Overview and Curriculum

The neuroSURF program is a 10-week summer program that gives students the opportunity to participate in hands-on, hypothesis-driven research in an area of translational neurobiology at the Fralin Biomedical Research Institute in Roanoke, Virginia. This program encompasses a full-time, 40-hour weekly schedule and supports neuroSURF students with a competitive stipend. Housing will also be provided at no cost to students who need it at The Patrick Henry, a walkable distance from the Fralin Biomedical Research Institute. 

The neuroSURF program’s objectives are:

• To expose undergraduate students to the broad scope of fundamental and translational neurobiology
• To provide hands-on research experiences to undergraduates who would not otherwise be exposed to experiential learning in neurobiology
• To expose students to experiential learning and neurobiology early in their careers to increase the likelihood of long-term careers in related fields
• To develop and foster creative problem-solving and science communications skills

Areas of research for neuroSURF students will include:

• Behavioral, Cognitive, and Computational Neurobiology
• Cellular, Molecular, and Developmental Neurobiology
• Exercise Medicine Research
• Implementation Science
• Cancer

In addition to hands-on research projects, Fralin Biomedical Research Institute neuroSURF students will participate in:

• Weekly translational neurobiology research seminars by Virginia Tech Faculty
• Courses on preparing for a future career in science
• Mentoring on science communication and presentation skills
• Two Annual Summer Research Symposiums; one at Virginia Tech in Blacksburg and one at Fralin Biomedical Research Institute at VTC
• Peer mentoring from Virginia Tech graduate students
• Social and cultural activities with fellow summer research students

Curriculum

During the 10-week Fralin Biomedical Research Institute at VTC neuroSURF program, students will participate in a series of educational, research, and social activities.

Education

The Fralin Biomedical Research Institute neuroSURF program will include courses in translational neurobiology and in professional development. Students will receive science writing and communication training and will learn how to communicate science to the public. Courses are designed to prepare undergraduates for careers in neurobiology research and will be instructed by Virginia Tech faculty who work at the Fralin Biomedical Research Institute.

Research

All neuroSURF students will perform 10 weeks of full-time, hypothesis-driven independent research in the research institute’s neurobiology labs. At the end of the program, students will present their results at two Annual Summer Research Symposiums; one at Virginia Tech in Blacksburg and one at Fralin Biomedical Research Institute in Roanoke. In addition to independent research, all neuroSURF students will attend a weekly Translational Neurobiology Research Seminar Series at the Fralin Biomedical Research Institute. This seminar series includes presentations about Virginia Tech’s state-of-the-art neurobiology research.

Social Activities

neuroSURF students are invited to participate in several social activities throughout the 10-week period. These activities include pizza parties and ice cream socials, opportunities to meet fellow summer research students, and peer mentoring from Virginia Tech graduate students. Outdoor excursions that take advantage of Roanoke’s world-class outdoor amenities, trails, and parks, are also offered to students.