University of Oregon
Summer Program for Undergraduate Research in the Life Sciences
SPUR

"I had an incredible time that was truly life changing"
 ---- 2006 SPUR Fellow

"The SPUR experience was priceless. I have developed research skills and techniques, but I feel especially lucky for having the opportunity to work one-on-one with a mentor. By participating in this program, I have been able to experience the responsibilities and day-to-day expectations of a researcher." 
---- 2005 SPUR Fellow


"I had an excellent summer here at the U of O. The SPUR program was amazing and I feel extremely lucky to have been a part of it. Thank you so much for the job you did to make me feel welcome."
---- 2005 SPUR Fellow 

"The SPUR program was a huge highlight and steering experience in my college career."
---- 2007
SPUR Fellow

"SPUR was an intense and awesome experience that changed by way of looking at myself.  I worked hard and I played hard and I learned more than I could have in a year of school -- it opened my view into my future." 
---- 2003 SPUR Fellow

"My [SPUR research] had a huge impact on my career path. I confirmed my interest in pursuing graduate work, became familiar with the art of research and project design, and learned how to be independent and think creatively about how to answer questions and what questions to ask."
---- 2007
SPUR Fellow

"I had the most amazing summer of my life and I feel honored to have been a part of such an amazing experience.... I feel that my summer research will allow me to be a strong candidate for acceptance into a neuroscience PhD program. Thank you for creating the environment that challenged my mind and abilities."
 ---- 2006 SPUR Fellow


"SPUR gave me access to symposia, conferences, colloquia, and other scientific programs.  Overall, participating in SPUR has given me some foundation to get on the road to
Graduate School, but more importantly it has allowed me to confidently picture myself as a scientist."
 ---- 2004 SPUR Fellow

"...This experience greatly increased my confidence while working in a lab and also instilled in me the importance of having a good mentor in a lab setting.  Every member of the lab helped me with my research in some way, and I was able to experience many different methods of teaching."

 ---- 2006 SPUR Fellow

"My four years at UO has been the best experience of my life and has helped me choose my career path. The two Summers with the SPUR program was a great experience which helped me build self-confidence when giving talks and introduced me to a lot of areas in research. Thank you for all your hard work during the two Summers and making it enjoyable and fruitful."
 ---- 2003 & 2004 SPUR Fellow

"... Thank you for the opportunity to experience a beautiful place like Oregon and to conduct research at UO.  I had a blast this summer. It was an excellent learning experience for me.  I really learned a lot, and I appreciate the opportunity for allowing me to come and share this experience with other students like myself.  This opportunity has opened doors for me to great opportunities to come in the future.

 ---- 2006 SPUR Fellow

"As a result of the laboratory experience and technique knowledge I acquired this summer, I was able to be hired for the position of research assistant in a research lab in the pharmacology department in medical school. "
---- 2003 SPUR Fellow

"The experience has helped me realize the attributes one needs to succeed in research…. determination, persistence …and attitude."
---- 2004 SPUR Fellow

"Thanks for ... an outstanding SPUR program for us this Summer; it was very well run and organized."
---- 2005 SPUR Fellow

" I hope to perform research that has impact on medical and policy decisions.  My experience was an excellent way to work toward that goal."
---- 2003 SPUR Fellow

 "…placing me in a lab that would suit my interests, the SPUR program aids in integrating students from a variety of backgrounds and academic interests. … Ultimately, the interaction with fellow …participants was one of the most enriching aspects of my summer experience
…SPUR has reinforced my objective to continue research through graduate school…"

---- 2005 SPUR Fellow