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.
Presley Chism Rising Senior, University of Central Arkansas Researching at UAMS
Major/Minor: Bachelor of Science in Nursing (major) / Family and Consumer Science (minor)
What I am researching this summer: This summer, I’m interning in the UAMS cancer clinical trial office and shadowing the research nurses and coordinators. It has given me a great background in how clinical trials work and what it takes to support patients through innovative treatments.
Plans after graduation: My plan is to graduate with my nursing degree and start my career. I really want to work in a major hospital where I can give high-quality care to patients who need it most.
Outside of the lab/classroom: I enjoy playing pickleball, playing with my dog, and hanging out with friends in my free time.
Bennett Dishongh Rising Senior, Hendrix College Researching at UAMS
Double Major: Biochemistry and Molecular Biology and Study of the Mind/Neuroscience
What I am researching this summer: In Dr. Katie Ryan’s lab, we are investigating the role of cystatins 1-4 in the invasiveness of triple negative breast cancer cells.
Plans after graduation: I want to pursue a PhD in a biomedical science at UAMS.
Outside of the lab/classroom: I enjoy playing soccer and am the u10 competitive coach for Arkansas Rising.
Praise Fabiyi Rising Junior, University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff Researching at UAMS
Major: Biology
What I am researching this summer: I am researching how Rnd3 regulates lung adenocarcinoma metastatic hallmarks through integrin alpha 5 expression modulation.
Plans after graduation: Graduate school!
Outside of the lab/classroom: I enjoy taking naps, reading, befriending stray cats, learning new languages, thrifting, doing skincare, and singing karaoke!
Murphy Hernandez Senior, Harding University Researching at UAMS
Double Major: Molecular and Cellular Biology and Applied Spanish
What I am researching this summer: I’m researching the role of two genetic regulators in Acinetobacter baumannii pathogenesis.
Plans after graduation: After graduation, I plan to get certified to be a Medical Laboratory Scientist specializing in microbiology.
Outside of the lab/classroom: I’ve been playing the French horn for 10 years and am a member of my school’s marching band. I’m a huge dog person, I love to read, and I love working with kids.
Audrey Hill Rising Senior, University of Arkansas Researching at UAMS
What I am researching this summer: This summer, I am working with Dr. Craig Porter studying the relationship between burn injury and muscle creatine deficiency.
Plans after graduation: After college, I plan to pursue medical school.
Outside of the lab/classroom: I am a competitive runner and compete in cross country and track. I also love to read and spend time with friends and family!
Jada-Lynn King Rising Senior, Lyon College Researching at UAMS
Major: Biology and Chemistry
What I am researching this summer: I am researching novel discovery compounds that can directly activate the BCL-2 protein, BAK, to initiate apoptosis in cancer cell lines in Dr. Tudor Moldoveanu’s lab. My project also consists of developing a focused library with compounds that can activate the four main cellular death pathways: apoptosis, necroptosis, ferroptosis, and pyroptosis.
Plans after graduation: Attend medical school to pursue a career in oncology.
Outside of the lab/classroom: I enjoy being outside, hiking, and travelling to new places!
Mohammed Naif Rising Junior, University of Arkansas at Little Rock Researching at UAMS
Major / Minor: Biology / Chemistry
What I am researching this summer: I am in Dr. Amy Sato’s lab researching the impact of glucocorticoids on bone in Duchenne muscular dystrophy.
Plans after graduation: My goal is to attend medical school.
Outside of the lab/classroom: I love to exercise and play pool with my dad.
Joan Obi Junior, University of Arkansas Researching at UAMS
Major / Minor: Biomedical Engineering / Mathematics
What I am researching this summer: Cancer cell Dormancy as a mechanism for multiple myeloma relapse
Plans after graduation: PhD or MD/PhD
Outside of the lab/classroom: I like watching movies, reading comics and writing.
Devyn O’Daniel Junior, Arkansas State University Researching at UAF
Major: Biological Sciences
What I am researching this summer: I am studying the effect of resource polyphenism on intrasexual competition in the nematode P. pacificus.
Plans after graduation: Pursue a PhD to study wildlife biology and ecology.
Outside of the lab/classroom: I am a member of the Arkansas State track and field and cross country teams. I also enjoy thrift shopping and playing the piano.
Samuel Paez Rising Senior, John Brown University Researching at UAF
Major / Minor: BS in Biochemistry / Mathematics
What I am researching this summer: I am computationally researching the specific ion effects of sodium chloride in aqueous solutions in order to determine if the four-site BLYPSP-4F water model predicts boiling point elevation. For this purpose, I am calculating the free energy of vaporization, which could provide insights on protein salting phenomena as the chemical potential of water is analyzed. This work will hopefully elucidate factors influencing protein stability in biochemical systems involving the Hofmeister series.
Plans after graduation: My future goals after graduating include pursuing a PhD related to some form of scientific research in biochemistry (topics like quantitative pharmacology, physical chemistry, and transform theory interest me). I plan on hopefully making groundbreaking discoveries and communicating the importance of good science to the general public.
Outside of the lab/classroom: Outside of the classroom, I enjoy playing tennis, soccer, and alto saxophone! I also like working with paracord to make bracelets, key fobs, and similar projects.
Kiah Rucker Rising Senior, Philander Smith University Researching at UAMS
Major: Chemistry
What I am researching this summer: I am working in Dr. Ping- Ching Hsu’s lab, researching whether exposure to arsenic and chromium compounds in residential areas is associated with an increased risk of breast cancer.
Plans after graduation: My future goal is to attend graduate school and pursue a degree in Environmental Chemistry.
Outside of the lab/classroom: I am a member of several groups including a chemistry club, a pre- alumni council, and a volleyball team. In addition, I enjoy hands-on crafts such as resin jewelry making, wax sealing, polymer clay sculpting and button embroidery.
David Sierra Senior, Arkansas Tech University Researching at UAMS
Major: BioMedical
What I am researching this summer: I’m researching multiple myeloma at UAMS with Dr. Delgado-Callie.
Plans after graduation: I plan to become a doctor.
Outside of the lab/classroom: I referee soccer games and I enjoy outdoor time.
Godistruth Umeakuekwe Junior, University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff Researching at UAMS
Major: Bachelor of Applied Science
What I am researching this summer: Currently researching on the role of human lipoproteins and plasma in influencing abscess formation on staphylococcus aureus. This work will help to better understand how host factors shape bacterial infection and potentially enhance immune responses.
Plans after graduation: Work in healthcare.
Outside of the lab/classroom: Video games, watching movies, and hiking.
Muhammed Dawud Waqas Rising Senior, Hendrix College Researching at UAMS, Winthrop P. Rockefeller Cancer Institute
Major / Minor: Health Science / Neuroscience, Pre-Med
What I am researching this summer: This summer I am working in the UAMS Clinical Trials Office at the Winthrop P. Rockefeller Cancer Institute, where I have the opportunity to be involved in Phase I, II, and III clinical trials from the ground up. I follow patients throughout their trials by observing their outcomes and monitoring for adverse events, and I assist earlier in the process by conducting pre-screenings to determine eligibility and attending the informed consent process. Along the way, I am gaining hands-on experience with IRB protocols and learning firsthand how clinical research is designed, regulated, and carried out to keep patients safe while advancing new treatments.
Plans after graduation: I plan to pursue a career as a competent and compassionate physician. I have an interest in trauma surgery.
Outside of the lab/classroom: I love mountain biking, weightlifting, and boxing. I also run my own non-profit!
Rylan Ward Junior, University of Central Arkansas Researching at UAMS
Major / Minor: Biochemistry / Music
What I am researching this summer: I am researching how the peroxisome plays a role in gammaherpesvirus replication and survival in murine rodents (MHV68). Specifically, I am studying how CRISPR/Cas9 based knockout of peroxisomal genes may inhibit MHV68’s ability to effectively replicate and survive in murine rodent fibroblasts and endothelial cells. The data we get can be used to study human herpesvirus since the two viruses belong to the same family herpesviridae.
Plans after graduation: My plan for the future is to continue on to medical school, hopefully here at UAMS, and to play the trombone semi-professionally as a studio musician or orchestra member.
Outside of the lab/classroom: When I’m not in the lab or classroom, I spend the majority of the time making and listening to music. I’m actually currently the Principal Bass Trombonist for the Conway Symphony Orchestra! I also love watching movies (Lord of the Rings trilogy is my favorite), reading, and spending time with my family or friends. I’m also a big coffee enthusiast.
Jacee Wheat Rising Junior, Hendrix College Researching at UAMS
Major / Minor: Biochemistry – Molecular Biology
What I am researching this summer: I am researching the effects of inhibition of the translesion polymerase kappa and how that may help overcome chemotherapy resistance in glioblastoma, hopefully making the standard treatment temozolomide more effective.
Plans after graduation: I plan to go to medical school to become a physician, but I am also considering pursuing an MD/PhD degree.
Outside of the lab/classroom: I am on the Hendrix College tennis team, but I also love to read, crochet, and just be outdoors!
Jadyn Wilhite Senior, Harding University Researching at UAMS
Major: Biochemistry and Molecular Biology for Pre-medicine
What I am researching this summer: I am researching cancer immunotherapy, specifically PCK2, an enzyme we aim to better understand in the hope of developing more effective T-cell therapies.
Plans after graduation: After graduation, I plan to attend medical school and obtain an MD. Following medical school, I hope to pursue orthopaedic surgery.
Outside of the lab/classroom: I enjoy spending as much time as I can outdoors. I love working out, golfing, and listening to good music.
Kalyn You Rising Senior, University of Arkansas at Little Rock Researching at UAMS
Major: Chemistry
What I am researching this summer: I’m working with Dr. Fantegrossi to evaluate the effects of psychedelics on stressed mice.
Plans after graduation: Undecided
Outside of the lab/classroom: Reading manga, sewing, cooking, eating, drawing, driving my awesome car
Presley Chism
Bennett Dishongh
Praise Fabiyi
Murphy Hernandez
Audrey Hill
Jada-Lynn King
Mohammed Naif
Joan Obi
Devyn O’Daniel
Samuel Paez
Kiah Rucker
Godistruth Umeakuekwe
Muhammed Dawud Waqas
Rylan Ward
Jacee Wheat
Jadyn Wilhite
Kalyn You