Science & Math Summer Research Experience

The 2025 SNU Summer Research Experience (SRE) will take place from May 7 to June 23, 2025.  The SRE is sponsored jointly by SNU and the Oklahoma NASA Space Grant Consortium (OSGC).  You can read more about OSGC activities here. 

Current SNU students may apply for the 2025 SRE if they have declared an academic major offered through the SNU Biology, Chemistry, or Computing/Mathematics/Physics Department.

Project Descriptions

A description of the research topics in each area is given below along with the respective research adviser(s).

Biology
Dr. Caio Franca

Project Title: Mosquito-borne disease surveillance in Oklahoma (MODSO)

Are you interested in disease ecology, molecular biology, and cutting-edge remote sensing technology? The Mosquito-borne Disease Surveillance in Oklahoma (MoDSO) research group is looking for motivated students to join our summer research experience! Our work focuses on understanding the distribution and ecology of mosquito vectors that transmit pathogens such as West Nile virus (WNV), St. Louis Encephalitis virus (SLEV), and Plasmodium spp. Using a combination of fieldwork, molecular diagnostics, and NASA remote sensing data, we aim to track mosquito populations across central Oklahoma and assess disease risk in local communities.

As a summer research student, you will gain hands-on experience in mosquito surveillance, DNA/RNA extraction, PCR-based pathogen detection, and bioinformatics analysis. You will also collaborate with local health departments and partner universities, contributing to real-world public health research. Students will have the opportunity to present their findings at our STEM division seminars and at national conferences such as the American Society for Tropical Medicine and Hygiene (ASTMH) Annual Meeting.

This is an excellent opportunity for students interested in vector biology, infectious diseases, public health, and data science. No prior experience is necessary—just curiosity and a willingness to learn! If you’re ready to be part of an interdisciplinary team tackling real-world disease challenges, we’d love to have you on board this summer!

Biology
Dr. Christopher Garner

Project Title: Isolation of Novel Bacteria from the Midgut of Mosquitoes

Bacteria are ubiquitous, inhabiting diverse and challenging ecosystems and playing critical ecological roles, including within the guts of animals. Large-scale environmental genomics surveys show that these microbes are both abundant and phylogenetically diverse. However, less than 10% of bacteria have been isolated and cultured for study. Isolating novel bacterial strains allows researchers to discover unique enzymes, bioactive compounds, and metabolic processes with potential applications in medicine, agriculture, and industry. For instance, these bacteria can be utilized for producing biofuels, biodegradable plastics, or pharmaceuticals, as well as in industrial processes such as waste treatment, bioremediation, and precious metal mining. Studying these microbes deepens our understanding of ecological systems and offers solutions to environmental challenges like pollution cleanup and carbon sequestration. Isolating bacteria from unique or unexplored systems, such as the midgut of mosquitoes, is a promising approach to discovering novel strains with valuable applications.

Physics
Dr. Rusiri Rathnasekara

Project Title: Synthesis and Characterization of ZnO Nanostructures Using the Sol-Gel Method

ZnO nanostructures are gaining attention due to their remarkable physical and chemical properties, which make them valuable in optoelectronics, photovoltaics, and sensor technologies. The sol-gel method presents an affordable and scalable technique for synthesizing ZnO nanostructures, offering precise control over particle size, shape, and morphology through the manipulation of experimental parameters. This research investigates the influence of key factors such as temperature, pH, and molarity during the sol-gel process. By optimizing these variables, the study aims to enhance the production of high-quality ZnO nanostructures and broaden their applications in various technological fields. The findings will contribute to advancing nanostructure synthesis and fostering innovation in materials science and physics. 

Summer Support and Stipend

Participants are eligible for free room in a SNU dorm facility. Each participant will receive $3,500 as a stipend for research. Payments will be made throughout the summer program; a final installment will be paid at the conclusion of the program. Participants are expected to commit to 40 hours of research a week as scheduled by the research adviser, generally from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm, Monday through Friday. If participants anticipate being gone for any reason during the program, they should make alternate arrangements with their research adviser for making up research. Additionally, participants must present the results of their research in two different settings during the 2025-2026 academic year:

Application Requirements

Applicants must be SNU students who have declared an academic major offered through the SNU Biology, Chemistry, or Computing/Mathematics/Physics Department. Preference will be given to applicants who expect to complete their first one or two years of study in their major by the end of the Spring 2025 semester. Participants are expected to be available Monday through Friday, 8:00 am – 5:00 pm, for the entire eight-week period (from May 7 to June 23). If applicants anticipate being absent for any reason, they should report the duration and reason for absence on the application form.

Each applicant must submit three recommendations – two of which must come from SNU professors. Applicants should email the recommenders and provide the URL (see below) for the online recommendation form. If a paper recommendation (rather than the online form) is needed, please contact Dr. Nicholas Zoller at nzoller@zhenrenqi.com.

Deadlines

Applicants must complete their online application forms and have all required documentation (recommendations, etc.) completed by Friday, March 7, 2025. If the applicant must submit paper copies of application materials, then they should be delivered to Dr. Nicholas Zoller in Beaver Science 202D. Successful applicants will be notified by Friday, March 14 of their acceptance into the program. If you have questions, please contact Dr. Nicholas Zoller at nzoller@zhenrenqi.com. You are also encouraged to discuss your interests with any of the research advisers listed above.

Links