REU-RGB SUMMER INTERNSHIP 2025 | Applications are NOW OPEN! Apply using the Link!

The Research Experience for Undergraduates in RNA and Genome Biology Program 

Our REU Site in RNA and Genome Biology (REU-RGB) is a collaboration between CU-Anschutz and MSU Denver. This collaboration harnesses the strengths of each institution to engage students, particularly those from underrepresented groups in STEM, in independent, mentored bioscience research. By combining our campus resources, we take advantage of faculty and facilities at each institution to effectively identify and train students who are well-positioned for a transformative summer research experience. Our structure allows us to effectively match undergraduates, especially those that have taken less-traditional paths through college, with research-intensive faculty mentors. Mentors will provide advanced training to this next generation of scientists in a rigorous and well-supported program environment. 

 

Application Information 

A committee of REU-RGB Faculty will select highly qualified undergraduates for REU-RGB 2025 positions.  

Applicants will be contacted by email starting the week of March 3, 2025, continuing until all slots are filled. Applicants will have seven days to accept the internship offer and will be asked to sign a letter of acceptance agreeing to complete the program requirements. If the applicant needs to make a decision on another offer for a summer program before being contacted, they may contact the REU-RGB to request an expedited decision. Please note that REU-RGB is a full-time training program that spans 10 weeks. Therefore, fellows may not combine their research work with any other daytime commitments. 

 

Eligibility and Requirements 

All college undergraduates who will be re-enrolling Fall 2025 are eligible to apply. RGB-REU can only accept U.S. citizens and permanent residents. Interns are required to attend orientation and weekly lectures given by REU-RGB researchers and/or mentors. Applicants whose institution is in session into June may request approval for a late start date. Interns must present their work at the end of the internship to members of the REU-RGB. Any publications, patents, posters, talks or projects that result from an intern's participation in REU-RGB must credit the program by including the funding acknowledgement. 

 

Application 

The application deadline for Summer 2025 is February 14, 2025. 

You must complete the application in the NSF eTAP portal (including registration), applications will not be accepted via email. Please make sure to save your progress regularly in the application portal. Application components include: 

  • A one-page (maximum) essay detailing the applicant's academic activities, the applicant’s interest in the REU-RGB, expectations from the program, and future career goals. This essay can be uploaded as a file in the application portal. The essay should also include the reasons for selecting their desired mentors/projects. Please find the full list of RGB-REU Mentors listed below important dates table.  
  • Two letters of recommendation (at least one from a science professor/lecturer from a course completed by the applicant) submitted along with application through the program portal. Letters must be submitted by the submission deadline. 
  • Official college transcript  

 

Stipend, Housing, Travel, and Food Allowances 

Interns will be paid a stipend of $7,000 via direct deposit Bi-weekly. Interns will also receive a stipend for housing and food. If not local to the Denver metro area, the REU-RGB program will be able to assist in costs for travel to/from Denver for the summer.  

 

Please reach out to RNA.Bioscience@cuanschutz.edu for any questions regarding the RGB REU Intern Program. 

 

 

Important Dates: 

 

Applications Due: 

February 14, 2025 

Applicants will be contacted starting: 

March 3, 2025 

Start of Internship: 

June 2, 2025 

End of Internship: 

August 8, 2025 

 

Name of Mentor: 

Lab Website: 

Research Description 

Richard Benninger 

Cell heterogeneity in mRNA levels and cell function 

David Bentley 

Messenger RNA Production by RNA polymerase II 

Joshua Black 

Understanding Epigenetic Regulation of Copy Number Heterogeneity 

Julia Cooper 

An expanded view of telomeres and their roles in safeguarding genome stability 

Patricia Ernst 

Normal blood cell development and leukemia biology particularly chromatin-RNA mediated gene regulation 

Katherine Fantauzzo 

Analysis of alternative RNA splicing during mouse craniofacial development 

Megan Filbin (MSU Denver) 

Analyzing structures in RNA viral genomes and how they hijack cellular machinery for protein synthesis. 

Heide Ford 

Studies the parallels between normal development and tumorigenesis/tumor progression 

Lydia Heasley 

Molecular causes and phenotypic consequences of the broadly defined family of genomic features known as structural variations (SVs) 

Jay Hesselberth 

Analysis of transfer RNA biogenesis and function using nanopore sequencing 

Sujatha Jagannathan 

We study how cells detect and degrade aberrant RNAs, and how dysregulation of this surveillance process contributes to human disease 

Aaron Johnson 

Epigenetic regulation of the genome by histone modification and noncoding RNAs. 

Allie McClure 

Cell cycle and DNA replication using yeast genetics and biochemistry 

Neelanjan Mukherjee 

RNA modification circuits and their impact on cancer cell plasticity 

Catherine Musselman 

We are studying how the epigenome regulates chromatin structure at the single nucleosome level. We use an array of biophysical techniques including NMR spectroscopy in our studies 

Srinivas Ramachandran 

In vivo nucleosome structure and dynamics 

Olivia Rissland 

Control of mRNA decay and translation 

Lori Sussel 

Identification of RNA splice isoforms in healthy and diabetic pancreatic islets using single cell long read sequencing 

Matthew Taliaferro 

Investigation of mechanisms underlying subcellular RNA transport 

Linda van Dyk 

Studies the interactions between virus and host in health and disease 

Beat Vögeli 

Mechanistic mechanism underlying stabilization and function of Z-RNA 

Ning Zhao 

Studying local translation and co-translational folding using single-mRNA tracking in living cancer cells 

Rui Zhao 

Studying the mechanism of pre-mRNA splicing using biochemical and structural approaches 

 

Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics

CU Anschutz

Research I South

12801 East 17th Avenue

Mail Stop 8101

Aurora, CO 80045


303-724-3201

CMS Login