The FBRI Molecular Visualization SURF program is a 10-week long summer program that gives students the opportunity to participate in hypothesis-driven independent research at Fralin Biomedical Research Institute at VTC in Roanoke, Virginia. Students will participate in a weekly workshop series to provide hands-on experience in the cutting edge imaging technologies housed within FBRI to understand appropriate application of each technology in understanding biological processes. This program encompasses a full-time, 40-hour week schedule and supports Molecular Visualization SURF students with a $4,000 stipend. Housing will also be provided to those students that need it.
The FBRI Molecular Visualization SURF program’s objectives are:
- To expose undergraduate students to the broad scope of molecular visualization technologies available to interrogate fundamentals of biological processes in health and disease
- To provide hands-on research experiences within the multidisciplinary environment of the FBRI where application of these cutting edge imaging technologies is applied in fundamental and translational research
- To expose students to experiential learning early in their careers to increase the likelihood of long-term careers in STEM fields
- To develop and foster creative problem solving skills in early career students and train students in appropriate application of techniques, experimental design, and data analysis
- To provide training and experiences that foster improved science communication at all levels and to all audiences
Areas of research for FBRI Molecular Visualization SURF students will include:
- Cancer biology
- Cardiovascular biology
- Drug discovery and development
- Immunology
- Neuroscience
- Virology and infectious disease
In addition to hands-on research projects, FBRI Molecular Visualization SURF students will participate in:
- Weekly Molecular Visualization workshops by Virginia Tech Faculty on each imaging technology
- 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