Research Experiences for Undergraduates at DSU

Inaugural NSF-REU COHORT Summer Recap

The inaugural cohort for the HBCU REU program at DSU, which ran from May through July this past summer, was a great success!

• 10 amazing students were at DSU for 10 weeks on a research-intensive paid internship. A competitive group, they joined us from 6 HBCU partners, including Spelman, Tuskegee, Bethune-Cookman, Cheyney, Lincoln, and DSU.
• Students were paired with faculty mentors to study the broad arena of cellular and molecular biology, which allowed students to explore topics in neuroscience, cancer biology, microbiology, data science, biochemistry, and agriculture based on their personal interests – plus lots of professional development!
• Students also led exciting sessions featuring historical figures from minority backgrounds that contributed to science, but who were often marginalized and overlooked.
• Interns took part in a field trip to Philadelphia to visit the Mutter Museum and the Franklin Institute.
• At the twilight of the program, all students presented their research during a poster symposium for all summer-related internships held at DSU.

We were thrilled to have such a wonderful group of students join us for a science-filled summer, and we are already looking forward for next summer! Plus, they told us that they had a blast!

- Dr. Erin Perchiniak & Dr. Hakeem Lawal, Oct. 2024

REU Highlights

HBCU REU at Delaware State University: Summer 2024 Molecular/Cellular Biology Internship Opportunity

Research Experiences for Undergraduates (REU) Program Description

The proposed project will focus on specifically recruiting students from Delaware State University (DSU) and partnering Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), to participate in an undergraduate summer research internship and mentoring program. Through this collaborative initiative, a diverse cohort of students will be recruited to engage in a 10-week program of high-impact research at DSU in the extensive and wide-ranging arena of cellular and molecular biology.

Students will develop science communication skills through writing and presentation activities and workshops, network with faculty and peers, and, most importantly, develop lasting relationships within the scientific community. Students are expected to take part in program activities and research training seminars held during the internship. They are also expected to stay and fully reside on the DSU campus and present a poster at the DSU Summer Research Symposium. Students selected for the internship will receive a $625/week stipend. Food and housing costs will also be covered by the program.

Program details

• 10-week summer program (5/29/24 - 8/2/24)
• $625/week stipend
• Housing and Meal Plan included
• Applicants should be an undergraduate STEM major and have completed at least 25 credits of college course work including one introductory science course
• Candidates from HBCU’s will be given preference. Undergraduate students supported by this program must be citizens or permanent residents of the United States or its possessions

Application Requirements

• 1 Letter of Recommendation (letters from faculty, student advisor, or employers preferred)
• Unofficial transcript
• CV or Resume
• Completed application through the NSF ETAP portal

REU Affiliated Researchers

Participants will be paired in a DSU research laboratory to conduct their 10-week internship. A wide range of research topics are available to choose from including neuroscience, cancer research, microbiology, and computational biology. Some options are listed in the table below:

2024 HBCU REU Cohort

Congratulations to the 2024 cohort of REU student researchers!