Opportunities

Graduate Research Opportunities:

Description: Our lab is always interested in driven scientists to join our ranks. At the moment we are funded by the NIH and NSF to investigate the molecular and cellular basis of natural and impaired behavior. Our lab uses the nematode C. elegans and human cell cultures and an array of techniques including molecular techniques, genetics, confocal microscopy, calcium ratiometry, in-depth behavioral approaches, and more.

Qualifications: The successful candidate should be highly motivated. Ideal candidates will have previous research experience (real-world work experience works too), a BSc in biology, and be excited to work in a diverse environment.

Funding: Funding is provided by a combination and/or Research assistantships (RAs) and Teaching Assistantships (TAs).

More information: Please email Andrés Vidal-Gadea (avidal@ilstu.edu) with questions.

Undergraduate Research Opportunities:

We always welcome driven undergraduate researchers in our lab. Students typically volunteer about 10 hrs per week and work in a variety of projects ranging from muscular dystrophy to magnetic orientation. We strive to provide a complete research experience and therefore researchers in our lab are trained in every aspect of their projects (e.g. from reading the scientific literature to experimental design and techniques, analysis of data, and presentation of results at local and regional meetings). Most of our students author and present posters, and some also co-author scientific articles. Many students register for research hours through BSC290 or BSC299 thus earning credit for their labor. We try our best to customize the research experience to fit the needs and goals of each of our researchers.

Students at all levels can apply, and we particularly encourage sophomores and juniors to consider contacting us. We strive to provide a safe and nurturing environment for all people, regardless of sex, race, sexual orientation, religious or political beliefs, special needs, age, etc.

High School Student Research Opportunities:

We welcome driven high school students. If you are interested contact us about ongoing opportunities or alternatively visit the Summer Research Institute website for summer programs:

Summer Research Institute

During the Summer Research Institute at the Vidal-Gadea lab over a dozen high school students worked together to study Duchenne muscular dystrophy using the nematode C. elegans. Students became familiarized with every aspect of research: from the scientific method, to behavioral testing, analysis, immunohistochemistry, microscopy, descriptive and analytic statistics, and oral presentation design and skills. Data and findings made by the students inform our ongoing research program. Students work very hard and learn while performing scientific research.

External undergraduate opportunities:

We have searched the internet to bring you resources where driven undergraduate researchers might find valuable research opportunities. Most of these are summer opportunities and there are certainly many more that we did not compile here. We want to impress two important points: 1) there are indeed hundreds of research opportunities awaiting keen students, and 2) these experiences provide students with valuable tools which they need to stay competitive when the time comes to apply for graduate or medical programs. Happy hunting!

National Science Foundation Biological Research Opportunities for Undergraduates (140+ listings) 

Organization of Biological Field Stations

Mayo Clinic Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowship (SURF)

Friday Harbor Labs Blinks Fellow Program

Janelia Farms Undergraduate Scholars Program

Albert Einstein College of Medicine Summer Program

Conte Center for Computational Neuropsychiatric Genomics

University of Michigan SMART program

CLIMB-UP at University at Buffalo

Thomas Jefferson University-Research Program

Eastern Virginia Medical School Summer Scholars Program

Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center Summer Undergrad Research Program