Pasta & Possibilities

Pasta & Possibilities is a casual lunch where you’ll have the opportunity to meet representatives from research programs and campus organizations. Rather than listening to a series of presentations, you’ll rotate among tables, ask questions, and have conversations about research opportunities, funding, mentoring, academic support, and ways to get involved in research. Whether you are looking for your first research experience or planning your next step, this is a chance to connect with people who can help.

Program Representatives

Meet Anita Stahl

Anita is the Director of the Office of Undergraduate Research and Creative Activities (URCA)

Talk with Anita about:

• URCA Grant (deadline Nov 6)
• URCA Week (May 2027)
• Getting started with research as an undergraduate at UCSB
• Tennis 🎾

Meet Carolina Lechuga

Carolina is a Graduate Student Research Advisor for the McNair Scholars Program

Talk with Carolina about:

• McNair Scholars Program
• Preparing for graduate school
• Research opportunities for undergraduates

Meet Shelby Le

Shelby is the Undergraduate Program Coordinator for the Center for Science and Engineering Partnerships (CSEP)

Talk with Shelby about:

• CSEP programs for undergraduates (e.g., EUREKA!, MARC)
• Career Pathways Grant
• Art of Science competition

Meet Karen van Gool

Karen is the Program Coordinator for the UCSB UC LEADS Program

Talk with Karen about:

• UCSB UC LEADS Program
• Full-time summer mentored research
• Koret UC LEADS Research & Leadership Symposium

Meet Rebecca Candy

Rebecca is the Program Manager for the UCSB IT Internship Program

Talk with Rebecca about:

• UCSB IT Internship Program
• IT Apprenticeship Program
• Career in research support
• Sailing 🌊

Meet Anne Cong-Huyen

Anne is a Research and Teaching Librarian at the UCSB Library

Talk with Anne about:

• Peer-Assisted Library Services (PALS) program
• Library Award for Undergraduate Research (LAUR)
• Harmonizing a home of multiple animal species 🐔🐶
• Recent fiction about robots 🤖