The Summer Undergraduate Research Experience (SURE) program for undergraduate research in biotechnology and bioengineering provides undergraduate students the opportunity for cutting-edge, interdisciplinary research in the areas of applied molecular and cellular biology, bioengineering, computational biology, drug discovery and development, as well as exposure to related ethics and business topics.
2024 Dates
June 17 – July 5 or July 8 – 26 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. (online and in-person)
Method of delivery and times are subject to change.
2024 Tracks
Pharmacoeconomics, June 17 – July 5 (online)
This track will focus on how healthcare decision-makers use health economics and outcomes research (HEOR) to help make decisions.
Next Generation Sequencing, July 8 – 26 (in-person)
This track will focus on the principles of Next Generation Sequencing and its applications in the diagnosis and management of patients with cancer, rare inherited diseases, and infections.
Public Health and Virology, June 17 – July 5 (in-person)
This track will focus on an intro to viruses, pandemics/outbreaks, an overview of viruses (flu, HIV, herpes, poxvirus, coronavirus, filoviruses, e.g., Ebola and Marburg), and vaccines.
Population Health, July 8 – 26 (in-person)
This track will focus on analytics and statistical programs
Pharmacogenomics and Precision Medicine, June 17 – July 5 (online)
This track will focus on precision and predictive health
Drug Discovery, June 17 – July 5 (online) and July 8 – 26 (online)
This track will focus on principles of drug discovery, development, and management of the pipeline (from a business perspective) will be introduced through a series of seminars and team-based research project assignments.
Biotech Industry Careers, June 17 – July 5 (online) and July 8 – 26 (in-person)
This track will introduce students to the wide range of careers available in biotechnology, pharmaceutical, medical devices, diagnostics and healthcare IT industries. That will include completing an advanced team project that integrates science, business and regulatory deliverables, and personal career mentorship by faculty and industry professionals to help identify each student’s most promising career opportunities.
Individual Projects, June 17 – July 26 (in-person)
Placement into individual research tracks is based on faculty availability. Very few students are asked to participate.
Areas of Research
- Biotechnology and Pharmaceuticals Development
- Bioprocessing
- Medical Diagnostics and Devices
- Systems Biology and Computational Biology
- Management Research
Who Should Apply
The SURE program is appropriate for motivated undergraduate students majoring in biology, chemistry, engineering, or related disciplines. One of the program goals is to promote the success of women and underrepresented minorities in science and engineering.