Exploring the Nemours Summer Undergraduate Research Program: A Comprehensive Guide
The Nemours Summer Undergraduate Research Program (NSURP) offers a unique opportunity for undergraduate students interested in biomedical research and healthcare careers. This comprehensive guide delves into the program's requirements, structure, and benefits, providing a detailed overview for prospective applicants.
Introduction to the Nemours Summer Undergraduate Research Program
The Nemours Summer Undergraduate Research Program is a 10-week, full-time onsite program held at Nemours Children’s Hospital, Delaware in Wilmington, DE, running from late May through early August. Since 1971, the Nemours Biomedical Research Department has provided funding for undergraduate students to work on summer research projects through NSURP. This program provides funding for undergraduate students to engage in clinical, laboratory, and translational research projects. The program aims to immerse students in pediatric medicine research, guiding them through forming hypotheses, interpreting data, and communicating results.
Program Overview
The Delaware INBRE Summer Student Research Program is an undergraduate summer research program sponsored through the National Institutes of Health (NIH) - National Institute of General Medical Sciences (NIGMS) through funding to the Delaware INBRE program.
Key Features
- Duration: 10 weeks, full-time, onsite.
- Location: Nemours Children’s Hospital, Delaware, Wilmington, DE.
- Timing: Late May through early August.
- Focus: Clinical, laboratory, and translational research projects in pediatric medicine.
- Funding: Provided by the Nemours Biomedical Research Department.
Eligibility and Requirements
- Current college students are eligible at the time of application.
- Applicants must have a minimum GPA of 3.2 and an interest in Basic and Applied Sciences, Healthcare, Pre-Med, or related fields.
- Academic Level: For most summer research programs, this is your upcoming status as of the fall.
Program Structure
The program combines hands-on research experience with enrichment activities to provide a well-rounded learning experience.
- Research Projects: Participants engage in laboratory-based and applied/clinical research projects.
- Mentorship: Nemours research faculty guide students through the research process.
- Enrichment Activities: Integral to the program include research/clinical seminars, participation in student-led journal club and other activities.
- Clinical Shadowing: Each student can engage in clinical shadowing experiences.
Application Process
- Online Application: The application is electronic and submitted online.
- Application Period: Program application opens each year from December 1 to January 15.
- Project Selection: Applicants are asked to rank up to five of their top project choices during the online application process. The location of the project is noted on the Project Abstract list.
- Preview: The Application Preview provides a look at important information and questions that require personal responses.
Research Opportunities
Each year, the program is comprised of an assortment of laboratory-based and applied/clinical research projects. Research projects are assigned based on the students’ scientific interest. Once students are admitted to the program, we have a phone conversation with them to learn more about their preferred research field. We then match them with an appropriate academic mentor from the Chemistry, Biology or Engineering Department.
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Available Projects
The NSURP offers opportunities consisting of laboratory-based, translational, and clinical biomedical research projects. Students can explore various research areas, allowing them to align their summer experience with their academic and career goals.
Project Selection
During the online application process, applicants are asked to rank up to five of their top project choices. The location of the project is noted on the Project Abstract list.
Program Components
The Nemours Summer Undergraduate Research Program is designed to provide a comprehensive research experience through various components.
Research Training
Participants learn about human subjects protection and animal welfare concerns, research ethics, evidence-based medicine, and clinical and translational research, while performing research in the context of pediatric medicine.
Seminars and Workshops
Enrichment activities integral to the program include research/clinical seminars, participation in student-led journal club and other activities.
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Presentation Opportunities
All students will present their research project and findings to the Nemours community via poster sessions and oral presentations. Post program, many students go on to present their research at major conferences and specialty meetings. Students are required to attend all mandatory Delaware INBRE events and also participate in an oral or poster presentation at the Research Symposium at the conclusion of the program.
Clinical Exposure
In addition to the program activities above, each student has the opportunity to engage in clinical shadowing experiences. The clinical exposure provides a hospital-based neurology clinical experience
Financial Aspects
There are 10 scholarships available, and each scholarship recipient receives a $3200 monetary award. The program does not provide a housing allowance. Travel from one's residence to the research site is the responsibility of the student.
Scholarship Details
Each scholarship recipient receives a $3200 monetary award.
Additional Costs
The program does not provide a housing allowance. Travel from one's residence to the research site is the responsibility of the student.
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Graduate Education and Research Program at Nemours
The Graduate Education and Research Program at Nemours Children's Hospital, Delaware offers robust research training for MS and PhD graduate students from multiple graduate programs at the University of Delaware (UD), including the Department of Biological Sciences, Psychological & Brain Sciences, Biomedical Engineering, Bioinformatics & Computational Biology and Human Development & Family Sciences. Training is also offered to students from Jefferson Medical College at Thomas Jefferson University. Students enrolled in these UD programs have an opportunity to conduct lab rotation and thesis research in Nemours research laboratories.
Program Structure
Graduate students who enter the Nemours Graduate Education and Research Program follow coursework at the educational institution and conduct their research work in one of the Nemours research labs. A student’s thesis committee, including thesis advisors, will be comprised of faculty from both institutions. All graduate students are supported as either a research assistant or teaching assistant.
Resources and Facilities
Nemours offers state-of-the-art research instrumentation and core laboratory services including flow cytometry, cell sorting, next-generation sequencing, experimental animal vivarium, in vitro and in vivo imaging, histology, high-throughput screening and biostatistics.
Student Organization
A student-run organization called SNERPS (Students of Nemours Education and Research Programs) meets regularly for academic and social purposes.
Additional Summer Research Programs
In addition to the Nemours program, several other summer research opportunities are available for undergraduate students.
ADaPT Summer Scholars Program
The ADaPT Summer Scholars Program provides prospective physical therapy students from racial minority groups an opportunity to explore rehabilitation research with world-renowned physical therapy scientists at the University of Delaware Department of Physical Therapy (UDPT). Selected scholars experience the research setting of physical therapy by serving as assistants in the labs of UDPT faculty for 10 weeks over the summer. They are invited to attend journal clubs, social gatherings and have the option of presenting their research knowledge at a symposium at the end of the program.
Cognitive and Brain Sciences Workshop
This workshop for undergraduates is a two-week intensive learning experience in cognitive and brain sciences. Topics covered include optogenetics, multiple methods in brain imaging (with labs), neuropsychology, language, spatial perception, social cognition, replicability and more. Furthermore, a few students can apply to do research over the entire summer at the University of Delaware.
Summer Undergraduate Public Policy Fellows Program
Through this scholarship program, students conduct research with faculty and staff in one of the Joseph R. Biden, Jr.
Center for Biomechanical Engineering Research (CBER)
The Center for Biomechanical Engineering Research (CBER) at the University of Delaware offers a comprehensive Research Experience for Undergraduates who “Dare to BE FIRST” which will establish Biomechanical Engineering Foundations in Impactful Research, Science and Technology (BE FIRST).
Center for Composite Materials (CCM)
The Center for Composite Materials (CCM) offers students at all levels (high school to graduate students) internship opportunities at the University’s Composites Manufacturing Science Laboratory. Students will work under the guidance of CCM staff and/or affiliated faculty as members of multidisciplinary teams, addressing problems on a variety of research topics. Research areas span all aspect of composite materials, from basic materials research, design, manufacturing, characterization and evaluation, and additive manufacturing.
CIAMTIS REU Site
The CIAMTIS REU site was established to train a highly specialized cadre of engineers capable of addressing the grand challenges faced by critical infrastructure. Participants will engage in research on development and deployment of new materials and technologies to improve durability, facilitate safe and rapid construction and repair, extend service life, and reduce life-cycle costs of transportation infrastructure. Furthermore, students will participate in professional development workshops and networking activities.
Center for Plastics Innovation (CPI)
The Center for Plastics Innovation (CPI) is hosting a 10 week summer research opportunity in polymers, catalysis, enzyme engineering, and data science at the Center for Plastics Innovation (CPI). The Summer Scholars program takes place over a 10-week period beginning in June and culminating in August with the presentation of research results at an undergraduate research symposium. In addition to completing an independent research project under the guidance of a faculty mentor, interns participate in skill-building seminars on such topics as choosing a graduate school, research ethics and making research presentations and posters.
UD Envision Program
UD Envision is an undergraduate research experience funded through the National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) focused on generating the next generation of agricultural scientists. As minorities are underrepresented in these disciplines and research target areas, this project has been developed to address this disparity. Intensive, hands-on research education and experiential learning projects help to bridge the perceptual change required for students to Envision themselves as scientists. The faculty areas of research span the disciplines of 'One Health,' food security and environmental sustainability.
Marine Science Internships
Interns work with faculty and research staff in a research-intensive atmosphere on a research topic in chemical, physical or biological oceanography, marine biology, marine geology, or marine biogeochemistry. Students develop their project under the guidance of their faculty mentor and present written and oral reports at the end of the summer.
Pathways to Graduate School Program
We’re providing immersive research, educational, and mentorship experience for undergraduates at Delaware State (DESU) and Claflin (CU) universities through a “Pathways to Graduate School” program. Our MRSEC Fellows program enhances exposure of HBCU undergraduates to materials science, expands their academic networks, and facilitates their transition to an R1 environment.
REU Site in Sustainable Resilient Transportation Systems
With support from the NSF Division of Engineering Education and Centers, the REU Site in Sustainable Resilient Transportation Systems at the University of Delaware will contribute to the state-of-the-art technologies and design methodologies with a potential to reduce carbon emissions and, consequently, help address climate change.
Research Experience for Undergraduates (REU) Program
This REU (Research Experience for Undergraduates) program is open to all undergraduate students with disabilities (mobility, sensory, learning, psychological, medical or other) who are majors in chemistry, biochemistry or chemistry-related fields. Research experience is not required.
UD CHARM Program
UD CHARM offers a comprehensive Research Experiences for Undergraduates program, leveraging CHARM’s expertise and spirit of crosscutting materials innovation. We specifically aim to improve the capabilities of undergraduate students who have interests in materials science-related research. Our REU students are paired with a faculty member and their lab group within CHARM and assigned a graduate student mentor.
Undergraduate Research in Electrical and Computer Engineering (UR-ECE)
The Electrical and Computer Engineering Department at the University of Delaware is proud to introduce our new Undergraduate Research in Electrical and Computer Engineering (UR-ECE) summer program. Our goal is to inspire and engage undergraduate students in science and engineering to use the unique skillset in electrical and computer engineering to solve major issues facing today’s society. Students will spend 10 summer weeks in an ECE research lab at UD. They will engage in research alongside faculty and graduate students, and participate in research and professional development activities including scientific literature searches, the scientific process, and communicating research effectively. Students will also have access to our state-of-the-art student collaborative innovation suite (iSuite) that includes a Collaboration Hub, Cyber Range, and a Makerspace.
The Stanhope Science Communication Award
Students are able to apply for the Science Communication Award. Explaining scientific work to a broad audience is an important part of biomedical research. The goal of this award is to recognize students who are able to effectively communicate their summer scholars project to a broad audience. Students are nominated and then move through multiple judging rounds of written and verbal scientific communication from their summer projects. Students whose presentations stand out are awarded the Stanhope Science Communication Award, given in honor of previous DE-INBRE PI, Dr. Steven Stanhope. Dr. Stanhope had a passion for mentorship and biomedical research. This award winner embodies the passion Dr.
Benefits of Participating
Participating in the Nemours Summer Undergraduate Research Program offers numerous benefits for aspiring researchers and healthcare professionals.
Skill Development
Students in the DE-INBRE SRP not only have the opportunity to gain hands-on experience with mentors in research settings, but they also attend professional development workshops and seminars to develop crucial skills. By completing these, students have the chance to earn digital badges certifying their work in a particular area.
Career Exploration
The internship is a great way for you to test your inclination toward a career in medicine, health care, and science.
Networking Opportunities
Students have the opportunity to network with faculty, researchers, and other students, building valuable connections for future career opportunities.
Presentation Skills
All students will present their research project and findings to the Nemours community via poster sessions and oral presentations. Post program, many students go on to present their research at major conferences and specialty meetings.
Academic and Professional Growth
The program provides a foundation for future academic and professional pursuits in medicine and biomedical research.
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