Undergraduate Research Opportunity Core (UROC)
Class of Summer 2009
Summer 2009
Students from schools such as Brown, Columbia, University of West Virginia, Tulane, McGill and Mt. Holyoke among others made up the UROC Class of 2009. These students worked in 12 different labs throughout the Institute during the course of the summer.
The summer concluded with a Research Symposium that included presentations from 13 undergraduate students. The presentations were divided into four sections: Stem Cell Research, Cardiovascular Research, Signaling Pathways Research, and Protein Biology/Informatics Research. As Dr. James Sherley (Chair, BBRI-UROC Committee) notes, “We are tremendously proud of the work these students accomplished this summer and have been delighted to have them among us.”
Mission
Boston Biomedical Research Institute (BBRI) offers opportunities for early scientific research experiences for undergraduates who are considering careers in biomedical science. By providing well-mentored, supervised, original research experiences, BBRI investigators aim to inspire the next generations of biomedical scientists. Because BBRI is not limited by a specific academic affiliation, its laboratories are open to host undergraduates from a wide array of local, national, and international colleges and universities; and BBRI continues to build on its historical focus to support the research career development of scientists in its immediate and regional locale.
In addition to year-round research internship opportunities, BBRI conducts a special summer research program for motivated undergraduates. The summer program includes formal instruction in practical statistics for laboratory research, professional development workshops, and original research presentations from faculty and post-doctoral mentors.
Research and Training
BBRI laboratories provide opportunities for hands-on, supervised, original research investigations in four programmatic areas for biomedical research. These are Cancer Biology, Regenerative Biology, Cardiovascular Biology, and Integrative Protein Biology. Laboratories in these programmatic areas focus on specific problems in areas that include both applied and basic research in disciplines including stem cell biology, muscle disease, cancer, aging, cell signaling, protein biophysics, immunology, cell biology, and molecular biology. In addition, students are exposed to the theory and use of state of the art instrumentation for cell imaging, cell analyses, drug evaluation, analytical biochemistry, mass spectroscopy, x-ray crystallography, chemical and molecular spectroscopy, molecular fractionation, bioinformatics, gene expression analyses, protein biochemistry, computational modeling, and molecular biology analyses. Students also receive laboratory safety and bio-safety training before initiating research projects.
Each admitted student is assigned to the laboratory of a principal investigator whose research is best matched to the student’s area of research interest. Assigned students may either be supervised by the principal investigator directly or by a post-doctoral associate mentor in the principal investigator’s laboratory.
The summer Undergraduate Research Opportunity Core (UROC) program runs for 10-12 weeks starting approximately June 1 of each year. In addition to their independent laboratory research, participating students are required to attend 2-3 hours of didactic research training and informational forums each week. Students are also required to give either an oral or poster presentation of their research at the conclusion of the program.
Eligibility
For eligibility, applicants must be enrolled fulltime in a 2-year or 4-year college or university. A college transcript is required for verification of enrollment. Although students with a demonstrated interest in biomedical research and prior laboratory research experience are given priority, students seeking a first laboratory research experience are encouraged to apply and are given ample consideration as well.
BBRI is an equal opportunity employer.
Application Process
For academic year internships, the BBRI Undergraduate Research Opportunity Core (UROC) Committee considers applicants on a case-by-case basis year-round given position availability. Although all undergraduate applicants are given consideration, including those who require stipend and travel support, students who are able to volunteer without a stipend, or by obtaining college credit through academic programs certified by their universities, have a greater likelihood of placement within a host laboratory because of limited stipend support.
Academic Year UROC Program
For academic-year research, once a completed application has been received, it is submitted to the entire BBRI faculty for review and consideration. If faculty members express an interest in considering a candidate for an internship, the UROC Committee establishes communication between the applicant and interested faculty members for their further evaluation. By this approach, the entire BBRI research faculty considers all academic-year applications, increasing the chances for an ideal match of students’ research interests and career goals.
Summer UROC Program
For the summer UROC program, the UROC Committee works with interested faculty members to arrange the most suitable assignment of admitted applicants. Applications for the BBRI summer UROC program are considered starting February 1 of each year. The deadline for receipt of summer UROC applications is March 31. Students will be notified of their acceptance by April 30. After notification of acceptance, confirmation of attendance is required within 10 business days. After this deadline, unconfirmed positions will be made available to applicants who were placed on a waiting list.
Applications and queries should be sent to:
Dr. James L. Sherley, M.D., Ph.D.
Senior Scientist
Programs in Regenerative Biology and Cancer Biology
Chair, BBRI UROC Committee
Boston Biomedical Research Institute
64 Grove Street
Watertown, MA 02472
sherleyj@bbri.org Complete applications should include the following information:
1. Complete resume or curriculum vitae, including information on current college degree program, expected date of graduation.
2. Official college transcript.
3. Personal statement detailing research interests and career goals.
4. Names of 2-3 past or current college professors or lecturers who will send letters of recommendation. Please, request that letter writers forward their original letters printed on their official letterhead to Dr. Sherley’s postal address as well as send electronic versions by e-mail to sherleyj@bbri.org.
5. Please, indicate whether interested in volunteering, if travel and stipend funds are not available; or if college credit by a certified program at your current university or college is a contingency of participation.
6. Please, note that all persons employed in the United States are required to complete an Employment Eligibility Verification Form on the first day of employment and to submit an original document or documents that establish identity and employment eligibility within three business days of employment.
Stipend and Travel Support
Stipend support is available. The stipend will be based on a $10.00 hourly wage. Travel funds available on a limited basis.
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