Pepperdine University Seaver College Undergraduate Research in Biology

In the summer 2023 (May 7-July 22), Pepperdine University will host the Summer Undergraduate Research Program in Biology (SURB) developed specifically for students who are interested in pursuing a career in biological research, science education, environmental science, biomathematics or biotechnology. Pepperdine biology faculty will work closely with selected students in diverse areas of biological research. Successful applicants will be provided a generous stipend, on-campus housing, a unit of biology research credit, funding for travel to Malibu, and a budget for the purchase of research supplies. Students will be introduced to varied research tools and techniques and will partner with a faculty member to develop a project idea for their summer research. Then the full SURB group will complete their research proposals and engage in a research retreat at the James Reserve near Idyllwild CA. Over the remainder of the summer, students will pursue individual research projects under the direction of their faculty mentor. Guest scientists will periodically visit the program to give seminars and meet with the SURB research students. The research program will conclude with a student research symposium in late July.

Students may elect to study in one of six areas and are selected on the basis of their interest in research-based careers, their academic credentials, and teacher recommendations. Depending on faculty participation, which varies from year to year, students may be accepted to do research in a second or third choice of preference.

The salary stipend for SURB students is $600 per week or $6,600 for the eleven week program and reflects what Pepperdine University reasonably expects to pay for this stipend. Student participants in the SURB program will also receive a weekly allotment for food/meals, on-campus shared housing, a credit for travel, and a one-unit academic scholarship. 

Students must complete the initial online application form, then go to the Interfolio to complete their full application. A link to the Interfolio site is on the application page.  Application components to be submitted via Interfolio will include 1) a copy of your initial application, 2) a brief essay defining your interest in biological research in general and the SURB program specifically, 3) college transcript (unofficial is acceptable), and 4) one letter of recommendation from a science faculty member who is familiar with your academic or research work. Applicants are expected to have completed one year of biology prior to the summer program and must be classified as undergraduate students (NSF requirement). All application materials, including the recommendation letter must be submitted to Interfolio before the application deadline: 12 am Midnight (EST) Wednesday, February 8, 2023.

Notification of acceptance will be made on or before Friday, April 14, 2023.

The following link provided access to the online application form that begins your application process  https://seaver.pepperdine.edu/surb/application/

Please Note, no link will be sent by Interfolio.  Simply go to interfolio.com to log in. Collect your materials and upload them to interfolio.

 Please contact Dr. Courtney Davis for more information.