INBRE

Undergraduate Research Opportunities

in Biomedical Sciences

Funded by the Nevada IDeA (Institutional Development Award) Network of Biomedical Research Excellence (NV INBRE), the summer research program at Nevada State College has been in place since 2013. It offers STEM undergraduate students, who are considering careers in biomedical sciences, an immersive, mentored, and hands-on research experience. Through this program, students deepen their understanding and expertise in their chosen fields.

The mission of the NV INBRE Summer Research Program is to foster faculty-mentored research as a fundamental component of undergraduate education. It provides students, particularly those from first-generation and underrepresented backgrounds, with a multitude of benefits, offering a wide range of opportunities to thrive in STEM career paths. Through this program, students acquire essential skills in critical analysis, problem-solving, communication, and the application of research methods.

In addition to its core objectives, the program offers travel support to students, enabling them to attend a 5-day GradFit workshop held at UNR in Reno. This workshop provides valuable insights into graduate school expectations and equips students with the necessary knowledge and skills to navigate the graduate school application process successfully.

The NV INBRE program also supports several other student-focused initiatives at Nevada State, including collaboration with Nevada State Career Services to organize the Grad Expo. This event provides a platform for students to interact with representatives from various graduate schools and potential employers, creating valuable networking opportunities to further their educational and career goals. Additionally, the program has facilitated the establishment of the McNair Program and continues to collaborate with its coordinators to ensure students receive ongoing guidance as they navigate their educational journeys.

Furthermore, the program has established a campus-wide undergraduate research and creative works conference, allowing all students to showcase their research while fostering collaboration and networking among peers. Overall, NV INBRE at Nevada State University has cultivated a vibrant research culture and continues to strengthen it for both students and faculty.

Summer Research Program Period and Features

The INBRE summer research program at NSU offers multiple annual opportunities, including iSURF, iSURF-Flex, FLARE, and UROP, all running from May to August. While these programs overlap, they vary in duration, lasting from 5 to 10 weeks.

Throughout the program, student participants receive in-depth training on laboratory safety and essential research techniques, equipping them with the skills necessary to successfully carry out their research projects.

Beyond the research aspect, students also benefit from a series of professional development workshops and training sessions, offered on a weekly basis during the program. These sessions cover a range of topics aimed at enhancing their professional growth, including:

• Laboratory Safety Training: Comprehensive training on laboratory safety protocols and practices.
• Laboratory Research Skills/Scientific Equipment Training: Hands-on training in essential laboratory techniques and scientific equipment operation.
• Keeping a Lab Notebook: Guidance on best practices for maintaining a thorough and organized scientific notebook.
• Responsible Conduct of Research/Ethics: Training on ethical considerations and responsible conduct of research.
• Preparing for Graduate School/GradFIT: Workshops and resources to help students prepare for the graduate school application process.
• Finding Journal Articles: Techniques and strategies for effectively searching and accessing relevant journal articles.
• Presenting a Journal Article (for Journal Club): Training on presenting and discussing scientific articles in a professional setting.
• Interpreting and Creating Visual Representations of Data: Skills development in interpreting and creating visual representations of scientific data.
• Preparing a Science Poster: Guidance on designing and presenting scientific posters for conferences or symposiums.
• CV and Resume Preparation: Assistance in crafting effective CVs and resumes

Social Activities

The program fosters a sense of camaraderie and celebrates cultural diversity through various cohort-building activities, including field trips, video and board games, scavenger hunts, and potluck events.

Research Symposium

Students have the opportunity to effectively communicate their findings to both the scientific community and the public. Following the summer research experience, students have the chance to present their research findings at a STEM research symposium held at Nevada State College, allowing them to share their work with peers and NSU community. Furthermore, students can showcase their research achievements at the Undergraduate Research Creative Works (URCW) conference at Nevada State College held during the Spring semester, as well as at national conferences.

Research Areas in the iSURF Program

The  iSURF program features diverse research areas, including protein chemistry, microbial communities, data science, cognitive neuroscience, antibiotic resistance, electrochemistry, and environmental health. Faculty mentors engage students in hands-on projects, employing various techniques such as molecular biology, machine learning, and fieldwork to explore pressing scientific questions. Click HERE to learn more about faculty research areas.

Eligibility

The INBRE program is open to undergraduates enrolled at Nevada State College who are:

• U.S. citizen or with a valid employment authorization document (EAD)
• Currently enrolled in a STEM degree program at NSU
• Earning their first bachelor’s degree in a STEM field
• Continuing student, enrolled in Fall classes following the summer research program period
• Priority is given to students from underrepresented and first-generation backgrounds.
• Preference will be given to applicants who have not received an INBRE award in the past.

Application Process

Students applying for iSURF must complete an NSU iSURF online application and write a personal statement describing their academic background, research interests, any related experience, and what they hope to gain from the program. Students applying for the UROP and FLARE programs must complete a UNR-UROP or FLARE online applications.

Selection Process for iSURF, UROP and FLARE

Selection for the iSURF program is made based on the eligibility criteria set by NV INBRE and NSU. Students are matched with a faculty mentor, taking into account their application essay, research interests, and mentor availability. The selection process and program requirements for the UROP and FLARE programs are handled by NV INBRE at UNR.

Program Requirements for the iSURF and iSURF-Flex Programs  

Students must meet the following requirements to participate in the iSURF Program:

• Mandatory Orientation: Attendance at an orientation session, which includes laboratory safety training to ensure student preparedness, as well as program pre-survey and registration.
• Full-Time Mentored Research: Commitment to 8 hours per day and 40 hours per week of mentored research.
• Seminars and Workshops: Participation in a series of seminars and workshops.
• Research Presentation: Presentation of research projects at a poster symposium.

Due to the intensive and immersive nature of the research, students are not permitted to engage in summer coursework or hold employment during the program period.

Additionally, all iSURF program students must adhere to the mentor-mentee agreement, which outlines expectations for collaboration and communication between students and their mentors.

For students admitted to the iSURF-Flex program, adherence to the mentor-mentee agreement is also required. This includes fulfilling the same program requirements as above, in addition to the following:

• Course Prerequisite: iSURF-Flex students must have completed BIOL 450/450L in the previous spring semester. As a result, they may have flexible research hours agreed upon with their mentors prior to accepting the program offer. The specific requirements and research schedule will be determined collaboratively between students and mentors.

Compensation

Compensation for the three programs varies based on their duration. The award for the NS INBRE Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowship (iSURF), an 8-9-week program, is $6,000. Compensation for the UNR UROP, a 10-week mentor-matching program, and the UNR FLARE, a 5-week program, is determined by UNR NV INBRE. Students admitted to these programs are hired as summer student researchers and work 40 hours per week during the program period to earn the full award amount.

Potential Impact of INBRE Awards on Taxes and Financial Aid

The INBRE program awards students with the aforementioned award amounts. The income received from these programs is subject to federal tax regulations and may impact the student’s overall income level and eligibility for financial aid, including student loans and scholarship opportunities. Therefor it is highly recommended that students consult with a campus financial aid advisor for clarification and personalized guidance.

Summer Research Timelines

• October – Application open to students
• December – Application deadline
• September – October: STEM Poster symposium