Undergraduate Research Opportunities

Current UF Students

We are not accepting additional UF undergraduates into our lab at this time. But if you are a UF student, click here to go to the UF Center for Undergraduate Research page. There you will find a lot of info about research on campus, fellowship opportunities, and other information.

Virtual Workshop 2026: Preparing and Applying for Grad School

If you are thinking about graduate school in the (bio)chemical sciences, join Prof. Rudolf for a virtual workshop and mentoring advice on a date to be determined, or ask for a one-on-one mentoring session. Please email Prof. Rudolf at jrudolf@chem.ufl.edu with the subject line: Virtual Workshop/One-on-One Mentoring 2026). Undergraduates of any year are welcome to attend. Senior undergraduates who will apply for Fall 2027 admission are welcome to provide any application materials and/or their CV/resume for review prior to the workshop via email. Depending on the number of participants, application/CV/resume review may be done individually via email. If you are unable to attend the virtual workshop but are interested in this program, complete the spreadsheet or email Prof. Rudolf.

Non-UF Summer Students

We regularly host summer undergraduate research fellows (SURFs) through two programs, the American Society of Pharmacognosy Summer Research Fellowship Program and the UF/France International Research Experience for Undergraduates (i-REU).

A third new opportunity for summer students is an NSF-funded fellowship for students who are currently enrolled in primarily undergraduate institutions (PUIs). We are no longer accepting applications for Summer 2026, but look back here in early 2027! If you have received a invitation to apply, heard about it from your professors, or seen an invitational flyer for this program at your University, see the information below:

Research

More info to come, but a brief summary is the characterization of cytochrome P450 enzymes and their redox partners involved in the biosynthesis of bacterial natural products. Students will learn techniques in chemical biology (molecular cloning, mutagenesis), protein biochemistry (protein purification, enzymology, spectroscopic analysis), and organic chemistry (peptide synthesis, mass spectrometry, nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy).

Eligibility and Selection Criteria

• Must be currently enrolled at a PUI in the United States or US territories (e.g., Walla Walla University, Southern Adventist Academy, and Oakwood University)
• Majoring in Chemistry, Biochemistry, or another biomedical science (rising Juniors and Seniors with lecture/lab experience in organic and biochemistry preferred)
• Preferred: Students who are interested in applying for PhD programs
• Must be available to move to Gainesville, FL to conduct research for 10 full weeks (40 hr/week) in summer 2026

How to Apply

Create a single PDF of the following components and email directly to Dr. Rudolf at jrudolf@chem.ufl.edu with the subject line: NSF Summer Fellowship 2026 Application – Your Name.

• 1. Your resume/CV.
• 2. A 1 pg / ~500 word personal statement highlighting your background, current status in school, scientific and career goals, motivation for applying, and how this fellowship would support your goals. Please include your availability for summer 2026 (May – Sept, depending on your academic calendar).
• 3. Your undergraduate transcripts (unofficial transcripts are acceptable).
• 4. A letter of recommendation from a current and/or former professor, instructor, or advisor. The letter should describe your relationship with the letter writer and should address your academic and scientific potential.

Application deadline has passed for 2026, but check back in early 2027. All applications received will be reviewed at that point and a decision will be made by early April. If you plan to apply or have any questions, please email Dr. Rudolf at jrudolf@chem.ufl.edu telling me to look out for your application!