Online Application

Before you apply you will need:

• Personal Statement as a PDF. Name your file with your last name, followed by the word "statement" (e.g. Marlin-Statement.pdf)
• Transcript as a PDF, Unofficial Transcripts accepted. Name your file with your last name, followed by the word "transcript" (e.g. Marlin-transcript.pdf)
• Information for your recommenders to submit letters of recommendation (name, email, phone number)
• Your preferred areas of research

Download the Information Sheet for 4-year university students

Download the Information Sheet for community college students

Overview

The Graduate College at the University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center (OUHSC) hosts four Summer Undergraduate Research Programs (SURP) aimed at preparing and encouraging undergraduate students to pursue careers in biomedical research or health related sciences. Studies show that undergraduate research programs are beneficial to the success of applying to and completion of a graduate degree program. Our programs introduce outstanding undergraduate students to the rigorous academic preparation required to achieve these goals, through participation in intensive, hands-on research experiences in the laboratories of biomedical faculty mentors.  To find out more about all SURP programs offered by OUHSC, visit the OUHSC SURP page.

OK-INBRE seeks outstanding undergraduate students from around the state to spend their summer in a biomedical research lab where students join experienced laboratories and work with other students and personnel to pursue their own projects over the course of an eight-week period. On the final day, students show off their progress at a poster session to the campus community. A Celebration Luncheon follows where student accomplishments are acknowledged by their advisors, awards are presented, and a former summer student returns to campus to present a Keynote Address. Students participating in our intensive programs receive generous stipends to allow pursuit of their research activities full-time (40 hours/week) without distraction.  Entry is competitive, so be sure to apply by the February 5 deadline to ensure consideration.

Students attending the following institutions are eligible:    

Northeastern State University
Northwestern Oklahoma State University
University of Central Oklahoma
Southeastern Oklahoma State University
Southwestern Oklahoma State University
Cameron University
Langston University
East Central University
Rogers State University
Oklahoma Panhandle State University
University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma

Oklahoma City Community College
Tulsa Community College
College of the Muscogee Nation
Redlands Community College

Research Areas
 
Students engage in basic laboratory research immersed in the intellectual environment of the laboratory, including lab meetings. Mentors, graduate students, post-docs and laboratory personnel work closely with students to share methods and techniques that will enable students to assume responsibility for their own research projects if practicable. Attempts are made to match the interests of each participant to a mentoring research professor with related interests; with the overarching goal of exposing students to dynamic, cutting edge research training projects that have been successful in the biomedical arena.  Because the OK-INBRE program is funded by the National Institutes of Health, research projects submitted by mentors are biomedical in nature.  This includes the following disciplines, among others:

biochemistry
bioinformatics
cell biology
developmental biology
genetics
immunology
microbiology
molecular biology
neuroscience
pathology
pharmacology
physiology

Compensation

$5,000 Summer Employment.  Federal and state taxes will be withheld. 
 
$2,200 Laboratory Supplies (paid to the Mentor's Lab)
 
The mentor will pay for production of the poster for the final poster presentation.

The student is responsible for parking fees and housing costs.  Housing over the summer is a personal decision of the student.  The student can live at home or elsewhere.  

College Credit

Credit may be available for participation in the summer program.  All tuition and fees are the responsibility of the student. Community college students will earn two hours of credit for the mandatory "boot camp" prior to the summer research experience.

Enrichment

For those students placed in labs at OUHSC or OMRF, weekly educational enrichment meetings are held to discuss research-related skills, to familiarize students with the areas of research at the OU Health Sciences Center and the Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation beyond their assigned laboratory, and to promote networking. Topics also include career opportunities for PhDs in biomedical sciences, preparation for graduate school, financial aid advising, etc. Students have opportunities to learn about all graduate programs at OUHSC and to visit laboratories in participating departments.  Optional social activities are also scheduled.