The Nebraska Summer Research Program is committed to quality mentoring and research projects. We limit our summer offerings to active research labs and projects led by faculty who have established themselves as excellent undergraduate student mentors. Since each program has several Summer Research Program scholars, you'll have peers and colleagues in which to share your educational experience with.
2013 Programs
Other Research Opportunities at the University of Nebraska
University Medical Center
The University of Nebraska Medical Center has research projects ranging from basic molecular biology to the study of human disease in clinical settings.
The University of Nebraska Medical Center has research projects ranging from basic molecular biology to the study of human disease in clinical settings.
UNMC Eppley Cancer & Allied Diseases Research Summer Program
Students in the Summer Undergraduate Fellowship Program at the Eppley Cancer Research Institute though UNMC do hands-on cancer research. Students learn research techniques and concepts and work with professional researchers.
Students in the Summer Undergraduate Fellowship Program at the Eppley Cancer Research Institute though UNMC do hands-on cancer research. Students learn research techniques and concepts and work with professional researchers.
SROP: Integrated Development of Bioenergy Systems
Study Bioenergy!
The research of today for the solutions of tomorrow
2013 Dates and Stipend
Start: June 3, 2013End: August 7, 2013
Stipend: $5,000
Contact Info
Dr. Paul BlumProfessor of Biological Sciences
402-472-2769
pblum1@unl.edu
SROP Website
Who Should Apply
Related majors and areas
- Biology
- Chemistry
- Biochemistry
- Any Engineering
- Most Science
Eligibility
Participation in the Nebraska Summer Research Program is limited to students who meet the following criteria:- U.S. Citizen or Permanent Resident
- Current undergraduate with at least one semester of coursework remaining before obtaining a bachelor's degree
Applicants to this program should also have:
- Minimum GPA 3.0
- Sophomore standing or higher
How to Apply
Steps and Required Items
To apply, follow these application steps to submit the following materials.Application Timeline
- Wed., Nov. 14, 2012 — Application opens
- Fri., Feb. 1, 2013 — Priority deadline
- Fri., Feb. 15, 2013 — Application deadline
- Fri., Mar. 15, 2013 — Decisions complete
Events and Benefits
Program Events
- Weekly Wednesday seminar lunches
- Campus and department orientation
- Department seminars and presentations
- Professional development workshops (e.g., applying to graduate school, taking the GRE)
- Welcome picnic
- Day trip to Omaha's Henry Doorly Zoo
- Canoe and camping trip
- Research symposium
Benefits
- Competitive stipend
- Double-occupancy room and meal plan
- Travel expenses to and from Lincoln
- Campus parking and/or bus pass
- Full access to the Campus Recreation Center and campus library system
- Wireless internet access
Research and Mentors
The School of Biological Sciences' Microbiology Initiative and Center for Plant Sciences Innovation administers the Integrated Development of Bioenergy Systems summer program at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln.
Faculty mentors involved in the program are diverse in their research with laboratories covering a wide spectrum of bioenergy research topics such as the study of non-food crops for biomass production, metabolic engineering of oilseed biosynthesis, green algae as liquid biofuel production systems, microbial carbon sequestration, biochemical pathways of lignocellulose conversion, and system engineering of microorganisms for biomass conversion.
Summer scholars in our program are matched with a faculty mentor and participate actively in the design and implementation of a ten-week research project. Students explore the frontiers of knowledge and learn cutting-edge techniques, while having access to state-of-the-art instrumentation in individual labs as well as in the core facilities.
A weekly seminar series will provide an opportunity to exchange ideas with other students, researchers, and faculty. The program also offers a number of social and recreational activities as well as several seminars about graduate school. We expect that the diversity of experiences will encourage students to pursue scientific careers in sustainable energy systems, productively contributing to solving society's needs.
2013 Mentors and Projects
SROP: Undergraduate Research Opportunities in Biomedical Devices
Design and innovate with novel biomedical device technologies!
2013 Dates and Stipend
Start: June 3, 2013End: August 7, 2013
Stipend: $4,500
Contact Info
Dr. Carl NelsonAssociate Professor of Mechanical Engineering
402-472-4128
cnelson5@unl.edu
Who Should Apply
Related majors and areas
- Any Engineering
- Physics
- Biological Sciences
- Most other science majors
Eligibility
Participation in the Nebraska Summer Research Program is limited to students who meet the following criteria:- U.S. Citizen or Permanent Resident
- Current undergraduate with at least one semester of coursework remaining before obtaining a bachelor's degree
This program encourages applications from students with junior or senior standing.
How to Apply
Steps and Required Items
To apply, follow these application steps to submit the following materials.Application Timeline
- Wed., Nov. 14, 2012 — Application opens
- Fri., Feb. 1, 2013 — Priority deadline
- Fri., Feb. 15, 2013 — Application deadline
- Fri., Mar. 15, 2013 — Decisions complete
Events and Benefits
Program Events
- Campus and department orientation
- Department seminars and presentations
- Professional development workshops (e.g., applying to graduate school, taking the GRE)
- Welcome picnic
- Day trip to Omaha's Henry Doorly Zoo
- Canoe and camping trip
- Research symposium
Benefits
- Competitive stipend
- Double-occupancy room and meal plan
- Travel expenses to and from Lincoln
- Campus parking and/or bus pass
- Full access to the Campus Recreation Center and campus library system
- Wireless internet access
Research and Mentors
The Biomedical Engineering SROP is designed to provide independent research experience for undergraduate students, broaden participant knowledge of opportunities in academia, industry and national laboratories, and introduce participants to interdisciplinary research in biomedical devices.
The goal of every medical practitioner is to improve quality of life for patients. Biomedical technology and devices are instrumental in achieving this. The primary focus in each summer research project is biomedical devices designed to enhance medical care through science and engineering, with emphasis in three areas: (1) devices for surgical intervention, (2) devices for diagnostics, and (3) devices for implantation.
All projects are designed to be completed during the 10 week program and are a part of a faculty mentor's current research. This allows the student to be involved in many aspects of research, including design, analysis, simulation, and implementation of a biomedical device.
Students are also extensively involved in lab activities, such as weekly lab meetings. Research results are presented during lab meetings throughout the summer and at the end-of-summer in the Summer Research Symposium poster session. Lab members, especially graduate students and postdoctoral associates, are active with summer program research.
2013 Mentors and Projects
REU in Chemistry
We're engaged in cutting-edge research on the catalysts, drugs, nanomaterials, and sensors of the FUTURE!
Join our team and we'll make HISTORY!
2013 Dates and Stipend
Start: June 3, 2013End: August 7, 2013
Stipend: $5,000
Contact Info
Ms. Kerry VondrakRecruiting Staff Assistant
402-472-4453
kerry.vondrak@unl.edu
Who Should Apply
Related majors and areas
- Chemistry
- Biochemistry
- Biological Sciences
- Chemical Engineering
Eligibility
Participation in the Nebraska Summer Research Program is limited to students who meet the following criteria:- U.S. Citizen or Permanent Resident
- Current undergraduate with at least one semester of coursework remaining before obtaining a bachelor's degree
This program encourages applications from students with sophomore or junior standing and those planning to pursue an advanced degree (M.S. or Ph.D.) upon completion of the bachelor's degree.
How to Apply
Steps and Required Items
To apply, follow these application steps to submit the following materials.Application Timeline
- Wed., Nov. 14, 2012 — Application opens
- Fri., Feb. 1, 2013 — Priority deadline
- Fri., Feb. 15, 2013 — Application deadline
- Fri., Mar. 15, 2013 — Decisions complete
Events and Benefits
Program Events
- Campus and department orientation
- Department seminars and presentations
- Professional development workshops (e.g., applying to graduate school, taking the GRE)
- Welcome picnic
- Day trip to Omaha's Henry Doorly Zoo
- Canoe and camping trip
- Research symposium
Benefits
- Competitive stipend
- Double-occupancy room and meal plan
- Travel expenses to and from Lincoln
- Campus parking and/or bus pass
- Full access to the Campus Recreation Center and campus library system
- Wireless internet access
Research and Mentors
The Chemistry SROP is focused on curiosity driven basic research. As such, the projects are specifically tailored to stimulate student curiosity by provoking students to ask "Why?" and "How?" about their research. Participants will progress from undergraduate textbook learning to discovering and solving challenging research problems during the 10-week program.
This SROP offers a wide range of topics, including: organic radicals, medical imaging agents, protein-DNA interactions, enzyme-assisted organic synthesis, catalytic nanoparticles, synthesis of algal quorum-sensing molecules, and drug-protein interactions. The faculty mentors bring strong records of commitment to one-on-one mentoring of undergraduates in their research laboratories, and each brings their own multidisciplinary approach, specific research objectives, and experimental methods.
Students will learn and experience a wide range of communication skills during SROP meetings, in mentor group meetings, career development seminars, lunch discussion groups, social activities, and visits to local industry. The program concludes with students presenting their research findings at a campus-wide poster symposium.
2013 Mentors and Projects
REU in Earth and Atmospheric Sciences
Join our program and work with faculty and grad students to explore earth, air, and water!
Pending Funding
2013 Dates and Stipend
Start: June 3, 2013End: August 7, 2013
Stipend: $5,000
Contact Info
Dr. Mindi SearlsResearch Assistant Professor
402-472-6934
msearls2@unl.edu
Who Should Apply
Related majors and areas
- Astronomy
- Biology
- Civil Engineering
- Environmental Engineering
- Environmental Sciences/Studies
- Geosciences
- Meterology
- Natural Resource Sciences
- Physics
Eligibility
Participation in the Nebraska Summer Research Program is limited to students who meet the following criteria:- U.S. Citizen or Permanent Resident
- Current undergraduate with at least one semester of coursework remaining before obtaining a bachelor's degree
In this program, each project has unique prerequisites. See the Research and Mentors section for more details.
How to Apply
Steps and Required Items
To apply, follow these application steps to submit the following materials.Application Timeline
- Wed., Nov. 14, 2012 — Application opens
- Fri., Feb. 1, 2013 — Priority deadline
- Fri., Feb. 15, 2013 — Application deadline
- Fri., Mar. 15, 2013 — Decisions complete
Events and Benefits
Program Events
- Campus and department orientation
- Department seminars and presentations
- Professional development workshops (e.g., applying to graduate school, taking the GRE)
- Welcome picnic
- Day trip to Omaha's Henry Doorly Zoo
- Canoe and camping trip
- Research symposium
Benefits
- Competitive stipend
- Double-occupancy room and meal plan
- Travel expenses to and from Lincoln
- Campus parking and/or bus pass
- Full access to the Campus Recreation Center and campus library system
- Wireless internet access
Research and Mentors
The summer research program in Earth and Atmospheric Sciences is administered by the University of Nebraska-Lincoln Department of Earth and Atmospheric Sciences. The SROP was established in 2012.
Students work with faculty mentors and conduct cutting-edge research related to water resourcing; microbial community structures; predator-prey interactions and population scaling; paleoecological scaling; and surface faults. This research can be applied to real-world challenges in environmental sciences and prepare scholars for future endeavors studying the earth, air, and water. Individual projects are designed to be completed within the 10-week timeframe of the summer program.
The primary objective of our SROP is to support and develop summer scholars into independent researchers. As such, the format of the research activities is designed around the development of research skills, interaction with interdisciplinary research teams, and opportunities to present research findings.
2013 Mentors and Projects
Earth and Atmospheric Sciences
Reactivated Basement Faults in SE Nebraska
Use satellite images to accurately map surface faults across the southeast Nebraska region, and use GIS technology to compare this to the location of the Nemaha uplift and presently mapped faults in the region.Read more about this project
Biological Sciences
Predator-prey Interactions and Population Scaling
Study predator-prey interactions and population scaling patterns in the lab using protists in aquatic microcosms.Read more about this project
Earth and Atmospheric Sciences
Water Resource Predictions
Learn how field data are taken into account in hydrologic models in order to improve water resource predictions.Read more about this project
School of Natural Resources
Sedimentation Rates Along the Platte River valley
Work with coring methods and analyze samples for organic matter and particle size distribution and optically-stimulated luminescence dating methods.Read more about this project
Earth and Atmospheric Sciences
Fossil Diatoms in Antarctic Paleoenvironmental and Paleoclimate Reconstructions
Examine modern benthic epiphyte assemblages to develop correlation to host macroalgae to better understand the paleoecological signatures in the deep-sea diatom epiphyte records.Read more about this project
School of Natural Resources
Fate of Pharmaceuticals, Steroids, or Personal Care Products in the Environment
Develop experiments designed to show plant uptake, persistence, or biological effect that will help better define the environmental fate and potential route of exposure from pharmaceuticals, steroids, or personal care products.Read more about this project
School of Biological Sciences and Department of Earth and Atmospheric Sciences
The Role of the Microbial Community in Carbon and Nutrient Cycling
Projects will involve enrichment and isolation of indigenous microbiota capable of utilizing species various organic compounds under various stages of decomposition, experiments monitoring autotrophic oxidative dissolution of metal carbonates and CO2 incorporation into biomass, or experiments following change in microbial community structure and metabolism following viral infection.Read more about this project
REU in Applied Mathematics
Join our program and work with faculty and grad students on cutting-edge research problems in Applied Mathematics
2013 Dates and Stipend
Start: June 3, 2013End: July 26, 2013
Stipend: $4,000
Contact Info
Ms. Lori J. MuellerAdministrative Coordinator
402-472-4319
lmueller2@unl.edu
REU Website
Who Should Apply
Related majors and areas
- Mathematics
Eligibility
Participation in the Nebraska Summer Research Program is limited to students who meet the following criteria:- U.S. Citizen or Permanent Resident
- Current undergraduate with at least one semester of coursework remaining before obtaining a bachelor's degree
In this program, each project has unique prerequisites. See the Research and Mentors section for more details.
How to Apply
Steps and Required Items
To apply, follow these application steps to submit the following materials.Application Timeline
- Wed., Nov. 14, 2012 — Application opens
- Fri., Feb. 1, 2013 — Priority deadline
- Fri., Feb. 15, 2013 — Application deadline
- Fri., Mar. 15, 2013 — Decisions complete
Events and Benefits
Program Events
- Campus and department orientation
- Department seminars and presentations
- Professional development workshops (e.g., applying to graduate school, taking the GRE)
- Welcome picnic
- Day trip to Omaha's Henry Doorly Zoo
- Canoe and camping trip
- Research symposium
Benefits
- Competitive stipend
- Double-occupancy room and meal plan
- Travel expenses to and from Lincoln
- Campus parking and/or bus pass
- Full access to the Campus Recreation Center and campus library system
- Wireless internet access
Research and Mentors
The Nebraska REU in Applied Mathematics is administered by the University of Nebraska-Lincoln Department of Mathematics and is funded by the National Science Foundation. The REU site was established in 2002.
Our program strives to give students as full of a research experience as possible, including background reading and exercises in their subject; the skills needed on how to define a good problem, how to solve the problem and (in many projects) give rigorous proofs; and the tools for writing mathematics and giving a talk or presenting a poster. We also offer research, educational and social activities that cultivate an environment which emphasizes interaction and collaboration.
Summer scholars meet with their mentors almost every weekday. At the conclusion of the 8-week program, students present their research. Often the summer projects result in presentations at a national conferences and research publications. We believe that the participants leave the Nebraska REU Site with an appreciation for the methods of mathematical discovery and have a meaningful and rigorous educational experience.
In 2013 our projects will include Fractional Calculus, mentored by Professor Al Peterson, and Stability of a Nonlinear Wave Equation, mentored by Professors George Avalos and Daniel Toundykov.
The University of Nebraska-Lincoln Department of Mathematics has a national reputation for excellence in education and mentorship. The department recently received the 2009 AMS Award for Exemplary Program or Achievement in a Mathematics Department, in recognition of their research mentoring for undergraduates.
2013 Mentors and Projects
Mathematics
Stability of a Nonlinear Wave Equation
Prerequisites: Introductory courses in differential equations and partial differential equations, and some programming skills.
This project is motivated by a certain class of partial differential equations (PDE's) known as wave equations. In one or two dimensions these can describe vibrations of a thin elastic string or a drumhead respectively. In 3D such equations model propagation of acoustic pressure waves. Intrinsically a PDE of this type is a mathematical formulation of Newton's second law for the corresponding physical system. The force terms present therein typically incorporate some frictional effects which dissipate the total energy of the system.Read more about this project
This project is motivated by a certain class of partial differential equations (PDE's) known as wave equations. In one or two dimensions these can describe vibrations of a thin elastic string or a drumhead respectively. In 3D such equations model propagation of acoustic pressure waves. Intrinsically a PDE of this type is a mathematical formulation of Newton's second law for the corresponding physical system. The force terms present therein typically incorporate some frictional effects which dissipate the total energy of the system.Read more about this project
Mathematics
Fractional Calculus
Prerequisites: A calculus sequence and a one-semester course in Differential Equations.
Gottfried Leibniz and Guilliaume L'Hopital are believed to have first sparked curiosity into the idea of fractional calculus during a 1695 overseas correspondence on the possible meaning for a one-half derivative. By the late 19th century, combined efforts by several mathematicians — most notably Liouville, Grunwald, Letnikov and Riemann — led to a fairly solid understanding of fractional calculus in the continuous setting. Since then, the number of known applications for fractional calculus has grown greatly. There are applications of fractional derivatives in the fields of viscoelasticity, capacitor theory, electrical circuits, electroanalytical chemistry, neurology, diffusion, control theory and statistics. Significantly less is known, even today, about discrete fractional calculus. We will define the fractional derivative for the discrete case and develop a discrete fractional calculus.
Gottfried Leibniz and Guilliaume L'Hopital are believed to have first sparked curiosity into the idea of fractional calculus during a 1695 overseas correspondence on the possible meaning for a one-half derivative. By the late 19th century, combined efforts by several mathematicians — most notably Liouville, Grunwald, Letnikov and Riemann — led to a fairly solid understanding of fractional calculus in the continuous setting. Since then, the number of known applications for fractional calculus has grown greatly. There are applications of fractional derivatives in the fields of viscoelasticity, capacitor theory, electrical circuits, electroanalytical chemistry, neurology, diffusion, control theory and statistics. Significantly less is known, even today, about discrete fractional calculus. We will define the fractional derivative for the discrete case and develop a discrete fractional calculus.
REU: Training in Redox Biology
Join our program and work with faculty who impact fundamental issues of redox biology: aging, cancer, cardiovascular disease, Parkinson's disease and other major illnesses!
2013 Dates and Stipend
Start: June 3, 2013End: August 7, 2013
Stipend: $5,000
Contact Info
Ms. Hannah KahlerAdministrative Coordinator
402-472-3173
redox@unl.edu
REU Website
Who Should Apply
Related majors and areas
- Biochemistry
- Biotechnology
- Plant Pathology
- Biomedical Sciences
- Microbiology
- Biological Sciences
- Chemistry
- Other related fields
Eligibility
Participation in the Nebraska Summer Research Program is limited to students who meet the following criteria:- U.S. Citizen or Permanent Resident
- Current undergraduate with at least one semester of coursework remaining before obtaining a bachelor's degree
How to Apply
Steps and Required Items
To apply, follow these application steps to submit the following materials.Application Timeline
- Wed., Nov. 14, 2012 — Application opens
- Fri., Feb. 1, 2013 — Priority deadline
- Fri., Feb. 15, 2013 — Application deadline
- Fri., Mar. 15, 2013 — Decisions complete
Events and Benefits
Program Events
- Campus and department orientation
- Department seminars and presentations
- Professional development workshops (e.g., applying to graduate school, taking the GRE)
- Welcome picnic
- Day trip to Omaha's Henry Doorly Zoo
- Canoe and camping trip
- Research symposium
Benefits
- Competitive stipend
- Double-occupancy room and meal plan
- Travel expenses to and from Lincoln
- Campus parking and/or bus pass
- Full access to the Campus Recreation Center and campus library system
- Wireless internet access
Research and Mentors
The Redox Biology Center Summer REU Training Program at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln was established in 2006 by the National Science Foundation to carry out independent research projects in redox biochemistry. Research areas range from molecular medicine to environmental biochemistry and plant biochemistry.
REU students participate in exciting projects at the cutting edge of research in redox biology. They formulate and test hypotheses, develop experimental problem-solving skills, and receive training in biochemical, biophysical and molecular biology techniques. Students are also exposed to a variety of instrumentation such as HPLC and FPLC systems, EPR spectroscopy, mass spectroscopy and microscopy which are located in the interdisciplinary Beadle Center.
Individual projects are designed to be completed within the ten-week time frame of the summer program. The projects generally fit into the larger context of the faculty advisor's research program.
Students are placed with a faculty mentor in whose lab the student's research project will be pursued and students are expected to participate fully in the life of the mentor's lab. There are informal meetings for all program participants which facilitate the exchange of information on the research being conducted. There are also weekly meetings in which various scientists describe the latest advances in their own research or career opportunities in biomedical or biotechnology fields. These events provide an opportunity to discuss areas of biochemistry/redox biology that are of particular interest and excitement.
The ten-week summer program is sponsored by the National Science Foundation and Department of Defense.
2013 Mentors and Projects
SROP: Undergraduate Summer Research Experience in Virology
Join faculty finding solutions to diseases of epidemic proportions including HIV/AIDS, Herpesvirus, Human Papilloma Virus, and Chlorellavirus Biology.
2013 Dates and Stipend
Start: June 3, 2013End: August 7, 2013
Stipend: $4,000
Contact Info
Ms. Pamela SnyderTraining Coordinator
402-472-6209
psnyder2@unl.edu
SROP Website
Who Should Apply
Related majors and areas
- Biology
- Biochemistry
- Microbiology
- Molecular Biology
Eligibility
Participation in the Nebraska Summer Research Program is limited to students who meet the following criteria:- U.S. Citizen or Permanent Resident
- Current undergraduate with at least one semester of coursework remaining before obtaining a bachelor's degree
This program gives preference to and encourages applications from students whose primary interest is exploring a career in biomedical research.
How to Apply
Steps and Required Items
To apply, follow these application steps to submit the following materials.Application Timeline
- Wed., Nov. 14, 2012 — Application opens
- Fri., Feb. 1, 2013 — Priority deadline
- Fri., Feb. 15, 2013 — Application deadline
- Fri., Mar. 1, 2013 — Decisions complete
Events and Benefits
Program Events
- Weekly mentor/mentee lunches
- Campus and department orientation
- Department seminars and presentations
- Professional development workshops (e.g., applying to graduate school, taking the GRE)
- Welcome picnic
- Day trip to Omaha's Henry Doorly Zoo
- Canoe and camping trip
- Research symposium
Benefits
- Competitive stipend
- Double-occupancy room and meal plan
- Travel expenses to and from Lincoln
- Campus parking and/or bus pass
- Full access to the Campus Recreation Center and campus library system
- Wireless internet access
Research and Mentors
The Nebraska Center for Virology research topics are challenging and meritorious exploring problems of epidemic proportions facing mankind including AIDS and HIV replication and pathogenesis, herpesvirus latency and cancer, human papilloma virus and cancers, and chlorellavirus biology. Our goals include designing novel vaccines and therapeutic strategies to block disease.
During the summer program, students work with our faculty alongside current graduate students and postdoctoral research associates in their labs where cutting-edge techniques and the latest instrumentation are used. Students have the opportunity to design and implement a tailor-made research project according to their interests. Students are also exposed to the research of others and have the opportunity to attend weekly lab meetings and seminars where new ideas are exchanged and explored.
This ten-week summer research experience is culminated in a research fair that will provide an opportunity for you to prepare and present a poster showcasing your research project findings and progress.
In addition, after receiving a bachelor's degree, students are encouraged to apply for graduate school fellowships through our federally funded National Institutes of Health Ruth L. Kirschstein National Research Service Award. This is a prestigious program offered at the Nebraska Center for Virology that selects and prepares individuals with exceptional potential and academic credentials for careers that will have a significant impact on the nation's biomedical research agenda.