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College of Arts and Sciences
Dr. Mahua Biswas working on the Scanning Electron Microscope.

Discover, Innovate, and Create

Research in Focus

Dr. Sunil Chebolu in front of bookcase

Chebolu to offer Arts and Sciences Lecture September 22

Dr. Sunil Chebolu, professor of Mathematics, will deliver the biannual Arts and Sciences Lecture on Tuesday, September 22, at 6 p.m., in the Bone Student Center’s Old Main Room. Admission is free, and the public is invited to attend. A faculty member in the Department of Mathematics, Chebolu will present “The Magic of 24: From Classroom Curiosity to Contemporary Research.”

Landscape of Chicago River

 Illinois State researchers team up with Urban Rivers to study ecology, equity of Chicago River

Urban Rivers is a nonprofit environmental group in Chicago that—with help from an interdisciplinary team of Illinois State University researchers in the College of Arts and Sciences—is transforming city rivers into urban sanctuaries by installing green infrastructure while expanding equitable access to nature.

group standing among pennycress crop

Redbird Scholar update: From weed to cash crop  

 “Powerful pennycress” highlighted the groundbreaking work of an interdisciplinary research team, led by Illinois State Professor of Genetics John Sedbrook, to genetically modify wild pennycress (Thlaspi arvense) into a domesticated plant. 

Student Researcher Accomplishments

measuring zebra mussels

Undergraduate biology student uses DNA detective work to track invasive species

Invasive species can wreak havoc on native species and cause major economic harm in their colonized environments. Illinois State University undergraduate student Jadyn Golz is using advanced DNA techniques to investigate how scientists can detect two intruders before their populations explode in new areas.

3 people inspecting insects on plants

Reimagined summer research experience connects local high school students to Illinois State faculty 

A revamped summer research experience through Illinois State University’s Center for Mathematics, Science, and Technology (CeMaST) gives local high school students a personalized opportunity to participate in undergraduate research alongside Redbird faculty and students.

Maria Sanso Font

From Majorca to the U.S.: Graduate student studies hidden cost of dialect prejudice

When Maria Sanso Font arrived in the United States from Spain as an exchange student, she expected the English around her to sound familiar. Instead, she began to notice subtle shifts.

Make your impact.

Get involved in research at Illinois State.

You can make major contributions and move society in a positive direction. CAS faculty, students, and staff team up with each other and work solo on projects they’re passionate about.

Supporting Your Research

You have important work to do. Here’s how we support your research efforts.

Student Travel Funds

CAS Student Travel Funds are internal awards intended to promote high-quality research, scholarship, and creative activity by undergraduate/graduate students of the College of Arts and Sciences at Illinois State University. This is intended to supplement travel funds provided by departments/schools or other organizations to help defray the costs of travel. Awards may be funded up to a maximum of $250 for travel to a professional conference or meeting to present the results of research or creative activity. A student may be funded once per academic year.  Undergraduate students who are presenting internationally or in non-contiguous U.S. states may be eligible for an additional $250 in funding.   

Selection Process and Criteria

The Office of the Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences will make these awards. Applications from Undergraduate students with either a first or second major in the College as well as Graduate students in a College of Arts and Sciences graduate program will be considered. Students must be presenting, not just attending.

Proposal Process and Submission Deadlines

Travel is funded during the fiscal year (July 1- June 30) in which the travel takes place. Note: Applications may be submitted at any time but will be awarded based on the timing of the trip and availability of funds.

How to Apply

Applications may be submitted at any time but will be awarded based on the timing of the trip and availability of funds.

Apply Now

Contact Information

If you have any questions regarding the CAS Student Travel Fund, please contact the College of Arts and Sciences at (309) 438-5669.

Resources For Faculty

Faculty and Staff in the CAS can access important resources by visiting the CAS Faculty/Staff Intranet (Restricted Access)