Content for Spring 2027.
The following faculty may invite an undergraduate researcher to join their lab next semester if the student’s interests and abilities align with the lab’s projects. Interested students should contact the faculty to discuss this possibility. Faculty not on this list may also accept suitable students. If you’ve found a faculty member to work with, contact Dr. Emily Mikucki (emily.mikucki@uvm.edu), the biology department research coordinator, or the listed instructor for research credit in your home department, to set up credit. Research arrangements can also be made via the BCOR 2995/3995 courses, contact Co-director: Marni.Slavik@uvm.edu.
Tang Lab – Department of Biology
2-3 First-Year or Sophomore students. Research: using C. elegans to study how insulin signaling regulates neuronal plasticity and maintenance.
https://www.uvm.edu/cas/biology/profile/leo-tsz-ho-tang
Contact: Leo Tang, Leo.Tang@uvm.edu
Nunez Lab – Department of Biology
Multiple undergraduate research opportunities at the Nunez Lab (Prof. J. Nunez):
Project: The genetics of temperature, diet, and behavior
Why do organisms change what they eat as temperatures rise or fall? This project studies how environmental temperature shapes dietary preferences in Drosophila melanogaster. Students will learn to work with live fly populations, conduct food choice assays, and investigate how genetic variation influences behavioral responses to environmental change. This project is ideal for students interested in genetics, behavior, evolution, and climate adaptation. No prior experience is required. Training will be provided. Additional research opportunities are available based on interest.
Contact: Alexia.Brown@uvm.edu
Project: The genetics of invasive species
This project studies the genetics and ecology of the Spotted Wing Drosophila (Drosophila suzukii), an invasive agricultural pest. Students will help identify and sort flies, maintain laboratory colonies, and conduct phenotyping assays to measure temperature tolerance and other traits important for survival in the wild. No prior experience is required. Training will be provided. Additional research opportunities are available based on interest.
Contact: Kit Eller, kaeller@uvm.edu
Project: The genetics of adaptation to extreme temperatures
How do organisms survive heat waves and cold snaps? This project uses fruit flies to investigate the genetic and physiological basis of temperature adaptation. Students will maintain fly stocks, perform heat and cold tolerance experiments, and gain hands-on experience in evolutionary and ecological research. No prior experience is required. Training will be provided. Additional research opportunities are available based on interest.
Contact: corey.forman@uvm.edu
Molofsky Lab – Department of Plant Biology
1 or 2 openings. Interested students should have taken BCOR 2100 (Ecology & Evolution). Research would be working with experimental plants in the lab, maintaining them and helping to collect the data on them.
https://www.uvm.edu/cals/plantbiology/profile/jane-molofsky
Contact: Jane.Molofsky@uvm.edu
Toth Lab – Department of Medicine
1 or 2 openings. The work will focus on understanding how cancer affects peripheral tissue to promote tumor growth.
https://www.uvm.edu/larnermed/bios/profile/michael-toth
Contact: Michael.Toth@med.uvm.edu
Chen Lab – Department of Agriculture, Landscape and Environment
Faculty Contact: Yolanda Chen, Ph.D.
https://www.uvm.edu/cals/ale/profile/yolanda-fanslow-chen
Project Notes: Sophomores and above. Project will be focused on studying the role of epigenetics in rapid evolution of insecticide resistance in the Colorado potato beetle.