MMBio

Description

Microbiology and Molecular Biology Department, in association the University of Ulster, Coleraine, County Londonderry, North Ireland, offers this program for students interested in a scientific laboratory internship. While the internships focus on bioinformatics and biomedical sciences, due to the Celtic Tiger economy, internships may also be available in the fields of engineering and business. Internship placements are made according to students’ academic interest, previous work experience, and personal abilities.

The University of Ulster at Coleraine
Coleraine campus is situated in the northwest, near Coleraine town, Portrush and Portstewart. As a vibrant student town, Coleraine offers an interesting culture and beautiful setting on miles of clean sandy beaches. From Coleraine, students may easily visit points of Irish culture in Londonderry, County Donegal, the Giant’s Causeway, Bushmills, and the North Antrim coast. The university is a modern, forward looking and a friendly place for a research internship. Over 23,000 local, national, and international students study undergraduate to postgraduate degree levels at four University of Ulster campuses—Coleraine, Jordanstown, Belfast, and Magee, making the University of Ulster Ireland’s largest institution of higher education.

RESEARCH IN THE SCHOOL OF BIOMEDICAL SCIENCES
The University of Ulster School of Biomedical Science has an outstanding record of success in research; it is the only UK university department in its unit of assessment to be awarded the highest possible rating. While maintaining international standards of excellence, it is expanding steadily, offering activities in the following research groups: bioimaging, cancer and ageing, diabetes, biomedical genomics, food biotech, microbiology, pharmaceutical technology, stem cell and epigenetics, systems biology, and vision science.

RESEARCH FACILITIES
At the University of Ulster, research is carried out in well equipped laboratories allowing the latest methods to be applied to individual projects. Laboratories dedicated to genomics, proteomics, bioinformatics, transgenics, physiology, cell biology, chemical analysis, molecular bioimaging, and specialist facilities for long-term nutritional research are located on the Coleraine campus.

The university’s pioneering Centre for Molecular Biosciences (CMB) is the only one of its kind in the UK and Ireland. It conducts investigations into critical health areas, such as seeking a cure for diabetes, cancer, heart disease, etc.; the relationship between diet and health, particularly age-related health problems and degenerative diseases; and will continue to pursue its pioneering research with anti-tumor drugs and molecular therapies. 

Due to the academic rigor of this research internship, preference will be given to students who have completed the junior-year curriculum, or who have had substantial research experience. All accepted students are expected to register through International Study Programs for a two-credit, pre-departure preparation class during winter semester. The Northern Ireland Internship Program is open to all majors. Internships may be available in various fields.

Students are required to enroll in nine to twelve credit hours during spring/summer terms. This credit will consist of MMBio 399R. Other coursework may be discussed with the Department of Microbiology and Molecular Biology internship office.

Dr. Kim O’Neill, professor in the Department of Microbiology and Molecular Biology, is the faculty director for the Northern Ireland Internship program. A native of Ireland, O’Neill, studied biology and biomedical sciences at the University of Ulster in Northern Ireland and is a specialist in cancer immunology.

Complete the International Study Programs (ISP) online application at https://kennedy.byu.edu/isp/online/app. Instead of letters of recommendation, please submit a list of two–three references along with a copy of your resume to the ISP office.  At least one reference should be faculty who has observed your research abilities. Please also submit an electronic version of your resume and references directly to Jenna Saunders at interns_mmbio@byu.edu. In your ISP Letter of Intent, please include topics of your research interest. There is a $25 ISP application fee. Applications will be reviewed on an ongoing basis until the application deadline on 1 February. E-mail interns_mmbio@byu.edu to schedule an initial interview once your application is complete. Due to the nature of internship programs, ISP cannot guarantee placement in the organization of your first choice. However, ISP will do all possible to place eligible students with organizations affiliated with the program.