UT Southwestern Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowship: An Intensive Dive into Biomedical Research

The Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowship (SURF) Program at UT Southwestern’s Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences offers an immersive research experience for undergraduate students aspiring to Ph.D. or M.D./Ph.D. careers in biomedical research. This program provides a unique opportunity to engage in cutting-edge research, develop essential skills, and explore the world of postgraduate studies.

Program Overview

The SURF program is designed as an intensive summer research training experience. Fellows dedicate 10 weeks, typically from early June to mid-August, to individual research projects under the guidance of Graduate School faculty members at UT Southwestern. This hands-on experience allows students to delve into modern research techniques, meticulously plan experimental strategies, and address significant scientific questions.

SURF serves as an introduction to the nature of projects encountered during postgraduate research, emphasizing the importance of planning, discipline, and collaborative teamwork in the pursuit of answers to current questions in the biological sciences. The program is structured to provide a comprehensive understanding of what is involved in rigorous scientific inquiry.

At the conclusion of the SURF Program, fellows have the opportunity to present their research findings during a poster session, fostering communication skills and allowing them to share their work with the broader scientific community.

Key Components of the SURF Program

Hands-on Research Experience

A core element of the SURF program is the opportunity for fellows to actively participate in research. Fellows are assigned to a laboratory and research project according to their previous training and research interests, ensuring a personalized and engaging experience. The program allows students to gain experience in modern research techniques and plan and execute an experimental strategy to answer a scientific question.

Faculty Seminars and Informal Discussions

In addition to laboratory research, fellows attend weekly seminars given by UT Southwestern faculty members. These seminars expose students to a wide range of research topics and provide insights into the latest advancements in biomedical sciences. Informal discussions about careers in science and graduate training are also scheduled. These discussions offer valuable guidance and mentorship, helping students navigate their future academic and professional paths.

Research Areas

The SURF program encompasses a wide array of research areas, reflecting the breadth and depth of biomedical research. These areas include:

Biological Chemistry
Biomedical Engineering
Biophysics
Cancer Biology
Cell Biology
Chemistry
Developmental Biology
Genetics
Immunology
Mechanisms of Disease
Molecular Biology
Microbiology
Neuroscience
Pharmacology

For students with specific interests, the program also offers specialized tracks:

SURF-Stem Cell: Designed for natural and biological sciences majors interested in stem cell and regenerative medicine. This program, established by the Hamon Center for Regenerative Science and Medicine (CRSM) and directed by Dr. Eric Olson, provides a broad overview of stem cell and regenerative science and medicine, bringing together interdisciplinary resources from across the campus. Students gain a comprehensive understanding of the field, from the fundamental biology of regenerating planaria to human induced pluripotent stem cells, and from bone marrow transplant hospital wards to stem cell therapy boutiques, as well as ethical concerns regarding editing the genome of the human embryo.
Summer Undergraduate Research Institution for the Study of Kidney Disease (SURISKD) Program: Tailored for natural and biological sciences majors who have an interest in kidney disease.

Eligibility and Application Details

Eligibility Requirements

To be eligible for the SURF program, applicants must meet the following criteria:

Enrolled in an undergraduate science degree program
Completed their freshman year
U.S. citizens or possess an F1 visa
Commitment to not take any courses, hold a job, volunteer, or plan a vacation during the 10-week program
Career goals that include pursuing a Ph.D. or M.D./Ph.D. degree

For the SURF-Stem Cell program, applicants must have completed their sophomore year.

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Application Process

To apply for the SURF program, candidates must complete the online application. The application requires:

Transcripts (official or unofficial) from each college attended
Two letters of recommendation, which can come from mentors, teachers, employers, or advisers

The selection of fellowship recipients is based on several criteria, including:

College grades
Relevant experience
Letters of recommendation from faculty who can assess the applicant’s potential for advanced training and success in biological research
Demonstrated scholarship and promise for future achievement in the field of research
Career goals that include pursuing a Ph.D. or M.D./Ph.D. degree

The SURF application is available online.

Financial Support and Housing

Stipend

Fellows receive a stipend for the 10-week program. This support is taxable.

Housing

Housing needs for SURF students are coordinated through the SURF office. SURF students requiring housing will stay in a local hotel and be transported to and from the UT Southwestern campus daily. If a fellow requires housing, then the costs will be covered by SURF; however, fellows are responsible for paying for their own travel expenses. Details on local living accommodations will be provided when fellows are notified of their acceptance.

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Additional Programs at UT Southwestern

UT Southwestern Medical Center is dedicated to supporting medical science education at all levels. Besides the SURF program, UT Southwestern offers several other programs:

Disease-Oriented Clinical Scholars (DOCS) Program: Facilitates state-of-the-art research in clinical departments at UT Southwestern, with a distinguishing feature of flexibility.
Endowed Scholars Program in Medical Science: Provides generous financial support over four years to newly appointed tenure-track assistant professors at UT Southwestern Medical Center.
Medical Scientist Training Program (MSTP): Trains the next generation of M.D./Ph.D. physician-scientists who will lead the future of academic medicine.
Physician Scientist Training Program (PSTP): Provides highly individualized research training and career development counseling for young post-residency physicians who desire careers as physician scientists.
Science Teacher Access to Resources at Southwestern (STARS) Program: Since 1991, STARS has been devoted to improving the quality of science education in North Central Texas, serving more than 10,000 teachers and 50,000 students in 3,000 schools in the Dallas-Fort Worth area.
The Green Fellows Program: Provides a semester-long intensive research training experience for undergraduates at UT Dallas that will lead to an understanding of the planning, discipline, and teamwork involved in addressing basic research problems in the biological sciences. Green Fellows pursue individual research projects under the direction of the faculty at UT Southwestern's Graduate School for Biomedical Sciences.
UT Southwestern Summer Research Program: UTSW Medical students interested in pursuing investigative research endeavors during their summer break before the beginning of their MS2 curriculum may apply for the UT Southwestern Summer Research Program. Note that new, data-producing research is preferred. Faculty members who participated as mentors. The Project Indexes are not the only faculty you can work with.

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