Project Mentor
Dr. Yanjiao Zhou
Department of Medicine
Undergraduate Research Opportunity Description
| Project Description | Unlike the bacterial microbiome, little is known about the type and frequency of the viruses in healthy humans, as well as their impact on health. The candidate will perform bioinformatic data analysis to identify unknown and novel viruses in sequencing data generated from human samples. |
| Project Direction | The study will develop novel techniques to detect virome, an understudied area in the human microbiome. The study will enrich our understanding of human viruses and bacterial phages in the healthy population. |
| Mentorship and Supervision | The candidate will work directly with a bioinformatician in the lab. The candidate will have the opportunity to attend regular zoom meetings with a large consortium across different universities. |
| Student Qualifications | Major in Bioinformatics, Computer Science. |
| Summer Schedule Options | Research Dates: May 18 to July 24, 2026 Schedule: M-F, 9am-6pm |
| Project Continuation | Fall 2026 |
| Academic Year Time Commitment | 6 hours/week |
| Possible Thesis Project | Yes |
Application
Submit an online application for this research opportunity at https://quest.uconn.edu/prog/HRPSU26-44. The application deadline is Monday, February 16, 2026.
This application requires a cover letter, a resume or CV, science GPA, a brief statement of research interests, and a brief statement of career interests.