Participants in the NCSU 2012 REU.
The Biotechnology Program and Department of Plant Biology welcome applications for the Integrative Molecular Plant Systems Undergraduate Research Experience. NCSU has a strong core of plant biologists who are working in the areas of sustainable foods, fuels, and developing model systems for studying fundamental biological mechanisms. During the 10-week summer program, students will actively engage in a research project under the mentorship of a participating faculty member. The program is funded by the National Science Foundation.
The program is open to all rising sophomore, junior, and senior undergraduate students with a demonstrated interest in molecular biology. Applicants will be evaluated based on their statement of interest, transcript, and letters of recommendation. We particularly encourage students from institutions other than NCSU to apply, though there will be one slot available for an NCSU student. Students from underrepresented groups are also especially encouraged to apply.
This program is only open to US citizens and permanent residents.
This is a summer program that will run May 27 - Aug. 2, 2013.
The program kicks off with a three-day “Biotechnology Bootcamp”, where participants will learn critical molecular biology laboratory skills. Participants will pursue independent research projects for the remainder of the summer under the guidance of a faculty mentor. Students will also have multiple public-speaking opportunities to present their research, including a poster presentation at the campus-wide undergraduate research symposium at the end of the program.
Stipends, room, board, and travel expenses are provided.
Applications and recommendation letters are due by February 22, 2013 to be guaranteed consideration. Late applications may be considered if spots do not fill. Click the appropriate link in the sidebar on the left to download an application and recommendation form.
Katelyn Henderson and Caroline Smith are shown with the first generation of transgenic tomatoes expressing the gene encoding superoxide reductase (SOR) from the extremophilic microorganism Pyrococcus furiosus. SOR reduces toxic free radicals and when expressed in Arabidopsis results in plants with increased, heat, light and drought tolerance. The Arabidopsis project was a collaborative effort by Dr. Amy Grunden and Wendy Boss' laboratory. It has involved many undergraduates, graduates and Dr. Yang Ju Im, a postdoc who led the work. The work was funded by NASA Institute for Advanced Concepts.
