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. | Spring 2023 onwards | 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 |