Summer Internships

Undergraduate Summer Research Experience for Underrepresented Minorities and Individuals with Disabilities
CBBI Summer Internship Application Form 2024

The Chemistry-Biochemistry-Biology Interface (CBBI) Program at the University of Notre Dame invites students to submit their applications for the Summer Research Training Program. This program is specific to US citizens or US permanent residents who are underrepresented minorities: African American, Hispanic American, Native American, Alaska Native, Native Hawaiians, and other Pacific Islanders, or individuals with disabilities. Successful applicants will join one of the CBBI Program’s research laboratories in Notre Dame, IN for ten weeks beginning in June through the first week of August.

At the end of summer, students give an oral presentation during CBBI seminar. This provides an opportunity for students to present their work to the Notre Dame scientific community. Students are also expected to participate in group meetings in their individual laboratories and CBBI seminars.

Research performed by CBBI laboratories covers interdisciplinary research in chemistry and biology-related disciplines. Research areas include bioorganic and medicinal chemistry, biophysics and structural biology, cancer biology, computational chemistry, fluorescence imaging, genetics and genomics of drug resistance, immunology, molecular and cell biology, molecular genetics, natural products chemistry, and rational drug design.

A strong emphasis on collaborative research is supported by several outstanding research centers on the Notre Dame campus, including the Center for Environmental Science and Technology, Center for Nano Science and Technology, Center for Research Computing, Interdisciplinary Center for the Study of Biocomplexity, Eck Institute for Global Health, Freimann Life Science Center, Lizzadro Magnetic Resonance Research Center, Mass Spectrometry Facilities, X-Ray Crystallography, Warren Family Research Center for Drug Discovery and Development, W. M. Keck Center for Transgene Research, Warren Center for Drug Discovery and Development, and Harper Cancer Research Institute.

The research facilities at Notre Dame are superb, with state-of-the-art instrumentation that are fully supported and staffed by Ph.D.-level scientists. The instrumentation available includes eight different NMR spectrometers ranging from 300 to 800 MHz, single-crystal and powder X-ray diffractometers, high-resolution mass spectrometers, and a variety of UV-vis, fluorescence, IR, and Raman spectrometers. In addition, the Genomics Core Facility provides genome shotgun sequencing services on a Roche 454 Genome Sequencer system. The Freimann Life Sciences Center is a state-of-the-art 25,000 square feet animal care facility that provides animal care and technical services. The Notre Dame Integrated Imaging Facility houses three laser scanning microscopes, a flow cytometer, a biological transmission electron microscope, and nine imaging instruments.

The CBBI Program is an NIH-funded program that provides students with significant training in a cross-discipline at the interface of chemistry and biology-related disciplines. The 1,250-acre campus of the University of Notre Dame is located in South Bend, Indiana―26 miles from Lake Michigan and 90 miles from Chicago. Extensive recreational facilities are available on campus, including an ice rink, an Olympic-size pool, two golf courses, tennis courts, fitness rooms, and indoor tracks. South Bend and Notre Dame offer an active arts culture that includes guest and resident artists, theater companies, and symphonies. Numerous Notre Dame athletic events are available.

Program Highlights:

  • Hands-on research in a CBBI laboratory
  • Weekly laboratory group meetings
  • Biweekly seminars
  • Poster presentation
  • Students will be paired with graduate students or postdoctoral fellows for research guidance
  • Students will be paired with a graduate student in the CBBI Program for mentoring

Eligibility (must meet all the criteria):

  • Undergraduate students who are juniors at an accredited institution and who have one more year before graduation
  • Non-Notre Dame students
  • U.S. citizen or U.S. permanent resident status
  • Underrepresented minorities (African American, Hispanic American, Native American, Alaska Native, Native Hawaiians, and other Pacific Islanders) or individuals with a disability
  • Minimum of 3.0 GPA
  • Not trained previously in the CBBI Summer Research Training Program

Financial Support:

  • Summer stipend ($5,500)
  • Housing (residence hall double occupancy for 10 weeks, ~$2,000)
  • Travel expenses to South Bend, Indiana (up to $1000)

Location and Duration:

  • 10 weeks, starting in June through mid-August
  • University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, IN

Application Procedure:

  • Complete the application at http://cbbi.nd.edu, type, and e-mail to Dr. Christian Melander at cbbi@nd.edu. The deadline is February 1. Be sure to keep your contact information updated at all times.
  • Include a copy of your resume.
  • Submit two letters of recommendation mailed directly from faculty members/advisors who can address your intellectual and personal suitability for the Program.
  • Complete your Personal Statement. Describe your research interest, career goals, and reasons for applying to this program. Do not exceed one page.
  • Official transcript mailed directly from your school.