IBNAM Scholars
undergraduate research program

About the Program

The IBNAM Scholars Undergraduate Research Program at the Institute for BioNanotechnology in Medicine allows students to gain hands-on research experience in the exciting field of bionanotechnology. Students work with renowned experts in a new discipline that intersects the physical sciences, nanotechnology, bioengineering, and medical research.

IBNAM Scholars enjoy the benefits of professional development activities, a journal club, technical workshops, academic colloquia, and seminars. Depending upon the nature of the research topic, students who complete the program produce a scientific paper and a presentation or poster. Students learn a lot about the scientific process, grow valuable skills, and gain a competitive advantage while having fun.

Benefits of the IBNAM Experience

• Engage in hands-on multi-disciplinary research projects at the Institute for BioNanotechnology in Medicine on Northwestern's Chicago campus.
• Choose a mentor from Northwestern's top researchers in fields that intersect with bionanotechnology.
• Collaborate with and work alongside IBNAM's outstanding community of faculty, graduate students, postdoctoral fellows, and medical fellows.
• Work in stunning state-of-the-art laboratories, core facilities, and student space overlooking Lake Michigan on Chicago's Gold Coast and commute on the free and convenient Intercampus Shuttle.
• Learn how to conduct experiments, analyze research data, and communicate scientific results to your peers at IBNAM and beyond.
• Make a difference and a contribution to science, engineering, and medicine.
• Develop a pathway to graduate school, medical school, or a professional career.



Training Opportunities

IBNAM Scholars learn technical skills and valuable research techniques while working on their research projects, such as:

• Cell and tissue culture techniques
• Cell imagining
• Biomaterials synthesis and characterization — peptide synthesis, scaffold fabrication
• In vivo sample characterization — histological processing, molecular biology techniques, biochemical assays
• In vivo animal models surgical procedures



 

The Institute is also home to three Core Facilities that offer technical training and access to a broad range of research equipment, specialized facilities, and technical services. IBNAM Scholars have direct access to all IBNAM amenities in conducting their research.

The Equipment Core houses many state-of-the-art instruments that allow researchers to evaluate samples on cellular and molecular levels.

The Nanomedicine Cleanroom provides unique research space and equipment designed to integrate nanotechnology and microfabrication with chemistry and biology in a highly controlled environment.

The Peptide Synthesis Facility produces custom peptides synthesized at 0.1-2 mmol scales and purified by reverse-phase high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). The Core also offers a wide range of mass spectrometry services.

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