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Picture taken at NCUR 2026. Picture is taken at eagle view over poster presenation.

UROP Research Newsletter: February Edition

Nicole Concepcion Aquino - Monday, February 24, 2025
 Newsletter 

Welcome to the undegraduate research newsletter! We will send you opportunties related to finding on-campus, local, state and national research opportunities. 

If you have any questions or would like to share opportunties, please email us at urop@vcu.edu.

Emerging Researchers Academy

The Emerging Researchers Academy is a continuing series of student workshops designed for undergraduate researchers and those who are interested in participating in mentored research projects. The workshops offer foundational, research-supportive skill-building activities as well as informational sessions focused on deeper engagement with learning through undergraduate research. Sessions have focused on the research writing process, research question development and design, responsible conduct of research, as well as applying for research opportunities and programs, preparing for graduate study, and combatting imposter syndrome.


Dates, times and locations can be found online on our website.

Conference: Summer Adoption Research Institute (SARI)


The 4th Summer Adoption Research Institute (SARI) of the Rudd Adoption Research Program will be held from August 3 - 8, 2025! The Summer Institute is a week-long intensive experience providing advanced research training for graduate students, postdocs, and early career researchers active in the field of adoption research.

They seek to attract an interdisciplinary, international cohort of 20 – 25 participants. SARI will be run at the UMass Mt. Ida Campus, located just outside of Boston, in Newton, Massachusetts.

Application opens January 27, 2025.
Deadline for priority consideration March 2, 2025
(Those applying after the priority deadline will be considered only if space remains available.) Decisions announced by March 12, 2025

Application can be access here

Please email adoption@psych.umass.edu with any quesstions

Conference: 2025 Research to Recovery Conferece


VCU Rams in Recovery, The Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services, and VCU Rehabilitation Counseling welcome community members, professionals, and researchers to 3 days of engaging talks focused on Substance Use and Recovery. Talks will cover the spectrum from Basic Research & Wellness to Prevention, Early Intervention, Treatment and Recovery.

Dates: May 20-22, 2025

Get your tickets here. VCU Students and Staff recieve a discounted price for tickets

Conference:  Student Research Competition at IFoRE ‘25


November 6–9, 2025 | Niagara Falls, NY

Student researchers across most scientific disciplines are invited to showcase their research and compete for awards at the 2025 International Forum on Research Excellence (IFoRE), powered by Sigma Xi. Students who attend IFoRE get unique opportunities to network with peers and professionals in their field, gain valuable research presentation experience, and discover future opportunities with school programs and employers. Awards include monetary prizes, commemorative medals, and induction into Sigma Xi.

Please visit their website for more information .

VCU Internship Funding Program (IFP)

Whether in your second or second-to-last semester at VCU, summer is a great time to gain experience in your field of interest. If your top internship choices happen to be unpaid or won't fully cover your expenses, we hope you will consider applying for up to $5,000 through the VCU Internship Funding Program (IFP), created to help you supplement applicable costs for travel to and from your internship, housing, childcare, professional attire, technology, and/or supplies. Funding may NOT be used for tuition or course-related fees, program fees for an internship placement service, pet care, medical expenses for self or family, purchasing a car, making car payments, or insurance.

Even though the IFP uses the term internship, we define this term broadly and encourage you to apply if you engage in career-related, supervised, work-based learning during summer 2025, including off-campus research internships or field placements. These experiences can be for credit or not for credit, anywhere in the U.S. or abroad, but IFP awards cannot be used to pay academic program tuition or fees.

Eligible students must:

  • Be a current VCU undergraduate student who is not a previous IFP awardee, incoming student, graduating senior, or alumni
  • Plan to enroll for at least one semester (fall 2025) after your funded internship in a VCU undergraduate program or be a continuing student in an accelerated (5-year) Master's program at VCU.
  • Must be enrolled in spring 2025 classes and maintain Satisfactory Academic Progress.
  • May not have any financial holds on their account.
Complete the General Application and then search under Opportunities>All for Internship Funding Program in the RAMS Scholarship Hub to submit your application by Tuesday, April 1 at 11:59 p.m.

The Translational Research on Eating and Affect (TREAT) Lab seeking volunteer undegraduate research assistant

The Translational Research on Eating and Affect (TREAT) Lab directed by Dr. Kelsey Hagan is seeking undergraduate research assistants/volunteers who can spend 5-10 hours per week in the lab for at least two semesters. The TREAT Lab studies the neurobiological and psychosocial mechanisms of eating disorders, particularly among children and adolescents, using neuroimaging, ambulatory assessments (including ecological momentary assessments), and clinical interviews and questionnaires. The research provides a platform for research assistants and volunteers to learn more about eating disorders and to gain hands-on experience in data collection and analysis. Opportunities for secondary data analysis and theses are available and encouraged. In addition to the research, the TREAT Lab offers many professional development opportunities and is a good fit for those interested in pursuing a career in mental health or medicine. The TREAT Lab is in the VCU Department of Psychiatry (in the Jackson Center on 501 N. 2nd Street) and is easily accessible from Monroe Park by bus or car. To express your interest, please email treatlab@vcuhealth.org and reference undergraduate research assistant/volunteer in the subject line.

 NASA Student Airborne Research Program (SARP)

Gough Lab Paid Field Positions, 2025

For questions, please contact Chris Gough: cmgough@vcu.edu

 

Research Experience for Undergraduates: Climate change and forest disturbance

The Gough Lab (goughlab.com) invites VCU students of sophomore or junior status to apply for a National Science Foundation-supported Research Experience for Undergraduates (REU) position. During the 8-week field season, an REU collaborator will join a team of VCU researchers studying how climate change and disturbance affect forest ecosystems, while residing at the University of Michigan Biological Station (https://lsa.umich.edu/umbs). REUs will engage in all aspects of the research process, from data collection to publication, learning from a community of students, postdocs, and faculty in a field station environment. Applicants should have the capacity to work independently and on a collaborative team, and be comfortable working full days outdoors and living in rustic housing. Field research experience is a plus but not required. In addition to a stipend, onsite lodging and meals will be provided. Applications should be sent to Dr. Chris Gough, cmgough@vcu.edu, by March 1 and include: 1) a cover letter explaining your interest in the position; 2) resume or curriculum vitae; 3) unofficial transcripts; and 4) one letter of recommendation from a VCU faculty member (sent separately to cmgough@vcu.edu).

 

Forest Ecology Field Technician

The Gough Forest Ecology Lab (goughlab.com) at Virginia Commonwealth University seeks two paid research technicians for the summer 2025 field season. Technicians will contribute to National Science Foundation and Department of Energy supported research at the University of Michigan Biological Station (UMBS) aimed at advancing understanding of disturbance effects on forest growth and carbon cycling. Summer residence at the Field Station in Pellston, Michigan is required (https://lsa.umich.edu/umbs). Onsite housing and meals will be provided. Our lab team and the UMBS community are highly collaborative, with all members expected to enthusiastically participate in group field research activities and lab gatherings. Applicants should submit a cover letter describing how this position is aligned with their interests, a curriculum vita with GPA, and list of 3 references by March 1 to Chris Gough, cmgough@vcu.edu. Required qualifications: Successful completion of coursework in ecology, forestry, environmental studies or related field. Team-oriented field research experience. The capacity to live on site in Michigan. Preferred qualifications: Familiarity with basic forest mensuration. Quantitative and science communication skills. Prior field research experience.

 

NASA Student Airborne Research Program Graduate Mentor

The NASA Student Airborne Research Program (SARP, https://baeri.org/sarp/) is a summer internship for rising senior undergraduates that offers hands-on research experience using NASA's airborne science labs, covering areas like atmospheric chemistry, air quality, forest and wetland ecology, and ocean biology. The program seeks graduate student mentors with a strong background in either scientific coding, atmospheric chemistry, ocean remote sensing, or terrestrial ecology to support undergraduate SARP interns with their research projects and help foster a collaborative community within the research groups. This mentorship opportunity allows graduate students to enhance their leadership, professional networks, and research and communication skills.  Please submit applications by February 9, 2025 (see the "Mentor Application_SARP 2025" attachment below).  Contact stephanie.olaya@nasa.gov with general questions and Chris Gough (cmgough@vcu.edu) if you are interested in mentoring terrestrial ecology SARP interns. 

2025 VCU Fellowships for Undergraduate Research

It is time again to announce our funded fellowship opportunities for undergraduate/mentor collaborative research experiences! Deadline for proposals is March 14th, 2024.  
 
We experienced a record-breaking number of submissions last year and were able to fund all of the projects proposed!   
 
We will fund a variety of undergraduate student fellowship awards for projects in any discipline, mentored by VCU faculty. Successful student applicants will receive funding support in the amount of $1,500 and $500 for the faculty mentor.  Applicants must submit an online application no later than March 14, 2025 for review. 

 

The Science Enrichment Preparation (S.E.P.) Program

The NC Health Careers Access Program (NC-HCAP), a part of the Carolina Higher Education Opportunity Programs (CHEOP) Office at The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill is excited to share an academic and clinical exposure opportunity for Pre-Health students!

 The Science Enrichment Preparation (S.E.P.) Program is now accepting applications for Summer 2025. The S.E.P. Program is an 8-week, honors-level academic enrichment program that targets first-generation, rural, and/or socioeconomically disadvantaged undergraduate students (rising sophomores and juniors) who seek admission into Medical School or Dental School. S.E.P. Program Scholars will engage in pre-health courses (Physics, Organic Chemistry, Human Physiology, Quantitative Skills/Biostatistics), standardized test preparation, shadow healthcare professionals, tour health professional schools and network with healthcare leaders and current health professional students.

S.E.P. Program Scholars are provided free educational supplies, on-campus lodging, and a competitive stipend!

Applications are due March 9th (Regular Decision) and will review applications on a rolling admission basis. 

For more information, please visit their website 

Call for Abstracts: VCU Poster Symposium for Undergraduate Research and Creativity!

The time is here for the annual VCU Poster Symposium for Undergraduate Research and Creativity!  Organized by the Office of Undergraduate Research and Creative Inquiry and part of VCU Student Research Weeks, this is an opportunity for students to present their research endeavors and creative scholarship to their academic peers, members of the VCU faculty, community members, and friends and family.  All undergrads from every discipline are encouraged to present and attend.  Presentations may be for completed research projects, completed papers, or research in progress.

IMPORTANT DATES:

March 21: Deadline for abstract submission (space is limited, last-minute submissions risk waitlisting!)

April 8: Deadline for submission of poster files (free printing send poster to urop@vcu.edu)

April 24: Symposium date

We are currently accepting poster abstracts here until the deadline of March 21st, 2025.

As a reminder, Abstracts should include: 

Name/Major of student, Name/Dept. of Faculty Mentor, Title of research Project, Brief description of research project.

Please note, the symposium will take place over three sessions this year.  

Session 1: 10:00am-11:30am  

Session 2: 12pm-1:30pm

Session 3: 2pm-3:30pm 

Research Weeks will begin in late March and proceed throughout the month of April, and the symposium will take place on Thursday April 24th, 2025.  If you have any questions, please email urop@vcu.edu.

Want to higlight your research?

We are looking for students who would like to have their reserach hilighted in our social media and other platforms. If you are interested, please fill out this google form.