Summer Undergraduate Research Program in the Biomedical and Biological Sciences at the University of Rochester (GEBS Summer Scholars Program; NSF BIO REU Site)

Summer Undergraduate Research Programs

The GEBS Summer Scholars Program and the NSF BIO REU Site Program at the University of Rochester provide summer undergraduate research opportunities to qualified students who are interested in summer research experiences in biological research.

Both programs provide a summer stipend ($300 per week) and free housing (if needed) and both also provide an intensive immersion in laboratory-based scientific research at the University of Rochester (Rochester, New York). The programs are further enriched through shared research seminars, social activities, presentations on graduate school and careers, and a final minisymposium and poster session. A preparation course for the GRE General Test course is also offered.

All summer trainees will work under the direct supervision of a participating faculty member for 10 weeks during the summer (May 31 - August 5, 2005). Student trainees will participate in research and educational seminars and will associate with each other as well as trainees enrolled in similar programs at the University. At the end of the summer, all students will be required to present the results of their research at a formal poster session.

The two summer programs share a common organizational structure and provide identical enrichment experiences outside of the laboratory. In addition, they also share a common application form. However, they have somewhat different aims and target audiences, which applicants should consider. These are outlined below.

The NSF BIO REU Site Program is aimed at providing research opportunities in Cellular and Molecular Biology to undergraduates (U.S. citizens or permanent resident aliens) who may otherwise lack such opportunities (i.e., students at colleges which do not have strong extramurally-funded research programs). The following groups of applicants are especially encouraged to apply for this program:

Students interested in the Ph.D. degree (only). M.D./Ph.D.-oriented students should apply to the Summer Scholars Program.
Students at colleges with no opportunities for on-campus research
Students with no prior research experience
Students from groups that are under-represented in the biological sciences. These groups include students with disabilities, students from certain racial/ethnic groups (see below), first-generation college students and individuals from socioeconomically disadvantaged backgrounds.
NSF (and NIH) recognize racial/ethnic groups that are significantly underrepresented at advanced levels of science and engineering in the U.S. to be as follows: Native Americans (including American Indians and Alaskan Natives), African-Americans, Hispanics, and Native Pacific Islanders.

University of Rochester undergraduates should not apply to this program, nor should foreign students.

The GEBS Summer Scholars Program is aimed at providing research opportunities in all aspects of Biological or Biomedical Research to undergraduates may be considering applying to the graduate (PhD) or combined degree (MD/PhD) programs. The following groups of applicants are especially encouraged to apply for this program:

Students interested in the Ph.D. degree or in the M.D./Ph.D. Students who intend to apply to medical school should contact the Strong Childrens' Research Center summer program.
Students from groups that are under-represented in the biological sciences. These groups include students with disabilities, students from certain racial/ethnic groups (see below), first-generation college students and individuals from socioeconomically disadvantaged backgrounds.
NSF (and NIH) recognize racial/ethnic groups that are significantly underrepresented at advanced levels of science and engineering in the U.S. to be as follows: Native Americans (including American Indians and Alaskan Natives), African-Americans, Hispanics, and Native Pacific Islanders.
Students with a potential interest in attending graduate school at the UR are especially encouraged to apply

University of Rochester undergraduates, and foreign students, may apply to this program.
Added Note: For University of Rochester (UR) undergraduates (only): preference will be given to individuals with no prior research experience. This is to encourage UR students who have not previously performed on-campus research to start doing so.

Note that the GEBS Summer Scholars Program was created in conjunction with the formation of the University's new program of Graduate Education in the Biological Sciences (GEBS) and the University's new research institute, the Aab Institute of Biomedical Sciences (Aab).

Faculty who participate in the GEBS Summer Scholars program are identical to the faculty who participate in the GEBS Ph.D. programs, and can be divided into the following disciplines:

Biochemistry, Molecular & Cell Biology
Biophysics & Structural Biology
Cellular & Molecular Basis of Medicine - Pharmacology & Physiology
Genetics, Genomics, & Development
Immunology, Microbiology, & Virology
Neurosciences
Pathways of Human Disease
Toxicology

Additional Information

Application Form

Mentors - BIO REU Site Program

Mentors - GEBS Summer Scholars Program (also, see individual program areas above)

Useful Links