Bioinformatics Scholars Program

The Maine INBRE Bioinformatics Scholars Program provides individualized mentoring to advanced undergraduate students at Maine INBRE partner institutions. The program specifically matches the student with a faculty member at their home institution and with one of the Bioinformatics Core staff. 

• Students apply to the program and propose a specific research project involving bioinformatics that they have discussed with their faculty mentor.
• The duration of the program is flexible with projects lasting one or two semesters in length depending on project scope and constraints of the student’s degree program.
• The Scholars Program runs concurrently with the academic year, so applications are encouraged in the late summer to early fall. Applications received in the winter and spring will be accepted; however, the timing might be a consideration in acceptance in conjunction with the scope of work and the applicant’s academic year.
• The Core supports ~4-5 Scholars per year on a first-come, first-serve basis.
• Scholar positions will be granted for a single academic year; however, a successful applicant will not be disallowed from applying for additional years (presuming that a project began before their senior year). The reporting requirements exist for each year that a student receives a Scholar position.

Students apply by submitting a proposal to the Bioinformatics Core Directors that includes:

1. student’s name, and vital information (college, year, major)
2. proposed local mentor
3. proposed INBRE Bioinformatics Core mentor
4. a 1-page description of the proposed project, including rationale and anticipated outcome
5. a brief personal statement from the student that includes the background for the project and how the experience fits into their educational and career plans

Interested students should submit the information via email to Joel Graber (gro.lbidmnull@rebarghj) and Ben King (ude.eniamnull@gnik.l.nimajneb). Applications will be reviewed and approved by Bioinformatics Core leadership and select members of the Steering Committee. Students are highly encouraged to consult with both local faculty and INBRE Bioinformatics Core leadership during the process of defining and preparing their application.

Scholars are required to:

• Present their research at the annual Maine Biological and Medical Sciences Symposium (and encouraged to do so at a scientific meeting relevant to their research project).
• Submit a final report at the end of the academic year (deadline June 30) that includes the following information:

1. Summary of the work carried out
2. Significant findings and interpretation
3. Skills/knowledge gained
4. Future plans

The final written report can take on the form of a senior thesis or similar document from their home institution, as long as parts 3 and 4 in the list above are included.

Bioinformatics Core Co-Directors:

Joel Graber, Ph.D., MDI Biological Laboratory, gro.lbidmnull@rebarghj
Ben King, Ph.D., University of Maine, ude.eniamnull@gnik.l.nimajneb