Arkansas INBRE’s paid summer research fellowships are available for undergraduate students who are rising juniors or seniors. Selected students will work on a project relevant to human health led by a faculty member at either the University of Arkansas, or the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences. We offer two 9-week summer research programs tailored to students with STEM majors (e.g., biology, chemistry, physics, engineering, computer science, mathematics, and related disciplines) who are considering careers in biomedical research.
The Mentored Summer Research Program is designed for undergraduate students who plan to obtain additional training beyond a baccalaureate degree that includes but is not limited to either graduate school or medical school.
The Professional Research Opportunity (PRO) Summer Program is designed for students who wish to pursue a career in biomedical research (e.g. research technologist in a laboratory or core facility) soon after obtaining a baccalaureate degree in a STEM discipline.
AR INBRE coordinates two additional summer programs:
IDeA National Resource for Quantitative Proteomics
Clinical Trials Office (CTO)
For more information, see our Summer Programs webpage or contact Diane McKinstry, AR INBRE Outreach and Summer Program Manager, (501) 526-6515, Email
Click image to learn more about each student. Students listed in alphabetical order by last name.
Bailee Brinkley Rising Junior, Arkansas Tech University Researching at UAMS
Major: Biochemistry
What I am researching this summer: I am working under Dr. Craig Forrest with his research in Gammaherpesvirus where I am studying the viral interactions within the host.
Plans after graduation: After college, I plan on pursuing a MD/PhD program, preferably at UAMS.
Outside of the lab/classroom: I love doing outdoor activities like going on walks, playing a fun sport, or hiking. I also enjoy reading books, shopping, working out and trying new foods.
Lizzie Clark Junior, Scripps College* Researching at UAMS
Major(s): Neuroscience and Dance
What I am researching this summer: I’m researching at UAMS this summer under Dr. Linda Larson-Prior, where I will be using EEG and cognitive testing at the ACNC to measure how body composition, diet, and exercise affect brain function and activity in children.
Plans after graduation: I plan to attend graduate school in the future and further my education in neuroscience (and hopefully bridge its connections with dance and movement).
Outside of the lab/classroom: I am a ballet dancer, and I love to write poetry, play guitar, and go on hikes.
*Scripps College is located in Claremont, CA
Cristian Del Gobbo Junior, Lyon College Researching at UAF
Major(s): Mathematics, Computer Science, Data Science
What I am researching this summer: I’m working on the creation of a Deep Learning model to detect and classify Bacterial Flagella in fluorescent microscopical images.
Plans after graduation: After I graduate, I want to attend graduate school and possibly pursue a PhD, likely in Computer Science and Engineering, with a focus on Machine Learning and Artificial Intelligence.
Outside of the lab/classroom: I like to keep myself in shape by going to the gym, and when I have time, I enjoy watching and playing tennis.
Drew Hamilton Rising Senior, University of Arkansas Researching at UAMS
Major: Biomedical Engineering
What I am researching this summer: I am in my second summer working on segmentations of CT Scan data in Dr. Chris Wardell’s lab on the UAMS Little Rock campus.
Plans after graduation: After I graduate, I intend to go to medical school and pursue a career in orthopedic surgery.
Outside of the lab/classroom: I am on the board for the Volunteer Action Center as well as the president of my fraternity. I also enjoy going to Razorback sporting events and playing basketball.
Katelin Keller Junior, Arkansas State University Researching at UAMS
Major/Minor: Major in Biochemistry, Minor in Psychology
What I am researching this summer: My project is working with host factors that facilitate murine herpesvirus replication. It was previously found that the virus needs peroxisomes, so this summer I am going to see if the virus activates the peroxisome pathway or uses what is available.
Plans after graduation: (undecided) but medical research in some capacity (through PhD or MD/PhD)
Outside of the lab/classroom: I love baking and decorating cakes/ cupcakes, I crochet and have a lot of houseplants/enjoy gardening
Elise Knight Rising Senior, Ouachita Baptist University Researching at UAF
Major(s)/Minor: Double major in Chemistry and Biophysics with a minor in math
What I am researching this summer: This summer, I’m working in Dr. Feng Wang’s lab at UAF where I will be computationally modelling pentanes. The goal of this project is to create a better understanding of their thermodynamic and energetic properties for use in applications such as environment-friendly refrigerants.
Plans after graduation: After graduating from Ouachita, I plan to pursue a PhD in physical chemistry and work in research & development for the pharmaceutical industry.
Outside of the lab/classroom: I am a part of OBU’s cross-country and track teams and the treasurer of the Ouachita student chapter of the American Chemical Society.
Marlee Lamoreaux Rising Senior, University of Central Arkansas Researching at UAMS
Major: Bachelor of Science in Nursing
What I am researching this summer: This summer I am working in the UAMS Clinical Trials Office and my current role is to shadow CTO nursing staff and assist with clinical trial duties.
Plans after graduation: In the future I would like to work as a pediatric nurse, potentially in the hem/onc unit, or PICU!
Outside of the lab/classroom: When I’m not participating in academics, I love to workout, play soccer, and swim. During the summer I also love to do anything outdoors such as hiking, kayaking, or going to the lake!
Diya Mehta Senior, Harry Mudd College* Researching at UAMS
Major: Mathematical and Computational Biology
What I am researching this summer: I am at UAMS in Dr. Vladimir Lupashin’s lab, studying how the COG complex aids with intracellular membrane trafficking in the Golgi apparatus.
Plans after graduation: I would like to pursue a PhD in computational biology after I graduate.
Outside of the lab/classroom: In my free time I enjoy reading, catching up with friends, and going on walks. On campus, I tutor courses, work in the Admissions Office, and run an Indian Food Club.
*Harvey Mudd College is located in Claremont, CA
Samuel Paez Rising Junior, John Brown University Researching at UAF
What I am researching this summer: I will be researching spectroscopy methods for accurately measuring bilirubin levels in newborns babies for quick detection and treatment of jaundice. Particularly, the optical properties of skin will be modeled with skin-like phantoms and analyzed with Monte Carlo simulations in order to confirm the effectiveness of Diffuse Reflectance Spectroscopy (DRS) in detecting hyperbilirubinemia.
Plans after graduation: My future goals after graduating include pursuing a PhD related to some form of scientific research in biochemistry (topics like bioinformatics, nanotechnology, and enzyme kinematics interest me). I plan on hopefully making groundbreaking discoveries (winning a Nobel Prize?!) and communicating the importance of good science to the general public.
Outside of the lab/classroom: I enjoy playing tennis and alto saxophone! I also like working with paracord to make bracelets, key fobs, and similar projects.
Tori-Beth Poland Junior, Hendrix College Researching at UAMS
Major: Health Science Major
What I am researching this summer: Proteomics in Dr. Dennis Province Lab
Plans after graduation: Attend Medical School at UAMS and then become a pediatric cardiologist
Outside of the lab/classroom: I have been dancing since I was 2 years old, and I am currently a collegiate cheerleader at Hendrix College. I enjoy creating floral arrangements for both myself and others. Additionally, I compete in pageants within the Miss America Organization, and I am proudly holding the title of Miss Diamond Lakes 2025!
Fatima Shah Senior, UA Little Rock Researching at UAMS
Major: Clinical Biology
What I am researching this summer: I am researching at UAMS with Dr. Ping-Ching Hsu and my project topic is about Precision Environmental Health to Tackle High Rates of Early-Onset Breast Cancer in Arkansas Rural Community Health Study.
Plans after graduation: My future goal is to attend medical school to become a pediatrician.
Outside of the lab/classroom: My favorite hobbies are playing tennis, pickleball or reading, specifically rom-com books!
Paige Spicer Rising Junior, Ouachita Baptist University Researching at UAMS
Majors: Biology and Chemistry
What I am researching this summer: This summer I am working in Dr. Brendan Frett’s lab alongside Dr. Maha Hanafi performing various biochemical assays on kinases commonly expressed in cancer cells!
Plans after graduation: I hope to attend pharmacy school after I graduate! I am interested in a PharmD/PhD dual degree to pursue a career in pharmaceutical research!
Outside of the lab/classroom: I love playing pickleball, shopping, and hanging out with friends and family!
Kathryn Wilson Rising Senior, UA Fayetteville Researching at UAMS
Major(s): Business Management Pre-Med
What I am researching this summer: Multiple Myeloma with Dr. Jesus Delgado-Calle and Aric Anloague
Plans after graduation: Work for a National Park for the Summer and go to Medical School.
Outside of the lab/classroom: I like Vintage Shopping, going to Garden Nurseries, and trying food places I haven’t been to before. I like road tripping with my mom and volunteering together with the Galveston Bay Foundation. I love Karaoke!
