PreMiEr Summer REU 2026
Duke University·Durham, NC·2026 cycle
Closed for cycleComputational/Data ScienceBioinformatics/Computational Biology✓ verified
Precision Microbiome Engineering (PreMiEr) Research Experience for Undergraduates (REU) Are you an undergraduate passionate about science, engineering, or microbiology? Ready to dive into hands-on research? Join our Research Experiences for Undergraduates (REU) Program focused on microbes of the built environment! As part of the PreMiEr Engineering Research Center, you will investigate the complex interactions between microbes and humans in the spaces we both share, including homes, hospitals, and other indoor spaces. You'll gain insight into microbial impacts on human health and learn how research is applied to real-world problems. About the Program Our REU program is a summer research experience open to undergraduates from any two-year or four-year institution. Through this nine-week immersive research experience, you will gain hands-on research experience in an academic lab. The program begins on May 26th, 2026 and runs through July 24th, 2026 (9 weeks). REU Students will spend the first week of the program on the campus of the University of North Carolina in Chapel Hill, NC. During Weeks 2 - 8, students will gain hands-on lab experience on the campus of their host institution. During the final week, students will return to UNC-Chapel Hill to analyze data and prepare for a final research presentation. Throughout the summer, students will gain valuable professional development skills and will participate in events and seminar series with PreMiEr faculty, graduate students, and post-docs. What You’ll Do Work alongside leading researchers in engineering, life sciences, computer sciences, and bioinformatics Conduct an independent research project and present your findings Participate in workshops, seminars, and career development activities Gain experience in sought-after research skills, including environmental sampling, prototype testing, microbiological techniques, DNA and RNA isolation, DNA and RNA sequencing
microbiome, health, environment, engineering, microbiology, bioinformatics, genetics, genomics
Students must be a full-time undergraduate student at a two-year or four-year institution and a U.S. citizen or permanent resident. No previous research experience required; hands-on training and mentorship will be provided! To be successful, students should be in good academic standing and have an enthusiasm for science, research, and learning. In their personal statements, applicants should describe their interest in this REU program and in the Precision Microbiome Engineering Research Center (PreMiEr). Successful applicants are expected to work as part of a team and communicate effectively. If you are interested in the Center's robotics research, please indicate in your application if you have experience coding in Python or C++. Pre-engineering and engineering students are particularly encouraged to apply.
Be the first. Join the waitlist and you'll be able to submit a decision report when the workspace launches.