Summer Undergraduate Research Program(SURP)

New SURP applications will be available after
November 1, 2007
The Summer Undergraduate Research Program (SURP) at the Albert Einstein College of Medicine offers college students an exceptional opportunity to carry out original research in a laboratory at one of the world's top-ranking scientific institutions. SURP is designed specifically for outstanding students considering a career in biomedical research and offers the unique experience of living and working in a scientific environment.

SURP students arrive at Einstein in mid-June and spend nine weeks in a laboratory in one of ten basic science departments. Students indicate their areas of interest on the application and are matched to a laboratory in their area of interest.  At the end of the program, SURP students present their research in a poster session.  Approximately 50 students from throughout the U.S. participate each year.
In addition to free housing in the student housing complex on the Einstein Campus, SURP participants receive a stipend of $2500 for their nine-week summer stay. Transportation assistance (up to $500) is also provided, for students who live outside the N.Y. City metropolitan area. Students will be responsible for their own meals, health insurance coverage, and other incidental expenses. SURP are considered members of the general student body for their period at Einstein and are eligible to take part in all social activities on campus.
Eligibility:

• Undergraduates with a strong background in the sciences (such as: biology, biochemistry, chemistry, physics, bioengineering or chemical engineering, etc.).
   
• Applicants should be completing their junior year. In rare instances sophomores with strong science backgrounds and/or strong research backgrounds may be considered. Questions about eligibility may be directed to surp@aecom.yu.edu
   
• International students holding a current F1 visa and presently enrolled in a U.S. college or university may apply. International students from outside the U.S. are not eligible.

The Research Environment

The Albert Einstein College of Medicine (AECOM) opened its doors on September 12, 1955, and the Sue Golding Graduate Division was established two years later. AECOM is now considered as one of the world's foremost centers for medical education and biomedical research. The Albert Einstein College of Medicine's faculty rank among the top twenty-five recipients of NIH grants nationally, and these grants support a wide variety of research programs of fundamental and biomedical importance.
The research environment at Einstein is continuously expanding, as new programs are added, new buildings are built and outstanding junior faculty recruited. The students in our programs are an integral part of our research efforts, and are considered to be colleagues in learning and discovery. The traditional boundaries between academic departments are nonexistent at Einstein, and laboratory doors are truly open to all students.
Multidisciplinary scientific interchange is based on tradition at the College, and is fostered both by physical proximity and the presence of a variety of institutional centers, including laboratories dedicated to NMR spectroscopy, protein sequencing, X-ray crystallography and computer graphics, monoclonal antibody production and a transgenic mouse facility. Students are encouraged to use these facilities as their research needs demand, and learn in a dynamic, exhilarating environment.

SURP Program Highlights

• SURP 2007: June 11th, 2007 - August 9th, 2007
• Live on campus in student apartments (no cost)
• Receive a stipend of $2500
• Interact with internationally renowned scientists and their students
• Learn laboratory techniques in state-of-the-art facilities
• Conduct "hypothesis-driven" research in your area of interest
• Attend weekly faculty seminars on hot research topics
• Participate in small group meetings to discuss science with other students
• Participate in a workshop on ethical issues in science and medicine
• Participate in a career planning workshop
• Submit an abstract of your project for the annual SURP abstract book
• Prepare and present a poster at the SURP poster session
   

SURP Social Activities

The following activities are all included in SURP:

• Attend a Broadway show
• Attend a New York Yankees game
• Visit the Bronx Zoo
• Participate in a student mixer
• Attend student-faculty luncheons and barbeques
   

Application to the Program

Click here to access the online application for the Summer Undergraduate Research Program. The deadline for completion of the application and receipt of all supporting materials is February 1.
Since admission to the program is very competitive, students are urged to submit their applications as early as possible and see that the supporting materials (transcript[s] and letters of recommendation) are received in the Graduate Office by the application deadline. Please send all supporting materials to: SURP, Graduate Division, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, 1300 Morris Park Ave - Belfer 201, Bronx, NY 10461. (Important: if accepted, you will need to submit a completed medical form by May 1)
Please note: Students of Yeshiva University and Stern College must apply directly through the Roth Institute Scholar's Program at Yeshiva University. For further information, please contact Dr. Barry Potvin. Also please note that Roth (Summer) scholars are ineligible for transportation reimbursement.
If you have any questions about the application for the Summer Undergraduate Research Program at Einstein, please contact surp@aecom.yu.edu