Recruitment and Selection

Applications will be evaluated by the STUUR steering committee, consisting of the three Principle Investigators. Preference will be given to students with good academic records who demonstrate an interest in pursuing a PhD or MD/PhD degree and career in biomedical research.

Prerequisites: Applicants must...

  • be a citizen, permanent resident, or non-citizen national of the United States,
  • have completed at least one year of undergraduate study prior to participation in STUUR (i.e., must have completed 30 or more undergraduate credits),
  • demonstrate an interest in science, research and related careers that is not exclusively focused on medical school,
  • have a cumulative GPA of 3.2 or above on a 4.0 scale,
  • have a declared major in science, engineering, or mathematics appropriate to biomedical research, and
  • agree to participate full-time, 40 hours per week, for a minimum of 10 weeks.

Application Requirements: Applicants must...

  • complete and submit the online application form,
  • request at least two academic letters of recommendation and ensure that they have been submitted to the program,
  • submit official transcripts from all post secondary institutions currently or previously attended, and
  • write a brief essay that describes their interest in science and reasons for wanting to participate in this undergraduate research opportunity.

Program Design

To ensure focus on their research projects, students will be required to devote a minimum of 40 hours per week to their projects and live at UMBC during the 10-week summer research program. STUUR Scholars will receive the following benefits:

  • A student participation allowance, to support:
    1. UMBC Campus Dormitory Housing during the summer appointment ($1600)
    2. A student stipend to be paid biweekly ($4500)
  • Ethics in Sciences Seminars
  • Weekly progress meetings with the Center Director focused on scientific communication, preparation of scientific posters and biomedical research careers
  • Travel support to attend a national conference (NIDDK STEP-UP Undergraduate Research Conference) to present their summer research in scientific poster session and/or platform talk

Program Activities

The Center Educational Enrichment Program will leverage UMBC’s extensive expertise in undergraduate research training to ensure an outstanding summer experience for all STUUR Scholars. This training will focus on four areas: preparatory safety and basic laboratory skills training, hands-on research experiences, scientific communication skills, and ethics instruction. Ethics in Science Instruction will complement the research training and expose STUUR Scholars to issues related to the ethical conduct of scientific research.

Preparatory Instruction

The STUUR Scholars will begin their research experiences with a required Laboratory Orientation and Safety Workshop. Topics will include the safe operation of basic equipment (autoclaves, centrifuges, ultraviolet illuminators); the safe handling of basic chemicals (acids, bases, etc.); radiation safety procedures; and mastery of basic laboratory techniques (dilutions, pipetting, solution preparation, etc.). Also, STUUR Scholars will be instructed in correct and accurate record keeping as an essential part of laboratory research.

 

For consideration please complete the application and requested documents