Research and Internships
Immunology and medical microbiology students begin working in the lab during freshman year courses, and enjoy unique research opportunities within the department - and beyond. Information on departmental and University opportunities is summarized below.
Departmental Opportunities
Immunology and Medical Microbiology Undergraduate Research Internship Program
The Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Cell Biology offer research-intensive internships for qualified undergraduate students enrolled in the Immunology and Medical Microbiology program at West Virginia University. Selected participants will work on research projects under the supervision of a Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Cell Biology faculty mentor. Research opportunities are available in the fields of microbiology, infectious diseases, immunology, neuroimmunology, vaccinology, cancer cell biology, and molecular biology.
The research internship program is designed to provide long-term financial support. Students enter a research laboratory following their sophomore year and continue in the laboratory throughout their junior and senior years, including summer sessions - giving them two full years to develop and conduct an independent research project. This extended support period provides continuity for both the student and research mentor to develop a successful research project. The program supports up to 6 students each year. The internship provides invaluable experience and enhances participants' opportunities for success in graduate school, professional school, industry, or government after graduation.
The application for internships commencing Summer 2022 are closed; information for the Summer 2023 term will be provided here once available. Questions? Contact Dr. Jon Busada at Jonathan.busada@hsc.wvu.edu.
- Duration: 2+ years
- Funded: Yes
University Opportunities
AGE-ADAR Scholars Program
"The Appalachian Gerontology Experiences - Advancing Diversity in Aging Research (AGE-ADAR) Scholars Program is a program funded by the National Institute on Aging (NIA) under the National Institutes of Health (NIH). WVU has been awarded the R25 training program to prepare underrepresented students from MSTEM fields for a future career in health disparities and aging research."
- Duration: 1+ year
- Funded: Yes
Beckman Scholars Program
"The Beckman Scholars Program provides in-depth, sustained undergraduate research experiences for exceptionally talented, full-time undergraduate students. Beckman Scholars perform research activities part-time (ten hours per week) during one academic year, and full-time over two consecutive summers (ten 40-hour weeks each summer)."
- Duration: 1+ year
- Funded: Yes
MD/PhD Summer Research Internship
"The MD/PhD Summer Research Internship is an 8-week hands-on program designed for students interested in pursuing a career as a physician-scientist.
The internship provides an opportunity to actively engage in biomedical research and gain clinical shadowing experience."
- Duration: 8 weeks
- Funded: Yes
Mountaineer Undergraduate Research Review
"MURR advances opportunities for WVU students by providing an outlet for publishing scholarly and creative works while deepening their engagement within their field of study. By contributing to MURR, students play an active and critical role in reinforcing WVU’s reputation as a very high research-intensive, land grant university."
- Duration: Variable
- Funded: No
Neuroscience Summer Undergraduate Research Internships
"The Department of Neuroscience and Center for Foundational Neuroscience Research & Education at West Virginia University will offer up to 10 summer internships of research-intensive training to diverse, competitive undergraduate students who are currently enrolled at a US college or institution and have completed their second or third year."
- Duration: 9 weeks
- Funded: Yes
Research Apprenticeship Program
"The Research Apprenticeship Program (RAP) is a two-semester program that allows students with limited or no research experience to use federal work-study funds or gain course credit for undergraduate research apprenticeships with WVU research faculty. Research Apprentices are introduced to research through a research assignment with a WVU faculty member."
- Duration: 2 semesters
- Funded: Yes
Summer Research Experience for Underrepresented Students
"The West Virginia University Biomedical Sciences Summer Research Experience is investing in you!
The internship is an 8-week hands-on summer research program designed to provide students with the opportunity to actively engage in biomedical research."
- Duration: 8 weeks
- Funded: Yes
Summer Undergraduate Research Experience (SURE)
"SURE is a Summer Undergraduate Research Experience for students interested in graduate school and research/creative work within their discipline or a related discipline."
- Duration: 8 weeks
- Funded: Yes
Summer Undergraduate Vision Research Fellowship Program
"The West Virginia University Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences offers an undergraduate summer research fellowship opportunity that begins in May and ends in August.
The highly selective program will emphasize components of basic vision research with regards to ocular diseases and exploration of new diagnostic and treatment methods."
- Duration: 10 weeks
- Funded: Yes
Undergraduate Research Ambassadors Program
"UGR Ambassadors are advanced undergraduate researchers and committed students that are passionate about increasing research opportunities for students in the WVU community. Undergraduate research is a form of high-impact experiential learning, and students that participate in this process reinforce and expand upon subject knowledge, network with experts in their fields, and make a mark on their respective disciplines. Above all, UGR Ambassadors seek to enhance the undergraduate experience at WVU by capitalizing on their firsthand experiences with research."
- Duration: Variable
- Funded: No
West Virginia 4-H STEM Ambassadors
"The WVU Extension 4-H program is recruiting WVU students to help provide youths the opportunity to engage in hands-on science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) projects at camp through a program called STEM Ambassadors."
- Duration: 1 summer
- Funded: Yes
WV-INBRE HSTA
"WV-INBRE program will provide funding for HSTA scholars attending West Virginia University and Marshall University to participate in biomedical science research."
- Duration: 25 weeks
- Funded: Yes
WVU Cancer Institute Summer Undergraduate Research Program
"The West Virginia University Cancer Institute offers an undergraduate research opportunity every summer in clinical and basic cancer research. The highly competitive program provides funding and opportunities for students who want to pursue careers in cancer research."
- Duration: 8 weeks
- Funded: Yes