REU Site Renewal: Functional Genomics Research for Undergraduates

This REU Site award to The Jackson Laboratory (JAX), located in Bar Harbor, ME, will support the training of 10 undergraduate students for 10 weeks during each summer in 2026-2028. It is anticipated that a total of 30 students from institutions across the United States will be trained in the program to conduct hypothesis-driven research in genetics and functional genomics with JAX research mentors who lead active and collaborative research programs. The program supports student development of highly sought-after computational and data analysis skills. Students will learn how research is conducted, and many will present the results of their work at scientific conferences. Program assessment includes the common BIO REU survey questions and questions adapted from the SURE survey. Students should apply to the REU site using NSF ETAP (Education and Training Application: https://etap.nsf.gov). Students will be tracked after the program in order to determine their career paths. The training students will receive is aligned with the NSF priorities in AI and Biotechnology. The REU Site curriculum includes: an online course and certificate program through JAX-developed Minicourses, in-person coding workshops, a formal journal club, professional development seminars, and workshops on the ethical, legal, and social issues in genetics research including workshops around communicating science to different audiences. The REU cohort will join the JAX Summer Student Program, a Living Learning Community for up to 30 students per year with a well-established structure. Possible student projects are in the areas of computational strategies using genetic data to understand complex genetic systems, fundamental questions in genetics and evolution, how protein glycosylation influences cellular signaling, using modern computer vision tools to connect genetics to tissue structure and organ function, and the genetics of complex traits. Applications are reviewed by a team of professional JAX scientists on the basis of the candidate’s research motivation as well as the candidate’s ability to work independently and yet collaboratively. Researchers inviting students into their labs for the summer make the final student selections. This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria. NSF Award ID: 2548171 | Program: 01002627DB NSF RESEARCH & RELATED ACTIVIT | Principal Investigator: Laura Muller | Institution: Jackson Laboratory, BAR HARBOR, ME | Award Amount: $465,000 View on NSF Award Search: https://www.nsf.gov/awardsearch/show-award/?AWD_ID=2548171 View on Research.gov: https://www.research.gov/awardapi-service/v1/awards/2548171.html