USU Uintah Basin Internship Program Transforms Students Into Researchers

VERNAL, Utah — For many undergraduate students, the thought of doing scientific research can feel daunting and unfamiliar. But at Utah State University Uintah Basin, students can gain firsthand experience early in their college careers, giving them a leg up as they turn textbook knowledge into hands-on learning.

The Uintah Basin Student Research Internship completed its 12th year of teaching undergraduates the ins and outs of science research. Each summer, three to six undergraduates are selected for a 9-week paid internship where they work closely with USU science faculty members on projects spanning geology, chemistry, natural resources or biology.

“Many of the undergraduates at USU Uintah Basin are knowledgeable about and interested in science but have little experience doing scientific research,” said Shana Geffeney, associate professor of biology at USU Uintah Basin. “This program fills that knowledge gap and provides a foundation for a successful career in science. These successes include co-authoring research articles with faculty mentors as well as completing medical and graduate school programs.”

Students in the UBRI program participate in designing a research project and then work alongside their mentor both in the lab and out in the field. Participants agree that the experience had a big impact on their career success.

“UBRI helped me gain more lab and field work experience,” said Maycee Cox, an undergraduate student in wildlife ecology and management who participated in this year’s internship. “It was a great opportunity to meet new people in different areas of science.”

The impact of participating in UBRI extends well beyond just a summer internship. Many participants gain a mentor who can help them throughout their undergraduate degree at USU. For students who arrive with an interest in science but little research background, the program provides a critical foundation for long-term research success.

The UBRI program is open to students as young as juniors in high school, with preference given to undergraduate students enrolled at USU Uintah Basin in their first or second years. Upon completing the 9-week term, interns present their research to members of the Uintah Basin research faculty and can meet with potential employers in the region.

Those interested in more information or starting an application for next year’s UBRI can visit statewide.usu.edu/uintahbasin/ubri. Applications open in January, with the internship running throughout the months of June and July.

Operating campuses in Vernal and Roosevelt for more than 50 years, Utah State University Uintah Basin gives students the personalized attention and small class sizes of a small-town college with the resources of a large university, all in the backdrop of the outdoor oasis that is the Uinta Mountains and Ashley National Forest. With degree options ranging from associate to doctorate degrees and more than 125 programs available, as well as access to the renowned Bingham Research Center, USU Uintah Basin offers programs that help fuel local economies and empower individuals and their communities. Learn more at uintahbasin.usu.edu.