Current Student Opportunities
Empowering Creativity, Celebrating Achievement
Welcome students! The Undergraduate Research, Arts and Design Network is dedicated to bringing you more opportunities to create and showcase amazing scholarly work. Check back often to learn about exciting programs, courses and other opportunities.
GEOG 2115: Information Design in Science and Society
Spring 2025, first 8 weeks course, In-person
MWF, 1-2:50pm (class ENDS before Spring Break)
A great way to learn vital data visualization skills and science communication skills for STEM majors in just 8 weeks! Plus, you will get to be involved with community-engaged projects and UNM research through this class!
Research Assistant in department of Neuroscience
Applications due January 3, 2025
Dr. Tunc-Ozcan's lab is at the forefront of uncovering how stress reshapes the brain and drives adaptive or maladaptive behaviors, with the ultimate goal of preventing and reversing neuropsychiatric conditions. Through cutting-edge techniques, the research bridges genetics, molecular biology, and neural circuit mapping to reveal mechanisms behind mental health and potential therapeutic breakthroughs.
The lab has already made groundbreaking discoveries, such as an epigenetic mechanism for transgenerational effects of fetal alcohol exposure and tools to manipulate cellular signaling pathways. One particularly exciting achievement demonstrated that activating specific immature hippocampal neurons rapidly reversed stress-induced depression-like states, revealing a new avenue for antidepressant therapies.
By integrating innovative tools like DREADDs (chemogenetics), monosynaptic retrograde tracing, and single-cell RNA sequencing, the lab is now mapping the intricate connections within the dentate gyrus. This work aims to uncover how subtle differences in neuronal inputs shape behavior and disease susceptibility. These insights promise to redefine how we understand the neural circuits underlying mental health, offering transformative potential for sex-specific therapies and personalized medicine.
Please email your transcripts + CVs, a letter of intent, specify whether you want to be a Research Technician (recent graduates are really encouraged to apply for this position / those looking for jobs during their upcoming gap year) or a part-time undergraduate student (work-study is preferred), to all the following email addresses:
1. apritha@salud.unm.edu
2. apasmay@salud.unm.edu
3. Chmazon@salud.unm.edu (current Research Technician in Dr. Tunc-Ozcan's lab)
Keep in mind that the position requires a commitment of at least 1.5 years and applicants must be comfortable working with mice.
Undergraduate Complexity Research Program
Santa Fe Institute (SFI)
January 14, 2025
The SFI Undergraduate Complexity Research (UCR) program is a 10-week residential experience (June 1 - Aug 9, 2025) in complexity science research. Students can select from a menu of projects, or develop a project in collaboration with their mentor(s). Students learn how to combine theory, methods, and data from the physical, natural, and social sciences to ask big questions about real-world complex systems using the rigorous methods employed at SFI. Through a series of seminars and workshops, students enhance their skills as researchers and prepare for the next steps in their academic and professional journeys.
Students receive a stipend of $700 per week, or $7,000 over the course of the program. All UCRs are provided with housing and meals at no cost to them and travel support to/from Santa Fe, New Mexico.
Undergraduate Fellowship on Native American Health
Applications accepted on a rolling basis until January 18. 2025
Are you passionate about shaping the future of healthcare in Native American communities? If you are planning for a career in medicine, health professions, public health policy, or health research, we invite you to apply for this paid UNM undergraduate fellowship. As an Undergraduate Fellow, you will immerse yourself in the critical factors influencing health in Native American populations.
This fellowship equips you with invaluable, hands-on experience while empowering you to strengthen the healthcare workforce. By addressing health disparities and enhancing community well-being, you will play a vital role in fostering a healthier future for Indigenous populations. You will also have the unique opportunity to share your insights and findings with fellow UNM and tribal college students and the broader public, promoting a collaborative approach to improving health outcomes.
MIT Summer Research Program (MSRP)
January 21, 2025
The MIT Summer Research Program (MSRP) seeks to promote the value of graduate education; to improve the research enterprise through increased diversity; and to prepare and recruit the best and brightest for graduate education at MIT. MSRP seeks to identify talented sophomores, juniors, and non-graduating seniors who might benefit from spending a summer on MIT’s campus, conducting research under the guidance of MIT faculty members, postdoctoral fellows, and advanced graduate students. MSRP participants receive a weekly stipend, round trip travel, and university housing during the nine-week program. Application workshop will be held on Tues, Dec 3rd, register here
Undergraduate Pipeline Network (UPN)
Applications due February 1, 2025
UPN is designed to cultivate an interest in research through exposure to various types of research, develop of research skills and prepare participants for graduate education in the health and social sciences. The program runs for 10 weeks in summer 2025 and is an in-person, full-time (35-40 hours/week) paid program ($6000 stipend) located in Albuquerque. Read more about UPN and apply here.
University of Michigan Summer Research Opportunity Program (SROP)
Applications due February 3, 2025
The University of Michigan SROP is designed for outstanding undergraduate students who are underrepresented in their field of study. SROP strives to increase the number of diverse students with unique experiences by supporting their preparation for graduate studies. Through intensive mentorship, active learning, and enrichment activities, SROP fosters a community of scholars who increase social and cultural capital and networking while mastering research skills and knowledge that advances their preparation as candidates for successful graduate study at U-M and success in future careers, increasing representation in professional fields. Application workshops for SROP begin on December 10th, register here.
Clinical & Translational Research Experience (CT-REx)
Applications due February 28, 2025
UNM’s Clinical & Translational Research Experience (CT-REx) Program is a career preparation program for undergraduate students who are interested in exploring careers as clinical research professionals. Clinical research professionals (CRPs) support academic medical research and include job titles such as research coordinators and data management specialists. CT-REx trainees participate in a 8-week summer program, 40 hours per week, from June 2 - July 25, 2025. The program provides skill-based training, mentorship, and hands-on learning in the key areas of research:
Lab work
Data management
Participant interaction
Program evaluation
Trainees receive housing on UNM campus and a stipend of $5,000.
College of Pharmacy Faculty Research Interests
College of Pharmacy
Start Date: Ongoing
Explore the faculty research interests from the Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences in the College of Pharmacy.
Search Open Positions at UNMJobs
Ongoing
Departments will list paid student positions (e.g., Research Assistant, Lab Assistant, etc.) on UNMJobs. You will apply directly on UNMJobs for any positions of interest.
Departmental Seminars
Ongoing
Many departments host regular seminars, brown bags or lectures throughout the academic year for students to learn more about the research and happenings in that department. Check out this list to see all of the departments across campus offering such events.
