Research at Southgate

Undergraduate and graduate research is central to the Southgate experience, from riverside ecology studies to engineering capstones and community-based education research. Faculty across all five colleges mentor students in original research, often supported by external grants, and the university's Summer Research Fellows program funds more than 60 undergraduate projects each year.

Current Highlights

Cascade River Watershed Ecology

Biology faculty and students track how agricultural and residential development is reshaping fish and insect populations along the Cascade River. The work is supported by a three-year National Science Foundation grant awarded in 2025.

Wearable Biomedical Sensors

Engineering faculty and undergraduates are developing low-cost wearable sensors for monitoring chronic conditions in rural clinics. The project has produced two patent filings and several student-authored conference papers.

Regional Economic Development Lab

Housed in the Templin School of Business, this lab partners with Averton County officials to study small-business growth and workforce trends. Student researchers produce an annual regional economic outlook report.

Early Literacy Intervention Research

Education faculty study the effectiveness of Southgate's tutoring partnership with Averton City Schools, tracking reading gains among elementary students. Findings have informed literacy programming across the district.