three students discussing a project at a table

Lewis College of Science and Letters is home to seven academic departments and a multitude of research labs and centers working at the intersection of humanity and technology. Our academic programs are grounded in rigor and relevance, providing students special preparation to succeed in fields that require exceptional application of knowledge.

The college’s faculty and students engage in a wide variety of research-oriented programs. Both undergraduate and graduate students can find opportunities to conduct research on campus with a professor, or at nearby laboratories including Argonne National Laboratory and Fermilab. Additionally, Illinois Tech students can take part in the Elevate program, a university-wide initiative that boosts students’ career readiness through guaranteed access to hands-on experiences such as research, internships, study away, competitions and more, as well mentorship. 

No matter which academic fields interest you, you will find yourself immersed in thought-provoking study and innovative research at Chicago’s only tech-focused university.

Joyce Gu

Leading through Empathy

Alumna Joyce Gu (BIO/PSYC ’22) shares the personal experiences and learning opportunities that have shaped her pursuit of a career in medicine.

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Michael Anthony DeAnda

Life’s a Game—Let’s Change the Rules

As both a game designer and game scholar, Michael Anthony DeAnda (Ph.D. T HUM ’19) centers much of his work on the experiences, needs, and histories of marginalized communities, with a particular focus on the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer or questioning (LGBTQ) community.

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Britt Burton-Freeman

Diet, Deconstructed

The Department of Food Science and Nutrition is part of a new nationwide study that will combine biometric data collected from 10,000 individuals with artificial intelligence and machine learning (ML) technologies to advance the development of personalized nutrition plans.

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Joshua Campbell

A Physicist with a Global Vision

Joshua Campbell (PHYS ’22) discovered a passion for condensed matter physics, or the study of the structure of atoms in materials, at Illinois Tech. Now he is pursuing a Ph.D. in physics.

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Eun-Jeong Lee and Nicole Ditchman

Supporting Black Students with Disabilities

Associate Professors of Psychology Eun-Jeong Lee and Nicole Ditchman in the midst of a three-year project to develop a new, 10-week online educational curriculum for Black students with disabilities, which is aimed at helping them advance in careers in STEM fields.

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Sameh Elsaidi

Exploring Separation Science and Sustainability

Assistant Professor of Chemistry Sameh Elsaidi, who joined the university in 2022, is working with student to advance research in the area of materials chemistry and, more specifically, separation science and sustainability.

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Cara Karter

Data-Driven Assistance

Cara Karter (CECD ’16) zeroed in on a research and evaluation specialization as a student at Illinois Tech. Now she works for mRelief, a Chicago-based tech nonprofit that helps people that participate in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) find out if they are eligible and apply for SNAP.

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“I had great experience at Illinois Tech. I could do much more than just gain academic knowledge. I was able to participate and lead in student activities such as founding the food science club, getting elected as area rep for Midwest Region of Institute of Food Technologists Student Association student body, and many other IFT events. This led to an overall personality development and confidence that has helped me in achieving success.” 

—Gina Oberoi (B.S. BCHM/M.A.S. FST ’18)

Gian Oberoi

“The incredible people I met and the mentors I gained in my undergraduate time at Illinois Tech truly shaped the person I am today, and it continues to shape me as I progress through graduate school. I left my undergraduate career feeling confident that I could achieve anything I put my mind to, and that I had the skills to do so thanks to the university.”

—Melanie Standish (PSYC ’17, Ph.D. Industrial-Organizational Psychology Student)

Melanie Standish

“As a student, I was able to participate in some amazing opportunities, like becoming a research assistant for two professors, presenting research findings at symposiums, winning an entrepreneurial hackathon, studying in Japan, and attending a professional conference, among other things. These have been great talking points in interviews and at networking events. Perhaps the faculty at Illinois Tech would be the most unique aspect of the institution. The impact of these wonderful people on my life was immeasurable. Their confidence in me, an undergrad, helped me find my value and view it from a new perspective. They empowered me to be myself.”

—Amy Kamin (Digital Humanities ’18)

Amy Kamin

Events

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News

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Headshot of Matthew Smith, assistant professor of biology

What can bumblebees teach us about the link between individuality, group behavior, and the brain? For Matthew Smith, who joined Illinois Institute of Technology as an assistant professor of biology at...