Research Opportunities for Undergraduates

The CEID seeks to develop a technically capable workforce through our training programs and ongoing research projects.  We seek to enhance opportunities for undergraduate research that taps into the interdisciplinary nature of disease ecology, preparing students for graduate studies on the complex forces that drive transmission.  Undergraduate students are encouraged to sign up for our announcements, and apply for CEID membership. Undergraduate students interested in participating with CEID activities specifically designed for undergraduates, should explore one of the following mechanisms:

Opportunities for UGA Undergraduates

  • FYOS 1001: Ecology of Infectious Diseases

This seminar introduces students to disease ecology as a field, and ongoing research projects from laboratories associated with the CEID. Students will come to appreciate how different disciplinary perspectives address the ecology of infectious diseases and will be introduced to a variety of technical research methodologies and student research opportunities.  During Fall semester 2019, this course is held Mondays from 2:30-3:20, Ecology Seminar Room 117.  Registration is completed in Athena.  This course is offered on an annual basis to incoming freshman and transfer students.

  • Research opportunities within CEID-affiliated labs

Faculty members associated with the CEID often have research projects available for eager undergraduate students.  The type and number of opportunities vary based on mentor availability and project needs.  If you’d like to learn more about current research opportunities, please complete the interest form here. A staff member will follow up, and if possible, will facilitate an introduction with a faculty mentor.

Opportunities for Non-UGA Undergraduates 

  • Population Biology of Infectious Diseases REU Site

Our NSF-supported Research Experience For Undergraduates (REU) program provides research experiences at the intersections of quantitative and experimental studies in infectious disease biology. This program advances an inter-disciplinary perspective to infectious disease science by introducing life science students to computational and mathematical techniques, while providing students in mathematics, statistics, and computer science opportunities to collaborate with life scientists, to collect and analyze data, and to develop empirically-motivated research. Students develop projects that emphasize experimentation, computational and mathematical modeling, and synthesis projects combining empirical research and modeling.

Applications for the REU program open on January 1st each year, and close mid-February.  For more information, visit the REU website.