Longwood University students Ryan Urban ‘26 and Quinn Kukk ‘27 have been selected to participate in highly competitive undergraduate research programs this summer through the National Science Foundation (NSF).
Urban will attend CERN, also known as the European Organization for Nuclear Research, located in Geneva, Switzerland, while Kukk will be attending the University of Bath in England to study organic chemistry. Both of these prestigious programs have an average acceptance of 8 percent, with only around 15 students coming from the United States out of the 300 selected.
Urban, a junior double majoring in physics and computer science, will spend nine weeks studying one-on-one with a scientist working at CERN. He said his passion for physics began before he arrived at Longwood.
One of the key, defining reasons for me actually wanting to go into physics was learning that things are still happening, science is still progressing, and it’s right now, right here.
Ryan Urban ‘26 Tweet This
“One of the key, defining reasons for me actually wanting to go into physics was learning that things are still happening, science is still progressing, and it’s right now, right here,” Urban said.
Two of his most memorable experiences were his research into the existence of the Higgs Boson, a fundamental particle that gives other particles mass and was proven at CERN, as well as the first image of Sagittarius A* Star, which was captured in 2019. He applied for the CERN program through the University of Michigan. The program includes one-on-one faculty instruction, a $5,000 stipend and experience in world-class research facilities, including the only Large Hadron Collider, which is the world’s largest and most powerful particle accelerator.
Urban has also been nominated twice—in 2024 and 2025—for the prestigious Goldwater Scholarship for undergraduates, which provides financial support to students majoring in STEM.
Kukk, a sophomore double majoring in chemistry and physics, will be spending his summer studying sustainable chemistry at the University of Bath in England.
In the long term, I want to become a researcher of materials science engineering for an organization that shares my vision of creating a more sustainable and interconnected future.
Quinn Kukk ‘27 Tweet This
“In the long term, I want to become a researcher of materials science engineering for an organization that shares my vision of creating a more sustainable and interconnected future,” Kukk wrote in his application for the program.
Kukk believes he stood out from other applicants because of Longwood’s academic flexibility and focus on encouraging interdisciplinary study. He noted that both he and Urban are pursuing double majors in demanding fields. The program, which is through the University of North Carolina at Greensboro, includes a $6,000 stipend, and flight and housing accommodations.
This is the first time Longwood will be sending students to international REU programs, according to Dr. Chris Kukk, Dean of the Cormier Honors College (CHC). Both Urban and Kukk (who is Dr. Kukk’s son) are members of the CHC. He said that students who are selected for the NSF Research Experiences for Undergraduates often go on to enter top graduate school programs.
The participation in these programs marks a growth in the sciences at Longwood and will create opportunities not only for Ryan and Quinn, but also future physics and chemistry students.
Dr. Chris Kukk, Dean of the Cormier Honors College (CHC) Tweet This
“It’s not often that such opportunities are given by the NSF to those studying at rural, liberal arts universities,” Dr. Kukk said. “The participation in these programs marks a growth in the sciences at Longwood and will create opportunities not only for Ryan and Quinn, but also future physics and chemistry students.”
Dr. Kukk added that learning in an interdisciplinary way, which is encouraged both in the CHC and at Longwood in general, provides new doors for research opportunities to open up.
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