Champaign, IL

Position Title: Research Experience for Undergraduates (REU) Program

Organization: Illinois Natural History Survey at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign

Location: Champaign, IL

Position Overview: The Research Experiences for Undergraduates (REU) program sponsored by the National Science Foundation supports active research participation by undergraduate students in any of the areas of research funded by the Foundation. The Illinois Natural History Survey (Prairie Research Institute) at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign is seeking undergraduate students that want to be involved in an ongoing research project focused on the detection and characterization of phytoplasmas, a group of bacteria associated with insects (vectors, primarily Hemiptera) and plants (hosts) and implicated in plant disease. The focus of this project is to uncover the true diversity of phytoplasmas worldwide, reconstruct their evolutionary relationships, and document their associations with insects and plants by screening a large collection of insects preserved in a museum biorepository using modern DNA sequencing techniques and by revisioning large available literature. Students will be paired with a mentor in the research group and will conduct research, attend lab meetings, and develop communication skills by presenting research at a symposium or to other collaborators and contributing to scientific publication. During the 10-week program, students gain hands-on experience in genetics, environmental sciences, pathology, systematics and phylogenomics. The student will receive insights on how to use a multidisciplinary approach to study the evolutionary ecology of bacterial parasites and their hosts and use the knowledge gained to predict and prevent the emergence of plant diseases. 

Duties:

• Hands-on mentored research
• Social activities, networking events, and professional development opportunities
• Tentative Program dates: June 2, 2025 – July 25, 2025 (8 weeks, approx. 30 hours/week)
• Stipends – approximately $700/student/week
• Housing at Hendrick House (double room)
• Travel & Conference Registration Fees (if applicable)
• Laboratory Use Fees

Qualifications:
• highly motivated undergraduates with a GPA of 3.0 or higher
• Preference is given to students from underrepresented groups in science and engineering—including women, minorities, and persons with disabilities—as well as first-generation college students.
• U.S. citizens or permanent residents
• applicants must have completed their sophomore (second) year by the start of the program
• applicants must be 18 years of age or older
• Provide current transcript
• Complete the application

Start/End Dates: May 26, 2025 – July 15, 2025

Salary/Pay: Approx: $700 per week + housing

Application Deadline: February 3, 2025

How to Apply:

The application materials consist of:
• A 5000-character Personal Statement: Please describe your academic and career goals and how the REU program will help you to achieve these goals
• A copy of your unofficial transcript
• A short CV

Completed applications should be emailed to Dr. Trivellone @ valeria3@illinois.edu (reference “REU Application” in subject line).