Summer Research Internships

Frequently Asked Questions

Is there a minimum amount of time the intern must spend on research?

Yes. Each intern must participate at least half time; however, preference will be given to applicants willing to commit to full-time participation at least 40 hours per week, with approximately 30-35 hours per week associated with research, and 5-10 hours per week spent in lectures/workshops, weekly lunch meetings, and preparing for poster presentations.

I've never done any laboratory research before, and I don't know what's expected of me. I'm afraid I'll get to the lab and be totally lost.

We know our interns may never have done research before, and so we will provide you with some basic training. If you will be researching in a laboratory setting, you will be required to complete the online Laboratory Safety Training Class presented by UA Risk Management. In addition, we will offer a Basic Laboratory Skills Workshop during the first week of the internship. This workshop will include learning how to use a pipettor and make a dilution to amplifying a gene, and learning how to measure protein expression. These activities are commonly used in research laboratories and can be used in your classroom in the future.

Do interns create their own scientific research or do they assist graduate students with their research?

A: It depends. Most of the interns in the program will be working on an aspect of a project that is already in progress, but on some occasions, a teacher may initiate a research project.

Can prospective applicants access the database to see what mentors are available?

Yes — you can access the database with this link:

http://www.biochem.arizona.edu/AZ-START/mentors.htm

Can the research be conducted out of state?

No. The research must be done in Arizona.

I live in Smalltown, Arizona, and there is no place close by where I can do my research. Can I still participate?

Yes, certainly! You may have to commute occasionally in order to meet with your mentor, but you could conduct your research at a site close to your home. Or, if would work for you, you could spend the summer living near a university doing your research in a university lab. We will do our best to help you work out a reasonable solution for you.

If a do a research project near my home, would I live at home?

Yes

If a decide to work on a research project at the U of A (or other facility), where would I live?

You would need to find your own housing. The UA does offer dormitory housing during the summer. Space is limited, so you would need to submit your application once you know you've been accepted into the program. Summer housing applications and detailed information will be available on the UA's Residence Life website in March.

Are there off-campus housing options?

Yes, there are many apartments for rent (or sub-lease) during the summer. Check out the Arizona Daily Wildcat classifieds. House sitting is also an option. Sometimes you can find a house sitting opportunity at the UA's Lo Que Pasa classifieds.

Do I have to come to Tucson for the Lab Skills workshop?

Yes. Attendance is mandatory.

Do I have to come to Tucson for the Poster Session?

Yes. Attendance is mandatory.

But I don't live in Tucson. Where will I stay during the
Orientation/Training week? Will I have to get a motel room?

We will provide out-of-town interns with on-campus housing and parking at our expense during this week. Each participant should be prepared to pay his/her own meal expenses.

I don't know how to make a poster. What should I do?

We will have some instructional sessions during Orientation/Lab Training week where you can learn how to make a poster.

Do I need to know what project I will work on?

It is very helpful if you have a project in mind and have discussed this project with 1 or more potential mentors before you submit your application. However, if you have difficulty finding a mentor, don't worry, we will help you.

There's a riparian ecosystem right by my school. Could I work on a project there?

Yes, and we'll help you find an appropriate mentor.

My teaching partner is also thinking about applying for this opportunity. Do teachers ever get to work together on a research project?

Good question! It's good to have someone else to bounce ideas off, and it's particularly reassuring when you're in a new and somewhat chaotic environment like a research lab. The two of you should complete your individual applications, and then you should work together to find a list of faculty in whom you're interested, and then contact them as a "team." And you'd need to be sure that they realize that you don't need TWO research projects, just one, to work on. I can imagine that the researchers would also see the team approach as a strength.

If my teaching partner and I share a research project, do we each receive the $7,200 scholarship, or do we share it?

You both would receive the full $7,200 scholarship, assuming you both participate on a full-time basis.

Yes, you may. In fact, you are required to enroll in 1 unit of Internship, which will cost about $520. You may enroll in additional units of credit if you wish for professional development purposes, realizing that the cost will rise accordingly.

How about research supplies? Is there any money to pay for that? Can I use these funds to buy a laptop computer?

Each intern may spend up to $1,500 for research supplies related to this project. If a laptop computer would be useful for your research, then yes, you may purchase one using these funds. However, you must leave the laptop with your research mentor or the AZ-Start administration at the end of the summer.

When will I know if I am selected?

We expect to make our selections by mid-March. We will notify all applicants at that time.

When would I receive the $7,200 scholarship?

If accepted as an intern, you would receive timesheets so you may track the time you spend on your research activities. You would receive half the scholarship at the beginning of June, and the balance at the end of July/early August.

Does this mean I'll be employed by The University of Arizona?

No, you are a U of A student, not an employee. The money you'll receive this summer is a scholarship.

How will this scholarship affect my taxes?

You should receive a Form 1098-T from the University. Consult your tax advisor if you have tax-related questions.

What are the dates?

We have now finalized the dates: Training/Orientation Week will run June 7-11, 2010. The summer will end on July 30 with our annual poster session. June 7-July 30 is 8 weeks.

What kind of research can I do?

You may select any area of biological science for your research. In the past, teachers have done research on desert ecology, cancer biology, stem cells, plant nematodes, insect biology, neurobiology, riparian ecosystems, and much, much more.

I can't afford to pay $520 for the Internship class. What should I do?

We will award you $3,600 at the start of June, which you may use to pay your registration fees and other expenses.

I participated in this program last summer. May I apply again?

You may do a maximum of 2 summers of research through this program.

As a 2nd year applicant, what application do I use?

Use the special application Ellie emailed to you. Contact her if you didn't receive that email it is not in your spam folder.

Other than supporting my research, what are the requirements for the research mentor?

The mentor should provide an environment where the teacher can learn about the science practiced in the research/group; be available regularly for questions and progress checks, even if other people in the laboratory are directly supervising the teacher; allow the teacher the opportunity to perform as independently as she/he is comfortable; provide guidance in preparation of the teacher's research poster at the end of the summer, and attend the poster session if at all possible.

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