INBRE

About INBRE

Funded by the Nevada IDeA (Institutional Development Award) Network of Biomedical Research Excellence (NV INBRE), the summer research program at Nevada State University 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 conference and workshop travel support to INBRE students. 

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.

Our Team

Program Period and Features

INBRE Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowship (iSURF)

The iSURF program offers students hands-on research experience across diverse fields with a central goal of connecting to biomedical science. Guided by faculty mentors, students apply techniques such as molecular biology, machine learning, and fieldwork to explore real-world scientific questions.

Research Areas in the iSURF Program

The iSURF program routinely features diverse research areas, including medicinal chemistry, biochemistry, microbial communities including pathogens, immunology, biomedical data science, cognitive neuroscience, antibiotic resistance, electrochemistry, nanoparticles, 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.

Learn more about 2027 iSURF and Faculty research areas.

Hands-On Training & Professional Development

Students gain essential skills in laboratory safety, research techniques, and scientific equipment use. Weekly workshops further enhance professional growth, such as:

• Laboratory safety, common techniques, and maintaining lab notebooks
• Responsible conduct of research, resilience in research and conflict resolution
• Designing experiments, interpreting and presenting data
• Presentation of research findings through progress reports and scientific posters
• Leading journal club discussions
• CV/resume preparation, finding journal articles, and graduate school guidance

Program Period & Requirements

The iSURF program is an intensive, full-time summer research experience, running 9 weeks, with students committing 40 hours per week under faculty mentorship and must be available Monday-Friday 8am – 5pm. Participants are required to attend orientation, seminars, workshops, journal clubs and must present their research at a poster symposium. Due to the immersive nature of the program, students may not take summer coursework.

iSURF-Flex Option (NOT offered 2027)

Students who have completed BIOL 398L in the previous spring semester may participate in the iSURF-Flex program, which offers flexible research hours arranged with their mentors. All iSURF-Flex students follow the same program requirements and adhere to the mentor-mentee agreement.

Research Symposiums & Conferences

Students must present their work at an approved Conference or Symposium such as the NSU STEM Research Symposium, the NSU Undergraduate Research Creative Works (URCW) conference, or may also have opportunities to showcase at National/International conferences.

Community & Social Activities

iSURF fosters camaraderie and celebrates cultural diversity through cohort-building activities such as field trips, board and video game days, scavenger hunts, and potluck events.

Selection Process for iSURF

NSU selects iSURF applicants based on eligibility, essays, and research interests, then matches students with faculty mentors. To be eligible for the INBRE program, Nevada State undergraduates must be U.S. citizens (or have an EAD) in their first STEM degree. Applicants must be continuing students with limited prior research. Apply online with a personal statement.

Compensation

Students are hired as summer student researchers and earn up to $6,000 for the 9 week program. Compensation may vary for other NV INBRE programs, including UNR UROP. Students should consult a financial aid advisor to understand potential impacts on taxes or financial aid.

Summer Research Timeline

• January: Applications open
• March: Application deadline
• May – July: Program Dates (see link below for current year)
• August: STEM Poster Symposium

Learn more about 2027 iSURF and Faculty research areas.

Office Information

NSU INBRE Site Coordinator: Amber Howerton, PhD.
School of Liberal Arts, Sciences, & Business
Department of Physical and Life Sciences

Contact Information:

Main Phone: 702.992.2642 Dr. Howerton Office: LASB 268.   

Email: Amber.Howerton@nevadastate.edu or inbre@nevadastate.edu