Summer Research Program

The 9-week Summer Research Program takes place annually from late May through July, or early June through beginning of August. Participants are immersed in the intense culture of research, cultivating their skills while diving deep into their chosen subject with the support and guidance of a faculty mentor.

At the end of the program, participants present their research at the Annual Research Symposium to an audience of their peers, faculty and the university community. Summer Research Program students also present at the UB Undergraduate Research Conference to their peers from around the state and nation.

Research interns work a minimum of 25-30 hours per week and are expected to satisfy the following requirements:

• Mandatory attendance at orientation, research seminar, workshops, field trips and other events.
• Participation in oral presentations, the Annual Research Symposium and UB Undergraduate Research Conference.
• Completion of all assignments given by research mentor.
• Submission of biweekly timesheets to CSTEP staff.

• Must be U.S citizen or permanent resident.
• Must be underrepresented or economically disadvantaged.
• Must be a rising sophomore, junior or senior.
• Must have a minimum of 2.8 GPA.
• Must be pursuing a New York State licensed profession such as nursing, dentistry, physical therapy, occupational therapy, medicine, pharmacy, social work, psychology, law or be in a STEM field.
• Must have an interest in research.

When you participate in the CSTEP Summer Research Program, you undertake an in-depth research project under the guidance of a faculty mentor. You’ll form meaningful relationships with mentors and fellow students; round out your experience with workshops, community service and field trips, and the 3.0-credit Research Methods Seminar; and find your place in a community of future STEM and licensed professionals. All participants receive a $4,000 Stipend + Tuition + Meal Card for a total value of $5,500. Students may elect to stay on or off campus. There is on-campus housing assistance available, if needed. 

"I would be lying if I said I wasn't discouraged and overwhelmed by the plethora of new and confusing information, but through this struggle, I polished my mind and perserverance, which is invaluable in the field of research. Establishig this background will prove to be pivotal in my fture successes as this area of chemistry is higly intertwined with biological processes, and I would hav enever learned this information in my regular, planned coursework." -LadieJocelynn Shabazz, Medicinal Chemistry major 

"I feel as though I was able to finally find joy in my major and something to look forward to. Sometimes certain courses can be discouraging and obscure you from your goals/dreams, but having the opportunity to do research was a blessing and opened my eyes to many more options in Biomedical Engineering." -Jelyse Williams, Biomedical Engineering Major 

"I was able to experience many of the topics I learned in class in a hands-on environment which deepened my interest in Developmental Biology and Cell Engineering. I believe it also enhanced my manual dexterity and study methods, which will play an important role in my dentist aspirations.” Sebastian Pardo, Pre-Dental/Biological Sciences

“It was incredible. I had never worked in a wet lab like this before and taught me so many new techniques that I would use in my future lab classes.” Li Yi Hu, Chemistry Major 

“This experience helped me to learn to think on my feet, problem solve, and plan in advance based off of other circumstances.” Wisdom Akinyele, Psychology Major