Undergraduate & REU Program

Research Experience for Undergraduate program (REU)

The Whitney Lab is not running an REU program in 2024. Information about a possible program in summer 2025 will likely be available in February 2025.

The Whitney Laboratory Research Experience for Undergraduate program (REU), funded by the National Science Foundation, offers an exceptional opportunity for the motivated undergraduate to participate in scientific research. If you are serious about science but have never had the opportunity to perform work as a scientist, then this program is for you.

In cooperation with a faculty supervisor, students choose a project that fits both their interests and ongoing investigations of the Lab and that can be completed within the ten-week training period during the summer.

The Whitney Laboratory's REU program has been running for more than 30 years. The program begain in 1987 by Dr. Barbara Battelle who ran the program for many years. There are more than 250 alumni of our program who have went on to a range of occupations including many who have continued in the field of scientific research.


REU students summer 2021

2021 Summer Interns


Undergraduates who qualify for the REU Program receive a competitive stipend and assistance with travel expenses to the Whitney Lab. Interns stay in on-site housing, whose costs are covered by the program. Students must be a U.S. citizen or have permanent residency to qualify for NSF funding. Students from groups under-represented in the sciences (African Americans, Native Americans, Hispanics, and Pacific Islanders), first generation college students, women and non-traditional students are encouraged to apply.

It is possible to receive credit for the work completed during an REU. Students should make arrangements with their home institution.


REU research-related activities

  • A research project mentored by experienced investigators
  • A weekly seminar by Whitney Lab faculty and post docs
  • Training in scientific communication (written and spoken) and scientific ethics
  • A seminar and interview with a former Whitney REU student
  • The REU Symposium – summer interns describe the results of their summer research in oral and poster presentations. The student with the best poster presentation is awarded an all expense paid trip to a national scientific meeting.

REU activities outside the lab

  • Field trips to Florida’s diverse aquatic ecosystems, including local beaches, estuaries, and a fresh water spring
  • A visit to several graduate departments on the main UF campus in Gainesville

Projects available to the REU program


Contact

If you have difficulty submitting your form online please contact:

Brenda Cannaliato  - reu@whitney.ufl.edu


Video from 2018 REU student, Grace Jean