Due to COVID-19, we are unable to offer the critical in-person experience that is required for us to provide an outstanding research and learning opportunity. Therefore, we will suspend the SPUUR program for Summer 2021 and Summer 2022. We hope to reopen the application portal in Fall 2022 for in-person activities in Summer 2023.
“SPUUR was an excellent introduction to the world of research and critical thinking in science. There tons of opportunities to collaborate with other students in the program and I am still close friends with many of them to this day!”
BRETT MUELLER, 2017 SPUUR INTERN
“The SPUUR program is an amazing opportunity offered to UW Madison students that I would recommend with high regards. You receive training, and hands on lab experience as well as experience in scientific writing. The mentors you work with are also very giving and assist in any way.”
ENRIQUE AVILA, 2017 SPUUR INTERN
“I really did enjoy the program and I would definitely recommend it to other students! I really liked the fact that it wasn’t treated as a short 3 month ordeal and we were not just given busy work to fill the time. We were actually tasked with relevant work and that makes you feel like an important, contributing member of the lab.”
JEREMY SCHNEIDER, 2017 SPUUR INTERN
- Do you have a passion for discovering new things?
- Do you wonder how organ systems function?
- Do you seek to improve human health?
- Are you committed to lifelong learning?
- Do you have the patience and endurance to complete a long-term project?
- Do you want to enhance your Wisconsin Experience?
If you answered yes to these questions, a biomedical research career may be right for you. Gaining biomedical research experience is one way to prepare you for such a career.
The University of Wisconsin-Madison George M. O’Brien Center in Benign Urology offers a 12-week paid summer research internship for UW-Madison undergraduates. Learn more about the program here.
WHY UROLOGY?
Our research is driven by the need to improve urinary health in humans and animals. The underlying cause of many urinary problems is not known and urinary dysfunction can be debilitating, demoralizing, and costly to treat. Discovering the root of urologic problems requires a multidisciplinary approach and summer interns will gain experience in many fields, including:
- Basic, Clinical, and Translational Science
- Biochemistry
- Biology
- Cell Biology
- Chemistry
- Engineering
- Genetics
- Imaging (MRI, ultrasound, PET, MicroCT)
- Pathology/Histology
- Pharmacology/Toxicology
- Physiology
WHAT TO EXPECT
- Interns will be assigned individual research projects and will be expected to present their work at the end of the 12-week experience
- Interns will spend most of their time conducting hands-on biomedical research with a research team consisting of a faculty mentor and graduate and post-graduate trainees.
- A weekly seminar series will provide:
- Interactions with other Interns
- Medical lectures by clinicians
- Workshops in science reading, writing and presentation
- A “preparing for graduate school’ information fair
PARTICIPATING FACULTY
William Ricke, PhD, Professor of Urology
Paul Marker, PhD, Professor of Pharmaceutical Sciences
Dale Bjorling, DVM, Professor of Surgical Sciences
Chad Vezina, PhD, Associate Professor of Comparative Biosciences
Qualifications: A U.S. citizen or permanent resident and full-time UW-Madison student in Spring 2022 semester. Preference will be given to Junior- and Senior-standing students with prior research experience, a GPA of at least 3.0, and a serious interest in pursuing a PhD, DVM, MD, or PharmD.
Dates: 2023/TBD
Stipend: TBD
Application Deadline: TBD
Notification Date: TBD
FOR MORE INFORMATION, CONTACT:
Chad Vezina, PhD
SPUUR Program Coordinator
Associate Professor of Comparative Biosciences
School of Veterinary Medicine
UW-Madison
1656 Linden Drive
Madison, WI 53706
Phone: (608) 890-3235
Email: chad.vezina@wisc.edu