REU Program
Funded by the National Science Foundation, BCBP Research Experience for Undergraduates (REU) Program students participate in a 10-week summer research program under the direction of the Biochemistry and Biophysics faculty.
Research projects span multiple disciplines including biophysics, cell biology, drug discovery, enzymology, gene regulation, plant biochemistry and genetics, microbiology, quantitative biology, and structural biology.. To learn more about potential research projects explore our faculty research interests pages. In addition to a research project, students will attend weekly seminars on professional development opportunities, science ethics, and effective oral and written communication.
The BCBP Research Experience for Undergraduates Program is funded by the National Science Foundation. Selected students will work full time in a research lab for 10 weeks over the summer. The program has a generous stipend and cost-of-living allowance.
For two decades we have welcomed exceptional undergraduate students into our laboratories. In our 10-week program, you will engage in hands-on research, gain confidence in your scientific skillset, and learn to effectively communicate your work. You will also participate in professional development activities and network with BCBP faculty, staff, and current students.
The Summer 2027 NSF REU Site in Biochemistry program will run from Tuesday June 1— Thursday, August 5, 2027.
Past REU program participant’s experience
“I wanted more experience working in a research lab before applying to graduate school. My undergrad institution was a small liberal arts college, which meant I didn’t have access to graduate-level research. Even though I had completed an REU program at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign in 2017, I knew doing another REU would strengthen my graduate school applications and help me learn about more research areas. I worked in Dr. Kaplan’s lab in 2018 and he knew I wanted to go to graduate school, so he treated me like a grad student and gave me a project that no one else in the lab was working on. This was challenging but helped me become independent and resourceful. The REU program helped me receive good scientific training. And during the REU I worked in a yeast lab, which I now do as a graduate student here in Dr. Polymenis’ lab.”
Staci Hammer, REU Alumni
About the Program
Eligibility
The program is open to undergraduate students majoring in biochemistry, chemistry, genetics, biology, or any life science. All outstanding students will be considered, however, preference will be given to candidates who have finished their second year and have taken Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry course sequences. NSF funds can only be used to support U.S. citizens and permanent residents. Students from small colleges that have limited research opportunities are especially encouraged to apply.
Requirements
- Completed application form, including a statement of purpose and goals
- Two letters of recommendation
- Transcript from your undergraduate institution; an unofficial transcript is acceptable for initial review
- Resume
How to Apply
Application deadline for summer 2027: February 1, 2027.
If you have any questions or concerns, please contact Dr. Margy Glasner at [email protected]
Complete our online application to apply to our program!
Competitive Compensation
You are awarded an all-expenses-paid research experience including:
- A competitive $7,000 stipend
- Housing
- Additional funds to defray the cost of food
- Transportation to and from College Station ( Up to $900 reimbursement)
- Coverage of all instructional costs
Benefits of the Program
- Work alongside leaders in the fields of biochemistry, biophysics, and genetics
- Interact with faculty and mentors across the university
- Cover a curriculum on critical perspectives on research and the ethics of science
- Receive guidance on career paths
- Join the vast network of Texas A&M Biochemistry faculty, students, and alumni
Past Participants
2026 Participants
Row 1:
Lily Kaestner, Biology, Carthage College
“Conserved Lipid Specificity of TAT-5 Regulates Extracellular Vesicle Formation in C. elegans”
TAMU Research Laboratory: Dr. Ann Wehman, Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics
Jessica Galub, Biomedical Sciences, University of North Florida
“Regulation Mechanism of Cholesterol Storage”
TAMU Research Laboratory: Dr. Xuewu Sui, Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics
Andrea Joglar, Biochemistry, St Edwards University
“Expression, Purification and Isotopic Labeling of GlpG for NMR Studies”
TAMU Research Laboratory: Dr. A. Josh Wand, Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics
Row 2:
Fotoula Stroumpos, Genetics, Texas A&M University
“Yeast-Based Modeling Reveals the Pathogenicity of Patient-Derived Mutations in the Human Copper Transporter CTR1”
TAMU Research Laboratory: Dr. Vishal Gohil, Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics
Mars Black, Biochemistry, Kenyon College
“Discovering Candidate Inhibitors Against Mycobacterium Tuberculosis Bifunctional FAD Synthetase (RibF) and 1-Deoxy-D-Xylulose 5-Phosphate Synthase (DXPS) Enzymes Using High-Throughput Screening”
TAMU Research Laboratory: Dr. James Sacchettini, Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics
Roy Shin, Cell and Molecular Biology , Pomona College
“Opposing Roles of Receptor Protein Tyrosine Phosphatases in Axon Patterning and Their Regulation by O-mannosylation in Drosophila melanogaster”
TAMU Research Laboratory: Dr. Vlad Panin, Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics
Row 3:
Caitlyn Boudreaux, Biochemistry, Louisiana Tech University
“Establishing Escherichia coli D-malate dehydrogenase (decarboxylating) as a Model Enzyme for Enhancing Enzyme Specificity and Efficiency”
TAMU Research Laboratory: Dr. Margy Glasner, Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics Griffin Sullivan, Department of Biochemistry, Abilene Christian University
“Enrichment of a Naive DARPin Library Against Staphylococcal Protein A”
TAMU Research Laboratory: Dr. Zhilei Chen, Department of Microbial Pathogenesis and Immunology and Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics
Lucas Hoffman, Chemistry, Towson University
“A Yeast-Based System for Visualizing Agonist Response of PKCδ C1 Domain”
TAMU Research Laboratory: Dr. Tatyana Igumenova, Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics and Cell Biology and Genetics
Row 4:
William Nichols, Chemistry, Allegheny College
“Dual NR4A1/2 Ligands Trigger Ferroptosis and Upregulate ACSL4 in Rhabdomyosarcoma”
TAMU Research Laboratory: Dr. Stephen Safe, Department of Veterinary Physiology and Pharmacology and Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics
Zachary Ely, Biochemistry, Clarkson University
“Investigating the effect of iron on cell growth: a quantitative systems-level approach”
TAMU Research Laboratory: Dr. Paul Lindahl, Department of Chemistry and Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics
Adam Eskin, Biochemistry, Bowdoin College
“Genetic Manipulation of Pseudomonas aeruginosa to Elucidate the Infection Mechanism of a Novel Type IV Pilus-Dependent Podophage”
TAMU Research Laboratory: Dr. Junjie Zhang, Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics
Luis Carrillo, Biochemistry, Texas A&M University
“Developing Cationic Amphiphilic Drugs (CADs) as Tools for Protein Delivery”
TAMU Research Laboratory: Dr. Jean-Philippe Pellois, Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics and Department of Chemistry
