The fields of neuroscience and regenerative sciences need ongoing innovation to address the challenges of understanding brain function and brain-related disorders, and a diverse workforce increases the perspectives from which to draw from to solve these challenges. The ReNS program seeks to prepare students for success in careers in research and Ph.D. training in neuroscience and regenerative sciences. This program is funded by an NIH R25 grant (NINDS) and is led by Dr. Brad Carter (UWEC) and Dr. Isobel Scarisbrick (Mayo Clinic Rochester).
The ReNS program focuses on supporting UWEC students from diverse backgrounds to engage in research through:
- Paid full-time summer research positions in the Mayo Clinic Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowship (SURF) program in Rochester, MN, with support from Mayo faculty mentors and with near-peer mentoring with Mayo Clinic graduate students from diverse backgrounds,
- Training in a 2-credit spring semester seminar class with Dr. Carter and other UWEC students as an introduction to science as a profession and preparation for summer research, and
- Presenting summer research in the subsequent fall semester at a regional undergraduate neuroscience conference (Midbrains) and an undergraduate-focused national conference (Annual Biomedical Research Conference for Minoritized Scientists, ABRCMS). Conference expenses are covered by the program.
Applications are received in fall semester, and positions are finalized before registration begins for spring semester classes. Students do not need to be majoring/minoring in neuroscience to participate. This program is best suited for sophomore/junior students who have completed the introductory curriculum in their major (e.g. by end of fall semester of application, bio-related majors - through BIOL221/222/223; neuroscience majors - through IDIS125).
2024-2025 ReNS application link (Microsoft Form); priority deadline = 9:00am Monday 10/21
Preparation for application;
- Personal statement; one to two page description of your career goals and the steps you have already taken to achieve those goals, including:
1) Why do you want to be an undergraduate researcher through the ReNS program?
2) How would participating in the ReNS program be a useful experience for you? - Download unofficial transcript (https://kb.uwec.edu/articles/requesting-official-and-unofficial-transcripts)
