10 Weeks, Real Research
Here at Duquesne it is our joy to provide you with hands-on research opportunities. Each summer, students from Duquesne and universities nationwide apply to join the Undergraduate Research Symposium (URP). During this 10-week summer program, you'll:
- Conduct research in areas like chemistry, biology, pain research, and neurodegeneration.
- Explore diverse science-related fields and career paths.
- Participate in community engagement projects and ethics education.
- Present your findings at an on-campus research symposium.
- Engage with faculty members, industry professionals, and fellow researchers.
By the end of the program, you'll have established meaningful connections within the scientific community and with your peers. This summer's program runs through May 18 through July 24, 2026.
The School of Science and Engineering undergraduate research program (general URP)
is an exclusive opportunity for Duquesne University undergraduates within the School
of Science and Engineering. Applicants will be chosen based on their academic achievements,
previous lab experience, and potential in their respective fields. The program offers
undergraduate research positions in various disciplines, including biochemistry, biology,
chemistry, computer science, data science, engineering, environmental science, forensic
science and law, mathematics and physics. You'll receive free on-campus housing and
a meal plan (if needed) as well as a $4,500 stipend. Reach out to Dr. Palmer. The Integrated Computational and Experimental Chemistry NSF-REU Program welcomes
applications from undergraduate students majoring in biochemistry and chemistry. Applicants
will be chosen based on their academic achievements, previous lab experience, and
potential in their respective fields. You'll receive free on-campus housing, a meal
plan and a stipend. This program is made possible through the collaboration of the
U.S. Department of Defense's Awards to Stimulate and Support Undergraduate Research
Education (ASSURE) program and the National Science Foundation's Research Experiences
for Undergraduates (NSF-REU) program. Applications are currently being accepted; however,
the 2026 program is contingent on funding. Please check back for updates. Questions about the REU program? Contact Dr. Jeffrey Evanseck or Dr. Thomas Montgomery. Students from any university are invited to join Duquesne University's NURE program
for a 10-week summer residency in biomedical research focused on molecular and behavioral
neuroscience as well as drug delivery to neurovascular targets to treat neurological
diseases. You'll receive free on-campus housing, a meal plan and a $6,000 stipend.
The program offers integrated ethics training, professional development workshops,
and journal club discussions where you'll collaborate with faculty, students, and
clinicians to review primary literature. Additionally, you'll gain insights into the
personal and practical challenges of neurological dysfunction from those living with
chronic conditions. The application deadline is February 27. These are the NURE faculty participating in this summer’s program, along with their
respective research areas. Visit their profiles to learn more about their backgrounds
and the projects they are working on. When completing your application, please select
three faculty members whose labs you are interested in joining. Pharmaceutical Sciences; Cellular events underlying age-related neuro-degeneration
with normal and diseased aging Chemistry & Biochemistry; Structural characterization of allostery in paradigmatic
ion channels and transporters Biological Sciences; Involvement of cellular proteins in the regulation of viral DNA
replication and gene expression Occupational Therapy; Assessment of impairments in neurological populations including
stroke, traumatic brain injury, and Parkinson’s disease Chemistry & Biochemistry; Using chemical theory and computation to investigate the
energetics and mechanisms of phosphoryl transfer reactions and RNA interactions in
viral infection Pharmaceutical Sciences; Development of new paradigms for medicinal Chemistry with
focus on CNS and anti-cancer agents Chemistry & Biochemistry; Role of protein-protein and cholesterol in host-pathogen
interactions Pharmaceutical Sciences; Development of COX-2 in macrophages, targeted nano medicines
for imaging and treatment of inflammation and pain Physical Therapy; Treatment therapy to reduce inflammation, increase utrophin and
improve function in Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy Pharmaceutical Sciences; Rational design and synthesis of clickable covalent compounds
for chemical biology and medicinal chemistry Pharmaceutical Sciences; Study mechanisms underlying the pathology of neurodegenerative
disorders and test potential therapies Chemistry & Biochemistry; Protein-RNA interactions in Fragile X syndrome and ALS/FTD Chemistry & Biochemistry; Investigating catalyst systems and their utilization to
synthesize complex and biologically interesting synthetic targets Pharmaceutical Sciences; Study how the anti-viral immune response impacts on development
of neural cells during CNS infections Biological Sciences; Study chronic pain to measure changes in gene expression that
result from behaviorally assessed changes in pain sensitivity Occupational Therapy; Mechanisms for the development of work-related musculoskeletal
injury and pain and determining the best therapeutic interventions for treating chronic
pain conditions Biomedical Engineering; Development of technologies for sensing, tracking and manipulation
of biomolecules, cells and microorganisms Biological Sciences; Interaction of stress and immune Reach out to Dr. Cascio.Duquesne's General URP
General Undergraduate Research: Open to Duquesne Students
Questions about the URP?
NSF Chemistry-REU
Chemistry & Biochemistry Research: Open to All Undergraduate Students
Questions? Contact Us!
NIH Neurobiology Research Experience
Neuroscience & Drug Delivery Research: Open To All Undergraduate Students
Participating NURE Faculty
Jane Cavanaugh, Ph.D.
Michael Cascio, Ph.D.
Jill Dembowski, Ph.D.
Elena V. Donoso Brown, Ph.D., OTR/L
Jeffrey Evanseck, Ph.D.
Patrick Flaherty, Ph.D.
David Heisler, Ph.D.
Jelena M. Janjic, Ph.D.
Matthew Kostek, Ph.D.
David Lapinsky, Ph.D.
Rehana K. Leak, Ph.D.
Mihaela Rita Mihailescu, Ph.D.
Thomas Montgomery, Ph.D.
Lauren A. O’Donnell, Ph.D.
John A. Pollock, Ph.D.
Kimberly Szucs, Ph.D., M.S., OTR/L
Melikhan Tanyeri, Ph.D.
Sarah Woodley, Ph.D.
Questions about the NURE program?
