NSF Research Experiences for Undergraduates (REU)

Undergraduate Research Experiences in Cellular and Molecular Biosciences

REU at the Department of Biological Sciences operates under the auspices of the Summer Undergraduate Research Program (SURP), which has been in existence since 1987. With NSF support, this 10-week residential REU program provides intensive, mentored research experiences in molecular biology and genetics, cell and developmental biology, neuroscience, biochemistry, biophysics, and structural biology, computational biology and bioinformatics. This program is intended for students who wish to pursue a Ph.D. after graduation.

Target REU students include:

• rising juniors or seniors from colleges and universities that do not have extensive research programs,
• students from groups underrepresented in the sciences.

• U.S. citizens or permanent residents.
• enrolled at a 4-year accredited institution.
• in their sophomore or junior year at the time of application.

Ten selected students receive a stipend, a meal allowance, university dormitory housing, and reimbursement for travel costs.

The core of the program is the opportunity to carry out an individual mentored research project in the context of cutting-edge research programs. The scientific program includes faculty research talks, student presentations and discussion of articles from the scientific literature, presentations on career options and scientific ethics, and a concluding symposium in which all students give formal talks about their research.

We encourage students to consider careers in the biomedical sciences, and teach the experimental, communication, ethical and critical thinking skills needed for success. The Mellon Institute and other university facilities provide all necessary resources for conducting research, and an abundance of professional and social events enfolds REU participants into the Carnegie Mellon experience.

The 2012 program dates are Tuesday, May 29 – Friday, August 3. 

In addition to the online application, the following items are required for evaluation:

• Official transcript from the institution you are attending
• Two letters from professional references. After submitting your application online, the recommenders will be contacted automatically for their recommendation.
• SAT/ACT scores (do NOT have to be official; photocopies are acceptable)