Introducing undergraduates to the excitement of interdisciplinary research at the frontiers of knowledge is essential for training a new generation to participate in discovery. The Bio-X Undergraduate Summer Research Program (Bio-X USRP) provides an opportunity for these undergraduate students to conduct hands-on research, build awareness of interdisciplinary areas, and network with Bio-X faculty. This formative experience influences their subsequent graduate work at Stanford and beyond.
Students accepted into the program receive a stipend that gives them the invaluable opportunity to do hands-on, full-time research for ten weeks during the summer quarter. Under the guidance of their mentors, Bio-X USRP students learn how to carry out experiments in the laboratory, develop the skills to read and analyze scientific literature, and overcome challenges that cannot be anticipated in a classroom environment.
Aside from making full-time research possible due to stipend support, the Bio-X USRP provides additional invaluable learning opportunities for its undergraduate cohort through weekly Undergraduate Research Talks and a poster session at the conclusion of the program.
A unique component of the program, the Undergraduate Research Talks, which are given by the mentors of our student awardees, expose students to a variety of scientific fields and enrich their summer research experience. This is a unique opportunity for students to hear more about the broad range of research within Stanford, to meet faculty in a variety of scientific fields, and to network with each other as potential future collaborators and colleagues.
At the conclusion of the program, students are expected to present their research in a poster session. Aside from the opportunity to network with colleagues, faculty members, and even professionals in other fields during the event, previous Bio-X USRP students have also mentioned that the preparation process was an extremely useful experience.
371 undergraduates have participated in the program since 2006, and Bio-X will once again be holding the program in the summer of 2016.
Applications for the 2017 summer cycle of the Bio-X USRP will open in late 2016. Because applications are only accepted from students with an identified faculty mentor, we strongly recommend that interested students plan their research proposals with a faculty member who is willing to mentor them in the lab during the summer as early as possible. All additional details and application requirements will be available on this webpage once available.