The Biomedical Engineering Department and Center for Biomedical Informatics at Wake Forest School of Medicine will offer several summer research opportunities in 2021 focusing on Imaging and Mechanics-based Projects on Accidental Cases of Trauma (IMPACT) and other biomedical engineering and informatics topics. Students selected for this Research Experience for Undergraduates (REU) program will receive a stipend and on-campus housing. The research internships will be offered between May 23 - August 8, 2021.
Research Project Highlights
Exciting biomedical engineering projects are offered on topics including:
- Injury prediction model development
- Military, sports and spaceflight safety
- Osteoporosis prevention
- Biomechanical characterization of injury mechanisms
- Diagnostics and therapies for cancer patients
- Biomedical informatics
Learn more and read the research project descriptions (PDF).
How to Apply
The Wake Forest Biomedical Engineering and Informatics summer program admits up to 40 students each summer who meet the following eligibility requirements:
- Undergraduate students from all institutions (Wake Forest University students are eligible)
- Students in good academic standing — U.S. citizens, U.S. nationals and U.S. permanent residents
Underrepresented students from colleges with limited research opportunities in science, technology, engineering and mathematics are encouraged to apply.
Application Process
The Application Process for the Wake Forest 2021 Summer REU has closed. Please check back in October 2021 for the application process to open for the Wake Forest 2022 Summer REU.
Informational Sessions
Learn more about the Virginia Tech - Wake Forest School of Biomedical Engineering & Sciences graduate program at these Virtual Sessions, allowing you to ask questions live. These sessions are tailored to students interested in applying to our graduate program, but they include overviews of the biomedical engineering program, faculty, and research of relevance to the REU as well.
Rooms are reserved by Biomedical Engineering Department and rooming information is sent once applications have been selected.
Are letters of recommendation or transcripts required?
You do NOT have to upload letter(s) of recommendation or transcripts unless you wish.
How does a recommender upload Letters of Recommendation for my application?
Direct the recommender to the this website and have them upload, and put the applicant's first name and last name in and select Letter of Recommendation from the dropdown. For the email address field they could put their email address and they'd receive the confirmation email, or the applicant's email and they'd receive the confirmation email.
What is the minimum GPA for acceptance?
Recommended minimum GPA is 3.0
When will I be notified of acceptance?
Decisions start February 24 and will continue until all interns have been selected. Section usually continues through April.
What are the dates of the program?
The dates for the program will be between May 31 and August 7, 2021.
What are the program requirements?
- Orientation
- 10 weeks of research
- Professional development seminars/training/workshops
- Oral presentation (PowerPoint symposium)
What are the program objectives?
- To introduce students to the field of biomedical engineering and broaden their knowledge
- To educate students about the societal implications of their research
- To cultivate mentoring relationships between the interns and the graduate student and faculty mentors
- To provide research experiences that will promote independent problem-solving skills
Will I do collaborative or individual work?
There will be opportunities for both collaborative and individual work.
Do I need prior experience in the project research field?
No prior experience is required, but encouraged (consult project descriptions).
May I also take summer classes?
We prefer our students not to take summer courses so they can concentrate on the research internship.
If I’ve already interned at Wake’s BME program, may I apply again?
Yes, you may apply even if you’ve previously been through the program.
If I cannot stay for the entire duration of the program, may I still apply?
We prefer our students to commit to the entire internship, but please indicate days you'd be unavailable on the application and reasons for any absence.
Do I need to bring a car?
We recommend bringing a vehicle; however, carpooling with other students is also possible and there is a shuttle service from the housing to the research labs. Past students have found having a car or carpooling advantageous.
I am bringing a car. Do I need to purchase a parking permit?
No. Parking permits will be provided.
Are there any observed holidays during the summer?
Yes, Memorial Day and July 4 are observed holidays.
What type of housing is provided?
Shared apartment-style housing will be provided.
Are travel expenses covered?
No, travel expenses are not paid by the program.
How much will I be paid?
You will be paid a $5,500 stipend.
What should I wear?
A business casual dress code is recommended.
How many students typically apply?
More than 600 students typically apply each year.
Do you have contingency plans for COVID-19? We intend to hold the REU in-person if institutional and state guidelines allow, and will evaluate this possibility in the spring when offers are extended. If it is not possible to hold the REU in-person, we plan to hold the REU virtually instead.
Do I need to reapply if I accepted an offer for the 2020 REU, which was deferred to the 2021 REU? No, students that accepted an offer to our 2020 summer REU at Wake Forest were offered deferral to summer 2021 if they will still be undergraduates at that time. These accepted students that expressed interest in deferring do not need to reapply, and will receive further details from our administrative staff on the4 upcoming summer.
- The Piedmont Triad International Airport (GSO) in Greensboro, often called PTI for short, the closest airport to the Wake Forest Biomedical Engineering Department located at Innovation Quarter in downtown Winston-Salem, is about a 30-minute drive.
- Charlotte Douglas International Airport (CLT) is about a 90-minute drive to Innovation Quarter in downtown Winston-Salem.
- Raleigh-Durham Airport (RDU) is about a two-hour drive to Innovation Quarter.
- There are shuttles to and from GSO, CLT and RDU to Innovation Quarter in Winston-Salem, as well as ride share services.