The Research Experience for Undergraduate (REU) program aims to mentor students from diverse backgrounds to prepare them for careers in STEM-related disciplines. The program recruits undergraduate students in professional development to provide them with skills including communications, scientific writing, and collaboration, while providing a high quality research experience.

Each summer, participants in the REU program are welcomed at UConn Health for research training. Participants learn the basic aspects of research including research problem identification, experimental design, and execution. Our laboratories have researchers at all levels (post-docs, grad students, undergraduate and faculty members) so there is an opportunity to learn from a variety of scientists.

As part of their training, participants attend weekly journal club meetings. These meetings are focused on learning how to discuss a research article and make a research presentation.

The application process for the 2026 Summer REU Program is currently OPEN for current undergraduate students only.

Recruited participants will spend eight weeks, starting from late May or early June, at University of Connecticut Health Center working on projects in Biomedical Sciences and Engineering, in a group environment where the participants will have opportunity to interact with faculty, post-docs, and graduate students.

Interested candidates: Please send in your resume and application letter to Dr. Wai Hong (Kevin Lo), program lead and the co-principal investigator of the REU, at wlo@uchc.edu

Selection of participants will be based on academic record, career objectives, and letter of recommendation. Eligible students are U.S citizens or permanent residents enrolled in undergraduate programs with majors in STEM disciplines.

This program is made possible by funding from the National Science Foundation (NSF).