research process

Computer Science Independent Research: A Conversation with Anna Calveri ‘26

Posted on February 26, 2025February 19, 2025 by Alexis Wu

Anna Calveri ’26 is a junior in the Computer Science department. On campus, she is a member of Princeton University Robotics Club, Sympoh Urban Arts Crew, and Colonial Club.

The senior thesis is a hallmark of the Princeton experience, giving students the opportunity to conduct original research under the mentorship of a faculty adviser. Every senior is required to write a thesis, with the exception of Computer Science majors in the Bachelor of Science in Engineering (B.S.E.) degree program. Instead, these students are required to undertake a substantial independent project, called independent work (IW), which can take the form of a traditional one-on-one project with an adviser, an IW seminar where a small group of students independently conduct projects tied to the seminar’s main theme, or an optional senior thesis.

In 2022, I interviewed Shannon Heh ’23 about her experience in an IW seminar, where she highlighted the structure and guidance the professor and course seminar. This year, I wanted to explore the perspective of a B.S.E. Computer Science student who pursued a different option: the one-on-one IW project.

Anna Calveri ’26 stood out as the perfect person to speak with, not just because of her exciting research at the Princeton Vision & Learning Lab led by Professor Jia Deng, but also because she began her project during the summer as a ReMatch+ intern and built on it during the fall semester. While many students only work on their IW within a single semester, Anna’s approach of extending her research across both the summer and fall gave her the chance to deepen her research and hit the ground running with impressive progress.

Navigating Uncertainty

Posted on February 24, 2025February 19, 2025 by Stanley Stoutamire, Jr.

Photo of Nassau Hall during a winter snowstorm — *Nassau Hall in the midst of a snowstorm*

The start of 2025 has been an interesting one to say the least when it comes to research. New breakthroughs in Artificial Intelligence models are rapidly advancing our understanding of everything from ancient texts to protein structures. At the same time, they have complicated the publishing process by introducing a flood of junk to scientific journals. Turning to the federal level, years of biomedical research has culminated in the FDA approval of a new non-opioid pain medication. Developments like this are happening while major national pillars of our research structure face confusing directives amidst a clear priority shift in budget allocation. The degree of uncertainty researchers at the undergraduate level face today can feel overwhelming, but uncertainty is intrinsic to research across all disciplines. Whether that uncertainty is caused by human participants or dated lab equipment, it’s an aspect of research across the board. The unique large-scale uncertainties confronting researchers today can be faced using the same ways uncertainty is addressed during the research process.

The Skills for the Job

Posted on February 3, 2025December 12, 2024 by Stanley Stoutamire, Jr.

Image of East Pyne Courtyard facing the the arch that exits towards Cannon Green. Evening sunlight streams in through the archway. — *An evening in East Pyne Courtyard*

Research is always top of mind here. Princeton is a research university. Princeton faculty are engaged in research. Princeton students complete independent research to graduate. These are just some of the ways that we collectively understand what research is as Princeton. Yet, the images that can come to mind when thinking about “research” are quite limited. The idea of research conjures up images of bubbling chemicals and expensive technical equipment. That picture of grueling lab work is illustrative of some disciplines, but it’s largely immaterial to the work of many researchers. This can lead to a misunderstanding of what skills are necessary to succeed in research environments. Getting involved with research is daunting enough without confusion about the skill set required. This past summer, when I worked in public health research, I identified core skills that are critical, no matter what your research experience looks like.

A Quick Guide to Writing a Funding Proposal

Posted on January 29, 2025December 12, 2024 by Rebecca Cho

A student typing on a computer. — *This could be you working passionately on your funding proposal using the tips in this guide! Photo credit: Glenn Carstens-Peters.*

After having discovered a potential funding opportunity, you might be reading the requirements for the application and find that you need to write a “research proposal” as a part of the application. This might be your first time writing a funding proposal. Here are a few tips to assist you in writing your funding proposal!

Go To A New Library

Posted on December 18, 2024December 12, 2024 by Stanley Stoutamire, Jr.

Depicts inside of East Pyne Courtyard in the snowfall — *East Pyne Hall, former home to the Princeton University Library Collection*

As someone who has spent more than a little time in libraries both here and back home, I can’t express how important libraries are. Oftentimes, we reduce our campus libraries to simple study spots, places we can go when we really just need to lock in. But, this is reductive. Libraries are connection points, providing the opportunity to connect and reconnect with friends and peers in the most serendipitous of ways. Additionally, our libraries are invitations to discovery. Each building stands as a testament to the physical accumulation of centuries of knowledge. From the official writings of American presidents to enzyme analyses of gene editing technology, Princeton’s libraries are practically bursting with knowledge to be uncovered.

When I talk to friends about studying at Princeton, one thing I always find myself circling back to is the beauty of our campus and community. This goes beyond the aesthetics of the buildings, but relates to the experiences that Princeton students can all share in. Our campus is one of connection and discovery, and I believe that there is no aspect that makes this as clear as our libraries. The Princeton University Library system claims the 9th largest collection of titles of any University in the country, so it’s no surprise that our campus is dotted with libraries. Of these numerous libraries though, many get overlooked. These overlooked libraries all represent unique opportunities that deserve to be noticed.

Balancing Research and Academics: The Art of Course Planning

Posted on December 11, 2024December 11, 2024 by Angel Toasakul

Screenshot of TigerJunction page with course planning template — *A blank Tiger Junction page ready to be filled with the courses for next semester.*

Planning your courses while doing research can feel like a juggling act—one that involves not just your academic requirements but also your research commitments and, of course, your own well-being. At a place like Princeton, where opportunities in labs and research projects abound, learning how to navigate and integrate everything into your schedule can make a huge difference.

Navigating the Slump: When Even Your Passion Projects Get You Down

Posted on December 2, 2024December 2, 2024 by Angel Toasakul

Empty corner of the Firestone Library with books lining the shelves and a table and lamp in the foreground. — *A quiet corner of a library where you might find a new way to approach your project.*

We all have those moments when we doubt where we’re headed, even when the path we’re on is one we chose with so much excitement. Maybe it’s that feeling of disconnect, where you can’t quite see why you’re doing what you’re doing—even if it’s the thing you used to call your dream. And when it comes to research, that slump can feel even more intense.

Simplify Your Research Poster Printing: Using Princeton’s Makerspace Large Format Printer

Posted on November 20, 2024October 28, 2024 by Alexis Wu

Photo of three students wearing black suits and smiling at the camera. Machine learning research poster in the center. — *Alexis Wu (author), Jenny Pang ‘24, and Jimmy Hoang ‘24 at the COS 484: Natural Language Processing Spring 2024 poster session.*

The end of the semester is often accompanied by deadlines for semester-long projects and final papers (including the infamous Dean’s Date deadline, which past correspondent Ryan Champeau has amazing advice on!). For some classes, students may be asked to create an academic or research poster and present their work to their peers in a poster session. A couple of courses I have taken where I produced a final research paper were COS 484: Natural Language Processing and ASA 238: Asian-American Psyches.

In ASA 238, the department provided funding so that all students in the class could have their poster printed through Princeton Print & Mail Services. However, this option typically is not free-of-charge to students. Moreover, since this process typically takes 4-5 business days after the proof is approved to be printed, course instructors may set conservatively early deadlines so that all students’ posters may be printed on time. With more deadlines in other classes, this can create additional stress.

The great news is, this stress can be avoided with a free, straightforward alternative: utilizing the Makerspace’s Large Format Printer. The Princeton University Library (PUL) Makerspace is a creative space on the A-level of the Lewis Science Library open to current students, faculty, and staff. If you’ve never used the space before, it might be daunting, but I hope this article will clarify the process and assuage any fears you may have!

A Guide to JP-Writing in the Humanities

Posted on November 15, 2024November 5, 2024 by Ignacio Arias Philippi

Books in Library — *Finding the right sources within a literary field is a key part of all independent work*. *Photo credit: Olena Bohovyk.*

Writing a Junior Paper (or two, depending on your major) can be a stressful process. But it does not have to be that way. Below are some strategies to help you minimize JP-induced stress and streamline your research process.

A Quick Guide to Securing Funding

Posted on November 13, 2024October 25, 2024 by Rebecca Cho

This photo shows a student working in lab with his mentor. — *A student working in a lab, potentially on a research project for their senior work that would greatly benefit from funding! Photo credit: Nick Donnoli.*

You’ve brainstormed a great idea for your research project. You have the details of your topic all figured out, but you need some assistance with figuring out the logistics of the financial aspects that come with your great idea.

If that’s you, here’s a quick guide on one way of securing funding as a Princeton student!

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