Vagelos Undergraduate Research Fellowship

​The Roy and Diana Vagelos Division of Biology & Biomedical Sciences (DBBS) at Washington University in St. Louis (WUSTL) is excited to introduce the Vagelos Undergraduate Research Fellowship. 

Overview
​This new program is a unique opportunity for Washington University undergraduate students to gain hands-on, graduate-level research experience in biology and biomedical sciences, working under School of Medicine faculty supervision. Admitted students (“Fellows”) will first complete a spring course covering research skills and other relevant topics, including latest research and career lessons from School of Medicine faculty. After successful course completion, Fellows will conduct lab research under the guidance of a faculty mentor over the summer. Upon completion of the program, Fellows may attend exclusive career development workshops and/or serve as peer mentors to future cohorts.​

Timeline​
   October 15, 2022: Application opens for 2023 cohort
   November 14, 2022: Deadline to apply
   Early January 2023: Notification of admission decision
   Spring 2023: Participation in 2-credit course (BIOL 2121)
   Summer 2023: Conduct lab research with faculty mentor​

Program Highlights

  • ​2-credit spring course to help Fellows gain exposure to:
    • Strategies for success in lab research
    • Current primary literature in biology & biomedical sciences
    • Academic and research career paths
  • Spring 2023 course will feature presentations by world-renowned researchers:
    • Roy Vagelos, M.D. – Founder of Undergraduate Research Fellowship Program, Founder of DBBS, Board Chairman at Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, Former President & CEO of Merck & Co.
    • David Perlmutter, M.D. – Dean of WUSTL School of Medicine & Executive Vice Chancellor of Medical Affairs
    • Carolina Lopez, Ph.D. – Professor of Molecular Microbiology & BJC Investigator
    • Lila Solnica-Krezel, Ph.D. – Alan A. and Edith L. Wolff Distinguished Professor & Head of WUSTL Department of Developmental Biology
    • David Holtzman, M.D.​ – Barbara Burton and Reuben M. Morriss III Distinguished Professor of Neurology
  • Access to cutting-edge research tools in biology and biomedical sciences.
  • Fellows will receive a $5000 stipend for living expenses during summer 2023.
  • After program completion, we encourage Fellows to:
    • Attend exclusive professional development workshops
    • Apply to become a peer mentor for the next cohort​​

Eligibility

  • Open to current freshmen, sophomores, juniors, and non-graduating seniors at WUSTL. Seniors graduating before the end of the program are not eligible. Students from other institutions are not eligible.
  • ​Genuine interest in biology or biomedical sciences research
    • No previous research experience required
  • Applicants should also possess the following characteristics:
    • Academic excellence
    • Collaborative mindset
    • Professional demeanor
    • Dedication to service
    • Leadership potential
  • Must be eligible to work in the United States over the summer
  • Students from underrepresented populations strongly encouraged to apply​

Application Requirements

​Application link will become available on October 15th, 2022. Until then, we recommend that you prepare by reviewing the following application requirements:
  • Unofficial college transcript(s)
  • Indicate whether you have chosen a lab already (not required)
  • Acknowledge commitment to Spring 2023 course:
    • 2 credit hours
    • Every Tuesday, 4-6pm
    • Attendance is mandatory
  • Short essay prompts (200-word limit each):
    • Briefly describe any previous experience you have in a research environment.
    • Briefly describe your motivation for applying to the Vagelos Fellows program. What do you wish to accomplish with this experience?
    • What excites you most about participating in the Vagelos Fellows program?
    • What are your career aspirations and how do you think this experience will better prepare you for those goals?

​For more information, contact DBBS-SummerResearch@email.wustl.edu​.

Follow us: