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. | Fall 2022 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. | Fall 2022 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 (experience is its own reward!), 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 |
| Gene regulation in bacteria | This work involves studying a novel gene regulation mechanism in a developmental bacterium. The work will involve a lot molecular biology as well as some bacterial cell biology. | Fall 2022 and onwards | Volunteer (experience is its own reward!), Biology elective credit (BISC 491) | Interest in molecular biology, dedication, commitment to more than one semester | Approximately 10 hours per week, but with flexibility. | Patrick Curtis pdcurtis@olemiss.edu |
| Biochemical properties of a protein involved in apoptosis | This research involves ligand binding analysis of Bax to peptides that correspond to what is known as the 'BH3' domain of different proteins to determine the amino acids important for binding. We will also assess how peptide binding affects Bax structure using native gel electrophoresis. | Fall 2022 semester | Biology elective credit (BISC 491) | Background coursework in cell biology and/or biochemistry would be helpful. | Approximately 6-8 hours per week for 3 credit hours of BISC 491 | Mika Jekabsons jekabson@olemiss.edu |
| Interdisciplinary Research into Symbiotic Interactions Involving Microbes | 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 seek highly motivated, curious, disciplined, and goal-oriented undergraduates who are willing to join us in the hard work of discovering new things. We work on many diverse projects (see http://darwinsdaemon.com for synopses) and are open to undergraduates working on any of these. These projects include: understanding the co-evolution of fungi and algae (think lichens and see: https://www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1101/2021.07.07.451547v4); the stress resilience of biological soil crusts commonly found in deserts; sloths and their microbiome (e.g., see Netflix's Our Great National Parks series, episode 1 (https://www.netflix.com/title/81086133)—Dr. Hom was a consultant for the sloth segment); and exploring the potential of microbes to make novel compounds of commercial relevance (think $$). We use both experimental and bioinformatic/computational approaches to get answers to our questions. If you want to learn more and think you might be a fit, contact Dr. Hom. | Fall 2022 onwards | Volunteer (experience is its own reward!), Biology elective credit (BISC 491) | You should be either: (i) a good student (>3.5 GPA) who is also 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. The ability to follow-through and get things done independently is important. Good communication, and the habit of taking the initiative to communicate regularly is critical. | At a minimum, 10 hours in 2-3 time blocks per week; ideally more than that if you want to get things done and are motivated by wanting to discover things rather than clocking in. We don't micromanage and expect that you to want to do research when no one is looking. | Erik Hom erik@olemiss.edu |
| teaching population & evolutionary genetics | The goal is to develop a Course-based Undergraduate Research Experience (CURE, see https://www.colorado.edu/research/cure/). It will focus on principles of population & evolutionary genetics, and use the Bess beetle (Odontotaenius disjunctus) as a model organism to address a testable research question: nature vs. nurture - to what extent does genetics (mtDNA lineage) vs. environment (geographic origin) explain differences in individuals’ phenotypes? | Fall 2022 and onwards | Volunteer (experience is its own reward!), Biology elective credit (BISC 491), Other (see researcher for details) | "- BISC 160 - 163 (Intro Biol - majors), - either currently enrolled in or have completed BISC 336 (Genetics) or BISC 301 (Evolution)" | Depends on student / availability (talk to me) | Ryan Garrick rgarrick@olemiss.edu |