Hawaii State INBRE - Summer Program

INBRE summer research fellowships are designed to give undergraduate students the opportunity to pursue directed research projects under the mentorship of an established investigator during an 8 week period. Although INBRE supports a broad range of activities, preference will be given to applications which constitute a novel training or educational experience for the student, which result in an enhanced ability to pursue defined research goals, or which facilitate career progression in a research-related field. The program also focuses on applications that will directly or indirectly benefit the biomedical research infrastructure and human resources in this field in the state of Hawaii. Students applying to the program should consider the fellowships not as a supplement to existing research support but should view this as an opportunity to broaden their horizons by learning new approaches and research techniques. Students usually chose a laboratory according to their interests and discuss possible projects with the potential faculty mentor prior to applying to the program. Applicants are encouraged to survey UH life sciences faculty and program websites for matching research interests, or contact the INBRE outreach director for advice. Past students in the program came from a variety of undergraduate institutions both in Hawaii and from the mainland.

The program commences in early June and is accompanied by a series of workshops and seminars covering topics ranging from high-throughput DNA sequencing, bioinformatics, biological imaging, laser confocal microscopy, to translational research and bioterrorism. The program also provides a session with both medical professionals and scientists on career planning in the biomedical field.

The program culminates in a poster session in the new John A. Burns School of Medicine in Kaka`ako where students present their research results to their peers and to the medical school faculty. The best presentations will be selected and receive special recognition. Completion of the program constitutes a prestigious achievement due to its’ competitive nature. Former participants have been admitted to a variety of graduate programs both in Hawaii and at mainland universities. Successful applicants agree to participate in an evaluation program that tracks the educational progression of the students to measure the success of the program.

Amount of Award

$2,000.00 total for two months of student hire and $1,000 for host laboratory to purchase supplies.

Eligibility

Applicants must meet the following criteria:

U.S. citizens or eligible non-citizens may apply
Students who are employees of the University of Hawaii or RCUH during the summer are ineligible for the student program award
Applicants must be classified undergraduate students or recent graduates, preferably with a major in the life sciences.

Selection Criteria

Applicants will be selected in accordance with the mission goals of the Hawaii INBRE. Primarily, this entails the strengthening of the biomedical research potential in the State of Hawaii. Priority will therefore be given to students considering careers in biomedical research. Applicants who can demonstrate the value of a chosen research laboratory or experience for their career progression, or a specific goal in their own research will be given preference. The program is not limited to current Hawaii residents or students enrolled at a college located in Hawaii but preference will be given to students with educational or family ties to the state.

Application Procedure / Requirements

Applications must include:

Application form with personal details (click here for the application form)
A statement of research interests and why you are interested in this program
A research description
A copy of the most recent college transcripts
Two letters of recommendation from a major professor, academic adviser or mentor
Letter of support from research mentor
IRB or IACUC approval is required for research projects involving human or animal subjects, respectively. A copy of the project approval form is to be submitted with the application.

Please submit the complete application, including application checklist, letters and transcript copies to:

Hawaii State INBRE Outreach Core
c/o Heinz G. de Couet
The University of Hawai'i at Manoa
Dept. of Zoology
2538 McCarthy Mall
Edmondson Hall 354
Honolulu, HI 96822

Submission Deadline

Deadline for submissions is March 7, 2008. The applicant is responsible for insuring that all materials, including letters of support and IRB/IACUC approval, reach the INBRE office by the deadline.

Review And Selection

The Hawaii State INBRE summer research program is very competitive and applications exceed the number of fellowships that can be awarded. A committee comprised of members of the Hawaii State INBRE and faculty will review the applications, considering academic standing of the applicant, previous INBRE support, recommendations, and scientific merit. Final decisions are made by the committee, and students are notified by email one month after the application deadline.

Hawaii INBRE Summer Research Program 2008