REU site: genomics and computational biology

The National Science Foundation Division of Biological Infrastructure awarded the University of Georgia Research Foundation, Inc. $464,914 on October 1, 2026, to support a Research Experiences for Undergraduates (REU) Site in Genomics and Computational Biology through the Biological Sciences program (CFDA 47.074).

The award funds a 10-week summer training program for 30 undergraduate students per year during summers 2027–2029. Students from universities with limited research opportunities are recruited to gain foundational experience in genomics approaches, computational workflows, data science skills, and biotechnology. Training emphasizes career pathways in academic and industry research aligned with NSF priorities in artificial intelligence and biotechnology, with scientific focus areas including genomics, computational biology, systems biology, metabolomics, proteomics, and glycomics. Faculty mentors drawn from genetics, biochemistry and molecular biology, bioinformatics, computer science, physics and astronomy, plant biology, plant pathology, marine sciences, and related departments provide mentorship across research projects. Students present findings at a final symposium on the UGA campus and potentially at additional scientific conferences. The UGA Center for Teaching and Learning conducts program assessment. This REU Site has operated for 22 years and trained over 200 prior participants who contributed to research on telomerase, gene regulation, circadian biology, and marine biotoxins.

Period of performance runs through September 30, 2029, with work performed in Athens, Georgia.

Abstract

This REU site award to the university of georgia (UGA) located in athens, GA, will support the training of 30 students for 10 weeks during the summers of 2027- 2029. IT is anticipated that students trained in the program will primarily apply from universities with limited research opportunities. Undergraduate students will gain experience with genomics approaches and computational workflows, providing foundational training in data science skills and biotechnology. Students will learn about career paths in academic science and industry research, resulting in workforce development related to the US bioeconomy. This UGA REU site has been in existence for 22 years and has trained over 200 REU participants who have contributed to fundamental discoveries about telomerase, gene regulation, the biological clock, and the biochemistry of red tides. Students will learn how research is conducted, and all participants will present their work at a final symposium on the UGA campus, and potentially at additional scientific conferences. Assessment of this program will be done through the UGA center for teaching and learning. Students should apply to the REU site using NSF etap (education and training application: https://etap.NSF.GOV). The training students will receive is aligned with the NSF priorities in AI and biotechnology. The scientific focus of this program is on genomics, computational biology, systems biology, metabolomics, proteomics, and glycomics. Faculty mentors come from various departments and centers, including genetics, biochemistry and molecular biology, institute of bioinformatics, computer science, physics and astronomy, plant biology, plant pathology, complex carbohydrate research center, microbiology, marine sciences and communication. Students from schools with limited research opportunities are especially encouraged to apply. In addition to developing a research project over 10 weeks, students participate in bioethics and communication training, research seminars, and workshops hosted by several other interlocking REU sites on the UGA campus. Past research projects on this REU site have included the study of the biological clock, telomerase, marine microbiology, adaptive immunity through crispr/CAS systems, novel algorithms for network reconstruction, identification of network motifs, and constructing large scale database tools in systems biology. This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.- subawards are not planned for this award.