Sanford Program for Undergraduate Research (SPUR)

Sanford Research offers the Sanford Program for Undergraduate Research (SPUR), which provides opportunities for undergraduate students interested in research careers to participate in research.

This dynamic summer program allows you to apply your classroom knowledge by working in a laboratory under the supervision of a principal investigator and interacting with research teams that include graduate students and postdoctoral fellows.

In addition to obtaining research experience in state-of-the-art facilities, you will attend weekly career and professional development workshops, as well as build your presentation and communication skills through scientific presentations. You will also benefit from the collegial and interactive research environment and enjoy the social community in Sioux Falls, a small city with an abundance of dining, shopping, sporting events and entertainment.

Here’s a list of researchers, and PLU Chemistry alum Kyle Siemers ’20 is in the Baack Lab! She’s offered to have further conversation with any interested students, in medicine, the summer research program, or otherwise!

Summer Program Tracks
REU Site in Cellular and Molecular Biology: This National Science Foundation (NSF)-funded opportunity provides research experience in basic cellular and molecular biology. Students perform cutting-edge research in diverse areas, such as signal transduction, intracellular trafficking, cell proliferation and differentiation, organelle function and development.

Pediatric Biomedical Research Program: This National Institutes of Health (NIH) R25-funded opportunity provides research experience in biomedical areas directly and broadly related to pediatric health and disease. Projects range from basic studies of underlying disease mechanisms to translational research aimed at developing novel disease therapies.

Student Eligibility
Any college student majoring in the life sciences or other STEM fields is eligible to apply for the SPUR program. You should be in your freshman, sophomore or junior year at the time of application and should be interested in exploring careers in research and graduate school opportunities.

You are encouraged to apply if you attend an institution that does not have substantial research opportunities or are underrepresented in the biological sciences. This includes underrepresented minorities, first-generation college students, individuals from lower-income backgrounds or rural communities, students with disabilities and veterans or members of the Armed Services.

How to Apply
Please click here to complete the online application. In addition to the online application, all applicants must request the following to complete their application:

• An official or unofficial transcript from each college the applicant has attended or taken college-level courses.
• Two letters of recommendation, at least one of which must be from a college professor. Letters of recommendation sent via email must be sent from the author’s email.

An application will not be considered complete until the application, letters of recommendation and transcript(s) have been received. Transcripts and letters of recommendation can be emailed or mailed to:

Sanford Research
Attn: Tamara Ledeboer, Route 5031
2301 East 60th Street North
Sioux Falls, SD 57104

The application deadline is Tuesday, January 31st. All materials must be received by the deadline. Late applications will not be considered.