For Summer Undergraduate Biomedical Research
Intro Heading link
The Graeme Carnegie Fellowship is a ten-week (~40/hrs week) competitive research-intensive experience in the Department of Pharmacology & Regenerative Medicine at the University of Illinois College of Medicine in Chicago. The department consistently leads the field in funding (8th in the nation in NIH research funding in 2023) and is home to a world-class graduate pharmacology program. Awardees will have the opportunity to attend departmental seminars, presentations by guest speakers, a contemporary scientific methods course, and laboratory meetings. Admitted students are expected to prepare a research proposal, in conjunction with their faculty mentor, prior to the start of the program. At the end of the program, students will present their work in a departmental seminar.
This program is designed for students interested in pursuing a doctoral degree (PhD) in biomedical sciences or related fields and who will have just completed their sophomore or junior year in college. As we are committed to increasing the number of students from underrepresented minorities in PhD programs, those students are especially encouraged to apply.
2025 Summer Fellows Heading link
Gejla Toromani, Miami University
Gejla, originally from Albania, is a junior at Miami University, majoring in biology. She plans to pursue an MD/PhD program with the long-term goal of integrating research and clinical practice to address pressing medical challenges. Her interests include exploring molecular mechanisms and developing targeted therapies for diseases such as cardiovascular and neurodegenerative conditions.
She is working on the implication of cellular entry routes of Dengue Virus in endothelial cells with Dr. Komarova’s lab this summer.
Kirti Mann, St. Ambrose University
Kiriti is a junior at St. Ambrose University in Iowa, majoring in chemistry and biology. She is interested in pursuing a PhD in biology, as she developed a passion for scientific research during her science classes. Her research interests include gene expression regulation, cellular signaling, and disease mechanisms.
This summer, she is working in Dr. Tahmasebi’s lab on optogenetic control of the Integrated Stress Response Pathway.
Erin Davy, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
Erin is a junior at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, majoring in biochemistry. Her long-term goal is to pursue a PhD and contribute to clinical and translational medicine. She is particularly interested in research that intersects immunology and disease studies, focusing on understanding disease mechanisms to develop future treatments and cures.
She is working on the Cell Surface Factors in HSC localization with Dr. Pajcini’s lab.
Details Heading link
-
Program details:
The undergrad training will offer:
- A stipend to assist with housing and other expenses.
- A supportive laboratory environment that provides training and supervision is essential for successful research initiation.
- Access to networking events, summer student seminars, and specialized methods seminars is crucial for developing the skills needed for a successful research career.
The undergraduate trainees are expected to:
- Provide a research proposal with the assistance of the lab PI before the fellowship begins.
- Present their research proposal at the beginning of the fellowship and present their research project at the end.
-
Application Process
Eligibility
To be considered for the Graeme Carnegie Fellowship, you must meet the following qualifications:
- Sophomore or junior in an undergraduate program
- GPA minimum of 3.3/4
- Interested in pursuing a Ph.D. in biomedical sciences or related fields
Students will be selected based on their commitment to a research career, prior research experience, academic record, and letters of recommendation from faculty advisors/research supervisors.
Important Dates:
- The 2025 Graeme Carnegie Fellowship program will be held from June 2, 2025, through August 8, 2025.
- 2025 Applications are closed
- Notifications for the award will be sent by the end of March or early April.
Stipend
A $4,500 stipend will be provided by the Graeme Carnegie Fellowship to cover room, board, travel, and other expenses incurred by the student during the program. Fellows are responsible for providing their own housing, though the program can help with the process.
-
How to Apply
Apply through our online application, which is currently closed.
The following materials must be submitted by the application deadline through the above link (unless otherwise indicated). Incomplete applications will not be considered.
- A 500-word essay discussing how this program will help the student reach their career goals.
- A 100-word statement indicating which research interest of the department the student is most interested in working on.
- An official transcript (email to the undergraduate institution coordinator at mblin@uic.edu).
- Two letters of recommendation from faculty members or research supervisors (a signed PDF must be sent directly by email to the undergraduate institution coordinator at mblin@uic.edu).
-
Alumni - 2024 Fellows
Gelilla Alemayeu, Augustana College
Gelilla is a junior at Augustana College, majoring in chemistry and biology. Originally from East Africa, Ethiopia, she aims to pursue an MD/PhD program, combining her passion for clinical medicine and scientific research. She is interested in stem cell biology and its translation into regenerative medicine.
She is working on the implication of the Notch pathway in HSC function with Pajcini’s lab this summer.
Ege Karadag, Winscinsin-La Crosse University
Ege is a junior at the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse, majoring in molecular genetics and cellular biology. Originally from Turkey, his early interest in science led him to focus on chronic inflammatory diseases. He aims to pursue a Ph.D. in order to develop a new medication for ulcerative colitis.
During his summer at the department, he is working on the role of the endothelial transcription factor, ERG, in the neutrophil activation and migration with Mehta’s lab.
Kassandra Sigafus, Iowa University
Kassandra is a sophomore at the University of Iowa, majoring in genetics and biotechnology. She has a strong interest in lung diseases and aims to pursue a Ph.D. with a strong desire to use genetic methods to advance treatments for lung diseases in her future career.
She is working with Minshall’s lab on anti-coagulant drug discovery assays targeting the interaction between Gα12 and α-SNAP proteins.