for students] to ask me questions,” Rinker said. 

The Research Ambassadors are equipped to support students as they explore their research interests, no matter what stage or confidence level they are at.  

“There are some students who come in with a very clear [research] idea, and then their question is more like, ‘How do I get a professor to support me?’ But then other students are like, ‘I just feel like I'm supposed to be researching. I have no idea really what I want to do. I just know that maybe I'll major in this, so I could start there,’” Rinker said. 

The duo can help students find a faculty mentor who is a good fit for their disciplinary areas of interest by pointing them to online directories and assisting with outreach. 

“The student might be looking to work with a professor on their existing research to learn the ropes, or the student might have their own topic in mind and want to find a mentor with expertise in that area to guide them,” Patterson said. 

They also support students who are interested in pursuing research opportunities at institutions outside of W&M.  

“The research opportunities aren't just limited to campus, and I think a lot of times people think that's the only option and way to get involved,” Rinker said. “But if they find something out in the world that they'd rather do, it's just as valid of an option.” 

The Research Ambassadors hold drop-in office hours in Blow Hall, Room 263. Dill’s office hours are on Mondays from 3-4:30 p.m., and Rinker’s are on Tuesdays from 11:30-1 p.m. Students can also enroll in the Charles Center Undergraduate Resource hub on