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OUR Weekly: October 7

2024

Upcoming Events and Deadlines

Details on events and deadlines can be found in subsequent sections of this newsletter.

  • October 7, 2024 - Graduate and Professional School Fair
  • October 11, 2024 - Commonwealth Cyber Initiative Project Based Learning Program Application Deadline
  • October 15, 2024 - Starting Research in Architecture, Arts, and Design Workshop
  • October 27, 2024 - National Nuclear Security Internship Program Application Deadline
  • October 30, 2024 - First-Year Fralin Undergraduate Research Fellowship Application Deadline
  • November 8, 2024 - Institute for Critical Technology and Applied Sciences (ICTAS) Undergraduate Research Fellowship Deadline

Opportunities for Starting Research

1. First Year Fralin Undergraduate Research Fellowship (FY-FURF)

The First-Year Fralin Undergraduate Research Fellowship (FY-FURF) Program will provide first-year students—who are new to research—with authentic research experiences in their chosen discipline, under the direct mentorship of a faculty member. Students from all majors are encouraged to apply.

2. National Nuclear Security Administration Minority Serving Institutions Internship Program

The National Nuclear Security Administration Minority Serving Institutions Internship Program (NNSA-MSIIP) offers full-time summer internships, with opportunities to continue during the academic year.

Undergraduate and graduate students from accredited Minority Serving Institutions receive:

  • Stipends starting at $750/week
  • Allowances to offset the cost of:
    • Commuting: $50/week
    • Housing: Varies based on location
    • Travel to and from the hosting site: $1,000
    • Virtual Participation: $150/week

Opportunities are available not only in STEM but also in communication, management, business, policy, law, and other disciplines that support the NNSA Mission. Applications can be found on the NNSA-MSIPP application webpage. The application deadline is October 27, 2024 at 11:59 p.m.

3. Starting Research in Architecture, Arts, and Design Workshop

Are you interested in undergraduate research in the College of Architecture, Arts, and Design (AAD)? Join us for a workshop covering what research looks like in AAD and how you can get involved!

When: Tuesday, October 15, 2024 from 5:00-6:00 p.m.
Where: 300 Cowgill Hall
What Else: Food will be provided for the workshop

4. Open Research Position in Media & Cultural Analysis Research Group

Seeking a third researcher to join a faculty member and an undergraduate student on a research project titled "Thanks to Barbie, All Problems of Feminism Have Been Solved": A Review of How the Barbie Movie Changed Perceptions. We need someone with strong data analysis skills to help analyze responses from a Question Pro survey, which includes both quantitative and qualitative data.

Although this is an unpaid position, it offers valuable research experience and the opportunity for co-authorship in a future publication.

If you're interested in contributing to this exciting project exploring the cultural impact of the Barbie movie on feminist discourse, please email Katie Thomas.

5. Commonwealth Cyber Initiative Project Based Learning Program

The Commonwealth Cyber Initiative (CCI) is partnering with GuidePoint Security to recruit up to five apprentices to create a “SOC-in-a-Box,” a scalable and deployable lab environment for cybersecurity practitioners to practice and hone their skills.

This project will expose students to technologies they’ll encounter in the cybersecurity field while providing insight into such roles as:

  • Incident response analyst.
  • Threat intelligence specialist.
  • Detection engineer.
  • Adversary emulation specialist.

For more information, and instructions on how to apply, visit the CCI Project Based Learning Program webpage. Applications close October 11, 2024. 

Opportunities for Students Participating in Research

1. Institute for Critical Technology and Applied Science (ICTAS) Undergraduate Research Fellowship Program

The ICTAS Undergraduate Research Fellowship Program supports early career undergraduates involved in mentored research at Virginia Tech. Each spring, one student will be selected to receive the $1,250 award, payable as a fellowship or used to cover other approved expenditures (such as project supplies, research-related travel, use of specialized research services, etc) over the course of one semester or a summer.

Applications are due November 8, 2024. More information on eligibility criteria and how to apply can be found on the ICTAS Undergraduate Research Fellowship Program Webpage.

2. Center for Communicating Science Girls Launch Outreach Program

The Center for Communicating Science in partnership with Giles County schools created the Girls Launch outreach program to provide female scientist role models to kindergarten children – and they’re looking for students who might be willing to make a visit!

  • Visits would be from 9:30-11:00 a.m. with flexible date options.
  • For more information, please email Padmaja Mandadi.

Other Opportunities

1. Graduate and Professional School Fair

The annual Graduate and Professional School Fair at Virginia Tech will take place this year on October 7, 2024 from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. in the Commonwealth Ballroom at the Squires Student Center. This event will bring together VT students and recruiters from a diverse range of schools, covering areas such as business, STEM, social sciences/humanities, medicine/health, and law.

Pre-register for the event using the Graduate and Professional School Fair pre-registration form and enter our raffles for a chance to win exciting prizes at the event!

2. NSF Graduate Research Fellowship Program

The purpose of the NSF Graduate Research Fellowship Program (GRFP) is to help ensure the quality, vitality, and diversity of the scientific and engineering workforce of the United States. The five-year fellowship provides three years of financial support inclusive of an annual stipend of $37,000. More information can be found on the Graduate Research Fellowship Program webpage.

3. Hokie for a Day Student Volunteers

CENI invites Virginia Tech faculty, students, and student organizations to participate in a Hokie for a Day Expo on a Wednesday this fall. The CENI team will take care of the logistics for the kids - technology, tables, chairs, buses, food, youth protection, chaperone communications, and image permissions - so you can focus on the Virginia Tech work you will share. For more information, visit the Hokie for a Day Application webpage.

Hokie for a Day offers fifth grade students a unique opportunity to experience college life. The visit includes a discussion of college majors, a conversation about how to get to college, an expo with hands-on academic experiences from Virginia Tech faculty and students (that's you!), lunch at an on-campus dining hall, and a chat with a student athlete.

4. Commonwealth Cyber Initiative Southwest Virginia Annual Meeting

The Southwest node of the CCI network promotes cybersecurity research, innovation, and workforce development in the region and the greater commonwealth. All researchers working in data, autonomy, and security are invited to the CCI Southwest annual meeting on Wednesday, October 16 to celebrate shared accomplishments and spark new ideas and collaborations.

For more information, visit the Commonwealth Cyber Initiative Southwest Virginia Annual Meeting Website.  

5. Virginia Tech Carilion School of Medicine Early Identification Program

The Virginia Tech Carilion School of Medicine is excited to announce that the 2025 Early Identification Program application is now open! The Early Identification Program (EIP) is a two-year summer preparatory program, which is designed to help strengthen a participant’s application to medical school.

The first summer of the program provides students with the opportunity to participate in hypothesis-driven research at the Fralin Biomedical Research Institute in Roanoke, Virginia. The second summer, students shadow clinicians throughout various departments and specialties at Carilion Clinic in the Roanoke Valley.

The program also includes the following:

  • Free MCAT preparation and tutoring
  • Application counseling
  • Free room and board
  • $3000 stipend each summer

For more information as well as the requirements for admission, please visit the EIP program’s website or email Katherine Murphy.