Undergraduate Research Opportunities

SUNY Brockport offers many opportunities for students who are interested in developing their leadership skills.

Why do Undergraduate Research?

Engaging in undergraduate research will help you acquire critical skills in communication, independent thinking, creativity and problem solving. Besides, you’ll be engaging in the University’s mission of scientific discovery, scholarly activity, and artistic creation. The research work will help you to acquire knowledge in your academic field that is not covered in class. Personally, research will help you clarify your academic and career interests and goals and enhance your professional and academic credentials. Finally, you will develop a one-on-one mentoring relationship with a faculty member that will earn you a great recommendation letter in your applications to graduate or professional programs. The Biology department provides our students with ample opportunities to achieve all these.

Choosing a Research Project

Many students who have not done research before are unsure how to find an advisor and choose a research project that best fit their interests. Think about what interests you. It is likely that you have a few topics that truly catch your attention. Use the local media, library and web to seek additional information. Then visit the Faculty Research page and see what kinds of research are being carried out in the Biology department. Browse the brief descriptions of each faculty member’s work. Once you have identified several faculty members whose work interests you, visit their individual homepage to read up more about what they do. Contact them by email or phone and explain you are interested in working with them.

The Brockport Foundation Summer Undergraduate Research Program

The Summer Undergraduate Research Program (SURP) here at SUNY Brockport is an opportunity for students to fully engage in a hands-on educational experience of scholarship, research, and creative activity with a faculty mentor.

Through the generosity of the Brockport Foundation, the University sponsors student work with faculty on the mentor’s research for up to eight weeks during the summer. (As part of the program, on-campus housing and a stipend for full or part time effort for up to 8 weeks is available.)

Student researchers are required to attend the SURP orientation session, complete weekly reflective journals describing their experience, and present their research at the End-of-Summer presentation luncheon as well as at Scholars Day in the following spring semester. Students that are on campus are required to attend a weekly workshop series focused on developing professional skills.

For more information, contact the SURP Coordinator, Dr. Adam Rich by email at arich@brockport.edu. A Call for Applications will be published immediately upon the start of the Spring semester and they will be due sometime in mid-February.

Other Regional Opportunities for Summer Research Fellowships

  • SUNY Upstate Medical Center’s Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowship Programin Syracuse, NY. The aim of the SURF Program is to nuture UG students into careers that combine biomedical research into their chosen profession. Specifically looking for students interested in pursuing a PhD, MD, MS, MD/PhD, DNP, DPT, MPH and PA programs. Students are paired with a faculty member according to the student’s research interests. The Deadline for Applications is February 16, 2018.
  • Roswell Park’s Summer Research Experience in Cancer Scienceis a competitive 10 week program (June 4th through August 10th) in Buffalo, NY targeting college juniors. Deadline for Applications is January 10th, 2018.
  • The University of Rochester’s Summer Scholars Program targets sophomores and juniors with > 3.00 GPA intending on applying to a PhD program in the biomedical sciences. Applications must be received by March 1, 2018, although early applications are encouraged.
  • The Strong Children’s Research Center Summer Research Training Program targets undergraduate students planning on pursuing a career in biomedical or clinical research. Faculty mentors are either from the Dept of Pediatrics or partners engaged in research relevant to childhood disease and developmental biology.
  • The University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry’s SURF Program is designed to strengthen the science, clinical, and research skills of selected college students to enhance their competitiveness for careers in medicine and the biomedical sciences. Participants are selected from a national pool of candidates who have demonstrated vision and committment to improving the health status of diverse patient populations via patient care, research and/or teaching. MCAT preparation is included. Application deadline is Februrary 12th, 2018.
  • Rochester General Hospital Student Summer Research Experience requires about 20 h/wk and is currently being offered in the Center for Infectious Diseases and Immunology. Applications will be accepted January 1st through February 28th.
  • University at Buffalo’s SURE Program accepts only 6-8 students per year and targets students considering applying to PhD programs. Application deadline is February 5th, 2018.
  • Cornell University’s Summer Research Experience for Undergraduates is designed to introduce eligible undergraduates to leading scholars. Funding is often provided. Each scientific area has its own application/website. Applications are typically due in December/January.
    • Cornell University’s New York State Agricultural Experiment station in Geneva, NY offers a Summer Research Scholars Program where undergraduate students can participate in exciting projects within one of four disciplines including Plant Pathology and Plant-Microbe Biology, Entomology, Food Science and Horticulture. The internship is for 9 weeks beginning 5/30/18 through 7/27/18 and provides a $4,825 stipend plus housing. Application materials are due February 5th.