Undergraduate Research Scholar (URS) Program

Alumni TTU/HHMI Undergraduate Research Scholar, Erika Neeley, displays baby alligators on a trip to Louisiana.

Purpose

The purpose of the TTU/HHMI Undergraduate Research Program is to encourage undergraduate students interested in biological/biomedical science research careers to begin participation in research early in their academic careers, and to provide those students with a long-term, realistic research experience.

Program Description
TTU/HHMI Undergraduate Research Scholars interview five potential mentors from a list of faculty mentors in various departments at TTU, the TTUHSC, TIEHH and the USDA-ARS laboratory. Students must not contact potential mentors until they know the status of their application and have been informed of the mentor selection process. Scholars must attend a group orientation and training session prior to beginning their laboratory work. Scholars are paid hourly (currently $7.16 per hour) and can work a maximum of 30 hours a week during the summer and 15 hours a week during the regular semesters. The program does not provide room and board during the summer or academic year. It does not pay tuition and fees. The award does not qualify a student for in-state tuition.

Eligibility
To be eligible for this program, students must be:

1. full-time undergraduate students in good academic standing;

2. interested in research in the biological/biomedical sciences;

3. either an American citizen or permanent resident, or, in the case of foreign nationals, hold a visa allowing her/him to work in this country;

4. committed to a long-term research experience, and be able and willing to maintain a serious and ongoing commitment to their research project during the academic year. Other employment, high course loads, or substantial involvement in other activities or organizations are not compatible with the kind of effort that is expected of the undergraduate research students in this program. Students interested in short-term and less committed undergraduate research efforts should pursue one of the many programs that provide those opportunities.