Genentech Fellows Summer Undergraduate Research

The Genentech Fellows Summer Undergraduate Research program is designed to give students a safe space to explore and exercise new skills in collaboration with Sonoma State Faculty. This research experience allows students to engage with and implement a research project of their interest, which will enhance their major and career exploration. This opportunity will help students better understand the research process, analyze and interpret data, learn lab techniques, learn how to work independently, and gain more self-confidence. 

Eligibility

This program is for current undergraduate MESA Members. Students must work with Sonoma State Faculty when conducting their research. 

Expectations

As a Genentech Fellow, you can expect the following;

  • A 10-week research project.
  • Regular check-ins with your Principal Investigator (Faculty Member)
  • Bi-weekly check-ins with the other Genentech Fellows.
  • Submitting and presenting a final project (research poster). 
  • Fellows will work 25 hours per week for 10 weeks at $20.00/hour
    • Start Date: Monday, June 5, 2023
    • End Date: Friday, August 11, 2023
  • Principal Investigators will receive a $1000 stipend at the end of the summer. 
    • Note: Faculty will be reimbursed for up to $250 in research materials. 

How To Apply

The application opens on March 13, 2023, and closes on April 14, 2023.

Students interested in participating in this program will need to;

  • Complete the application (Google Form) that includes;
    • Project details. The description should include the research topic, research questions, and proposed research methods. 
  • Identify a Principal Investigator who currently serves as a faculty member at Sonoma State University. 

Principal Investigators interested in participating in this program will need to (via Google Form)

  • Provide an approximation of what facilities and materials will be required for the proposed project.
  • Submit a Letter of Support on the student’s behalf that includes
    • Confirmation that the Student and the P.I. have discussed the proposed project. 

The deadline to apply is April 14, 2023​. 

Selected Projects

This summer’s Genentech Fellows will be announced at our End of Year event and notified via email. In our selection of Genentech Fellows, we will prioritize Third and Fourth Year students paired with the School of Science & Technology Faculty who have not previously participated in the program.

Summer 2022 Cohort

Leonardo Cardarelli
Dr. Bogdan Negru

Effect of Ru(bpy) on Gold Nanoparticle Aggregation and their Integration in Polyvinyl Alcohol

Alexander Esquivel-Cheung
Dr. Brent Hughes

Seagrass Restoration in Drakes Estero

Lily Harmon
Dr. Steve Farmer

Organic Synthesis of Carbazole Derivatives

Remy Khammivong
Dr. Mark Gondree

To Configure & Deploy ParirieLearn to Support Mastery-based Learning

Ronimar López-Bazán
Dr. Martha Byrne

Transformative Inclusion in Postsecondary STEM: Towards Justice

Misty Moore
Dr. Nathan Rank

Extending the Health and Life of Beetles in Bishop, California

Marcos Peech
Dr. Lisa Hua

Reading and Understanding Interchromosomal Tethers with Confocal Microscopy

Vanessa Reyes
Dr. Steven Farmer

The Development of a Sulfur Extrusion Route to Carbazole Derivatives

Vanessa Sanchez
Dr. Lisa Hua

Investigating Parental Identity

 

What do I do if my preferred faculty member cannot support me this summer?

Don't give up, ask another faculty member. 

Do I have to be in my Third or Fourth year?

No! Any undergraduate MESA Member can apply! 

Do I have to do research in a lab on campus?

As long as you are conducting research with Sonoma State faculty, you can work wherever is conducive to your project (you will work this out with your faculty member).

Do students need to come up with a new, original project?

No! Students can join a lab where summer research is being conducted or continue research from previous semesters.