Research Experience for Teachers: Summer 2026

Please visit our RET program webpage. for more information and to apply to our summer 2027 paid internship program!  (www.mrl.ucsb.edu/ret)

This summer’s program saw successful research placements of  local teachers Erin Craven, Laura Chua and Lisette Torres into UCSB materials science research groups. 

Teacher: Erin Craven -- Oakley Evolution Laboratory EEMB

Developing an RNAi Delivery System for Ostracods

This project developed an RNA interference (RNAi) system to study gene function in the ostracod, Skogsberia. To establish a functional protocol, the project aimed to silence the genes responsible for embryo eye pigmentation, which serves as an easily observable visual indicator of successful gene knockdown. 

Teacher: Laura Chua -- Gordon Lab of Nanoscale Materials, Chemical Engineering

From Squid to Solid-State Tech

The overall research project aims to understand and leverage nature’s ability to manipulate color to create novel, electrochemically tunable photonic devices. Specifically, the lab studies the reflectin protein found in cephalopods (squid and octopuses), which allows these animals to change color and reflect light for camouflage. This project investigated bioinspired metasurfaces - mimicking the structural color-changing abilities of the market squid to develop dynamic, tunable optical pixels using reflectin proteins and specialized fluorescent dyes. 

Teacher: Lisette Torres -- Pitenis Research Group - Interfacial Engineering Lab, Materials

Engineering Soft Matter: From Macro Mechanics to Cellular Micro-Environments

This research project conducted in the Interfacial Engineering Lab during a summer Research Experiences for Teachers (RET) program focused on the engineering and biological applications of hydrogels. The project explores hydrogel structural design—including gradient behaviors, dog-bone geometry optimization to prevent clamp slippage, and a step-by-step assembly process for a hydrogel micro-probe. 

Junior High Science Teacher Yesenia Munoz, who conducted a research project in summer of 2025, developed a RET curriculum project titled "Chemical and Physical Changes: Conservation of Mass, Bath Bombs, and Chemical Reactions"

This project is an interactive 7th-grade physical science curriculum aligned with NGSS standard MS-PS1-5 that connects the RET1 biopharmaceutical research to middle school chemistry. Through an engaging storyline centered around bath bomb phenomena and Alka-Seltzer investigations, 7th-grade students explore physical versus chemical changes, open versus closed systems, and the law of conservation of mass by testing individual ingredients and their chemical combinations. The unit culminates in an engineering design challenge where students formulate, test, optimize, and calculate reaction times for their own bath bombs, presenting their findings, data models, and CER (Claim, Evidence, Reasoning) arguments via a final poster presentation and demonstration.

Yesenia will present on her work at an event TBA in 2027.

Summer Takeaways

Through hands-on research at UCSB, RET teachers strengthen their skills in scientific practice, collaboration, and communication while working as valued members of active research teams. Teachers tackle real-world scientific questions, share their work with peers and research group members, and gain firsthand experience with the process of scientific discovery. These experiences provide both professional growth and new ideas for developing engaging, research-inspired classroom activities that connect students with the natural world.

Join us at UCSB to enhance your skills in scientific practice and communication through hands-on research! 

Ready to join our community? We invite you to:

  • Contact us to learn more about RET or our other Outreach Programs. (frank_kinnaman@ucsb.edu)

  • Apply to our RET summer program to become a paid intern!

  • Join our email list: send a blank email to mrlteachers+subscribe@mrl.ucsb.edu to join! 

Frank Kinnaman, MRL Outreach, frank_kinnaman@ucsb.edu