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OUR Weekly: January 8

2024

Hi Hokies,

Happy New Year!

In this week’s newsletter:

Office of Undergraduate Research (OUR) Resources

Check out the OUR website

The OUR website has many resources to support you at any stage in your undergraduate research journey. Some pages of particular relevance:

Virginia Tech Research Opportunities 

1. Fralin SURF Program

The Fralin Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowship program is a 10-week training program designed to give motivated Virginia Tech undergraduates the opportunity to engage in full-time (~40 hrs/week) research and related professional development activities that mirror graduate training.

The goal is to offer students experiences that will help them determine if they want to pursue a career in research while they develop skills for graduate school. The program includes weekly research and professional development seminars, periodic social events, and a final symposium during which students will present their research.

15 students will be selected to participate in this training program during summer 2024 and will receive a $5,350 stipend. Applications are now open; the deadline to apply is February 26, 2024. More information and the link to apply can be found on the OUR website.

2. Summer Peer Mentor Positions

Are you an undergraduate or soon-to-be recent graduate with experience conducting undergraduate research, especially during an organized summer program? Do you have excellent communication and organizational skills? Can you drive? Apply for a summer job with OUR as a Peer Mentor! Positions are up to 20 hours per week, $12-15/hr and run from May 13–July 26. More information and application are available on the OUR website. Applications due March 15.

3. Spring and Summer Research Position in Freshwater Ecology

Are you interested in freshwater ecology? Want to gain paid field work experience that will directly affect water quality management? The Carey Lab in the Department of Biological Sciences is recruiting one paid undergraduate research assistant for Spring and Summer 2024 (March–August). This position will be based on-campus in Blacksburg during the spring semester, and in Sunapee, NH from early/mid June–late July over the summer. The undergraduate researcher will assist with water quality sampling, field sampling preparation, data management, and water chemistry sample analysis and gain valuable field and lab experience as part of an interdisciplinary team of scientists. The student will work closely with a VT graduate student mentor who will travel with the undergraduate researcher in the summer to NH. The undergraduate researcher will develop an independent project in freshwater ecology that aligns with their interests. All applicants must be enrolled at Virginia Tech through Spring 2024. Students interested in working with the Carey Lab for multiple semesters beyond Summer 2024 and members of historically-excluded groups are particularly encouraged to apply. For more information and how to apply see the full position posting.

4. Dennis Dean Undergraduate Research Conference

Applications for the 2024 Dennis Dean Undergraduate Research and Creative Scholarship will open on December 15, 2023. This conference is a day-long event held at the end of each Spring semester that showcases the wide variety of research and creative scholarship taking place across Virginia Tech. The conference is April 26, 2024 in Squires. The deadline to submit is April 8, 2024. Students may also apply to be considered for several conference awards. For more information visit the Dennis Dean page on the OUR website.

5. Experiential Learning Scholarship

Applications will soon open for the Jacklyn W. and William R. Jones, Jr. Experiential Learning Scholarship, which recognizes students who engage in experiential learning opportunities. Two scholarships of $1,000 each will be awarded annually in either Fall or Spring semester, preference is given to the student. Any VT undergraduate student may apply who is participating in guided experiential learning opportunity at Virginia Tech including, but not limited to: study abroad, unpaid internships with nonprofits or NGOs, undergraduate research opportunities, etc. Preference will be given to students whose experience combines more than one mode of experiential learning, such as research abroad. Applications open December 15, 2023 and are due March 31, 2024. More information is available on the Jones Scholarship page of the OUR website.

6. Mentor Award Submissions Open

Do you have a wonderful research mentor? Nominate them for the Outstanding Undergraduate Research Mentor Award! Current undergraduates may nominate one VT faculty or graduate student mentor. Nominations open on December 15, 2023 and are accepted through March 1, 2024. Information on how to nominate someone are available on the Mentor Award page of the OUR website.

7. Xprize Rainforest Internship

The Allen lab in the Biological Sciences Department seeks two motivated undergraduate students to join our finalist xprize team. Team Waponi is among the top 6 teams in the world competing in the Xprize rainforest competition. During July of 2024 we will go to the Amazon rainforest and deploy drone and other technologies to collect data and identify as many species as possible in 24 hours.   

During the spring semester students will help develop protocols for extracting, amplifying and sequencing DNA in the rainforest. Students are expected to work a minimum of 10-15 hours per week. We are looking for highly motivated students, who want to be involved in a fun, fast-paced competition. Students will work with the team to apply their new skills in Brazil during the competition. No Experience is required! The internship will start January 17 and end at the end of July. Interviews will begin in early January. Apply via the Xprize Google Form.

8. Collaborative Undergraduate Biostatistics Program (CUBE)

CUBE is an 8-week training program designed to provide undergraduates who are underrepresented in STEM the opportunity to engage in a collaborative data science experience in the health field. This paid summer program will provide training and mentorship from data scientists at either VT’s Health and Technology Campus in Roanoke or at UVA in Charlottesville. In addition to the stipend, students receive professional development, housing, and free social outings. Find CUBE applications which are due March 1, 2024.

9. Data Science for the Public Good (DSPG)

The DPSG is seeking applicants for its 2024 summer internship program. The program is part of the broader DSPG initiative offered by Virginia Tech's Agricultural and Applied Economics Department. The program allows students to conduct research at the intersection of economics, statistics, computation, and the social sciences to determine how information can be leveraged to inform public policy.

During the summer of 2024, scholar teams will reside on the Blacksburg campus May 20-July 26. They will collaborate on projects that address state, federal, and local government challenges around critical social issues relevant in the world today. Undergraduate summer interns will have their housing and meals provided, and they will also receive a $5,000 stipend.

See more information about the DSPG 2024 Summer Internship Program. Applications are due February 4, 2024.

10. Integrated Health Sciences and Research Curriculum

Are you a freshman or sophomore interested in engaging in biomedical research and pursuing a career in health professions, clinical and translational research? If so, the Integrated Health Sciences and Research (IHSR) Curriculum could be the perfect opportunity for you.

This multi-year undergraduate program offers hands-on research experience, clinical shadowing opportunities, and exposure to clinical and translational research at Virginia Tech’s Health Sciences and Technology Campus in Roanoke. As an IHSR student, you’ll have the chance to:

Work with world-class researchers at the Fralin Biomedical Science Institute (FBRI) in Roanoke investigating cancer, neuroscience, cardiovascular disease, metabolism and obesity, and addiction, shadow clinical professionals in local hospitals and healthcare facilities, and receive personalized professional development training and mentorship.

If you’re interested in learning more, check out our IHSR website where you can also find a recording of a recent Q&A session about the program. The application deadline for students to begin in Fall 2024 is February 1, 2024. If you have questions, email Dr. Sarah Clinton, who co-directs the IHSR program.

11. VT Carilion School of Medicine Early Identification Program

The Virginia Tech Carilion School of Medicine is currently accepting applications for the Early Identification Program, which is a program designed to help undergraduate students strengthen their applications to medical school. The two-year summer program includes free room and board, research experience, clinical exposure, MCAT preparation and tutoring, and a $3000 stipend for each summer. For more information or to access the program’s application, please visit the Early Identification Program website. Applications are due February 1, 2024.

Conferences and Journal Submissions

1. ACC Meeting of the Minds

Each year, Virginia Tech selects up to 5 outstanding undergraduate researchers through a formal application process (accompanied by a faculty/staff member) to present their research at the annual ACC Meeting of the Minds along with peers from the other 14 ACC – member institutions. It is truly an honor to be selected to participate in this conference. All expenses are paid by the ACCAC. Only individual presentations can be considered for this conference; no group or team projects are eligible. The meeting is from April 5-7, 2024 and the student application to attend is due January 29, 2024. More information on the student application can be found on the OUR website.

2. Commonwealth Cyber Initiative Symposium

The 2024 Commonwealth Cyber Initiative Symposium is on April 15 and 16, 2024. The deadline for papers and posters is January 12, 2024, 5:00 p.m. ET.

Other Opportunities

1. Pathways to Science Summer Research Programs and Scholarships in STEM

Programs and professional development resources for undergraduates, including research experiences, scholarships, and travel, are available in a searchable database at the Pathways to Science website. There are currently over 65 scholarships and fellowships posted! Many have fall deadlines, so check them out soon.

2. George Washington Summer Program Advancing Research on Cancer (GW SPARC)

GW SPARC engages undergraduates who are underrepresented in STEM in a mentored summer research experience at the GW Cancer Center in Washington, DC. Students participate in cutting-edge research, learn contemporary cancer research techniques, examine health disparities and the impact of cancer in different communities, and prepare for research careers.

In addition to conducting basic science research with a mentor, students attend weekly workshops and seminars focused on cancer research, research skills, career development, and graduate school applications. There will be no opportunities for clinical shadowing.

At the end of the summer, all students present in a poster session with other undergraduate researchers.

Students will be matched with outstanding researchers at the Cancer Center in cancer immunology and immunotherapy, cancer biology, and cancer engineering and technology. The program provides a stipend, housing, and may support travel costs to/from GW. Applications can be found on the GW SPARC website and are due February 1, 2024.

3. Giovanni-Steger Poetry Prize

Submit a poem to the 2024 Giovanni-Steger Poetry Prize and be a part of Virginia Tech history! Monetary prizes are awarded for first, second, and third place, and the top 10 poets will read their poems publicly at the Nikki Giovanni Celebration of Poetry on April 10, 2024. The deadline is February 2. See submission form and information.

4. Summer 2024 REU with Maryland Sea Grant

The Maryland Sea Grant is offering a summer research experience on the Chesapeake Bay for undergraduates interested in estuarine science. During the 12-week program, each student works with a mentor on an individual research project. Students can develop research skills and interests by working with top science mentors studying America’s largest estuary. Research areas include: Benthic environment, Climate change, Contaminants, Environmental chemistry, Estuarine processes, Fisheries, Modeling and analysis, Molecular biology and genetics, and Physical oceanography. The REU pays a $7200 stipend as well as providing housing and travel expenses. Find out more and apply at the Maryland Sea Grant REU webpage; applications are due February 13, 2024.

5. Duke PRIME Cancer Research Program

The National Cancer Institute funds a summer cancer research program at Duke University in Durham, NC. This program provides students with mentored experiences in cancer research and equips students with the skills, knowledge, and networks to compete and thrive in cancer research careers.

Scholars will be matched with a faculty mentor who is conducting world-class cancer research. Scholars will conduct independent research related to the lab’s ongoing projects and will be mentored by a team from multiple learner levels, including faculty, post-doctoral fellows, and graduate students.

Scholars will participate in complementary activities to support career readiness, including building research skills, additional cancer biology content, and professional development. Duke PRIME-Cancer Research scholars will participate in seminars, workshops, poster presentations, and programming that supports graduate school preparedness.

Eligibility: Duke PRIME-Cancer Research Program participants must be rising junior or senior undergraduate students from an accredited U.S. University with a strong academic record (minimum GPA 3.3) and interest in pursuing biomedical research training. Participants must be U.S. citizens, nationals, or permanent residents.

More information and an application link can be found on the Duke PRIME website. Applications are due Februrary 1, 2024