CUREs is a program dedicated to expanding research opportunities for students in the Biology Department at Texas A&M.
Our mission is to expand access to transformative real research experiences that inspire and prepare the next generation of scientists!
Undergraduate research experiences are linked to improved student success and are often important to future employers and for admission into graduate and medical programs. However, undergraduate research positions are limited and often difficult to obtain. The CUREs program addresses that gap by providing a dedicated laboratory spaces designed to accommodate larger groups of undergraduate students and engage them in authentic, hands-on research with department faculty members.
CUREs labs empower students to work independently, develop critical research skills, contribute meaningfully to cutting-edge scientific research, and build a strong foundation for future STEM careers.
Join our program and work alongside world renowned scientists in state of the art research laboratories!
About - Program Structure
Each semester, select CUREs sections are uniquely paired with a Primary Investigator (PI). Our PIs/Scientists will lead students on innovative and exciting new research projects.
These sections are offered as BIOL 491 research credit courses. Enrolling in a CUREs section is equivalent to joining the PI’s lab, with research conducted in a dedicated CUREs laboratory space. As a student researcher, you will work alongside your peers on innovative and impactful projects.
Many of our faculty have participated in the program. Please see below for past projects in CUREs. You may also look to our Faculty Directory to see the diversity of research interests in our department!
We are excited to offer this unique, once in a lifetime opportunity to our students! Because the projects in CUREs are real hands-on research, students get the chance to publish work and make meaningful contributions to the international scientific community.
Hope to see you soon in one of our labs!
Inspiring and nurturing scientific curiosity in the scientists of tomorrow!
Take a look at the groundbreaking work our CUREs undergraduate researchers have done during the summer and will continue to work on in the fall in Dr. Joshua Lillvis’ lab!Â
Students in the Neural Circuit Reconstruction CURE course are working to map brain circuits in a variety of species to better understand how brains differ across individuals and evolve. To capture high resolution images of the brain that can be traced and mapped, researchers in the Lillvis Lab physically expand brains up to 50 times their original size. This enables the lab to rapidly capture high-resolution images of the brain using light microscopes. Teams of students then trace individual neurons (multicolor) in those brains to reconstruct neural circuits.
Individual neurons (multicolor) were traced in a 20x expanded Drosophila fruit fly brain.
Individual courtship circuit neurons (multicolor) were traced in a 20x expanded Drosophila fruit fly brain.
How to Join
Each semester, sections and dates for open registration will be announced on the Project Announcement Board below.
There is no application process for any of these sections. We are trying to make research more accessible and open to students like you! You can register for the matching project of your choice on Aggie Schedule Builder/Howdy. After registration and closer to the start of the semester, you will receive and email with a Research Approval Form and instructions for the first week.
A few important things to consider before registering for a section:
- Please review the prerequisites carefully before signing up, as each section has specific requirements that must be met.
- Expected hours of work are 3x the credit hours listed. For example, PIs will expect you to work at least 9 hours/week if you are registered for a 3 credit hour class.
- U1/U2 students should register for 291 and U3/U4 register for 491.
- Students on scholastic probation are NOT permitted to participate in BIOL 291/491.
- Students must accept the Lab Safety Acknowledgement on Howdy for the semester they intend to participate in BIOL291/491.
- Students will be required to take several lab safety training courses as well as lab specific safety training. Information will be sent out to registered students couple of weeks before the semester start.
Additionally, this section is primarily focused on independent research. Students are responsible for completing the required credit hours accordingly. In most cases, these hours must be fulfilled during open lab times, which are generally available from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Monday through Friday.
Aside from the mandatory two-hour weekly meeting listed on Howdy, students will have flexibility in managing their own schedules to ensure they complete their required credit hours.
Please ensure that your schedule allows sufficient time during these hours to meet the course requirements.
Project Announcement Board
All sections are closed and in progress for Fall 2026
Spring Projects 2027 List Coming Soon!
*Students can sign up for their project of choice during open registration on Howdy. Spots are first-come first serve.
Past CUREs Projects
Resources
Primary Investigators and Graduate Students
Quick-Start Guide to Course-based Undergraduate Research Experiences (CUREs)
PI
https://theleadershipalliance.org/get-involved
Students
https://www.nsf.gov/funding/undergraduates#research-experiences-for-undergraduates-reu-3f1
https://www.nsf.gov/funding/opportunities/reu-research-experiences-undergraduates/nsf23-601/solicitation?utm_source=chatgpt.com
https://theleadershipalliance.org/summer-research-early-identification-program
Contact Information
For more questions about the program contact Elizabeth Lillvis elillvis@tamu.edu HELD 412A