Pivotal Junctures in the

Abstract

I am truly honored to have been selected as a CUR Fellow for 2012, and I thank the selection committee for this tremendous privilege. Since learning of this award, I’ve taken the opportunity to reflect on the many individuals, organizations, and circumstances that have supported me in my undergraduate research endeavors. In my mind, three factors have profoundly shaped my undergraduate research journey—my institution, Harvey Mudd College, with its strong culture of undergraduate research; my students over the years who have been passionate about their research; and my long and wonderful association with CUR. I’d like to share a few thoughts about the impact that each of these areas has had in my career