Quantitative and Physical Sciences Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowship (QP-SURF)
The Quantitative and Physical Sciences Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowship (QP-SURF) Program at UT Southwestern Medical Center’s Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences is an intensive summer research training experience for college students preparing for Ph.D. or M.D./Ph.D. careers in biomedical research. Fellows spend 10 weeks (early June through mid-August) pursuing individual research projects in the laboratories of Graduate School faculty members.
2022 Program Dates: June 6 – August 13, 2022
Fellows gain experience in modern research techniques and plan and execute an experimental strategy to answer a scientific question. The QP-SURF Program introduces students to the kinds of projects encountered during postgraduate research training and fosters an understanding of the planning, discipline, and teamwork involved in the pursuit of answers to current questions at the interface of quantitative science and basic biomedical research. At the end of QP-SURF, fellows present their research in a poster session.
In addition to laboratory research, fellows attend weekly seminars given by UT Southwestern faculty members. Informal discussions about careers in science and graduate training are also scheduled.
Approximately 10 fellows participate in the summer research program. Fellows are assigned to a laboratory and research project according to their previous training and research interests.
Research areas include:
- Biomedical Engineering
- Biophysics
- Computational Biology
- Organic Chemistry
- Systems Biology
Natural and biological sciences majors with a broad range of biomedical research should apply to the Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowship (SURF) Program.
Physical science, mathematics, biomedical engineering, and chemistry majors should consider the Quantitative and Physical Sciences Summer Undergraduate Fellowship (QP-SURF) Program or the QP-SURF Chemistry Program.
Natural and biological sciences majors who have an interest in stem cell and regenerative medicine should apply to SURF-Stem Cell Program.
Natural and biological sciences majors who have an interest in kidney disease should apply to the Summer Undergraduate Research Institution for the Study of Kidney Disease (SURISKD) Program.
Program Eligibility
Applicants must be enrolled in a physics, computer science, mathematics, biomedical engineering, or chemistry degree program at the undergraduate level and have completed their sophomore year. Applicants must also be U.S. citizens or currently possess an F1 visa.
Criteria used in the selection of fellowship recipients include:
- College grades
- Relevant experience
- Letters of recommendation from faculty who can assess the applicant's potential for advanced training and success in research that integrates quantitative and biomedical sciences
- Career goals that include pursuing a Ph.D. or M.D./Ph.D. degree
Stipend
The stipend for the 10-week program is $5,000. This support is taxable. Details on local living accommodations will be provided when fellows are notified of their acceptance. If a fellow requires housing, then the costs will be covered by QP-SURF; however, fellows are responsible for paying for their own travel expenses.
How to Apply for QP-SURF
To apply for QP-SURF, please complete the online application. Within the application, you will need to upload your transcripts (official or unofficial) from each college you have attended.
We also require two letters of recommendation, which can come from mentors, teachers, employers, or advisors. Letters should discuss the applicant's scientific and intellectual abilities, previous training and experience, and potential for a career in research.
Once the application is submitted, recommenders will receive an email with a link to upload their recommendation letter.
Application will open on November 1, 2021.
The deadline is February 1, 2022.
Housing
Housing needs for QP-SURF students are coordinated through the SURF office. QP-SURF students requiring housing will stay in a local hotel and be transported to and from the UT Southwestern campus daily. QP-SURF participants with family or friends in the Dallas-Fort Worth area should plan to stay with them.
Contact the QP-SURF Program
Contact the SURF-Stem Cell Program
Arnaldo Diaz Vazquez, Ph.D.
Associate Dean