Munroe-Meyer Institute
UNMC_Acronym_Vert_sm_4c
University of Nebraska Medical Center

Summer Undergraduate Research Program

Cheerful research students working together on laptop at table, by Ivan Samkov – Pexels.

The UNMC Summer Undergraduate Research Program provides undergraduate students with an immersive summer research experience in a clinical research lab at the Munroe-Meyer Institute for Genetics and Rehabilitation.

Generally referred to by its acronym SURP,  this program is a 10-week, 40 hours per week commitment. Students obtain first-hand experience by becoming part of the research team and having a dedicated mentor. MMI also provides accepted students with professional development opportunities, weekly educational activities at MMI and several team-building activities across the summer. All positions at MMI include a $6,000 stipend for the summer.

Our Vision of a SURP Scholar

We are looking for applicants from a variety of backgrounds, experiences and interests who want to be part of a cooperative research environment. Our ideal researcher is a self-starter, ready to learn and make the most of the summer. Someone who is ready to network and collaborate with other faculty, staff and students.

Information for Applicants

MMI Research Opportunities

Explore the opportunities available for students enrolled in MMI's summer undergraduate research program.

The Emotional Neuroscience Lab (Blackford Lab) focuses on anxiety and how it relates to an extension of the amygdala, the bed nucleus of the stria terminalis. The SURP summer intern will be helping with neuroimaging studies involving adults with an alcohol use disorder or adolescents with autism. Additionally, students can participate in analyzing data from studies of anxiety or alcohol use disorder.
The Play lab focuses on designing and testing play-based interventions and technologies to improve function, activity and participation in children with motor delays. The SURP summer intern will help with understanding and implementing the use of modified ride-on toy cars in children’s environment.
MMI's integrated Center for Autism Spectrum Disorders' Autism Care for Toddlers Clinics are community outreach programs. The clinics provide early intervention services using applied behavior analysis to children 2 to 6 years old. The research team investigates components of early behavioral intervention and treatment team member (i.e., caregiver, staff) involvement in behavior analytic service delivery. The SURP summer intern will assist with ongoing projects including data collection, graphing and analyzing data and preparing for sessions.
MMI's integrated Center for Autism Spectrum Disorders' Building Relationships in Dyad and Group Environments Program offers specially designed small group intervention for children with autism aimed at promoting skills necessary for positive peer interactions and social play, social communication skills, and classroom readiness. The SURP summer intern will receive training and mentorship from a clinical psychologist in applied research opportunities to evaluate the effectiveness of group-based behavior analytic interventions.
MMI's integrated Center for Autism Spectrum Disorders provides comprehensive treatment services for children with autism spectrum disorder. The SURP summer intern will help Dr. Rey with evaluating the effectiveness of efficiency of interventions for teaching children with autism.
Students working within MMI's integrated Center for Autism Spectrum Disorders will assist with an FDA clinical trial evaluating the use of an eye-tracking device to diagnose autism spectrum disorder in young children. Roles will primarily involve supporting the consenting process, as well as data checking and entry. We have some additional projects that may be in data collection at this time, including a collaborative study evaluating the use of a haircutting simulator to increase tolerance for receiving haircuts in real life. Students will get to attend research meetings and get more in-depth exposure to research in clinical settings.
The severe behavior department is recruiting an undergraduate student to assist on several ongoing studies related to the assessment and treatment of severe challenging behavior in children with Autism Spectrum Disorders. The research assistant will gain hands-on and supervised experience conducting literature reviews, collecting real-time and retrospective behavioral data, making graphs, analyzing data, and participating in a weekly research lab meeting.
In the speech-language pathology department, the SURP student will assist with several ongoing studies related to the development and evaluation of augmentative and alternative tools and trainings for children and adults who have limited speech. Studies include investigating the effects of "just-in-time" augmentative and alternative communication trainings on parent and healthcare provider communication skills while interacting with people with limited speech. The student will gain hands-on and supervised experiences with data collection and analysis in clinical environments such as outpatient and inpatient hospital settings.
  • Department: Administration - Research
  • Project Leads: Dr. Gonabadi
The Virtual Reality and Wearable Technology Lab focuses on integrating advanced technologies like virtual reality and wearable sensors to improve physical activity and rehabilitation programs. The summer project will involve evaluating current exercise programs for individuals with developmental disabilities (e.g., Down syndrome, autism, cerebral palsy) and developing VR-based interactive exercise environments. The SURP summer intern will assist with integrating VR systems and wearable devices, collecting and analyzing data on participants' physiological responses, and designing engaging, adaptive VR modules to enhance physical and cognitive outcomes.

SURP Testimonials

MMI provides an energetic and welcoming academic environment where students can achieve their highest potential.  Hear from some of our past students about their experiences.

Watch a video to hear firsthand from SURP students.

“I am very thankful for the numerous professional connections I was able to make.”
Carter Welch, 2022 SURP student, Severe Behavior Department, MMI – UNMC.

Carter Welch

2022 SURP scholar

“This experience helped solidify what I want to do in the future.”
Katelyn Malick, 2022 SURP student, Virtual Reality Laboratory, MMI – UNMC.

Katelyn Malick

2022 SURP scholar

SURP Events

We believe that engaging in events outside of the laboratory strengthens an inclusive and cooperative research environment.

2022 SURP event - Henry Doorly Zoo trip.

2022 SURP event - Escape Room.

Katelyn Kelley, BS

Katelyn Kelley, BS

Lab Manager, Emotional Neuroscience Research Laboratory

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SURP in the News

Summer 2022 MMI SURP students - from left: Toluwa Davies, Maggie Kramer, Jessica Stump, Katelyn Malick, Carter Welch, and Chethana Deeduvanu.

MMI offers students immersive research experience

Joyful research students working in library with mentor, by Kampus Production – Pexels.

Learn more about SURP

Visit the UNMC Division of Student Success website to explore more details about the SURP program including all applicant requirements, factors considered during applicant selection and helpful hints for submitting an application.