Lamar University recently appointed Dr. Cristian Bahrim, professor of physics, as the director of the Office of Undergraduate Research. Bahrim has served as interim director of the OUR since September of 2019 and assumed the role of director in February for a term of three years.
The Office of Undergraduate Research has a mission of inspiring undergraduate students from all majors to explore their field of study and engage in research. Throughout his term, Dr. Bahrim will continue efforts to expand research opportunities for undergraduate students and will support students and faculty with collaborative research, scholarship and creative activity.
“Lamar University’s Office of Undergraduate Research is very different and that’s one thing that everyone should know. We can make a difference in our student’s lives because we provide them the best of what an academic environment can offer –– quality instruction in class, opportunities where they can express themselves and discover their talents,” Bahrim said. “Now, undergraduate research is one of the high practices nation-wide and one of the offices that exist in ivy league and highly ranked schools and we are so proud to offer this opportunity to our students.”
Bahrim has worked with the OUR since the department was established at Lamar University in 2014 and was the first faculty mentor recognized by the department for mentorship in 2015. He also was the first LU faculty winner of the 2019 National Mentor Award in physics and astronomy offered by the Council of Undergraduate Research in Washington, D.C.
“One of the things that I love the most about this department is our ability to interact with our students –– that is the first and most important thing about this department, he said. “I have mentored more than 150 honors research projects since joined LU in 2001.”
Bahrim currently served as faculty advisor for LU student organization Society of Physics Students along with the Honors branch Sigma Pi Sigma. In 2019, he was named the national advisor finalist for the Society of Physics Students.
For more information on the Office of Undergraduate Research, visit lamar.edu/our.