UW-Madison Dept of Bacteriology

IRES - Microbiology (International Research Experience for Students in Microbiology)

Bangkok, Thailand
Tentative Program dates: May 19th - August 1st, 2008
Application deadline: February 1, 2008

Updated for Summer 2008!

University of Wisconsin
Department of Bacteriology
1550 Linden Drive, Room 2519
Madison, Wisconsin 53706

Program Director:
Dr. Jon Roll

Phone: (608) 265-5957

THE PROGRAM

The University of Wisconsin-Madison Department of Bacteriology, in association with the National Science Foundation and the College of Agricultural and Life Sciences, will direct an International Undergraduate Research Experience for up to five undergraduate students from UW-Madison or UW-Milwaukee in Summer, 2008. Participating undergraduate students will spend ten weeks during the Summer of 2008 in a laboratory in Bangkok, Thailand conducting full-time research in microbiology, microbial genetics and/or molecular biology.

 

OBJECTIVES

The program provides a Summer Study-Abroad opportunity up to five students in Biological Sciences, without the need to postpone graduation due to the rigid course scheduling requirements of most biological sciences curricula. This opportunity will allow selected students from UW-Madison or UW-Milwaukee to further their research experience by becoming engaged in an active, top-notch research program in a recognized scientific laboratory at Mahidol University in Bangkok, Thailand. Participating students will conduct their own research project under the direction of a Thai faculty member and work as part of a laboratory research team investigating fundamental problems in microbiology and molecular biology.

PARTICIPATING UNIVERSITY

Mahidol University, Bangkok

Mahidol Univeristy in Bangkok is Thailand's premier medical school serving both undergraduate, graduate and medical students. The Department of Microbiology in the Faculty of Science will be the hosting entity.

FUNDING

This program will pay each participant a $2986.00 stipend in addition to travel, housing and food for the duration of the 10-week program. Housing will be in University-affiliated dormitories.

ELIGIBILITY

Undergraduate students majoring in the biological sciences (preferably between their junior and senior years) who are currently attending UW-Madison or UW-Milwaukee and who are U.S. citizens or permanent residents are eligible to apply. The applicant should have a strong interest in a career in biological research.

APPLICATION

All application materials must be received by February 1, 2008. Please note that the applicant is responsible for filing a complete application consisting of (1) the completed application form (2) a statement describing your career objectives and your motivation to gain international research experience this summer. Also describe how you would benefit from this program. (3) college transcripts (4) two letters of recommendation. Incomplete applications will not be considered.

SELECTION PROCESS

Criteria for selection are based on academic qualifications as determined by academic record and prior course work, two letters of recommendation from college science mentors, instructors,or advisors, and a statement from applicants regarding their career objectives and reasons for applying to this program. Participants will be chosen after in-person interviews of selected candidates. Letters of recommendation should address the following:

  1. Thoughts on the ability of the student to benefit from and complete a nine-week international experience.
  2. Ability of candidate to 'think on his/her feet'
  3. Scientific and overall independence
  4. Personality
  5. Resourcefulness
  6. Scientific and emotional maturity.

Send email to Dr. Jon Roll at jtroll@wisc.edu, the IRES Program Director, with questions you have about the 2008 program.