# Summer Research Experience Programs (R25)

> **NIH ES R25** · RUTGERS BIOMEDICAL AND HEALTH SCIENCES · 2026 · $129,400

## 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 at least 10
students. Students are admitted to the SURF program after a review of scholastic achievement, letters of rec-
ommendation, and personal statements. Recruitment strategies are in place to continue to attract students from
across the country and ensure broad participation from various scientific 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
traditional and emerging contaminants, including toxic metals, micronanoplastics, or particulate matter from wild-
fire smoke. Students meet with mentors weekly to receive one-on-one training, ensure the continued develop-
ment of research skills, and evaluate the 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. Working with SURF leadership, each student develops
a customized training experience that leverage

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 11303566
- **Project number:** 2R25ES020721-16
- **Recipient organization:** RUTGERS BIOMEDICAL AND HEALTH SCIENCES
- **Principal Investigator:** Lauren M Aleksunes; Debra L Laskin
- **Activity code:** R25 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** ES
- **Fiscal year:** 2026
- **Award amount:** $129,400
- **Award type:** 2
- **Project period:** 2011-08-09T00:00:00 → 2031-04-30T00:00:00

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/11303566

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 11303566, Summer Research Experience Programs (R25) (2R25ES020721-16). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-24 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/11303566. Licensed CC0.

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