International Undergraduate Research Program

Advancing scientific discovery

Fostering global scientific collaboration and hands-on research opportunities since 1991

The University of Nevada, Reno School of Medicine (UNR Med) has partnered with various universities in England and Northern Ireland to create the International Undergraduate Research Program (IURP). Through this program, students from the Queens University Belfast, Northern Ireland, the University of Ulster, Northern Ireland, and the University of Manchester, England have the opportunity to contribute to groundbreaking research with a diverse and talented team of researchers.

The goals of this program are to promote inter-continental scientific collaborations and expand undergraduate student experiences at an international level. International students can study in a variety of sub-specialties including: physiology and cell biology, pharmacology, microbiology and immunology, biochemistry, and neuroscience.

Since 1991, IURP has successfully collaborated with talented international students to perform high quality research in basic sciences. We are proud to say that many of our past students have gone on to achieve Ph.D. degrees from some of the top universities in the world.

Being part of the IURP at the University of Nevada, Reno has been an incredible journey. The hands-on experience in the lab has deepened my passion for research, and the welcoming atmosphere of Reno has made this year feel like a true adventure. This opportunity has allowed me to grow both as a student and as a person, in such a vibrant and inspiring city.

Sanya, University of Manchester (2024-2025 IURP student)

Sanya

Why UNR Med?

UNR Med ranks as one of the top colleges in both extramural research funding and the number of scientific articles published. As a diverse and creative team, students will gain valuable experience and high-quality training in a variety of settings. Students can easily move between labs and research projects to delve into particular areas of interest.

Having had the opportunity to be an IURP student at the University of Nevada, Reno allowed me to grow as an academic and as a person. Hands on research in cutting edge labs with amazing researchers improved my skills and abilities in the lab setting, and prepared me for my future. Living in Reno offered so many exciting opportunities in, and out of the lab, from skiing, rugby and making lifelong connections.

Jack Turner, Queen’s University Belfast (2023-2024 IURP student)

Jack Turner

Researchers at UNR Med are consistently making new discoveries with advanced science in focused areas, including the development of pre-clinical stage therapeutics for multiple forms of muscular dystrophy. Investigators in the Department of Microbiology and Immunology developed novel rapid infectious disease diagnostics with a global health impact (e.g., a widely used assay for Cryptococcus in HIV-positive patients). Over the course of three decades, the Department of Physiology and Cell Biology has received continual NIH funding for smooth muscle biology. Learn more about the research opportunities and laboratories at UNR Med.

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