Coulter Undergraduate Research Excellence Program (CURE)

 

About CURE


The Coulter Undergraduate Research Excellence Program (CURE) was developed to pair undergraduate students with a faculty mentor in order to cultivate and strive for research success.

Being a part of the CURE program ensures that throughout their undergraduate experience, students participate actively to develop research in preparation for life after graduation. Whether the student chooses to make research a part of their career plans, the program will help sharpen and hone the critical thinking and communication skill set that is invaluable to any professional goal.

Priscilla LozanoConducting research in the CURE program has been a great opportunity for me to understand concepts taught in the classroom, and applying them to topics still currently being explored. During the past year, I was able to not only perform my own research, by conducting experiments and data processing, but I was able to seek a deeper understanding of previous knowledge. There were also times when I had to seek help from others and work as a team, which I quickly learned was a big part of the research. The CURE program was a significant component of my undergraduate experience at FIU that helped me develop skills I will be able to apply in graduate school..
– Priscilla Lozano, Trainee

Program Overview


The program is a three level process for learning research skills and working side-by-side with faculty, postdoctoral fellows, and research scientists in the laboratory setting.

Trainee
Entry-level undergraduate student with no previous research experience. One semester of shadowing, training, attending research meetings, and familiarizing themselves with the laboratory setting.

Researcher
Mid-level undergraduate student who has completed one semester of the Trainee phase. The Researcher will assist in laboratory research, analyzing data, and maintaining lab records under the supervision of lab mentors. During the researcher phase, students will be paid $1,800 for the 12-week semester-long program. This stipend will be paid in three equal installments with the last payment contingent upon submission of a final report signed by the Researcher’s faculty mentor.

Fellow
Top-level undergraduate student who has completed at least two semesters of the Researcher phase of the CURE program. As a Fellow, the student will conduct independent research and work closely with mentors on completing their own research studies. During the Fellow phase, students will be paid $2,160 for the 12-week semester-long program. This stipend will be paid in three equal installments with the last payment contingent upon submission of a final report signed by the Fellow’s faculty mentor.

PROGRAM LEVELS & REQUIREMENTS

REQUIREMENTS

» Must be an entry-level undergraduate student with no previous research experience.
» Identify a research mentor. Mentors must be full-time BME faculty and provide a written statement of support for the student.
» A one-page personal statement that expresses their interest in the designated area of research, academic goals, and personal background. Special consideration will be given to students who express the need for financial assistance.
» A 3.0 cumulative GPA and completed or currently enrolled in BME1008C.

PLEDGE
1. Work alongside my mentor to advance scientific knowledge in the Department of Biomedical Engineering (BME) at Florida International University (FIU).

2. Practice research with integrity and accountability according to the Responsible Conduct of Research guidelines established by the FIU Office of Research Integrity.

3. Perform research and scholarly activities that benefit the local, national, and global well-being.

4. Be an ambassador for FIU BME and the CURE Program.

5. Maintain a cumulative GPA above a 3.0.

6. Participate in CURE networking and professional development workshops.

7. Present at the FIU BME Undergraduate Research Day.

8. Submit a one-page summary of their laboratory experience, self-evaluation, and a letter of recommendation from BME faculty 

NOT CURRENTLY ACCEPTING STUDENTS

REQUIREMENTS

» Must be a mid-level undergraduate student who has completed the trainee phase 
» Identify identify a research mentor. Mentors must be full-time BME faculty and provide a written statement of support for the student.
» If previously enrolled as a trainee within the program, the personal statement is substituted with the one-page summary of the student’s experiences as a trainee, their self-evaluation, and faculty evaluation.
» If the student is new to the program and has previously completed volunteer research equivalent to the trainee phase, the student must submit the same application as the trainees. Special consideration will be given to students who express the need for financial assistance. (See trainee application requirements).
» A 3.0 cumulative GPA

Students in the researcher phase are required to participate in the Undergraduate Research Day poster presentation. The CURE program logo must be displayed on the poster.

PLEDGE
1. Work alongside my mentor to advance scientific knowledge in the Department of Biomedical Engineering (BME) at Florida International University (FIU).

2. Practice research with integrity and accountability according to the Responsible Conduct of Research guidelines established by the FIU Office of Research Integrity.

3. Perform research and scholarly activities that benefit the local, national, and global well-being.

4. Be an ambassador for FIU BME and the CURE Program.

5. Maintain a cumulative GPA above 3.0.

6. Participate in CURE networking and professional development workshops.

7. Commit at least 15 hours per week performing research activities.

8. Present at the FIU BME Undergraduate Research Day.

9. Present research outcomes at one local conference.

10. Submit a one-page summary of their laboratory experience, self-evaluation, and a letter of recommendation from BME faculty

REQUIREMENTS

» Must be a top-level undergraduate student who has completed the researcher phase of the CURE program.
» Applications must include the one-page summary of the student’s experiences as a researcher, their self-evaluation, and a letter of recommendation from BME faculty.
» Special consideration will be given to students who express need for financial assistance.
» A 3.5 GPA

PLEDGE
1. Work alongside my mentor to advance scientific knowledge in the Department of Biomedical Engineering (BME) at Florida International University (FIU).

2. Practice research with integrity and accountability according to the Responsible Conduct of Research guidelines established by the FIU Office of Research Integrity.

3. Perform research and scholarly activities that benefit the local, national, and global well-being.

4. Be an ambassador for FIU BME and the CURE Program.

5. Maintain a cumulative GPA above a 3.5.

6. Participate in CURE networking and professional development workshops.

7. Commit at least 15 hours per week performing research activities.

8. Present at the FIU BME Undergraduate Research Day.

9. Present research outcomes at one national or international conference.

10. Submit a one-page summary of their laboratory experience, self-evaluation, and a letter of recommendation from BME faculty

Baarbod AshenagarThe Coulter Undergraduate Research Excellence Program (CURE) has been an immensely rewarding experience for me as an undergraduate. It has enabled me to pursue research with faculty members that I am honored to work with and given me invaluable experiences that have shaped me professionally and personally. I feel as though this is a great program for students interested in research and provides a powerful networking opportunity with BME faculty.

– Baarbod Ashenagar, Researcher

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Dr. Joshua Hutcheson, Assistant Professor, Biomedical Engineering, Florida International University
Joshua Hutcheson, Ph.D.

Associate Professor and Graduate Program Director
EC 2612
(305) 348-0157
jhutches@fiu.edu