Example Proposals

Several previous SURF fellow have generously agreed to share their successful research proposals with prospective applicants in the spirit of demystifying the research proposal process. In reading their proposal, please observe the standards of academic honesty and integrity.

Please Note: to access these files, you must be logged into to a valid bMail (berkeley.edu) account.​

William Lin, Molecular and Cell Biology, SURF 2021

“Identifying and Characterizing a Genetic Modifier for Cataracts“

Proposal – William Lin (PDF)

Mallen Clifton, "English, Mathematics," SURF 2021

“Beyond the Screen: Examining Spatial Structure in Hypertext Fiction“

Proposal – Mallen Clifton (PDF)

Joanna Veres, Bioengineering, SURF 2021

“A Novel Computational Model For Bovine Intervertebral Disc Joint Level Mechanics“

Proposal – Joanna Veres (PDF)

Yueyi Che, Geology, SURF 2021

“Comparison of Glacier Vertical Thinning and Horizontal Retreat in Yosemite During the Last Glacial Maximum“

Proposal – Yueyi Che (PDF)

Jonathan Kuo, Rhetoric & Molecular and Cell Biology, SURF 2021

“Historicizing the Personal Belief Exemption to Vaccination in American History“

Proposal – Jonathan Kuo (PDF)

Orion Ning, Bioengineering & Materials Science, SURF 2021

“Compactification of a Nonlocal 6D Quantum Field Theory Toward Exploring Anomalies“

Proposal – Orion Ning (PDF)

Heidi Yang, Molecular Environmental Biology & Geography, SURF 2021

“Investigating the Role of Transposable Elements in the Adaptive Radiation of Hawaiian Tetragnatha Spiders“

Proposal – Heidi Yang (PDF)

Phee Marcial, Classics, SURF 2021​

“Catullan Journeys: Mapping Gender-fluidity in Trans*lation“

Proposal- Phee Marcial (PDF)

David Pack, Nutritional Science: Physiology & Metabolism, SURF 2021

“Exploring the Impact of Culturally Tailored Culinary Interventions: Reducing Blood Pressure Through Dietary Change Among Filipinx Americans“

Proposal – David Pack (PDF)

Annabelle Long, History, SURF 2021,

“Marguerite Dice and Anti-communist Clubwomen“

Proposal – Annabelle Long (PDF)