INSTITUTE FOR POLICY RESEARCH

Turning Passion into Purpose

With mentorship and hands-on research, IPR’s signature undergrad program helps students transform interests into real-world impact

IPR’s 2025 summer undergraduate research assistants take a photo during their training session.

Weinberg sophomore Annika Shah has been passionate about prison reform and wrongful incarceration since high school. But it wasn’t until the Summer Undergraduate Research Assistants (SURA) Program at the Institute for Policy Research (IPR) that she found a way to channel that interest into research.

Many law internships focus on corporate work, but Shah didn’t pursue law school to climb the corporate ladder. “It’s to do field work, social justice work. So IPR was really perfect for me because I get to explore the research side of that,” she said.

Shah is one of 35 Northwestern undergraduates participating in SURA this summer, tackling critical social and political issues alongside IPR faculty. The program pairs students directly with professors, giving researchers fresh perspectives while providing students with valuable mentorship and research experience. SURA has matched over 870 Northwestern students with faculty who need research support since its start in 1998, making it the longest-running program of its kind on campus.

Working with IPR social psychologist Ivuoma Onyeador, Shah has contributed to projects on free speech and social justice, including writing amicus briefs for wrongfully incarcerated individuals.

Onyeador said Shah brought energy, and insights from her previous coursework to the projects.

“Having a student like Annika working on the project, with her passion for improving the criminal justice system, has helped keep us focused on the ultimate purpose of research,” Onyeador said.

Onyeador also highlighted the support students receive in the program. She explained that SURA projects show students not only how to conduct research but also how important research experiences are as preparation for careers in academia, policy, law, medicine, and more.

“Many fields need people who can conduct and evaluate research, and the SURA program contributes to that workforce,” she said.

Even without much prior research experience, Shah described the environment as both welcoming and motivating.

“I’ve taken plenty of humanities classes, so I know what it’s like to just read and get through the work,” Shah said. “But now that there’s a strong end goal—something with a much larger impact than just myself—I dedicate more time to it, and I’m using my brain in a way I definitely wasn’t before.”

Weinberg senior Stacy Yoon, who worked with endocrinologist and IPR associate Amisha Wallia through SURA in 2024 and 2025, also praised the program’s support system. From early training sessions to ongoing mentorship, she said the structure helps students succeed regardless of experience level.

“I think even with my lack of research experience, the way SURA is set up, you have so many resources available throughout the program,” Yoon said. “It’s a great way to build connections, work on meaningful projects, and see if research is right for you.”

Yoon and Wallia examined the effects of education interventions on diabetes patients, with Yoon undertaking large-scale data management for the first time.

“This is not my typical area of expertise, but at the end of the day, it was so much fun,” Yoon said. “It expanded my horizons and gave me a much wider skill set than before.”

Wallia, who has mentored students through SURA for several years, highlighted the program’s value for students and mentors alike. She said the structure and resources help students quickly integrate into lab environments and make the most of their summer experiences.

“This type of program has been critical for students, who may not have exposure to healthcare or policy, to be able to dive right into important, timely topics,” Wallia said.

She added that mentoring students like Yoon has been especially meaningful.

“I hope she will continue at the intersection of healthcare, research, and education for many years to come,” Wallia said. “It has been incredibly rewarding working with undergraduates who may be open to different fields and ideas for future exploration.”

Both Shah and Yoon said SURA deepened their interest in research and shaped their future goals. Many students in the program continue their projects during the academic year or pursue graduate study based on their research interests.

IPR sociologist Christine Percheski, who directs the program, said the SURA program is valuable for undergraduate students because of the opportunities to contribute to policy-relevant research, learn new skills, and receive mentorship from faculty.

"The SURA program is a win-win for both students and faculty. Students have the opportunity to contribute to research with real policy impact and develop new skills, and faculty benefit from the enthusiasm, hard work, and fresh perspectives of the students," she said.

Whether SURA leads to a long-term academic path or a memorable, research-infused summer, both Shah and Yoon emphasized that it offers a welcoming entry point into what can feel like an intimidating field.

“SURA has really shaped my perspective on what it means to be in academia,” Shah said. “It’s just so incredible to be surrounded by people who are so educated and so passionate about the same things you care about. It kind of makes me feel like I’m in a room full of nerds just like myself.”

Ivuoma Onyeador is assistant professor of management and organizations. Christine Percheski is associate professor of sociology. Amisha Wallia is associate professor of medicine, medical social sciences, and preventive medicine. All are IPR faculty.

Published: September 17, 2025.