The 2017 Illinois Summer Research Academy (ISRA) will be held June 25-30, on the campus of Illinois State University. The program will give current high school freshmen, sophomores, and juniors the opportunity to work directly with professors on various hands-on research projects.

High school students from across Illinois and the United States will be introduced to current research projects conducted by Illinois State faculty members and gain exposure to the tools and techniques being used to accomplish that research. Students will contribute to those research projects and/or work on their own research projects with peers.

ISRA research opportunities for 2017 are available in the following four areas: molecular neuroscience with Andrés Vidal-Gadea, professor of molecular neuroethology; biochemistry with Marjorie Jones, professor of biochemistry; organic chemistry with Andrew Mitchell, associate professor of organic chemistry; and computing and information technology with Glen Sagers, associate professor of information systems, and other faculty from Illinois State’s School of Information Technology.

The cost of the 2017 ISRA is $650, which includes on-campus housing, all meals, evening social activities, an overnight parking pass (if needed), and a t-shirt. The cost for commuter students who do not need housing or a full meal plan is $330. Scholarships are available.

The initial application deadline is April 1. Review of applications and placement into ISRA research opportunities will begin April 1. Applications received after the April 1 deadline will be reviewed for admittance on a case-by-case basis, as space is available. No applications will be accepted after May 1.

Further details and a downloadable application are available online. Questions can be directed to Amy Bloom, CeMaST assistant director for outreach, at (309) 438-8115 or ambloom@ilstu.edu.