Through the eyes of a student photographer  

Born and raised in Hawai‘i, physiology and art student Lauren Tapper says that when she came to the mainland, she noticed a discrepancy between what outsiders believe about the Hawaiian Islands and what she knows to be true. So she chose her home state as the subject of her undergraduate research project, which she presented at the annual Undergraduate Research and Scholarship Showcase last spring.

The black and white photos of “Hawai‘i, Uncovered,” Tapper says, are meant to explore the “conflicting aspects of identity” in Hawai’i by distinguishing the popular perception of the state from the realities experienced by locals. Her photos capture the subjects—landscapes, people and urban scenes—through a candid and observational lens.

“The idea of community and belonging are both the saving grace and downfall of these islands, allowing many to be proud and excited about who they are while also leaving some cast out and forgotten,” Tapper says.

Tapper was one of 21 undergrads who participated in the showcase, with projects ranging from photography and set design to examining the role of peer mentoring in STEM career development. Senior Vice Provost for Research and Graduate Education Corinne Lengsfeld says DU offers premier research opportunities for undergraduates, some of whom receive grants from the Undergraduate Research Center.

These awards fund opportunities like summer research projects and travel to academic conferences and meetings. “We provide students with rigorous opportunities to work with thought leaders from across campus, flexing their muscles as thought explorers, translating and learning critical skills and building the confidence to tackle the problems of tomorrow,” Lengsfeld says.