Interested in a research career? Experience the richness of the research environment at a premier research university with this hands-on summer program. You’ll get an invaluable glimpse of what graduate-level study and research careers might entail, while being surrounded by a supportive community of peers and engaged in professional development activities that help add meaning, encourage critical thinking, and allow you to explore and prepare for your future.

The Cellular and Molecular Biology of Stress (CMBS) program is designed for undergraduates who might not otherwise have access to research opportunities. There is no cost for the program and participants receive a stipend, summer housing, health insurance, and travel to and from Madison.

Program participants live on campus and perform full-time research for 10 weeks under the guidance of trained research mentors. Weekly professional development seminars allow participants to learn from each other’s experiences and contextualize their research projects within the overarching theme of how organisms respond to stress. Additional events and activities build community, support career and graduate school exploration, and help students build useful skills, such as science communication. Students present their projects at a poster session and a final symposium and write research reports to summarize their findings.

The Theme: Cellular and Molecular Biology of Stress

Environmental stressors, including both biotic (originating from living organisms such as pathogens) and abiotic (arising from non-living factors such as nutrient availability), constantly shape the adaptive strategies of all life forms. By actively participating in original research, students will explore the intricate mechanisms by which organisms respond and adapt to environmental challenges. Faculty mentors in the program study a variety of biotic and abiotic stresses in diverse organisms, from unicellular microbes to multicellular plants and animals. All the labs are interested in how stresses are detected by cells and organisms, how stress signals are transmitted within cells and organisms, and how targets of the stress signal activate cellular and molecular processes that allow cells and organisms to survive the stress.

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• Strong career interest in biological science research
• Undergraduate student status for fall 2024
• U.S. citizenship or permanent resident status
• Grade point average of at least 3.0 (see Frequently Asked Questions for more info)
• The goal of the CMBS program is to provide research opportunities for students who have limited access to research. We realize there are a variety of reasons students may not have access to research, including, but not limited to, attending small colleges (including 2-year colleges) with limited research resources; life experience impacted by historical or social factors; coming from a low-income background with the need to work during the academic year; or being the first in their family to attend college and benefiting from additional support. All students are welcome and encouraged to apply.