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Undergraduate summer research programs.

The UC Berkeley  Summer Research Opportunity Program (SROP)  was established to promote access to graduate education among undergraduates who have been educationally or economically disadvantaged, and who may not have had exposure to the academic environment of a research university. Deadline is early February so please see website below for 2014-15 dates and application deadlines:   http://diversity.berkeley.edu/undergraduate-research-programs

The program offers summer research opportunities in the arts and humanities, social sciences, and physical sciences for sophomores, juniors, and seniors (not graduating in the summer or spring of 2014, except UC Berkeley students). The National Science Foundation generously provides funding for SROP Psychology students in the field of Social Cultural Processes in Development and Mental Health*. It is an eight-week program from early June through July.

The goal of this program is to increase the level of diversity among students entering Ph.D. programs by providing research opportunities under the supervision of a faculty mentor. Special consideration will be given to applicants who have shown potential for success, but may have had limited access to graduate research or other academic opportunities. The program strongly encourages applications from undergraduates who have been educationally or economically disadvantaged, and who show potential to benefit from exposure to the environment of a research university. All applicants will be considered without regard to race or gender.

The SROP application is available below in PDF format, which can be viewed and printed using Adobe Acrobat Reader. To obtain a free copy of Adobe Acrobat Reader, please visit the  Adobe website .

• SROP 2013 application  (PDF)

Science applicants.  Undergraduate students in the biological sciences (including biochemistry, immunology, statistics, toxicology, and bioengineering), please see the  Amgen Scholars Program .

Prospective students may also call (510-643-6010) or email ( grad.diversity [at] berkeley.edu ) for additional information.

For further research opportunities please click here.

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University of California, Berkeley, 101 Durant Hall, MC 2920, Berkeley, CA 94720-2920 Phone: 510-642-0919  •  Fax: 510-643-2261  •  berkeleyscienceconnections [at] berkeley.edu

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Summer Undergraduate Research Experience (SURE)

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Description

The Integrative Biology Summer Undergraduate Research Experience (SURE) is intended to support scholars who demonstrate passion to engage in original, hands-on research and explore graduate school opportunities with IB faculty. The IB SURE is built around three pillars: (1) a sense of community among scholars; (2) engagement with original research; and (3) mentorship.

SURE participants have the opportunity to:

• Engage in an 10-week mentored summer research experience
• A four day field experience at the Hastings Reserve
• Attend a series of co-curricular research and professional development workshops and seminars
• Receive guidance about graduate school opportunities, including application support
• Expand one’s personal and professional community network
• Present at the end of summer research symposium

We are planning an in-person program in summer 2024. Given the changing landscape of the COVID-19 pandemic, we will follow all university and local public health guidelines and will adjust program activities accordingly.

Through generous funding from the UC Berkeley Graduate Division, the SURE will support participants with a research stipend, housing and meals for the program duration

Stipend Amount: $5000

Housing and a meal plan will be provided.

SURE Program Dates

Summer 2024 - The application deadline is April 1, 2024

Summer program runs May 31, 2024-August 9, 2024.

Applicants need to be available for that full time and the program is located in Berkeley.

June 17- June 20: Hastings Reservation Trip

Eligible Scholars

• Advanced undergraduate students
• Masters students
• Recent graduates
• current college seniors are eligible to apply.

Scholars from the following groups are especially encouraged to apply:

• Asian American and Pacific Islanders (AAPI)
• Gender minorities
• Disabled students
• First generation college students
• California residents that are US citizens and/or students who attended high school in California

*Freshmen and Sophomores are ineligible to apply. Undergraduate students must have completed 4 semesters or 6 quarters of study to be eligible.

*This program is not suitable for scholars who are interested in medical, dental or veterinary programs.

Potential Research Areas

Students will work with labs in the UC Berkeley Department of Integrative Biology.

• Biological Data Science
• Botany (Plant Biology)
• Conservation
• Evolutionary Biology
• Endocrinology (Hormones)
• Genetics/Genomics
• Human Biology/Disease
• Neurobiology
• Paleontology
• Zoology (Animal Biology)

Application Process

Application Deadline: April 1, 2024

Application components

• Personal Information
• Areas of Research Interest
• Short Answer Questions
• Unofficial Transcripts
• 1 Letter of Recommendation

Incomplete applications will not be considered.

Letters of Recommendation Instructions

Letters of Recommendation are due April 1, 2024

One, 1–2-page letter of recommendation is required to apply to IB SURE. Letters can be provided by a past research mentor (including letters co-signed by a faculty member and a graduate student), a teacher or professor, or an academic advisor/mentor.

Recommenders can email letters as PDF attachments directly from the letter writer's email to [email protected] . The email subject line should read: Student First Name, Student Last Name_ SURE LOR (e.g., Jane Doe_SURE LOR).

For further information, contact Lourenço Martins: [email protected]

Application for Summer 2024 .

https://berkeley.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_24PWI6DIMBnW1O6

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Research Opportunities

What does undergraduate research mean to you.

UC Berkeley provides opportunities for research in all areas of study. Yes, even humanities like literature, music, history, language, politics, and law, in addition to STEM research areas like biological science or engineering. Berkeley’s size, resources, and capacity provide a scope of research opportunities that few schools can match.

Research projects allow Berkeley undergraduate students to get first-hand experience with how research discoveries and knowledge production are forged across the disciplines. They can be a great way to find a support system in a close-knit intellectual community outside the classroom. There are even projects directed by staff researchers and curators in museums and archives.

Three main libraries (Doe, Moffitt, and the Bancroft), 18 subject-specialty libraries, and 11 affiliated libraries (with special collections) make up the UC Berkeley Library system. UC Berkeley is home to the fourth largest library in the United States, Bancroft Library, which includes the Mark Twain Papers and Project, the Regional Oral History Office, the University of California Archives, the History of Science and Technology Program, and the Pictorial Collection. Berkeley’s research collection is ranked as one of the top public research university libraries in the country and has proven to be an invaluable resource to all students at Berkeley.

Our vital research community infuses the classroom, where new knowledge and breakthroughs enliven the learning process. In every department there are opportunities for student-initiated research . You also can advance your research skills by assisting on faculty-initiated research through the Undergraduate Research Apprentice Program . Beyond traditional research, our latest program, Berkeley Connect, pairs undergraduate students with graduate student mentors in a semester-long, 1-credit program that includes advising, small-group discussions, and special events/excursions.

Examples of Undergraduate Research Opportunities

• Haas Scholars Program : 20 seniors from any department on campus engage in sustained research, field study or a creative project.
• Berkeley Summer Bioengineering Program : 20-25 undergrads from any department work in the Bioengineering Lab at UCB or UCSF.
• Townsend Center Research Apprenticeship : 12 students from the Humanities or Social Sciences work on faculty research projects.
• College of Engineering : approximately 85 students with interest or background in engineering apprentice for Engineering faculty member.
• Biology Scholars Program : promotes the success of students from economic, gender, ethnic and cultural groups historically underrepresented in the biological sciences.
• UC Berkeley Washington Center : opportunities for students from any discipline to work in Berkeley or Washington D.C. on political campaigns and providing insight into national policy making.
• Summer Research Opportunity Program : promotes access to graduate education among undergraduates who have been educationally or economically disadvantaged and who may not have had exposure to the academic environment of a major research university.

Learn more about research at Berkeley

Big Ideas Initiative

Undergraduate Research Apprentice Program

Berkeley Connect

Chronology of UC Berkeley Library and Its Collections

Berkeley Undergraduate Journal (research in the humanities and social sciences)

Berkeley Scientific Journal (research in the sciences)

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Undergraduate Research & Scholarships

Summer undergraduate research fellowships (surf), applications for surf l&s 2024 are due by 11:59 am (pacific time) on friday, march 1, 2024., applying to surf  , application portal.

• SURF 2024 Application Portal Link

Application Questionnaire PDF

• Applicants for SURF L&S, Haas Scholars and Rose Hills Summer Scholarships may use this PDF to prepare their applications .

Important: Please note that the version of this pdf posted before 6 February contained errors in the word/character counts specified for both the ‘Background and Rationale’ and ‘Research Plan and Timeline’ sections. Although these have been corrected now, we recommend drafting your research proposal in the ‘Research Proposal Worksheet’ below. If you made a copy of the pdf before February 6, please check to make sure you are observing the corrected word/character counts for those sections.

• Link to Revised Application Overview Document (as of 13 Feb 2024). 

Research Proposal Worksheet

• Applicants for SURF L&S, Haas Scholars and Rose Hills Summer Scholarships may use this worksheet to prepare their research proposal.

Faculty Recommendation Portal

• Applicants are responsible for sending this link to the Faculty Recommendation Portal  to their mentors.
• Applications will be considered incomplete without a letter of recommendation.

Application Checklist:

• Review the  SURF L&S Information Session presentation (slides linked here)
• Review the eligibility criteria ( see the program main page linked here )
• Prepare a draft of the application, using a the research proposal worksheet above
• Although it is not required, applicants are strongly encouraged to attend both a  ‘how to write a research proposal’ (slides linked here ) and drafting workshop in January to get feedback on your draft proposal by attending disciplinary-area oriented draft workshop offered in February.
• Send a draft of your proposal to your faculty mentor along with a link to the Faculty Recommendation Portal, where they will submit their letter of recommendation.
• Sign up for the OURS newsletter  to receive timely program updates and updates about the workshop offerings.
• Submit your application via the application portal by 11:59   AM  (Pacific Time) on March 1, 2024.

Summer Undergraduate Research Program (SURP)

mcbUSA’s Summer Undergraduate Research Program (SURP) at UC Berkeley strives to connect undergraduate UC Berkeley students to biology-related labs for meaningful summer research.

SURP 2024 Timeline 

Applications for surp 2024 are open for extended lab deadlines thank you for your interest, infossession.

Slides: https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1FX6kQO2QZhjdXeLCXveW1zVk2rMXix1TBrXJpzyI17E/edit?usp=sharing

If you have additional questions, please email [email protected] NOT PIs!

Schedule for Labs:

• Project participation form due (link via email): Friday, February 16th, 2024 at 5pm
• Receive applications: Thursday, March 21st, 2024
• Notification of Application Status: Monday, April 15th, 2024

For Lab FAQ, please visit the For Labs section below.

Schedule for Students:

• Infosession: March 1st, 2024 7-8pm on Zoom
• Application opens: Wednesday, February 21st, 2024
• Application closes: Wednesday, March 20th, 2024, 11:59 PM
• Extended application deadline: April 5th 2024, 11:59pm
• Notification of application status: Monday, April 15-16th (you will receive an email with your status from your selected labs and the SURP coordinators as soon as possible).

For Students

*Note: SURP 2024 Projects may be updated on a rolling basis, so keep checking back in!

https://forms.gle/cvbF5xDCtcYm7UgG9

Q: How do I join?

When applications open, fill out an application for each project you are interested in. You may apply to up to three projects. More details will be added here once the application opens.

Q: If I am accepted to a project, will I receive units for my participation?

Awarding units is up to the discretion of the lab . Earning units will require that you enroll in summer session units, and mcbUSA will not be responsible for the associated fees . Payment for units would be up to you as the undergraduate, or perhaps the lab (assuming very generous funding).

A: Fill out the SURP participation form for each project you want to have undergraduate Berkeley students for through SURP. (Note that the SURP application deadline for undergraduates is in late March , thus a lab who joins SURP on March 21 will likely not attract many applicants.)

Please email the SURP coordinators soon after you submit the participation form so that we can display your project description onto this website as soon as possible. (We will try to do so within one day.)

In order to protect the privacy of undergraduate applicants, we have withheld the participation form link. Please email [email protected] for the participation form link. We apologize for the inconvenience.

Q: Why should I join?

A: Only if you are in need of undergraduate researchers. SURP provides a communication link between you and UC Berkeley undergraduates interested in summer research.

Q: Do I need to pay the undergraduates I accept from SURP?

A: It is your choice whether or not to pay the undergraduates you accept.

Q: How are students matched to projects?

A: Students apply to up to three projects. If applicants apply to your project(s) through SURP, SURP will send you all such applications. You decide which students your lab wishes to accept. Q: If my lab is full, should I still join SURP?

A: No. SURP’s purpose is to connect undergraduates looking for summer research to labs who want undergraduate researchers. If your lab does not need more undergraduates for summer 2024, you do not have a reason to join. Q: When will I receive the undergraduates’ applications?

A: You will receive them by March 21st . Please select the applicants you wish to accept by April 15th by contacting them directly and notifying the SURP coordinators of your decision by emailing [email protected] . Q: What information will I get from the applications?

A: The application includes the applicant’s:

• general information (name, year, classes taken, contact info, etc.)
• statement of interest for your project
• unofficial transcript
• any supplemental questions you wish to include*

Q: Will I be able to receive extra information from my applicants?

A: You will have the chance to interview your applicants before and/or after you select them on April 15th. *If you wish to ask extra supplemental questions to applicants applying to your project(s), please email the SURP coordinators at [email protected] .

If you have any residual questions, please email the SURP coordinators at [email protected] .

Molecular and Cell Biology

Summer Research Opportunities

Ucb summer programs and resources.

• Biology Fellows Program
• Amgen Scholars Program
• Berkeley iGEM Team
• Berkeley Summer Bioengineering Programs
• Haas Scholars Program
• National Science Foundation Summer Research Experience for Undergraduates
• Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowships
• CHORI (Children's Hospital Research Institute)
• Office of Research and Scholarship 

Non-UCB Domestic Summer Programs

International summer programs.

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Educating leaders. Creating knowledge. Serving society.

Transfer-to-Excellence

The Transfer-to-Excellence (TTE) Summer Research Program is a competitive summer internship for California community college students. This is a residential program consisting of nine-weeks of hands-on research experience in the laboratories of UC Berkeley science and engineering professors. TTE interns also participate in enrichment activities to enhance their preparation and confidence to transfer to a four-year university and pursue a career that applies their technical education. This program is jointly funded by an NSF REU Site grant, the Hopper Dean Foundation, and the College of Engineering.

Exciting research areas

The TTE Summer Research Program provides research experience for undergraduates in different disciplines within the College of Engineering. For more details on possible projects, view the potential faculty hosts and past intern projects .

Program benefits

• 8-9-weeks of hands-on research guided by faculty sponsors and graduate student mentors
• Advising and support for transfer to a 4-year institution
• Seminars on preparing for a careers in science and engineering
• Guest speakers, lab tours, and field trips
• $4,000 stipend plus room and board
• Travel allowance up to $350
• Participation in UC Berkeley’s Transfer Alliance Project (TAP)

60% of participants transfer to UC Berkeley! 86% of participants transfer to a UC campus 97% of past participants have transferred to a bachelors in STEM program 96% of participants are from one or more groups underrepresented in STEM

TTE info session with Marcia Breslin-Cantillana, Student Engagement Manager.

More ways to explore TTE:

• Explore past TTE research projects  – many of the same faculty participate every year!
• Download and share the 2024 program flyer
• Positive Effects of Summer Research Program on Diverse Community College Students  (2020)
• Transferring Excellence  (2020)
• Career Development Impacts of a Research Program on Graduate Student and Postdoc Mentors  (2020)
• Pandemic Pivots: The Successful Transition of an NSF Research Internship to an Online Format  (2021)

Minimum eligibility criteria

Transfer-to-Excellence has a competitive application process. Applications not meeting the minimum eligibility criteria will not be reviewed by the admissions committee.

• No prior research experience required
• High school students in dual-enrollment programs will not be considered.
• 3.0 grade point average or higher for science, engineering, and math courses
• Will have completed two semester calculus courses, or three quarter calculus courses, by June 9, 2024. May be fulfilled by AP or IB test scores
• Will have completed three science or engineering courses, one of which has a laboratory component, by June 9, 2024. May be fulfilled by AP or IB test scores
• Will return to a community college in California in Fall 2024
• Will apply for transfer admission to a baccalaureate program in science or engineering in Fall 2024 (for Fall 2025 start)
• At least eighteen years of age by April 1, 2024
• Undocumented students are encouraged to apply

Community college students who receive financial aid , are the first in their family to go to college, are women, are veterans, and/or are members of other communities underrepresented in STEM are strongly encouraged to apply.

2024 Program dates

June 3 to August 2, 2024

Apply to TTE 

Application for Summer 2024: The application is open  and due on February 11, 2024. The deadline to submit the letters of recommendation is February 16. All applicants will receive admission decisions by mid-April.

You may want to review the FAQ and application preview packet . This document is provided so that students can preview the application questions and prepare their responses only. It should not be submitted. Please note that the application format has changed.

Step 1: Complete the online application .

Step 2: Once you complete your application, you will receive an email with instructions to create a portal. In this portal, you will be able to upload your transcripts and provide your references’ information. Your recommenders will receive an automated email with instructions to submit your letter of recommendation. Please remind them that they will be receiving an email from UC Berkeley  with directions on how to submit their letters. If they are not receiving the emails, please have them check their spam/junk folders.

• All applications are due on February 11, 2024 at 11:59 p.m. PST . All letters of recommendations must be received by Friday, February 16 at 11:59 p.m. PST . Late and incomplete applications will not be reviewed.

Heidi Maqueos , Program Manager, Transfer Success Initiatives 

New Experiences for Research and Diversity in Science

Visiting scholar undergraduate summer research program.

This program provides limited opportunities for Cal NERDS scholars to do research off-campus and also to have a few non-UC Berkeley visiting undergraduates get involved with STEM summer research at our campus.

2023 Visiting Summer Research Scholars

• Bezawhit Danna, Biochemistry, UC Los Angeles
• Edgar Vidal, UC Berkeley (going to Toulouse, France)
• Gabrielle Stewart, UC Berkeley (going to Toulouse, France)
• Kevin Alfaro, Astrophysics, UC Los Angeles
• Mel Jones, Chemistry & Biochemistry, UC Santa Cruz
• Miriam Contrerras Castillo, Bioengineering, UC Riverside
• Trey Dold, Civil Engineering, UC Santa Barbara

2022 Visiting Summer Research Scholars

• Ana Teresa Mendoza, Chemistry, UC Irvine
• Athena Leisching, Cognitive Science, UC San Diego
• Brianna Johnston, Molecular & Cellular Biology, UC Berkeley (went to UC San Francisco)
• Gabriela Castellanos, Molecular & Cellular Biology, UC Berkeley (went to UC San Francisco)
• Kein Le, Physics, UC Santa Barbara
• Ukamaka Ezimora, Mechanical Engineering, UC Merced

2021 Visiting Summer Research Scholars Virtual Research Projects

• Chris La, Chemistry, UC Irvine
• Francisco Galang, Chemical Engineering, UC Los Angeles
• Garrett Kukier, Theoretical/Computational Chemistry, UC Los Angeles
• Samantha Negrette, Biomedical Engineering, UC Irvine

2020 Visiting Summer Research Scholars Virtual Research Projects

• Alexander Del Torro, Cognitive Science, UC Merced
• Luke Elissary, Chemistry, UC Los Angeles
• Victoria Lerda, Chemistry, UC Merced
• Charu Garapaty, Earth Science, UC Santa Barbara

2019 Visiting Summer Research Scholars

• Shaneen Britton Acevedo, Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, UC Santa Cruz
• Eimy Castellanos, Biochemistry, UC Santa Cruz
• Karen Cornejo, Neurobiology, Physiology, and Behavior, UC Davis
• Anthony Garcia, Chemistry, UC Merced
• David Ifediba, Psychology, UC Riverside
• Saul Pachecho, UC Berkeley (went to UC San Francisco)

2018 Visiting Research Scholars

• Hanh Nguyen, Biochemistry/Chemistry, UC San Diego
• Daniel Chu, Chemical Engineering, UC Santa Barbara
• Anoop Praturu, Astrophysics, UC Santa Barbara
• Scarlett Yu, Physics, UC Los Angeles
• Jenny Lyn Arabit, Chemical Engineering, UC Davis
• Joshua Castro, Physics, UC San Diego

2017 Visiting Research Scholars

• Liya Oster, Biophysics, from UCLA
• Christine Rahal, Chemistry, from UCSD
• Carlos Osuna, Nano-Engineering, from UCSD
• Bonnie Lam, Engineering, from UCLA
• Melvin Abzun, Engineering, from UCSC
• Francisco Ojeda, Engineering, from UC Berkeley going to SoCal

**SUMMER 2023 PROGRAM DATES: SUNDAY, JUNE 12TH TO SATURDAY, AUGUST 5TH**

For uc leads undergraduate scholars interested in coming to uc berkeley to do research in stem - please consider the following:.

• Typically five visiting UC LEADS scholars come each summer to UC Berkeley
• Students are part of our eight week summer research program.
• You may need to re-arrange your finals to be taken before you come to UC Berkeley.
• Typically summer UC LEADS 2nd Year Scholars need to work with their home campus Director to understand the process and secure a UC Berkeley main campus Faculty Mentor. This means their faculty lab is located on the main UC Berkeley campus. If you are interested in working at Lawrence Berkeley National Lab (LBNL) then you will need to work directly with their representatives as this is a different program than the UC Berkeley UC LEADS program.
• UC LEADS Scholars must be sponsored by your home UC LEADS campus and meet their eligibility requirements
• Must be a registered as a student at one of the eight UC campuses other than UC Berkeley and UC San Francisco
• Must be willing to live in UC Berkeley dorms/campus housing during summer program
• Should strive for an overall 3.0 UC GPA
• Must be continuing as an undergraduate the fall after the summer experience
• Note: additional paperwork and information may be required

For undergraduate students from other non-UC Berkeley campuses (that are not UC LEADS Scholars) - please consider the following:

• Students are part of our eight week summer research program, dates are not negotiable (no early arrivals or late departures)
• We do not have funding to pay for stipends, housing, transportation, or parking for the summer. We suggest you look for sponsorship/s.
• Visiting undergraduate scholars are typically juniors. Many are part of the following programs (and receive some funding from them to come to our campus); McNair, Mellon Mays, MESA community college program, Leadership Alliance, and/or NSF LSAMP/NSF CAMP

For UC Berkeley STEM students - please consider the following:

Note: In the past NERDS have spent the summer at University of Chicago, University of Southern California, University of Illinois - Urbana Champaign, Stanford, UCSF, UCD, UCI, UCM, UCSD, UCLA, UCR, UCSD, UCSC, and international projects in Israel, Switzerland (CERN), and England

• Where is it you would like to go off campus?
• It is suggested that you identify two faculty on a particular campus that you are interested in working with
• Please consider looking into the Student Opportunity Funds for additional funding for travel

Can You See Yourself Doing Research This Summer?

Highly selective college programs require a personal statement demonstrating your interest in the area you wish to study . Participation in a summer research project can provide you with valuable new skills and experiences.

Summer research opportunities for undergraduates interested in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM)

Summer Undergraduate Program in Engineering Research at Berkeley

Undergraduates are invited to spend 9 weeks on campus over the summer conducting engineering-related research.

Diversifying Access to Research in Engineering (DARE)

A UC Berkeley program created to match undergraduate students with research opportunities in EECS and to promote diversity.

Tips for Successful Applications

• Apply only to programs that you are eligible for.
• If you have any uncertainties about applying for the program e-mail the contact person before you apply to the program. Be sure to read FAQ’s that might be posted on the program’s website.
• Once you’ve submitted your application you may want to e-mail the program coordinator to let him/her know that you’ve applied.
• Meet all the deadlines posted. Late applications reflect poorly and may jeopardize your chance of being selected.
• Make sure to give your recommender(s) adequate time to write a polished letter of recommendation for you. Give them as much information as possible about you, the program you are applying to and how you see this program as beneficial to your academic and career goals. If possible, send your recommender a copy of your resume and personal statement or essay questions. It is preferable that your recommender is someone who knows of your potential to succeed in research. Letters from STEM Faculty are preferable.
• Allow yourself enough time to gather required documentation such as official transcripts, medical insurance coverage forms, if needed. Some residential programs require that you have medical insurance in order to participate. If this is the case make sure you have this complete well before you begin the program.
• Apply to more than one program.
• Decide whether or not you can commit time to this program. If you are taking a summer course, decide how much time you will need to study and commute to class. Will this take time away from your research? Some programs have mandatory attendance at programs such as GRE Prep courses. Make sure that your schedule permits you to fully participate in all aspects of the program.
• Familiarize yourself with the program. Avoid blanket statements such as, “I want to be accepted to a summer research program at MIT because it’s a good school.” Instead, talk about specific research being done at that institution and in this program. Give the names of faculty that you would like to work with.
• Last but definitely not least, bring your applications to a counselor, advisor, or faculty member so they can review and give you feedback.

Summer Research & Enrichment Undergraduate Programs

The goal of the Summer Undergraduate Program in Engineering Research at Berkeley  (SUPERB) in the Electrical Engineering and Computer Sciences (EECS) Department is to prepare and motivate a group of diverse, competitive candidates for graduate study. The research focus of the REU site will be collecting and using Big Data for the public good.

Transfer to Excellence

Transfer-To-Excellence (TTE) is a competitive merit-based program that is intended to inspire California Community College students to ultimately transfer and complete their Bachelor’s degree in science and engineering. Participants experience life at UC Berkeley before the completion of their community college studies. TTE participants can either enroll in a credited course or participate in research.

UC Berkeley SROP

The UC Berkeley Summer Research Opportunity Program (SROP) was established to promote access to graduate education among undergraduates who have been educationally or economically disadvantaged, and who may not have had exposure to the academic environment of a research university.

AMGEN Scholars Program

The Amgen Scholars Program is a national program to increase research opportunities for students committed to pursuing careers in the sciences. This program provides outstanding science undergraduates with research experience and increases participants’ competitiveness as candidates for admission to prestigious graduate and professional institutions. Additionally, this program encourages participants to pursue a Ph.D. or the joint M.D./Ph.D. degree and research careers in the sciences and biotechnology. Applicants from diverse populations and backgrounds are encouraged to apply.

Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory

• Science Undergraduate Laboratory Internship
• Community College Internship
• Berkeley Lab Undergraduate Research

UC Berkeley E3S

The Center for Energy Efficient Electronics Science (E3S) is accepting applications for summer internship positions at UC Berkeley, MIT, Stanford and University of Texas at El Paso. The E3S Summer Research Program is a 9-week program that introduces energy efficient electronics science to undergraduates who are interested in pursuing a Ph.D. in science and engineering. Summer interns have the opportunity to join E3S researchers working in a collaborative and innovative environment to make fundamental breakthroughs in the underlying physics, chemistry, and material science of electronics systems.

Programs at Other Universities

Summer Undergraduate Research Diversity Program (SURD)

The UC Berkeley College of Chemistry is thrilled to announce its inaugural Summer Undergraduate Research Diversity (SURD) program for undergraduate students interested in Chemistry, Chemical Biology and/or Chemical & Biomolecular Engineering.

• We aim to provide research opportunities for students who have been historically underrepresented in STEM.
• Undergraduates from HBCU's and HSI's are encouraged to apply!
• Undergraduates from 4-year universities & community colleges are encouraged to apply.
• Must be 18 & over No prior experience necessary!
• 9 Weeks (June 10 -August 10, 2024)
• 40 hours/week
• $5500 stipend
• Housing, Food & Travel Allowance provided

How to Apply

The application period for SURD 2024  opens on  Dec. 15, 2023. The deadline to apply is  Feb. 15, 2024.

Apply online today!

Info Session

Uc berkeley coc summer undergraduate research diversity (surd) program - info session - apply now, ready to apply, interested.

Fill out our interest form!

For questions or more information, please email: [email protected]

Summer Research Institute

The CalTeach Summer Research Institute (SRI) stands as a distinguished eight-week program designed to foster a profound understanding of research methodologies within the realm of education among undergraduates from UC Berkeley and UC Merced.

• Facilitates intensive research experiences on campus or nearby labs, complemented by a comprehensive seminar series dedicated to honing the application of research and data science competencies in K -12 classrooms
• In addition to the seminar series, students participate in weekly sessions focused on research and curriculum development, further strategizing the tools essential for enhancing data literacy across K -12 education.

During the academic year after the summer term, students are eligible to partake in enriching professional development workshops and contribute to curriculum implementation initiatives within K -12 classrooms.

SRI 2024 will be held in-person during the Berkeley Summer Session C schedul e . This year, there is a $3,000 stipend available for part-time (16-20hrs/week) internships for the 8-week placement. 

For more information on undergraduates, see  CalTeach Summer Research Institute for Undergrads .

For Summer 2024, we are not accepting new applications from teachers, unless they have an independent source of funding. For more information and curricular resources from past summers, see  CalTeach Summer Research Institute for Teachers .

We thank the generous funding of the National Science Foundation (NSF) and the Koshland Family Foundation

For any questions regarding the program, please contact [email protected] .

Summer Research Institute: Information Session

Please click on the links below to access the slides from the information session.

SRI Information Slides

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Undergraduate Research

Looking for Research?

You are in the right place.

Our department provides a variety of channels for students to get involved with real scientific research early in their careers. Through research, you will strengthen your physics background knowledge by applying it to real problems and develop crucial skills needed for careers in science and industry, such as collaboration, independent problem-solving, and communication. Though your role will vary from lab to lab, as an undergraduate, you can typically expect to assist with a variety of tasks, ranging from simulation and data analysis to operating and tuning lab equipment. While the idea of engaging in cutting-edge research as a college student may seem daunting, many research groups will organize projects specifically tailored to undergraduates, and you will often be put under the mentorship of a senior graduate student or a postdoctoral scholar who will be more than willing to assist you. Overall, participating in undergraduate research is an extremely fulfilling experience, and we highly encourage you to participate in it!

Read up on internships stories from Berkeley students on the Internship Stories@Cal website .

Student Testimonial

Read more....

As a freshman coming into UC Berkeley with no previous experience in research or astronomy, I joined ULAB, after learning about it in my physics class, and had my first research experience working on determining cosmic distances from gravitational waves, previously knowing nothing on the topic. The same year, I took the Python for Astronomers DeCal, and did a project on creating Hertzsprung-Russell diagrams for several star clusters. After these two introductory experiences, I felt more confident in my abilities as a researcher, and attended the physics and astronomy research fairs at the start of each semester of my sophomore year. From the fair, I emailed one of the presenters, and subsequently got my position working under Antonella Palmese and Saul Perlmutter on gravitational wave cosmology. Having started this position in the spring, I decided to apply for the Pi2 scholars summer program, and was accepted to the program to work with Antonella as my mentor, continuing the work we started in the spring. I also joined ULAB staff as a lab manager in my sophomore year, and I am now research director for the DeCal, helping other undergraduates get their first research experience like I once did. The various opportunities offered by the Physics and Astronomy departments helped expose me to all these research experiences, and allowed me to improve and grow greatly from when I arrived at Berkeley to now.

-  Rav Kaur, Class of ‘24

Finding Research To-do List

Do background research and decide (approximately) what you want to work on. Explore the Research Opportunities Board (Pre-Semester)

Go to the Undergraduate Research Fair . (first week of classes)

Find a project. (first two weeks of classes)

Find funding if possible, or register for research units (by the end of second week of classes in most cases)

*Note: A good strategy is to be proactive in the first two weeks of each semester. We recommend that you attend the physics research fair in the first week of each semester and to apply to positions from the fair and/or URAP positions of interest by the second week of the semester. It’s a good idea to apply to ULAB by the second week of the semester as well; this educational, student-led research program will help you grow your research skills and is a solid option, especially if you don’t obtain faculty-led research right away. Funding deadlines usually take place by the first two weeks of the semester, too. More information is below.

Preparing to be an Undergraduate Researcher

 read more....

None of what is listed below is necessary to be successful in landing a research position in a faculty lab, but these will help you become a competitive candidate.

Do well in your coursework, especially the lab components of lower division courses such as the 5 or 7 series and Physics 77. 

Apply to join the Physics Directed Reading Program (PDRP) . PDRP is a student-run program that strives to close the knowledge gap in undergraduate research by pairing up graduate and undergraduate students so that they can explore a specialized topic together for a semester. The purpose of PDRP is so that students feel more comfortable making the transition into research. Applications are due the beginning of each semester. Watch for emails to the students listservs about deadlines.

Visit the Physics Innovation Lab (under construction in Fall 2022) and gain research-adjacent experiences like Arduino/Raspberry Pi programming, soldering, CAD, 3D printing, laser cutting and basic optics. 

Attend the Physics Undergraduate Research Fair , held the first Thursday after the start of classes each semester. The fair is held on a virtual collaboration/meeting platform called Gather. 

Use the Berkeley Career Network through the UC Berkeley Career Center to find an alumni mentor

Do some early research on what opportunities are available. Check out our virtual P hysics Research Opportunities Board . It is updated regularly as new opportunities arise.

Landing a Research Position

• Attend the semesterly Physics Undergraduate Research Fair to learn about physics research opportunities available each semester and to meet representatives from the various labs. Apply to positions of interest.
• Visit the Undergraduate Research Apprentice Program (URAP) website for positions posted by faculty (for course credit only)
• Know that throughout the semester, you can contact faculty members from your research field of interest to see if they have positions available. See here for tips on how to cold email a professor . Professors don’t always respond, but you’re always welcome to inquire via email, office hours, etc. to see if any informal research opportunities are available.
• Consider positions at Lawrence Berkeley National Lab (LBNL), Space Sciences Lab (SSL), and Advanced Light Source (operated by LBL), College of Chemistry, Nuclear Engineering, and Astrophysics.
• Links to these opportunities are found on our Research Opportunities Board .

Compensation or Course Credit

During Fall or Spring Semesters

BPURS offers $750 for a year-long research project when you apply jointly with a faculty member for funding The project can also be mentored by postdocs or graduate students, under the supervision of a faculty member. 

Consider asking to be hired through workstudy or through a stipend. Your success will depend on whether the faculty member has funds to support it. 

Consider asking for course credit. Students can pursue getting course credit through Physics/Astro 195 (Senior Honors Research) or Physics/Astro 99/199 (Supervised Independent Study) or by applying to the Undergraduate Research Apprentice Program (URAP) . Applications for course credit should be submitted to the student’s department (Physics or Astro). In Physics, major advisors Anna and Kathleen   can help with the process. The major advisor will provide the student with a form that requires them to list the project and the responsibilities that they will have as part of this enrollment and based on the units requested. The student can enroll in a minimum of 1 credit and a maximum of 3 credits. The faculty research sponsor must sign and approve the form. Once that is complete, the student submits the forms to their department major advisor who will then issue the class number for them to enroll in. Physics Department student forms can be found here .

Looking for paid summer research?

The SURF L&S fellowship allows UC Berkeley undergraduates in the College of Letters and Science to spend the summer doing concentrated research in preparation for a senior thesis. Fellows receive $5000.

The Physics Innovators Initiative (Pi2) Scholars Program provides a $5500 summer stipend to work closely with dedicated graduate student and/or postdoc mentors on a project. Final projects will require a written report and a poster presentation open to the whole department at the end of the summer. The applications to be Pi2 scholars are announced in early January of each year.

• Physics REUs provide fully funded research opportunities at other universities. Note that January and February tend to be the application deadlines for most funded summer research.
• See the Research Opportunities Board for a more extensive list of semesterly and summer research positions and funding options.

Watch this 2021 video highlighting physics research persuits by Berkeley physicists and mathmaticians

Basic research lights the way for uc berkeley's math & physical sciences.

Explore UC Berkeley's STEM Opportunities!

Explore Our STAR Database

Transfer-to-Excellence Summer Research Program (TTE REU)

The Transfer-to-Excellence (TTE) Summer Research Program is a competitive summer internship for California community college students. This is a residential program consisting of nine-weeks of hands-on research experience in the laboratories of UC Berkeley science and engineering professors. TTE interns also participate in enrichment activities to enhance their preparation and confidence to transfer to a four-year university and pursue a career that applies their technical education. This program is jointly funded by an NSF REU Site grant, the Hopper Dean Foundation, and the College of Engineering.

Contact Information

• engineering.berkeley.edu/tte Website

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Inclusive Excellence Summer Research Experience

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The Inclusive Excellence Summer Research Experience, facilitated by the Office for Graduate Diversity, focuses on the current challenges and opportunities for diversity in graduate education while providing an enriching and rigorous summer research experience to undergraduate students from around the country. The Inclusive Excellence Summer Research Experience is a fully funded 8-week summer research experience, professional development, and leadership training opportunity to develop the next generation of students from historically underrepresented backgrounds in graduate education. Our program pioneers in providing interdisciplinary and self-enrichment training to our Inclusive Excellence Summer Research participants to aid in changing the structure of higher education to be more inclusive and diverse.

Our known partners for summer 2024 are Vision Science/Optometry ; Environmental Science, Policy, and Management ; and Molecular and Cell Biology . Students interested in programs not listed are still strongly encouraged to apply for placement.

2023-2024 Information Sessions

Please check back for future information sessions.

Program Structure

• 8 weeks at UC Berkeley in the San Francisco Bay Area
• $5,000 stipend, paid housing, and travel expenses (up to $500 – to be coordinated by UC Berkeley). 
• Guidance from a faculty mentor in the areas of life sciences, physical sciences, social sciences, or humanities.
• Access to a specialized series of workshops to learn interdisciplinary perspectives and their applications to understand the strength of diversity, storytelling, and critical perspectives on the future of graduate education. 
• understand the statistics and current challenges being faced by minoritized students in graduate education from individuals leading efforts to change them.
• identify good mentors, become a good mentee, and create successful networks 
• Personalized workshops on successful strategies and career paths from current graduate students and professionals from different underrepresented backgrounds at UC Berkeley

Program Specifics

• Research presentations by UC Berkeley faculty
• Weekly seminars on issues directly related to the academic, personal, and professional growth of scholars
• Social outdoor activities in the Bay Area
• Preparation of materials for graduate school applications
• Research presentation at the conclusion of the program
• Summer admission decisions made by early March 2024

Eligibility & Application

•  a U.S. citizen,permanent resident, or recipient of Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA).
• currently enrolled in a full-time undergraduate program at a four or two-year college in the U.S. with plans to return to their home institution in Fall 2024.
• a rising sophomore, junior or non-graduating senior. Sally Casanova Scholars are also eligible to apply as long as they are returning to their institution in the Fall of 2024.
• interested in one of the Ph.D. programs being currently offered at UC Berkeley.

Important Dates

• Program Duration: May 31, 2024 – July 31, 2024
• Application Opens: Early November
• December 13, 2023 11am PST – 12pm PST
• January 16, 2024 2pm PST – 3pm PST
• Application Deadline: February 1, 2024 at 8:59 p.m. PST
• Semifinalist Interviews and Admission Decisions: Begin February 2024 through March 2024

The summer 2024 application is now closed.

Frequently asked questions, can i submit my supporting documents after the application deadline.

Yes, we will accept supporting documents for a short time after the deadline. However, only completed applications are reviewed.

Should I list my research experience from high school on my application?

Only if it’s your only research experience and completed under the guidance of a professor at a University or research institute. Otherwise, you should only list research experience you have obtained as an undergraduate. However, you can mention your high school research in your essay.

What is the minimum eligibility requirement to become an Inclusive Excellence Fellow?

Eligibility is currently restricted to US citizens and permanent residents. Students with Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) are also eligible to apply. Applicants must be currently enrolled in a full-time undergraduate program at a four or two-year college in the USA with plans to return to their home institution in Fall 2022. Sally Casanova Scholars are also eligible to apply as long as they are returning to their institution in the Fall of 2022. Applicants must be currently a sophomore, junior, or non-graduating senior in the United States or United States Territory. Applicants must have an expressed interest in one of the Ph.D. programs being currently offered at UC Berkeley.

Can I apply if I am currently enrolled in a community college?

Can i apply if i am an international applicant.

No. You are ineligible to apply because you must be a US citizen or permanent resident.

Is research experience required to apply?

Can i still apply if i attend a quarter system college or university.

Yes. The total duration of the program is 8 weeks. 

I am graduating in the spring of 2024, am I eligible to apply?

No. You must be returning to your undergraduate college or university in fall of 2024 to continue your studies.

How do my letter writers submit their letters of recommendation?

Within your online application, you will request for the letter writer to submit a letter of recommendation on your behalf. To make this request, you will enter the name and email address of each letter writer. You can also change or add a different request. Carefully follow the instructions provided within the online application.

Whom should I ask to provide a letter of recommendation?

Letters from people who have experience working with you in a research setting, faculty mentors, principal investigators, professors, and teachers are preferred. Two letters from the same laboratory or research group are considered as one letter (i.e. a letter from a faculty member and one from your lab mentor-postdoc or graduate student you worked with in the lab). A letter from your pastor, resident advisor, music teacher, high-school teacher, or relative is not preferred, unless you have worked directly with one of these people conducting research.

What if my letter writer is having problems receiving the email request and/or submitting the letter?

Have your letter writer check Spam/Junk mail, resend the request with your online application, and/or contact the program about this issue.

Do I need to submit my letters at the same time I submit my online application?

No. Letters can be submitted at various times including after your application is submitted and after the deadline.

When will I know if I am accepted into the program?

Applicants to the program will be notified starting March 1st and throughout the month of March.

How many summer positions are available?

There are up to 10 summer positions available. Definite placements within the Vision Science Summer Undergraduate Research (ViSUR) Program are available.

Can I request specific areas of interest and faculty for my summer research placement?

Yes. As part of your online application, you will list your four top research areas of interest and your four top faculty members.

How are lab placements made?

Placements are made based on applicants’ research interest and faculty availability.

Can I leave for a vacation during the program?

No. You are required to participate for the entire 8 weeks.

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TTE: Transfer-to-Excellence Summer Research Program

After ten successful years, the transfer-to-excellence summer research program has transitioned to the uc berkeley college of engineering., view current information about the program here. .

Transfer-to-Excellence Research Experiences for Undergraduates (TTE REU) was a competitive merit-based program with the goal to inspire California community college students through research at UC Berkeley so that they will ultimately transfer and complete their Bachelor’s degree in science and engineering. The TTE REU program was a residential program providing nine-weeks of hands-on research experiences in the laboratories of UC Berkeley professors. TTE participants also had access to enrichment activities to enhance their overall preparation and confidence to pursue studies in science and engineering and, eventually, a career that applies their technical education. This program was jointly funded by an NSF Site award and the Center for E3S.

To apply to the 2018 TTE REU program:

Please read all steps, deadline: friday, january 26, 2018, 11:59 p.m..

• Late and incomplete applications will not be reviewed.
• Notification of decisions is expected to be sent in mid to late March

National Science Foundation Science and Technology Center for Energy Efficient Electronics Science (E3S)

Summer Internship

[closed] 2024 summer internship program, language and cognitive development lab, update:  applications for summer 2024 are now closed (old link) ., we plan on running our summer 2024 internship in-person, pending any changes in covid-19 conditions., program overview, the goal of this program is to provide a comprehensive, hands-on research experience to highly motivated students, while making valuable contributions to cognitive science., our lab explores how linguistic, cognitive, and social abilities arise during human development. a central goal of our research is exploring how these different aspects of development interact with one another., interns will interact with the lab manager, graduate students, postdoctoral fellows, and each other, and will meet with professor srinivasan to discuss their research. interns will participate in many facets of the research process, such as: assisting with data collection, working on stimuli creation and preparation of study materials, reading relevant theoretical and empirical papers, recruiting participants, and processing or analyzing data. interns will also have the opportunity to test participants at schools and/or children’s museums in the bay area (pending covid-19 regulations). lastly, interns will attend weekly lab meetings and reading groups to discuss the theory behind research projects, and will have the opportunity to present on the projects they are assigned during the internship. we hope that interns will come away from these activities with an enriched understanding of language and cognitive development., this is a 9 week internship program with 30 hours of participation per week (with federal holidays off). the program runs from monday, june 3rd st – friday, august 2nd th 2024. we are willing to accommodate a slightly later start date (~monday, june 17th) if you are on the quarter system or if your school semester ends after may 31 st . we recommend applicants apply for outside funding, but will provide a stipend of $3375 to those who are not able to secure funding to offset living costs. please note that this internship is unpaid however. the stipend is just to offset living costs. please also note that we are unable to assist in finding or providing housing in the bay area..

Lastly, accepted interns will have to pass a background check with fingerprinting as this role involves working with minors.

Who Should Apply?

This program is designed for undergraduates, graduating seniors, and recent graduates who are interested in pursuing graduate work in psychology, cognitive science, linguistics, or related fields and/or students who are interested in doing an undergraduate honors thesis. while we are open to all applicants (including international) who are motivated and fit the requirements, due to processing time and cost constraints, we will be unable to sponsor a visa..

The LCD Lab does not accept high school students into our Summer Internship. If you are interested in working in the lab, please wait to apply until after you are 18 and have enrolled in a college or university.

Qualifications

Requirements: 1) strong interest in language acquisition and/or cognitive development. 2) coursework in: psychology, linguistics, or cognitive science. 3) strong organizational skills and attention to detail. 4) strong communication skills in spoken and written english., additional preferred skills (not required): experience working in a research laboratory. computer programming experience. data analysis experience (r). experience working with children. experience with eye tracking technology (smi). experience with behavioral coding (datavyu). experience with excel and powerpoint. experience with qualtrics and/or amazon’s mechanical turk., how to apply, applications for summer 2024 will be open until thursday, february 1st at 9 am pst., please familiarize yourself with our research, complete the online application, and submit all materials by thursday, february 1st at 9 am pst. applications will be reviewed after this deadline and you will be contacted within one month..

You will need to submit the below materials as well as answer some short answer questions as part of the application: – CV / Resume – Transcript – (Optional) This is optional, but we strongly encourage all applicants to have one or two people serve as references. A reference can be from professors, teaching assistants, instructors, employers, or supervisors. References will only be contacted if your application moves forward.

Please upload your documents in PDF format. Please name your documents as: FirstName_LastName_DocumentName.pdf EXAMPLE: Noah_Davis_CV.pdf.

If you have any questions about the internship, please email our lab manager at lcdmanager[at]berkeley[dot]edu and put “Summer Internship” in the subject line.

Letters of Recommendations:

If you were part of one of our past summer internships and would like a letter of recommendation or a completion certificate, you can find more information here ..

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THE ASSURE SUMMER RESEARCH PROGRAM

Advancing Space Science through Undergraduate Research Experience (ASSURE) is an NSF-funded REU program run by the Space Sciences Laboratory (SSL) at the University of California, Berkeley, a nationally-renowned lab created to expand scientific knowledge of Earth’s space environment, our Solar System, and the wider cosmos. To better support ASSURE in 2024, SSL is also collaborating with Consequences of Fields and Flows in the Interior and Exterior of the Sun (COFFIES), a NASA-funded DRIVE Science Center with the goal of solving some of the most difficult mysteries hidden in the deep interior of our Sun.

This video shows the experiences of the summer 2023 ASSURE interns, woohoo! Thank you so much ASSURE, our mentors, program leads, and sponsors.

Application Information 2024

Here is the application for the 2024 ASSURE program, which will run from June 3 to August 9th, 2024.

We held an online information session on February 15, 2024. You can watch the recording .

Questions can be sent to: [email protected]

Who Should apply

This program is dedicated to providing opportunities for enthusiastic and dedicated first-generation college students, under-represented minorities, community college students, and any students for whom a research opportunity may be a challenge. Students majoring in physics, math, astronomy, astrophysics, computer science, chemistry, geology, mechanical engineering, electrical engineering and other related subjects are encouraged to apply.

Eligibility

Applicants must be currently enrolled in a degree program leading to a baccalaureate or associate degree, and must also be enrolled in classes for Fall 2024. Students who are transferring from one college or university to another, and are enrolled at neither institution during the intervening summer, may participate. Participants must be U.S. citizens, U.S. nationals, or permanent residents of the United States.

No research experience is required for this program. We are seeking motivated, self-starting students with an interest in space sciences and engineering who are eager to learn and expand their skills and experiences. Although not required, a basic understanding of computer programming will be helpful, as this is an important component of all projects. Check out  previous project descriptions and results  for examples of ASSURE student research.

Information for Letters of Reference

Please request letters of recommendation from at least one and up to two professors or professionals (preferably in your major field of study). Letters of reference must be emailed directly to  [email protected] and be received by the application due date (Friday, March 1, 2024).

Check out our FAQ page  to see if it’s been answered. If not, contact  [email protected]

Projects from Previous Summers

See the pages below for student projects from previous summers of the ASSURE REU program:

• ASSURE Projects 2023 and 2022
• ASSURE Projects 2021
• ASSURE Projects 2017
• ASSURE Projects 2016
• ASSURE Projects 2015

“Being part of SSL was a great experience. It’s not something that you just put on your resume. It’s something that you carry with you for a lifetime” — 2014 ASSURE participant

The 2024-2025 ASSURE program is funded by NSF grant number  2244218 .

Space Sciences Laboratory at the University of California, Berkeley

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2024 LEAP Summer REU Program

LEAP’s 2024 Research Experiences for Undergraduates (REU) Program offers summer undergraduate research experiences (SUREs) on synergistic innovations in data science and climate science. This 10-week Program is in partnership with the NSF Significant Opportunities in Atmospheric Research and Science (SOARS)  program at  UCAR .

The REU Program hosts undergraduate researchers and offers a wide array of enrichment learning and networking opportunities. LEAP is committed to building a diverse research community at the intersection of climate science, data science, and climate and social justice. We care about the future of our planet and want to apply our research to help make informed decisions when it comes to the communities most affected by climate change.

All students are supported by a team of researchers and graduate student mentors. We want our students to succeed and learn what it takes to make a larger impact on the world via STEM research. Upon completion of the Program, students may have the opportunity to continue their research or present their findings at academic conferences.

The 2-week Momentum Bootcamp (May 28 – June 7) will be led by: 

• Juan Nathaniel (PhD student, Dept. of Earth + Environmental Engineering, Columbia University; Gentine Lab, Columbia Engineering)
• Candace Agonafir (Postdoc, Depts. of Data Science + Civil Engineering, Columbia University)

The 8-week Research Experience (June 10 – August 2) will be led by the following Project Leads/Mentors:

• Dhruv Balwada
• Greg Elsaesser
• Stephan Mandt
• Brian Medeiros
• Mike Pritchard
• Yongquan Qu
• Sara Shamekh
• Eliot Wong-Toi
• Qingyuan Yang

2024 REU Participants

OMAR ABDEL AZIM Project 1: Quantifying Epistemic and Aleatoric Uncertainty in Climate Data (Mandt)

Omar Abdel Azim is a computer science student at the Clemson University Honors College. He is deeply interested in studying how to increase reliability of machine learning technologies for application in large-scale, data intensive, societal challenges. One of Omar’s proudest achievements in publishing a first author paper in the IEEE journal in addition to an oral conference in the IEEE International Automated Vehicle Validation Conference 2023. He is currently conducting research within the fields of Materials Science, specifically using Machine Learning for prediction of properties in high entropy alloys and developing a database for materials science researchers to use. Additionally, he is a member of Clemson University’s Design, Build, Fly Club and Rocket Engineering Club. He plans to attain a Ph.D. in Computer Science with an emphasis on optimizing machine learning algorithms.

JACK ALFANDRE Project 5: Understanding and Modeling the Impact of Air-Sea Heterogeneity on Surface Fluxes (Balwada)

My research interests include quantum physics, quantum computing, artificial intelligence, and data science. One of my professional goals is to be a tech entrepreneur specializing in quantum computing and using quantum computers for data analysis and high complexity problem solving. Another professional goal of mine is to become a neurosurgeon (I know, they’re pretty unrelated and I’ll have to pick one which is sad because I would love to do both). I unfortunately cannot think of my proudest personal achievement, but if I had to pick something it would be winning an award for outstanding physics student at my high school graduation.

PATRICK DICUS Project 4: Understanding Ice Crystal Growth and Evolution in the Atmosphere (Lamb)

Patrick Dicus is very interested in the intersection between computer science and climate science and hopes to be able to gain skills relating to both which could be used to further his career in these subjects. Patrick is aiming to attend grad school within some field of geosciences, but he is unsure which one to choose just yet. Beyond academics, Patrick enjoys training for bike races he competes in during the summer months, and attending live DJ sets. Patrick is most proud of his qualification for the Collegiate Road Cycling National Championships for two years in a row and being able to represent Hamilton College Cycling at the national level.

ANTHONY GUZMÁN Project 3: Analysis of Climate Model Perturbed Physics Ensembles (Elsaesser, Medeiros)

Anthony is a rising senior double-majoring in Earth Sciences and Data Sciences at the University of Southern California. He has dedicated much of his life to helping out those in under-represented communities, having been raised in one himself, and is known within his local community as one who encourages to question pre-existing beliefs through eloquent writing. He hopes to use his studies in earth and data sciences to address environmental racism in LA County. His hobbies include playing the mellophone in the marching band, baton twirling, and reading novels. One of his favorite memories is performing with Gwen Stefani at the Hollywood Bowl.

NICOLINE JOENSON Project 3: Analysis of Climate Model Perturbed Physics Ensembles (Elsaesser, Medeiros)

Nicoline is a rising Junior in Columbia College, majoring in physics. She is currently the Outreach Head of Columbia’s Physics Club SPECTRA, a club dedicated to promoting diversity an inclusion in physics. This year together with the SPECTRA board and volunteers, she will be presenting different experiments to local middle schoolers on Columbia’s campus. Nicoline’s primary research interest is climate modeling and geophysics. She hopes to be able to apply this knowledge in future climate science research or in environmental law. Before coming to Columbia, Nicoline had two gap years where she volunteered, travelled, worked and studied. Her volunteer work was primarily centered around women’s empowerment and migration aid in Denmark, Bolivia and at the US-Mexican border. In her personal time, Nicoline loves to travel and discover new cultures. Her proudest personal achievement is having hiked to the Tunari peak in Bolivia at 16.519 ft.

TONY MANRIQUEZ Project 5: Understanding and Modeling the Impact of Air-Sea Heterogeneity on Surface Fluxes (Balwada)

Tony Manriquez is an undergraduate student in the Meteorology program at MSU Denver. He is interested in bridging the gap between weather and climate, particularly in subseasonal-to-seasonal (S2S) research. While working on a machine learning project with his NSF Significant Opportunities for Atmospheric Research and Science (SOARS) research mentors on S2S at the National Center for Atmospheric Research (NCAR), he found machine learning applications extremely interesting, with many research applications. After finishing his undergraduate degree from MSU Denver, he plans on attending graduate school in Atmospheric Science. In his spare time, he enjoys storm chasing and aurora chasing! He previously worked as a firefighter for his hometown after earning his certification. He plans to earn certifications in fire, water, earth, and air in the future.

MIA MONTROSE Project 1: Quantifying Epistemic and Aleatoric Uncertainty in Climate Data (Mandt)

Mia is a rising Junior at Harvard College studying Environmental Science and Engineering. Her research interests include climate-focused data science, sustainable technology, and sustainable architecture. She is passionate about environmental justice and using data to protect communities that are most vulnerable to the effects of climate change. Last summer, she traveled to São Paulo, Brasil with Harvard’s David Rockefeller Center for Latin American Studies and interned with Eureciclo, a company that stimulates Brasil’s recycling chain by providing reverse logistics solutions for packaging waste. In addition to gaining exposure and experience in ML and data analysis, she immersed herself in Brasil’s culture and language which proved to be the most rewarding aspect of the experience!

ASHLEY NGUYEN Project 4: Understanding Ice Crystal Growth and Evolution in the Atmosphere (Lamb)

Ashley Nguyen, an undergraduate student at UC Berkeley majoring in Molecular Environmental Biology and Data Science, possesses a deep-seated passion for exploring environmental issues through a range of STEM disciplines including data science, synthetic biology, green chemistry, engineering, and sustainable entrepreneurship. As an aspiring climate scientist, she aims to integrate these diverse interests to develop innovative solutions that can both address urgent long-term environmental concerns and support underserved communities.

Ashley plans to further her education through graduate school, where she intends to continue her research contributions to the climate science community. Notable among her achievements is leading her team to nationals in a research challenge, where she advocated for a pioneering bee probiotic aimed at addressing agricultural toxicity and bee mortality. Throughout her journey, Ashley’s enduring curiosity, resilience, and commitment to addressing climate issues have solidified her endeavors for environmental and social impact.

LAURA PONG Project 2: Understanding and Modeling Turbulent Flow in the Atmosphere (Shamekh)

Laura Pong is an undergraduate studying Atmospheric Science and Data Science at the University of Washington. She is currently studying the impact of extreme heat on plants in the Northwest of the United States and Canada in the Ecoclimate Lab and Turner Lab, and is broadly interested in land-atmospheric interactions. Laura is hoping to take the skills she learns from research and channel them into answering climate questions relevant to her communities in her home of New York City.

GRETA VANZETTEN Project 2: Understanding and Modeling Turbulent Flow in the Atmosphere (Shamekh)

Greta VanZetten is a rising junior at Columbia College studying both Data Science and Women & Gender Studies. From growing up along the shores of Lake Michigan to running through the parks of New York City, she frequently marvels at our dynamic world. At Columbia, she synthesizes statistics with narrative as she leads campus tours and works as a Statistics tutor. Through her interests in the carbon cycle/sequestration, atmospheric modeling, and machine learning, Greta has goals of influencing policy decisions as a scientist, utilizing climate models to analyze and interpret data, and providing insight into how we can alter our intersecting trajectories. In high school, she was a Michigan All-State swimmer who received the 2022 MHSAA Scholar-Athlete award given to the top 16 female varsity athletes in the state. Since then, Greta has continued her athletic endeavors as an Olympic-distance triathlete and water polo player at Columbia.

Click the image below to learn more about the Summer 2024 REU Research Projects and Project Mentors.

Important Dates

• March 1 : Virtual info session ( View Here )
• March 10 : APPLICATION deadline
• March 31 : Application decision notification
• May 26 : Move in to campus housing
• May 28 – August 2 : On-campus Research Experience
• August 3 : Move out of campus housing
• Campus information
• Shared facilities

Columbia University Innovation Hub 2276 12th Ave, 2nd Floor New York, NY 10027

Copyright © 2024

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