Focused Opportunities
Summer Undergraduate Research Program
Undergraduate students considering careers in pathology, microbiology, immunology or other laboratory sciences are offered opportunities for doing research in one of our department laboratories. Each student will work for 10 weeks on a project in a laboratory that will be assigned after acceptance. Student researchers will attend weekly seminar series and students will have an opportunity to present results in a poster session at the end of the summer.
Dr. Caroline Ng is our department director of the Summer Undergraduate Research Program. If you have questions, please email Molly Hadan, education program coordinator, or call 402-559-3980.
Middle and High School Students
The Department of Pathology, Microbiology and Immunology Research Apprenticeship Program is an inclusive program designed to offer interested Omaha Public High School students an opportunity to work in an active biomedical research lab on the UNMC campus. Students will be able to learn core techniques in molecular biology and other related areas such as cell biology, cancer biology, or microbiology in addition to the latest knowledge in their host lab’s field of study.
The program is intended to last one semester with the possibility to continue should they and their mentor mutually agree to do so. Students are paid on an hourly basis for their time spent in the lab and will be required to fill out time sheets to log their hours. Students must be 16 years or older to apply for a position. Students from diverse backgrounds are highly encouraged to apply. Help with the application process is available for those who need it. Transportation is also available.
For more information please contact Scot Ouellette, PhD.
The Department of Pathology, Microbiology and Immunology hosts the Young Scientist Research Workshop (YSRW) that aims to promote STEM education and provide young scientists with hands-on experience in biomedical research. The workshop will introduce students to scientific methods, guiding them through the process of formulating hypotheses, designing experiments, analyzing data, and drawing conclusions. Participants will engage in experiments covering areas such as insect physiology, biochemistry, and molecular biology, using Tribolium castaneum (red flour beetle) as a genetic model system.
There are 10 spots available (5 for middle school and 5 for high school students) for those currently enrolled in grades 8–12. This FREE weeklong workshop will take place from Monday, July 28 to Friday, August 1, 2025.
Application deadline: All application materials must be submitted by Monday, March 31, 2025.
Awardees will be notified by May 30, 2025.
Program Location
The program will take place at the University of Nebraska Medical Center Campus. Durham Research Center 2 (DRC 2), 560 S. 45th Street Omaha, NE 68198. Students are responsible for their own transportation to and from the workshop each day. The program will begin promptly at 9:30 am and conclude at 4:30 pm. Students should gather in the lobby of the DRC 2 building by 9:15 am.
Eligibility Requirements
Students who meet these requirements are encouraged to apply:
- Enrolled in grades 8, 9, 10, 11 or 12
- Cumulative GPA (more than 3.5)
- Submits a compelling personal statement and a strong letter of recommendation.
Application Requirements
- Completion of this online form which includes a personal statement (500-word limit).
- Completion and submission of the YSRW Parent/Guardian permission form.
- Submission of one (1) letter of recommendation
“Legacy Durham is a great example to these students to show how far they can go. She was the only high school student who presented her research at this conference — quite an achievement.”
Research Apprenticeship Program
The Research Apprenticeship Program expands high school students’ science horizons, hosting four to six students per year to conduct lab research.
