Program Details
The Neuroscience Techniques and Research Training (NeuroSTART) Program for Undergraduates is part of the Research Experience for Undergraduates (REU) grant program funded by the National Science Foundation (NSF) and the Awards to Stimulate and Support Undergraduate Research Experiences (ASSURE) Program funded by the Department of Defense (DoD) Air Force Office of Scientific Research (AFOSR).
The goal of the NeuroSTART program is to increase the number of UG students from the greater Memphis area actively involved in behavioral neuroscience research. The program is open to any undergraduate rising junior or senior from the greater Memphis area that is interested in neuroscience research and is a citizen or permanent resident of the United States or its possessions.
Accepted applicants will begin the program in mid-May and will receive a competitive stipend for committing 10-20 hours/week. Hours are variable and will be scheduled and approved by the student’s faculty mentor.
- During the two-semester program, students accepted to the program will complete all phases of an empirical research project under the mentorship of a behavioral neuroscience faculty member.
- In addition to data collection and analysis, students will prepare and present a “mock defense” of their project, present their work at a national conference [e.g., Society for Neuroscience (SfN)] and write and submit a manuscript summarizing their project to a peer-reviewed neuroscience journal.
Students will also join other neuroscience researchers
- In a series of monthly seminars to:
- promote career development and training in responsible conduct in research (RCR)
- hear neuroscience-related talks from guest speakers as well as current faculty and graduate students (Cajal club)
- partake in important discussions about equity and inclusion in academic and society (Welcoming Diversity seminar)
- At a two-day retreat to prepare for the process of applying to graduate schools.
These experiences are intended to facilitate successful admission to graduate neuroscience programs. Therefore, undergraduate students interested in neuroscience from the greater Memphis area who will be rising juniors or seniors by the start of the program (mid-May each year) are eligible to apply. Underrepresented racial and ethnic minority and/or first-generation college students are strongly encouraged to apply.
Applications for the 2023 NeuroSTART cohort are due on March 24th and applicants notified of their status by April 15th.
We are not taking applications at this time. Please email Dr. Helen Sable (hjsable@memphis.edu) or Dr. Deranda Lester (dbrewer@memphis.edu) with questions about the program.