Bainbridge Island resident Alyssa Cottle, a member of the class of 2015 at Occidental College in Los Angeles, California, is one of approximately 100 students at the college who have been selected to live and work on campus this summer pursuing independent research projects.

Cottle is working with Professor David Kasunic in the music department, conducting research to study KECK: John Cage and Improvisation post-1970.

University officials said such an opportunity is rarely extended to undergraduates, as most students do not participate in research at this level until graduate school.

“Occidental College has a long tradition of involving undergraduate students in meaningful research experiences. For 10 weeks each summer, this high-impact educational activity brings together over 100 students and 61 faculty mentors from across the college to collaborate in the generation of new knowledge,” said Scott Bogue, Associate Dean and Director of Sponsored and Undergraduate Research.