A-State Biotechnology Major Awarded SURF Internship at UAMS
JONESBORO – Arkansas State University junior biotechnology major Faith Stephens of Malvern has been awarded a Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowship (SURF) by the University of Arkansas Medical School (UAMS). She will intern with the UAMS College of Medicine Department of Molecular Biology.
“I am very happy to be one of the applicants selected. It feels great to be recognized for my hard work and I’m excited for what this internship will teach me,” said Stephens.
Stephens has participated in research at A-State. Through the Arkansas Biosciences Institute Summer Internship program, she worked in the molecular ecology lab of Dr. Kyle Gustafson, assistant professor of biology.
“I hope to learn about molecular lab techniques and about graduate school research that I will hopefully get to utilize when I pursue higher education,” said Stephens.
“The goal of the SURF program is to engage undergraduates in graduate-level biochemistry and molecular biology research, including lab work, scientific writing, oral presentations, and ultimately, a research publication,” said Gustafson.
Following graduation, Stephens said she plans to pursue master’s and doctoral degrees in molecular or cell biology.
“I will then find a job researching in a field relating to genetics or cell biology,” she added.
Gustafson said the SURF program is very competitive and that Stephens has acheived a great accomplishment in being selected.
