Biology Undergraduate Research Opportunities
Current Undergraduate Students ⟩ Research Opportunities ⟩ Biology Undergraduate Research Opportunities
We’ve made it easier for you to find out about opportunities for research participation in the Dept of Biology. Our researchers are often looking for lab and/or field assistance. By working with them, you’ll gain valuable training and research skills. See the list below for opportunities that are currently available.
| Research Topic | Research Description | Time Frame | Position Description | Requirements | Time Commitment of Student | Contact Name and Email |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Plant Growth and Developmental Responses to Temperature | I'm looking for highly motivated undergraduate students to join my research program, which focuses on understanding the molecular mechanisms by which plants sense and respond to the changing environmental light and temperature signals. The students will learn cutting-edge techniques in molecular and cellular biology, biochemistry, plant physiology, and genetics. The students are responsible to carry out experiments, analyze data, discuss the results during one-on-one or group meetings, and prepare the publications. Freshmen and Sophomores with no research background are also encouraged to contact me. | Spring 2023 and onwards | Volunteer (experience is its own reward!), Biology elective credit (BISC 491), Work study (if eligible, hourly wage thru Financial Aid office) | Three requirements: 1) interested in my research projects; 2) willing to learn and communicate with the professor; 3) serious about scientific research and responsible. | 8-10 hours per week for freshmen and sophomores; at least 10 hours per week for junior and senior students; most of my research projects will last 2-4 years so I hope the students can spend at least one year on the projects. | Yongjian Qiu yqiu@olemiss.edu |
| Plant response to gravity | I'm looking for highly motivated undergraduate students to join my research program, which focuses on understanding the molecular mechanisms by which plant shoots and roots sense and respond to gravity. The students will learn cutting-edge techniques in molecular and cellular biology, biochemistry, plant physiology, and genetics. The students are responsible to carry out experiments, analyze data, discuss the results during one-on-one or group meetings, and prepare the publications. Freshmen and Sophomores with no research background are also encouraged to contact me. | Spring 2023 and onwards | Volunteer (experience is its own reward!), Biology elective credit (BISC 491), Work study (if eligible, hourly wage thru Financial Aid office) | Three requirements: 1) interested in my research projects; 2) willing to learn and communicate with the professor; 3) serious about scientific research and responsible. | 8-10 hours per week for freshmen and sophomores; at least 10 hours per week for junior and senior students; most of my research projects will last 2-4 years so I hope the students can spend at least one year on the projects. | Yongjian Qiu yqiu@olemiss.edu |
| Cardiovascular Development and Disease | We study how the identity, shape, size and location of cardiovascular cells changes during development and disease | Ongoing | Volunteer, Biology elective credit (BISC 491), Work study (if eligible, hourly wage thru Financial Aid office), Other (see researcher for details) | Independent and critical thinking | Commitment of at least 10 hours a week | Joshua Bloomekatz josh@olemiss.edu |
| Interdisciplinary Research into Symbiotic Interactions Involving Microbes | Have you wondered how "science" and research really happen? Join us! We seek highly motivated, curious, disciplined, and goal-oriented undergraduates who are willing to join us in the fun of discovering new things. Projects in the Hom Lab largely center around the study of microbes (bacteria, fungi, and algae) and the concept of symbiosis-the persistent, intimate living-together of living organisms. We work on a diversity of systems (see http://darwinsdaemon.com for synopses) and undergraduates are welcome to work on any of these as there is capacity. These projects include: understanding the co-evolution of fungi and algae (thick lichens and see: https://www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1101/2021.07.07.451547v4 ); engineering new microbial communities (think new fermented beverages/probiotics); ecosystem resilience experiments (think pond experiments at the UM's field station); sloths and their microbiome (e.g., see Netflix's Our Great National Parks series, episode 1 (https://www.netflix.com/title/81086133) - and bioinformatic/ computational approaches to get answers to our questions. If you want to learn more and think you might be a fit or what's possible, contact Dr. Hom. Freshman and Sophomores are especially encouraged to join us. | Ongoing | Options: (1) Volunteer (experience is its own reward!); (2) Biology elective credit (BISC 491); (3) if eligible through Financial Aid Office, hourly pay through the work study program. | (1) The ability to follow-through and get things done independently; (2) good communication, with a habit of taking the initiative to communicate regularly. Note that those who are successful in scientific research are typically: (i) a good student )>3.5 GPA) AND very curious about how the world works, or (ii) an unusual, creative and hard working student with more real-world intelligence than comes across through grades. | We have found that student success comes (and thus we expect) you to commit to ≥10 hours, ideally in 2-3 time blocks per week to research. You should want to get things done and are motivated to discover things rather than clocking in. We don't micromanage and expect you to do research even when no one is looking. In return, you will get mentoring, advice, and support beyond just a bullet point on your resume. | Erik Hom erik@olemiss.edu |
| Amphibian thermal physiology and disease ecology | Come join the Ohmer Lab in learning about the thermal biology of amphibians and how this interacts with wildlife disease! We seek curious and highly motivated undergraduates who want to learn about the research process. The research in the lab is centered on better understanding the effects of climate change on amphibian populations impacted by the disease chytridiomycosis. We have several opportunities that undergraduates can become involved in - if you want to learn more and become part of a fun, diverse, and welcoming lab group, please contact Jenny Cocciardi (jmcoccia@olemiss.edu). | Ongoing | Undergraduates can participate for Biology elective credit (BISC 491), through the Work Study Program (if eligible through the Financial Aid Office), or volunteer (undergraduate research experience looks great on the resume!). | Commitment, good communication skills, and motivated to learn about the scientific process and learn from others. | Flexible but expected to be ≥8 hrs per week. | Jenny Cocciardi jmcoccia@olemiss.edu |
| Animal Behavior and Endangered Species Conservation | My goal is to inform conservation management through animal behavior research. Specifically, I am interested in how individual behavioral differences can assist endangered species recovery goals. I conduct behavioral tests on an endangered bird species and transcribe their behaviors from video footage to investigate the development and maintenance of consistent differences. Undergraduate researchers would primarily assist me in video transcription, but could also help in transcription protocol development, data analyses in R studio, and investigate independent questions. Volunteers can largely work at their own pace. | Ongoing | Opportunities include 1) Biology elective credit (BISC 491), 2) Work Study Program (if eligible through the Financial Aid Office), 3) Volunteer (undergraduate research experience.). | Be in good academic standing, strong communication skills, motivated to learn new skills, committed to a job well done. | Flexible | Laney Hayward Nute ljnute@go.olemiss.edu |
| Experiences of neurodivergent students in undergraduate STEM courses | My research group is looking to hire 1-3 undergraduate researchers to start in the Spring 2024 semester. We are seeking researchers to help us determine how neurodivergent undergraduates- students who identify as having conditions like autism, ADHD, learning disabilities, etc.,- decide to tell faculty and peers about their conditions in STEM courses. | Spring 2024 and onward | The undergraduate researchers will work closely with Dr. Mariel Pfeifer (a new faculty member joining the department) to learn more about qualitative research methods, analyze student interview data, and connect and work closely with another team of undergraduate researchers at a different university. More information about Dr. Pfeifer's research group can be found at https://www.pfeiferlab.com/ | Candidates should have an interest in experiences of neurodivergent students and be detail-oriented, reliable, and work well in teams. Undergraduate researchers will be paid hourly ($14) for their work or can register for biology research credit (options include BISC 491, 492, and 493). First and second-year students are especially encouraged to apply. But all years are welcome! | Flexible (3-15 hours per week). The time commitment each week is negotiable depending on student availability. | Students interested in applying should send a 1-3 paragraph statement about their interest in the project to Dr. Pfeifer (mapfeife@olemiss.edu) as soon as possible. Please feel free to reach out with any questions. |
| Ewell Lab of Biology Education Research (EBER) | Students will have the opportunity to work closely with Dr. Ewell, learn qualitative research methods (e.g., survey design, interviewing, coding), and learn more about discipline-based education research. | Spring 2024 and onward | This position can be volunteer, paid (work study, if eligible), or credit earning (BISC 491) position. | While first- and second-year students are highly encouraged to apply, we welcome applications for ALL students. The ideal candidate for this position is curious, highly motivated, and interested in learning more about equitable STEM education. | The expected commitment is at least two semesters so that continuity and expertise can be developed over time. Weekly, students will be expected to work ~5-10 hours a week. | If you are interested, send the following to snewell1@olemiss.edu: 1) a cover letter detailing your research experience and interests; 2) a CV, including your GPA. If you want to learn more, visit Dr. Ewell at 414 Shoemaker Hall or visit the lab website (http://drshardayewell.weebly.com/ |
| Video analysis of behaviors of a mesopredator in response to experimental apex predator cues in the environment | We are looking for an undergraduate student to join our research study, which focuses on utilizing animal behavior to better understand conservation questions involving conflicts with predators and their prey. Specifically, we are focused on understanding how the foraging behavior, antipredator behavior, and spatial distribution of the northern raccoon is altered in response to direct cues from predators. The student will be working primarily with doctoral student Jessica Stamn, to analyze trail camera videos of raccoons from a research project this past summer. Activities will include scoring videos for specific behaviors and contributing to the development of future projects based on the data. Some field work may be available (checking trail cameras, setting up for future projects), but is not required. | Spring 2025 semester | Experience based or biology elective credit (BISC 491) | Be in good academic standing; Access to a computer; Ability to focus for long stretches of time | Expected 5-10 hours per week depending on length of work and if working for credit or experience. | Jessica Stamn; jsstamn@go.olemiss.edu |