# Summer Research Experience Programs (R25)

> **NIH NIH R25** · RUTGERS, THE STATE UNIV OF N.J. · 2022 · $103,494

## Abstract

PROJECT SUMMARY
This is a competitive renewal application for continued support of the Rutgers Summer Undergraduate
Research Fellowship (SURF) program. The SURF program provides undergraduates with 10-week basic
science and translational hands-on research experiences in environmental health sciences, along with weekly
networking and career activities. In this renewal application, funds are requested to support fellowships for 12
students. Students are admitted to the SURF program after review of scholastic achievement, letters of
recommendation, and personal statements. Recruitment strategies are in place to continue to attract students
from disadvantaged and underrepresented backgrounds. Under the mentorship of NIH-funded Rutgers faculty,
SURF students conduct hands-on research projects focused on environmental health sciences, and participate
in an innovative team-based field study that involves sampling and analysis of an environmental site with
potential contamination. Students meet with mentors weekly to receive one-on-one training, ensure continued
development of research skills, and evaluate progress of scientific projects. The SURF program draws upon
the resources, infrastructure, and expertise of faculty who are members of the Environmental and Occupational
Health Sciences Institute, and part of our NIEHS T32 Toxicology predoctoral and postdoctoral training grant
and NIEHS P30 Center for Environmental Exposures and Disease at Rutgers University Ernest Mario School
of Pharmacy, Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, and School of Public Health. Students also participate in
weekly seminars and workshops on topics of career development, responsible conduct of research training,
laboratory safety training, and environmental research. They also tour core facilities established as part of our
NIEHS Center and are instructed in state-of-the-art technology for biomedical research. The summer program
culminates in the preparation of oral presentations and abstracts (written and graphical) that describe key
research findings. The SURF Program Directors have an extensive evaluation plan to ensure the continued
development of the fellowship program and dissemination of innovative training approaches and successful
metrics. During the prior funding period, R25-funded trainees have had outstanding outcomes including
numerous national awards, co-authorship on peer-reviewed publications, and matriculation into professional
and graduate programs in toxicology. Renewal of this R25 application will provide an opportunity for Rutgers
faculty to continue to train the next generation of toxicologists and environmental health scientists.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10330473
- **Project number:** 5R25ES020721-12
- **Recipient organization:** RUTGERS, THE STATE UNIV OF N.J.
- **Principal Investigator:** Lauren M Aleksunes
- **Activity code:** R25 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2022
- **Award amount:** $103,494
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2011-08-09 → 2023-04-30

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10330473

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10330473, Summer Research Experience Programs (R25) (5R25ES020721-12). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-23 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10330473. Licensed CC0.

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