Work in the Withers Lab
Student Research Opportunities
The Withers Lab presently employs a talented group of undergrads and is always on the lookout for enthusiastic and hard-working students to join our team! Previous students have contributed towards scientific papers, presented their findings at various scientific meetings, and developed skills in applicable research techniques.
Several opportunities for stipend funding are available, including the LSU Discover Undergraduate Research Program, the Louisiana Biomedical Research Network (LBRN) Summer Research Program, and the School of Veterinary Medicine Summer Scholars Program. Non-funded opportunities are also occasionally available for those interested - please contact Dr. Withers for more details.
LSU Discover Undergraduate Research Program
Each semester, LSU Discover funds at least 10 undergraduate student research or creative projects. The purpose of these grants is to provide students a learning opportunity through participation in faculty-mentored projects. With an LSU Discover Undergraduate Research Project Grant, currently enrolled, full-time LSU undergraduate students can receive funding for hourly wages, supplies, and travel related to an undergraduate research.
Funding limits in 2022:
- Fall – $1,500
- Spring – $1,500
- Summer – $3,000
Eligibility criteria include:
- Must be enrolled as a full-time LSU undergraduate if applying for spring/fall funding
- Must be enrolled as full-time in the following fall if applying for summer funding
- Must have an LSU faculty mentor (an alternate LSU full-time employed staff member may serve as the day-to-day supervisor)
- Must have a minimum 2.5 college GPA
- Must be in good standing with the university
- Must have completed at least 24 credits of college coursework at the time the application is submitted
Visit the LSU Discover Undergraduate Research Program webpage for more information or email Dr. Withers directly.
LBRN Summer Research Program
The LBRN Summer Research Program is designed to provide Undergraduates, Graduates and Faculty investigators exposure to in-person biomedical research opportunities for a period of 10 weeks during the summer. Under normal circumstances, these research opportunities are provided at the flagship institutions: LSU Baton Rouge, Tulane Medical Center, LSU Health New Orleans, LSU Health Shreveport, Tulane National Primate Research Center, and Pennington Biomedical Research Center. However, owing to the pandemic related accommodation restrictions, we have been conducting the Summer Research Program for the students and faculty remotely to overcome these limitations. We hope to resume normal summer research program activities in 2023.
The application deadlines for the program vary, and may be between October and February each year. If you are interested in this opportunity, please see the LBRN Summer Research Program webpage or email Dr. Withers directly.
Kaitlyn presenting her research at the 2023 Phi Zeta Research Day. She was awarded 2nd place in the Undergraduate Basic Research category!
Christine presenting her research at the 2023 Phi Zeta Research Day.
School of Veterinary Medicine Summer Scholar Program
The LSU Summer Scholar Program is an excellent opportunity to gain first-hand research experience at the Withers Lab. The program provides a stipend for the student over the summer following approval of an application.
Eligibility criteria include:
- Veterinary Medical students in the 1st and 2nd year of their curriculum.
- Students not concurrently enrolled in a graduate program such as our DVM/PhD program.
- The Boehringer Ingelheim program restricts participation to one year. However, students may receive a second year support through the NIH BREVS program, Morris Animal Foundation, or other extramural support.
- Preference will be given to students without prior formal research experience (such as those that have already obtained a MS or PhD).
- Students from any College of Veterinary Medicine are encouraged to apply.
Applications are typically due in January each year.
Visit the Summer Scholars Program webpage for more information or email Dr. Withers directly.