Research Experiences for Undergraduates (REU) Program

Drosophila melanogaster protein detection using a western blot
Dr. Nicole Riddle’s Lab – UAB


Bovine oocyte selection and maturation in IVM medium
Dr. Ellie Duan’s Lab – Cornell University


Tissue collection from reptiles
Dr. Anne Bronikowski’s Lab – Michigan State University

The IISAGE REU program is a 10-week summer program that provides firsthand research training for undergraduate students. Students will join IISAGE laboratories across the United States to investigate the sex-based differences in aging amongst various diverse animal species. Research projects will range from computational studies, to molecular and physiological studies in the lab, to fieldwork on wild populations. This paid summer research experience provides in-depth research training and career development skills in a team setting. Students will be co-mentored by faculty, postdoctoral students, and graduate students from across IISAGE. Undergraduate students participating in the program will gain hands-on experience in research, foster their interest in biology, and prepare for careers in science.

After completing the REU program, students will be able to present their research projects as posters at their local institutions:

Mikayla Walsh and Peter Zhu presenting their IISAGE REU work at the Brown’s Undergraduate Research Symposium.
Arielle Madrid presenting her IISAGE REU project at UAB’s Summer Expo.

Eligibility

  • Participants in this NSF-sponsored program must be US citizens, US nationals, or US permanent residents. 
  • Participants must be enrolled in an undergraduate degree program to participate. Students who graduate before the end of the program period are not eligible to participate. 

Compensation

This REU program provides a stipend of $6000 to participants. If students require on-campus housing, in many cases, accommodations in dorms can be arranged with advance notice (costs will be subtracted from the stipend).

How to Apply

Applications for Summer 2024 are now closed.

All application materials must be submitted online. In addition, you must attach the following three documents:

  • Personal Statement – A 600-word essay (pasted into the application form) describing your interests and career goals and outlining your goals for participating in this program. Please identify a specific IISAGE lab from one of our 9 participating institutes (see here) for your research training and explain your choice.
  • Academic Transcript – Please provide an unofficial academic transcript that demonstrates your academic performance.
  • Resume – Please submit a comprehensive resume that outlines your educational qualifications, prior research experience, academic achievements, and any other relevant extracurricular activities or accomplishments.

You are also required to submit the name and contact information for a reference (e.g., research mentor, academic advisor, instructor) that can speak to your motivation, abilities, and potential. Following the application deadline, IISAGE will reach out to this reference for a recommendation letter, allowing them several weeks to provide their response. Once we have received your application, transcript, resume, and recommendation, we will begin the review/selection process.

Please visit iisage.org/team for more information on the host lab you are interested in working in this upcoming summer and the skills they have to offer.

Application forms are due by January 31st, 2024.

NOTE: Dates for this 10-week program will be decided by the principal investigator (PI) of the laboratory you are applying for. These dates will be communicated with you in the official acceptance letter.

Key Dates

November 6th, 2023 Applications Open
January 31st, 2024 Application Deadline
March 15th, 2024Recipients Announced

Questions?

For additional program information, please direct your questions to our program manager Jordan Favors.

Jordan Favors
Program Manager – IISAGE
Phone: (205) 975-0170
Email: jfavors7@uab.edu