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Devin Ugbaja, a junior sociology student at Henderson State University, crossed the room at the McNair Scholars conference in Florida, hoping to pick up a pen, or perhaps a T-shirt for his father. A devoted Fighting Irish football fan, his father had made sure Ugbaja grew up watching Rudy. Instead, Ugbaja walked away from the University of Notre Dame recruiting table with an opportunity that would eventually bring him to campus as a researcher.

Read More about SROP experience helps Devin Ugbaja envision a future in research

Notre Dame postdoctoral researcher Annyesha Biswas is the first author of a new study revealing how RNA may have repaired itself billions of years ago—offering new insight into the origins of life and a potential tool for detecting disease-related RNA damage today.  

Read More about Researchers show how early RNA-based life may have repaired its genome, providing insight into the origins of life

At the Graduate School, we often say, “Your Research Matters. You Matter.” We very much value our graduate students as people, not just researchers. Kasey Buckles, recipient of the 2026 College of Arts & Letters Graduate Student Mentorship Award, embodies that spirit.

Read More about Professor Kasey Buckles wins Graduate Student Mentorship Award

Today’s refrigerants, which are specialized working fluids used in air conditioners, refrigerators, and heat pumps, come with a host of issues including leakage, emissions concerns, flammability, and limited reclamation of used refrigerants. However, a recent study by University of Notre Dame researchers describes a promising alternative for next-generation cooling using thermoelectric technology, which has no moving parts, no gaseous refrigerants, and thus zero leaks.

Read More about Ink-based thermoelectric technology could be solution for replacing problematic refrigerants