https://graduate.ouhsc.edu/Faculty-Research Parent Page: Faculty & Research id: 27643 Active Page: SURPid:27878

 

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The Graduate College at OU Health Sciences hosts five summer undergraduate research programs aimed at preparing and encouraging undergraduate students to pursue careers in biomedical research or health-related sciences. Studies show undergraduate research programs are beneficial to the success of applying to and completing a graduate degree program. 

Our programs introduce outstanding undergraduate students to the rigorous academic preparation required to achieve these goals, through participation in intensive, full-time (40 hours/week), hands-on research experiences in the laboratories of OUHSC biomedical faculty mentors in Oklahoma City.

We seek outstanding undergraduate students from around the state and the country to spend their summer at University of Oklahoma Health Sciences in Oklahoma City for a biomedical research experience in one of the best mentoring programs in existence.

Students join experienced laboratories where they work with other students and personnel to pursue their own projects over the course of a nine-week period. On the final day, students show off their progress at a poster session to the campus community. A Celebration Luncheon follows where student accomplishments are acknowledged by their advisors, awards are presented, and a former summer student returns to campus to present a Keynote Address. 

Students participating in our intensive programs receive generous stipends to allow pursuit of their research activities full-time (40 hours/week) without distraction. Please see the information in the sidebar above to find which program is best suited for your needs and background. Entry is competitive, so be sure to apply by the deadline to ensure consideration.

 2024 SURP ABSTRACT BOOK

Program Dates:  May 19 - July 22, 2025

Applications Open: October 1, 2024 

Application Deadline: January 22, 2025

How to Apply

To apply, access the link below and select the program you would like to apply for. You may only select one program. However, if you would like to apply for more than one program, then you will need to submit a separate application for each program. Once you have completed your application, your references will receive an email requesting a letter of recommendation. You will receive an email once the letters have been submitted.

A complete application will include:

  • General Applicant Information,
  • A Personal Statement,
  • University/College Transcript,
  • Contact information for two references

Before you apply:

  • Write your Personal Statement. (You will upload the text of your personal statement into the application directly).
  • Save your Transcript(s) as a PDF(s). (Unofficial Transcripts accepted)
  • Have the contact information for your recommenders to submit their letters of recommendation. 

Participating Programs and Research Areas

Research

Students engage in basic laboratory research immersed in the intellectual environment of the laboratory, including lab meetings. Mentors, graduate students, post-docs and laboratory personnel work closely with students to share methods and techniques that will enable students to assume responsibility for their own research projects if practicable. Attempts are made to match the interests of each participant to a mentoring research professor with related interests; with the overarching goal of exposing students to dynamic, cutting edge research training projects that have been successful in the biomedical arena.

Orientation

Each of our summer programs lasts nine weeks, from late May to late July. Students must attend an orientation day which will include training for laboratory safety, radiation safety, library resources, etc.

Enrichment

Weekly required educational enrichment meetings are held to discuss research-related skills, to familiarize students with the areas of research at OU Health Sciences and the Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation beyond their assigned laboratory, and to promote networking. Topics also include career opportunities for PhDs in biomedical sciences, preparation for graduate school, financial aid advising, etc. Students have opportunities to learn about all graduate programs at OUHSC and to visit laboratories in participating departments.

Scientific Sessions

To conclude the nine-week program, participants submit scientific abstracts and present their findings at a poster session open to the OUHSC Campus community. This celebration is followed by a luncheon reception that features a keynote speaker. The poster session is another excellent opportunity to reinforce the importance of graduate education and the research opportunities available at University of Oklahoma Health Sciences.

Contact Info

Summer Undergraduate Research Programs
941 Stanton L. Young,  BSEB 123
Oklahoma City, Oklahoma 73104
(405) 271-2406
SURP@ouhsc.edu