• Applications Open for 2023 Summer Research Programs

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Are you interested in participating in a formal off-campus summer research or internship program? Planning ahead is critical to submitting a competitive application. December is the time to gather together all the required elements of the applications, including faculty letters of recommendation. Check out the exciting programs below and consider if any would fit with your research goals and interests. These opportunities have application deadlines in December or January! Note: Most programs are planning for in-person activities in summer 2023, but be sure to check the individual program websites for updates.

DAAD RISE – Research Internships in Science and Engineering in Germany
Deadline: Applications are due by December 15, 2022; Letters of Reference are due by December 22, 2022; https://www.daad.de/rise/en/rise-germany/
DAAD RISE gives students in the fields of biology, chemistry, earth sciences, engineering, and physics the chance to spend a summer working on research projects with doctoral students at German universities and research institutions. Interested students must first register online before submitting application materials. Application materials must be submitted by December 15, 2022 (6pm EST), with letters of reference due December 22, (6pm EST).

ThinkSwiss Research Scholarships
Deadline: December 31, 2022; https://thinkswiss.org/
ThinkSwiss scholarships support highly motivated undergraduates who are interested in doing research at a public Swiss university or research institute. The scholarship is open to students in all fields. A monthly stipend of approximately $1,600 is provided for a period of 2-3 months ($5,400 maximum).

Science Undergraduate Laboratory Internships (SULI)
Deadline: January 10, 2023 (5:00pm EST); https://science.osti.gov/wdts/suli
The Science Undergraduate Laboratory Internship (SULI) program encourages undergraduate students to pursue science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) careers by providing research experiences at the Department of Energy (DOE) laboratories. Selected students participate as interns appointed at one of 17 participating DOE laboratories.

Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory – Undergraduate Research Program 2023
Deadline: January 15, 2023; https://www.cshl.edu/education/undergraduate-research-program
The URP program is designed to give 20 students an opportunity to conduct first-rate research under the supervision of senior laboratory staff in the areas of cancer biology, neuroscience, plant biology, cellular and molecular biology, genetics and bioinformatics, and genomics. Selected students receive room and board in addition to a $6,000 stipend.

SENS Research Foundation (SRF) Summer Scholars Program
Deadline: January 15, 2023 (12pm PST); http://www.sens.org/education/research-opportunities/srf-summer-scholars-program
This program offers undergraduate students the opportunity to conduct biomedical research under the guidance of a scientific mentor. Host labs will be announced shortly and will be available at the website link along with full descriptions of each research project. Stipend rates will be based upon levels used by government agencies, such as the NIH and NSF.

Mickey Leland Energy Fellowship Program (MLEF)
Deadline: January 23, 2023; http://orise.orau.gov/mlef/
The Mickey Leland Energy Fellowship (MLEF) is sponsored by the U.S. Department of Energy’s Office of Fossil Energy. This 10-week summer research fellowship provides opportunities to students who are pursuing degrees in STEM fields. The mission of MLEF is strengthen a diverse pipeline of future STEM professional by increasing opportunities for minority and female students. Interested students are encouraged to attend the final MLEF virtual information session (November 22 – info here) where program staff will review the application process, provide resume tips and share information on other DOE research programs.

Summer Internships in Science and Technology (SIST) – Fermi National Accelerator Laboratory (Fermilab)
Deadline: January 23, 2023; https://internships.fnal.gov/summer-internships-in-science-and-technology-sist/
Fermilab’s SIST program offers 12-week summer internships in science and technology. Internships available in physics, engineering (mechanical, electrical and computer), materials science, mathematics and computer science offer a chance for students to conduct research with Fermilab scientists and engineers. Hourly pay ranges from $15.84/hr-$25.00/hr depending on your year in school. Housing will be provided if the internship is held on site.

Summer Undergraduate Program in Engineering Research at Berkeley (SUPERB)
Deadline: January 29, 2023 (5:00pm, PST) https://eecs.berkeley.edu/resources/undergrads/research/superb
The SUPERB Computer and Information Science and Engineering program provides undergraduates with the opportunity to work on research projects focused on using Big Data. This challenging 9-week program is open to rising juniors or seniors who have completed some upper division course work in Electrical Engineering and Computer Sciences. Stipend of $5,000, housing, meals, and $800 travel allowance provided. Due to the Covid-19 pandemic, the campus policies will dictate whether the program is he in-person or remote. 

Summer Research Experience Program in Cancer Science – Roswell Park Cancer Institute
Deadline: January 31, 2023; https://www.roswellpark.org/education/summer-programs/college-students
This 10-week summer research program is open to students who are college juniors or junior-equivalents (credit-wise) at the time of application and who are interested in pursuing an advanced degree towards a biomedical research career. Areas of research include, but are not limited to: cancer biophysics, tumor immunology, cancer genetics, molecular pharmacology. Selected students will be working in a Roswell Park department alongside professional researchers and graduate students. Students accepted into the NCI R25 funding source will receive a subsistence allowance of $6,000.

Summer Public Health Scholars Program (SPHSP) – Columbia University
Deadline: January 31, 2023; http://ps.columbia.edu/education/student-life/office-diversity/programs/college-and-post-baccalaureate-students/summer-publ
The Summer Public Health Scholars Program (SPHSP) is designed for undergraduate students who are interested in public health and biomedical science careers. Applicants must have completed at least two years of college (rising juniors and seniors). Students from underrepresented groups are encouraged to apply. Selected students will receive a stipend, housing, and round trip travel. The Summer Public Health Scholars Program is scheduled to take place in person in NYC for summer 2023. Scholars accepted in the program must be fully vaccinated to participate.

Maternal Child Health Careers/Research Initiatives for Student Enhancement – Undergraduate Program (MCHC/RISE-UP)
Deadline: January 31, 2023; https://www.kennedykrieger.org/training/programs/center-for-diversity-in-public-health-leadership-training/mchc-rise-up
MCHC/RISE-UP provides opportunities for enhanced public leadership in the area of maternal and child health. Three tracks are offered: clinical, research, and community engagement and advocacy. This program is open to juniors, seniors, and recent baccalaureate degree scholars interested in learning more about public health. A stipend ($3,000-$3,500) and housing are provided. Summer format is subject to change based on COVID-19 pandemic status.

Don’t Restrict Yourself to a Traditional Path: Honor Your Passions

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By Alexandra Goldhamer, Peer Research Ambassador

Student Research Blog. Don't Restrict Yourself to a Traditional Path: Honor Your Passions. By PRA Alexandra.For pre-medical and pre-professional students there is pressure to pursue a predefined path and check certain boxes to appear as the ideal candidate. Following these presumed requirements with a lack of passion will not facilitate an environment that is conducive to a college experience that allows for exploration of your interests and the sculpture of your unique, creative path.

While I became involved in research because I was truly interested, I did enter college with the notion that getting involved in undergraduate research was something that I was “supposed” to do to be a competitive applicant for post-graduate opportunities. I became involved in research in the Physiology and Neurobiology (PNB) Department where I study the neural underpinnings of obesity and anxiety. While I enjoy my research in molecular neurobiology, I felt as though I had additional passions that remained unexplored. Continue reading →

Balance and Burnout

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By Alex Clonan, Peer Research Ambassador

Student Research Blog. Balance and Burnout. By PRA Alex.Getting started in undergraduate research can be an overwhelming (but exciting!) process. You are learning how to answer scientific questions, meeting new people, and gaining background knowledge on an entirely new field!

While all of these are exciting ventures, it’s important to remember that you are still a student, and you have to take care of yourself.

During my time as an undergraduate researcher, I have found that one of the biggest challenges in getting acclimated is time management and burnout. I struggled with it over my years in research, and have known many peers who have as well.

However, it’s important to realize that research can take different forms and time management has a learning curve. Continue reading →

Five Tips to Stay Whelmed in Undergraduate Research

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By Michelle Antony, Peer Research Ambassador

Student Research Blog. Five Tips to Stay Whelmed in Undergraduate Research. By PRA Michelle.Research can be overwhelming when there is a never-ending list of tasks to complete, it conflicts with your other commitments, and when navigating through dense information that can be difficult to understand. It can also be underwhelming, leaving you feeling bored and unsatisfied if it is not going the way you planned, you are uninterested in the work being done, and you are not given a lot of responsibility. When participating in undergraduate research, it is important to find a healthy medium of being “whelmed” where you feel challenged and productive but not frantic or disappointed. Here are some tips that have helped me stay “whelmed” during my research experiences: Continue reading →

Beyond the Microscope: Research in the Social Sciences and Humanities

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By Anabelle Bergstrom, Peer Research Ambassador

Student Research Blog. Beyond the Microscope: Research in the Social Sciences and Humanities. By PRA Anabelle.Research is often advertised as being an aspect of the college experience that is geared towards STEM majors. You spend hours in a lab, dissecting animals, and writing detailed mathematical reports on your findings. You suit up in your lab coat, safety goggles, and closed-toes shoes to look at different molecules under a microscope. Did you know there is another world in research, one world that exists in your dorm room, or at your state’s legislative building, or through conversations with your peers?

Many students are surprised to know that social sciences and humanities majors can participate in research just like their STEM peers. These opportunities may not be as visible as those pertaining to biology, but I can tell you from experience they do exist. You just have to know where to look. Continue reading →

Learning to Pivot from Setbacks in Research

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By Paul Isaac, Peer Research Ambassador

Student Research Blog - Learning to Pivot from Setbacks in Research. By PRA Paul.Most research articles that you’ll read in Nature or Science will come across as immaculately performed. The data will look amazing, every test and statistical analysis appears carefully orchestrated to elucidate a meaningful result. However, what doesn’t come across is the extensive string of trial and error involved with actually completing these projects and fleshing out the research questions they aim to answer.

Mistakes, setbacks, and failures are natural parts of life and are just as naturally occurring in the lab. As you begin to get involved with research, you’ll inevitable hit your first roadblocks: accidentally pipetting the wrong reagent and messing up an assay, getting results that are the exact opposite of what you were expecting, and the dreaded experience of performing statistical analysis only to be met by non-significant results. During these moments, it’s easy to feel like you’re not “good enough” for research, that your hypotheses were fundamentally wrong, or that your research has hit a dead end. But, just like Rocky said, “It’s not about how hard you can hit; it’s about how hard you can get hit and keep moving forward.” If anything, good researchers aren’t defined by how good they are at getting their questions and results “right” the first time, but how well they can correct, pivot, and investigate their mistakes.

While the Rocky quote might help with your mood, what can you do when you experience setbacks in research? While I can’t provide you with an exhaustive list, I can provide you with some approaches that have worked for me throughout my research journey. Continue reading →

Becoming a Better Researcher by Stepping Outside Your Research

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By Erik Choi, Peer Research Ambassador

Student Research Blog - Becoming a Better Researcher by Stepping Outside Your ResearchAs with many things, the key to becoming a better researcher is practice. Reading more peer-reviewed publications, repeatedly attempting a difficult technique in the lab, scouring through Stack Exchange; these are all effective ways to hone your skills, but it can feel repetitive at times. Constantly being surrounded by the same area of research can feel exhausting and mundane.

One of the best ways to become a better researcher is to pause your own work and hear from other researchers. Learning from other researchers provides a valuable opportunity to learn about relevant topics and techniques from experts in their field. Research in fields of study adjacent to or outside of your field of study has the added benefit of contextualizing your work, showing how your research is interconnected with other areas of research.

For students who are looking for research opportunities, this can be a fantastic foray into research. Presentations and events often gather faculty and graduate students with a variety of research interests and provide a conducive environment for networking. Continue reading →

Meet the PRAs – Stephanie Schofield

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Meet Stephanie Schofield ’23, an OUR Peer Research Ambassador (PRA) majoring in Molecular & Cell Biology and minoring in Psychological Sciences.

Meet the Peer Research Ambassadors - Stephanie Schofield '23.What is the focus of your research?

My research focuses on combating the global problem of antibiotic treatment failure. Roughly 35,000 people die per year in the United States alone from bacterial infections that are unresponsive to antibiotics, stressing the need for more effective treatment methods. Specifically, I am currently investigating genetic bacterial stress mechanisms and determining how each of these stress-response genes plays a role in treatment. With this information, I am working to find better ways to potentiate bacteria towards succumbing to antibiotics faster by manipulating their genetic mechanisms and finding substances that can inhibit vital machinery they need to evade treatment.

Why did you get involved in research?

I’ve always been super passionate about my education, and I craved for more than just diagrams in a textbook! My fascination with the “molecular world” of life began from a young age and I always yearned to learn more about the mechanisms of cells through hands-on experiences. I feel that in order to make the most of my education, I needed to understand the real-life implications of what I studied in my classes. Research was the best and most motivating way to do this! I saw it as an immense opportunity to grow and narrow down what I wanted to pursue as a career. So far, it has done all of this and more for me! Continue reading →

Meet the PRAs – Jerome Jacobs

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Meet Jerome Jacobs ’23, an OUR Peer Research Ambassador (PRA) majoring in Allied Health Sciences, with a concentration in public health and health promotion, and minoring in Global Studies.

Meet the OUR Peer Research Ambassadors - Jerome Jacobs '23.What is the focus of your research?

My research is a mobile-based HIV prevention project in Malaysia. I have helped develop research-informed HIV prevention content and evaluated various features of the mobile app, which helped me realize that HIV stigma is one of the most persevering barriers to effective HIV/AIDS services in Malaysia.

Why did you get involved in research?

Interestingly, before acquiring my research assistantship, I had never done any research in m-health, stigma, or HIV and other STIs. However, since immersing myself in this position, I have grown passionate about it and am pursuing it for the UConn IDEA Grant and my Honors Thesis project. Continue reading →

Presenting Your Research at a Conference

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By Elisa Shaholli, Peer Research Ambassador

Student Research Blog - "Presenting Your Research at a Conference" by PRA Elisa.An integral part of the research process comes near the end: presenting and sharing your work with various audiences. The sharing process is the culmination of the time spent, words written and edited, and knowledge acquired throughout the duration of your research project and can be a very rewarding experience. It can also be one of the more anxiety-inducing aspects of research, especially if it may be one of the first times you are sharing your work with others. In this blog post, I’ll be sharing my experience presenting at my first conference in Ireland this summer, and tips that I found were helpful in doing so! Continue reading →