Fundamental Discoveries in Enzymology through Undergraduate Research

Undergraduate research has long been recognized as a powerful catalyst for academic and professional development. Many institutions, particularly Primarily Undergraduate Institutions (PUIs), actively promote and support undergraduate research through a variety of initiatives. In this paper, we describe our efforts to engage undergraduate students in authentic and challenging research projects focused on the structure-function-dynamics relationships in multidomain proteins. These projects were pursued through both traditional and course-embedded research models. We highlight the novel contributions of our student researchers to the broader field of enzymology, whose work has led to new insights in the field and resulted in several publications in peer-reviewed journals. Through their research experiences, students not only developed essential laboratory skills and expanded their scientific toolkits but also gained meaningful exposure to real-world problem-solving. These opportunities significantly enhanced their analytical and critical thinking abilities, strengthening their competitiveness for graduate studies and career advancement. Taken together, engaging undergraduates in research helps facilitate discoveries, cultivates a new cohort of future scientists, educators, and a scientifically skilled and empowered workforce.