Introducing STEM research to first-year Badgers
The Letters & Science Summer of Excellence in Research (LASER) Program offers undergraduates an exciting introduction to STEM research. Students apply to the LASER program during their first year on campus. If admitted, they enroll in two consecutive courses to gain foundational knowledge in research design and methodology, the first is during the spring semester and a second course takes place during the summer term. During summer students also join a collaborative research team and participate in an 8-week summer research position, mentored by UW-Madison faculty, staff, or graduate students.
Through LASER, students connect with mentors and get an early start in collegiate research. This program is ideal for freshmen who are passionate about discovery and curious about exploring research in an L&S STEM field.
Letters and Science Excellence in Research
Introducing STEM research
to first-year Badgers
The 2026 LASER Program (Monday June 15 – Friday, August 7) will support approximately 30 undergraduate students classified in the College of Letters & Science:
- one 1-credit course in the Spring term
- one 1-credit course in the Summer term
- 8-week summer paid research position (includes free campus housing!)
Apply here for the LASER ’26 program.
https://forms.gle/yVBSMR7mcfPyEpTc9
The LASER ’26 application deadline is
Monday, December 1, 2025
Get questions answered!
We encourage you to attend any of the following LASER Info Sessions so you can learn more about LASER 2026:
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 29 12:00 – 1:00 pm
B29 Bascom Hall
TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 4 12:00 – 1:00 pm
B29 Bascom Hall
MONDAY, NOVEMBER 10 4:30 – 6:00 pm
58 Bascom Hall
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 14 12:00 – 1:30 pm
MSC Classroom, Red Gym
TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 18 4:00 – 5:30 pm
240 Steenbock Library
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 21 12:00 – 1:00 pm
58 Bascom Hall
We are also offering two remote Info Sessions at the following dates/times:
MONDAY, NOVEMBER 24 4:00 – 5:00 pm ZOOM LINK
MONDAY, DECEMBER 1 4:00 – 5:00 pm ZOOM LINK
For individual meetings, please contact us directly:
STEM Coach Michael J Payton
Mondays, 12:00 – 3:00 pm via e-mail at mjpayton@wisc.edu
Assistant Dean José J Madera
Fridays, 10:00 am – 1:00 pm via Starfish
ls-stem@ls.wisc.edu • 608-262-4417
Eligibility
You may be a good fit for LASER if you:
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- are classified in the College of Letters and Science and in good academic standing completing your first semester at UW-Madison at the time of your application,
- have an interest in exploring STEM-related majors—declaring a major is not required,
- have a passion for scientific research and exploration,
- are committed to enroll in, and complete a 1 cr course during the 2026 Spring semester,
- are also committed to enroll in, and complete a 1 cr course during the 2026 Summer term, and
- complete a residential (living in a UW dorm) research experience during Summer 2026.
Applicable majors include:
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PLEASE NOTE:
At this time, we are unable to accept applications from students with International F-1 and or J-1 visa.
L&S STEM Scholars in LASER participate in:
1 1-credit course in the 2026 Spring semester: “Exploring Research in STEM” (INTEGSCI 150)
SPRING 2026 semester, meets on campus weekly on Wednesdays, 5:30 pm to 6:45 pm (1 credit; tuition covered by the student)
Developed by WISCIENCE, the Wisconsin Institute for Science Education and Community Engagement.
- Learn about different approaches to scientific research
- Build skills for reading and analyzing scientific literature
- Deepen understanding of translating the scientific method into experimental design
- Explore various STEM careers that involve research
NOTE: Undergraduate Research Scholars Program (URS) selected for LASER participants will continue in their regular URS seminar in the spring instead of this course.
2 1-credit course in the 2026 Summer term: “Entering Research Part I” (INTEGSCI 260)
Course Highlights:
- Explore essential roles, responsibilities, and relationships for a successful research experience
- Strengthen science communication skills in reading, writing, and presenting
- Discuss and apply strategies to foster diversity, equity, and inclusion in STEM
3 8-week paid summer research position
As part of the 2026 L&S LASER Program (Monday June 15 – Friday, August 7), students will be matched with an ongoing STEM research project at UW–Madison. The full list of available projects will be provided following admission into the LASER program. *
- Compensation: $16 per hour
- Hours: Average of 30 hours per week, up to a maximum of 40 hours per week
- Location: On-campus research laboratories or research groups
- Participate and present about your research experience in the LASER Poster Symposium event scheduled during the last day of the program
* URS Scholars selected for LASER may have an option to continue their current research project, depending on their research mentor and other factors.
Additional Details
- Housing: Students participating in LASER are required to live in a UW–Madison residence hall during the eight-week summer program. No exceptions.
- Cost: Housing is free of charge, in an assigned hall and room, usually shared with a roommate. The LASER Program handles all arrangements.
- Spring Course: Included in the regular Spring schedule.
- Summer Course: Tuition is fully covered for this course by the L&S LASER Program, at no additional cost to the student.
- Meal Vouchers: LASER provides a summer meal block plan.
What our LASER STEM Scholars have worked on:
Field of Dreams… and Solar Panels
Sophomore Liz Sanchez Garcia investigates how solar panels and their changing light conditions can be a good thing for plants, renewable energy and career aspirations.
LASER Focused
Morales Mijares worked in the lab of chemistry professor Helen Blackwell, conducting research with a focus in chemical biology, specifically the synthesis of inhibitors in relation to regulating quorum sensing communication between bacterial species.
More Research Examples:
- “Understanding Recovery and Development in Children with Early Brain Injury and Cerebral Palsy” with Associate Professor Bernadette Gillick, PhD, MSPT, PT (Department of Pediatrics)
- “Understanding the Host Galaxy of an Extremely Red Quasar with Associate Professor Christy Tremonti (Department of Astronomy) and Dr. Gregory Mosby, NASA
- “Cracking Skin Microbiome Competition: Finding New Drugs in the Human Skin with Assistant Professor Lindsay Kalan and PhD candidate Thy Nguyen (Department of Medical Microbiology & Immunology)
Get questions answered
Info Sessions will be offered during Fall ’25 in anticipation of the 2026 LASER Program. See dates and times above.
Please contact Assistant Dean José J. Madera, Assistant Director for STEM initiatives via e-mail at jose.j.madera@wisc.edu or STEM Coach & course instructor Michael J Payton by e-mail at mjpayton@wisc.edu if you have any questions.
ls-stem@ls.wisc.edu • 608-262-4417