Summer Programs

SPURRS is a program designed to encourage talented college students to pursue careers in medicine and medical research related to the kidneys and urinary tract. Kidney disease is a very common problem, affecting about 15% of people in the US and is a common complication of such illnesses as diabetes and heart disease. Treatments for kidney disease are currently limited, and many patients may progress to need either kidney dialysis or kidney transplantation. Further research into the causes and cures of kidney disease is urgently needed.

Funded by a grant from the National Institute for Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK), the University of Texas Long School of Medicine in San Antonio is offering undergraduate students opportunities to work with a faculty mentor on a summer research project. In addition to working on a research project, and learning hands-on laboratory techniques, students will participate in seminars and conferences with other students, physicians and scientists to learn about how kidneys work and what causes them to fail.

At the end of the summer, students will join students from other research sites around the country at a research symposium to present their summer research findings and participate in career development activities. The program is excellent preparation for students with a goal of attending medical or graduate school and an interest in helping in the battle against kidney disease.

The research will be performed at the University of Texas Long School of Medicine at San Antonio between Tuesday, May 27 – Friday, August 1, 2025.

Students will receive a $5,800 stipend and travel expenses to the symposium.

Applicants must be US citizens or permanent residents and enrolled as a full-time student in an undergraduate institution at the time of the program. Prior research experience is desirable but not required.

Application deadline:  Friday, January 24, 2025

Selected participants will be notified by email no later than Friday, February 21, 2025. 

If you have any questions, please contact:

Dr. Brian Reeves, Program Director
210-567-4810
reevesw@uthscsa.edu

Chris Reyes, Program Coordinator
210-365-3163
reyesc6@uthscsa.edu

Apply to the Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowship

Summer Physiology Undergraduate Researcher Program (SPUR) - Supported by the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke R25 Training Program

Program Details:

• Program Dates: June 3, 2025 - August 8, 2025
• A 10-week research-intensive training opportunity to gain hands-on experience and contribute to advancing biomedical research, under the direction of a faculty member and lab team. 
• Stipend: $4,000 to assist in the cost of lodging, meals, and other expenses
• Partner Universities:   The University of Texas-Rio Grande Valley, St․ Mary’s University, University of the Incarnate Word, Our Lady of the Lake University, Texas A&M San Antonio, and Trinity University
• Application Deadline: March 1, 2025

The goal of this program is to provide research experiences for individuals from minority populations that are underrepresented in the sciences and are highly interested in pursuing either PhD, MD/PhD or DDS/PhD.  Definition of underrepresented populations.

Application Requirements:

• Completed application form
• Transcripts (official and/ or unofficial to reflect courses taken and in progress)
• Two letters of recommendation (1 must be from a University Science Professor)
• Current Resume and/ or CV

Brief essay (<500 words total) explaining why you are applying for this program. Please include:

• A personal statement describing your career goals
• How the program will help you move toward those goals
• Any experiene you have had in a lab setting

Selection of up to 3 science lab preferences: See link for Program Faculty

This ten-week research program is designed for highly motivated college undergraduate students with a keen interest in research careers in biomedical science. The Department of Cellular and Integrative Physiology offers an exciting and diverse array of research areas, geared toward understanding the cellular and molecular underpinnings of human physiology. We seek to understand how these factors influence whole organism physiology using a number of novel model systems and innovative technologies.

Individuals who participate must commit to attending to all ten weeks (vacations should not be planned during this period and summer classes should not interfere with daily lab hours, 8am – 5 pm). On-campus housing is not available at UT Health San Antonio; however, there are several extended stay hotels and other options nearby.

Apply to the Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowship

Program Dates: June 2 - August 8, 2025 (10 weeks)

Stipend: $5,000

Program Focus: Cancer Research

Application Deadline: March 3, 2025

The Mays Cancer Center (MCC) at UT Health San Antonio has a ten-week summer research program for undergraduate students interested in learning more about cancer research․ The goal of this program is to provide cancer research experiences for individuals the research experiences will range from basic, translational and population-based biomedical cancer research․ This program matches students with a MCC faculty who conducts cancer research․ Participants will engage in research as part of an ongoing cancer research project, attend weekly seminars and present their work at an end of program poster session․ 

Individuals who participate must commit to attending to all ten weeks (vacations should not be planned during this period). If needed, assistance with lodging for those outside the San Antonio Metro Area will be made based upon availability of funds.

Applicants in the summer program must be in good standing at their institutions. Students must have completed at least one year of college, cannot be graduating in Spring 2025, and have taken some basic science courses․ Ideal candidates should have an interest in developing a career in biomedical science or medicine․

Requirements:                    

• Online application
• Unofficial transcript
• Minimum 3.0 GPA
• 2 letters of recommendation (1 must be from a university Science Professor)
• Personal statement (1-page limit)
• Resume

This summer Program is supported by the Mays Cancer Center at UT Health San Antonio.

For more information, contact Eva Garcia-Rodriguez at garciaee@uthscsa․edu․

Apply to the Mays Cancer Center Summer Research Mentorship Program

Apply to the Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowship

Program Dates: June 2 - August 8, 2025 (10 weeks)

Stipend: $5,000

Program Focus: Cancer Research

Eligibility: Rising college sophomores, juniors and seniors enrolled at the following local Universities- The University of Texas at San Antonio, St․ Mary’s University, and the University of the Incarnate Word.

Application Deadline: March 3, 2025

Program Details 

• 10-week full-time research program for undergraduate students in partnership with the University of Texas at San Antonio, St․ Mary’s University and the University of the Incarnate Word․
• This program aims to increase the number of underrepresented students engaged in basic, translational and population-based biomedical cancer research by providing a rich training environment for promising. undergraduates who are currently enrolled at Hispanic Serving Institutions in the San Antonio, Texas area․
• This program matches students with funded Mays Cancer Center researchers․ 
• Participants will engage in research with an ongoing cancer research project, learn new laboratory techniques, and attend enrichment seminars․ 
• At the conclusion of the summer program, students will present their summer work at a poster session followed by an award reception.

Eligibility Requirements

• Rising College sophomores, juniors or seniors from the eligible institutions at time of application.
• Applicants in the summer program must be attending one of the collaborating institutions, be in good standing at the designated institutions, commit to attending to all ten weeks (vacations should not be planned during this period).
• Ideal candidates should have an interest in developing a career in biomedical science or medicine, with an emphasis on cancer․
• For those whose hometown is outside of San Antonio, partial support for living arrangements will be provided. 
• We are only accepting applicants from underrepresented minorities who are seeking a STEM degree. Applications are encouraged from any individual with demonstrated commitment to increase the full participation of underrepresented groups in biomedicine. Learn more.

*The National Science Foundation reports that certain racial and ethnic groups are under-represented at many career stages in health-related sciences, particularly people from these populations: African American/Black, Hispanic/Latino, American Indian and Alaska Native, Native Hawaiian and other Pacific Islander groups. Collectively, these groups are considered under-represented minorities (URM) in science. Learn more about why diversity in cancer research is needed.

Requirements:             

· Online application

· Unofficial transcript

· Minimum 3.0 GPA

· 2 letters of recommendation (1 must be from a University Science Professor)

· Personal statement (1- page limit)

· Resume

This summer Program is supported by the American Cancer Society, DICR IRG-23-1030509-01, and the Mays Cancer Center at UT Health San Antonio.

https://cancer.uthscsa.edu/education/diversity-cancer-research-dicr-internship

For more information, contact Eva Garcia-Rodriguez at garciaee@uthscsa.edu.

Apply to the Mays Cancer Center Summer Research Mentorship Program

The Department of Pharmacology offers a ten-week summer research program between June 2, 2025 to August 8, 2025 to a select group of undergraduate students. The summer program offers students a variety of experiences that will help prepare them for success in research-intensive doctoral programs, as well as for other professional school programs. Students will work on an on-going research project in the laboratory of a Principal Investigator in the Pharmacology department and have the opportunity to participate in seminars, journal clubs and take various graduate level classes. At the end of the program, students will deliver a short oral presentation about their work to the department faculty, staff and students. A list of potential Principal Investigators with whom students can work can be found at these links: Primary Faculty and Cross-Appointed Faculty. This program provides rigorous research experience and students are expected to spend full-time (40-60 hrs/wk) in the laboratory. Accepted students must be committed to spending the full 10 weeks in the program (vacations during this period should not be planned) and summer classes or other outside activities should not interfere with research time.

Prior research experience is not necessary, and students of all undergraduate levels are encouraged to apply. Foreign students are eligible to apply but must be enrolled in an undergraduate program in the United States and hold an active F-1 visa that will allow them to participate in the summer program. The program offers opportunities for students to return for a second summer to continue the research conducted in the first summer fellowship, or to carry out research in a different laboratory. While we will do our best to place students in a laboratory of their choice, we cannot guarantee that the preferred laboratory will be available.

Selected undergraduate students will receive $4,600 to help defray the cost of participation in the program. This amount, intended to help cover the cost of lodging and meals.

On-campus housing is not available at UT Health SA; however, we will work with summer participants to find appropriate housing and roommates if desired. Extended-stay hotels are typically the best option and there are several extended-stay hotels within walking distance of campus or on city bus routes.

Program Focus: Pharmacology, The study of drugs on biological systems
Program Dates: June 2,- August 8, 2025
Stipend: Yes
Requirements:

• Completed Online application
• Unofficial transcript
  • Transcripts should reflect your most recent courses including all courses being pursued in the Fall 2024 and Spring 2025.
• One letter of recommendation
• Personal Statement (<1000 words)
  • a description of your career goals
  • how this program will help you reach those goals
  • a description of any previous research experience

Application Deadline: February 28, 2025

This summer program is made possible by a grant from the American Society for Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics (ASPET), funds provided by the Department of Pharmacology, as well as from federal grants awarded to members of the faculty.

Apply to the Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowship