The FBRI neuroSURF program is a 10-week long summer program that gives students the opportunity to participate in hands-on, hypothesis-driven independent research in an area of translational neurobiology at the Fralin Biomedical Research Institute at VTC in Roanoke, Virginia. This program encompasses a full-time, 40-hour week schedule and supports neuroSURF students with a stipend. Housing will also be provided to those students that need it.
The FBRI neuroSURF program’s objectives are:
- To expose undergraduate students to the broad scope of multidisciplinary, fundamental, and translational neurobiology
- To provide hands-on research experiences in the field of neurobiology to undergraduates who would not otherwise be exposed to experiential learning in multidisciplinary translational neurobiology
- To expose students to experiential learning and neurobiology early in their careers to increase the likelihood of long-term careers in neurobiology-related fields
- To develop and foster creative problem solving skills in early career students
- To provide training and experiences that foster improved science communication at all levels and to all audiences
Areas of research for FBRI neuroSURF students will include:
- Cellular, Molecular, and Developmental Neurobiology
- Glial Cell Biology and Cancer
- Behavioral, Cognitive, and Computational Neurobiology
In addition to hands-on research projects, FBRI neuroSURF students will participate in:
- Weekly neurobiology research seminars by Virginia Tech Faculty
- Courses on preparing for a future career in science
- Mentoring on science communication and presentation skills
- The Virginia Tech Summer Undergraduate Research Symposium
- Peer mentoring from VT graduate students
- Social and cultural activities with fellow summer research students
Learn more about Fralin Biomedical Research Institute at VTC here!
Learn more about growth in neurobiology research at Virginia Tech here!
Learn more about faculty neurobiology research areas at FBRI here!