Project Mentor
Dr. Michael Blinov
Department of Center for Cell Analysis and Modeling
Undergraduate Research Opportunity Description
| Project Description | I have a variety of computational projects described at https://health.uconn.edu/blinov-lab/projects/, and coding projects are described at https://github.com/vcellmike (also as Organizations on the left). I can accommodate students with an interest in applications of computers and mathematics to biology in many directions: reading publications and coding biological mechanisms, using software to model, web development, algorithms coding, visualization using graphical tools, etc. |
| Project Direction | Mathematical modeling in biology provides a powerful framework for understanding and predicting complex biological systems. It allows researchers to simulate and analyze intricate biological processes, helping uncover hidden patterns and relationships that might be challenging to grasp intuitively. We’re working on methods, software, and visualization of modeling, also dealing with specific biological systems ranging from cell cycle to disease modeling. |
| Mentorship and Supervision | Beginning of June we have a three-day Virtual Cell workshop students participate in, it serves as a jump-start for the project. We usually organize a weekly summer students seminar, where each student talks for 10- 15 minutes about their progress for the week, with other students and faculty asking questions. Coding will be supervised by lab programmers. Progress will be measured by the amount of code written/cartoons drawn/models designed and deposited to GitHub. About half of my summer students get eventually co-authorship in the manuscripts I publish (it may take a year or more to complete the manuscript, but I have already 4 published manuscripts where undergraduate students are co-authors, and 2 more in revision/preparation). |
| Student Qualifications | I’m doing purely computational research. See my projects at https://github.com/vcellmike. I can offer projects in coding (Python, JS/HTML/CSS, Java, PROLOG, Ruby), modeling with GUI tools (http://vcell.org), modeling with Python tools (http://compucell3d.org, http://lammps.org), web development (GitHub pages), visualization (using graphical tools from http://sbgn.org), mathematics (boolean and polynomial algebra). Students will learn a lot about computational project management, e.g. master GitHub. Experience with the chemical kinetics (species, reactions, kinetic laws) is a plus. Interested students should contact me and discuss their interests. |
| Summer Schedule Options | Flexible. Usually, I expect students to start 6-8 hours a day working in my lab for the first week. As the project is computer-based, the schedule becomes more flexible with the possibility to work from home during the following weeks. I had several completely remote students that were a great success, so I'm open to such option as well. |
| Project Continuation | Fall 2026, Spring 2027 |
| Academic Year Time Commitment | 3, 6, or 9 hours/week |
| Possible Thesis Project | Yes |
Application
Submit an online application for this research opportunity at https://quest.uconn.edu/prog/HRPSU26-4. The application deadline is Monday, February 16, 2026.
This application requires a cover letter, a resume or CV, an unofficial transcript, a brief statement of research interests, and a brief statement of career interests. References should be available upon request.
Check available projects at https://health.uconn.edu/blinov-lab/projects/ and feel free to email me with any questions. I can accommodate students with experience in coding in multiple languages or interest in working with GUI for different tools, but we need to discuss the projects. Experience as diverse as graphics design and data analysis is welcome.