The BUDR Program – Career Mentoring and Research Experience Opportunities for Undergraduate Students

 The BUDR website for Fall 2022 has moved! Find more information here.

The Biology Undergraduate Diversity in Research (BUDR) Program is a newly launched project designed to provide opportunities for undergraduates belonging to underrepresented groups. Undergraduates can apply to be a part of the mentorship/micro-experiences program. This program will close the knowledge and experience gaps that are a frequent barrier for academic and career progression.

 

The overarching goals of the BUDR program are: (1) to ensure that a wider diversity of UBC undergraduates obtain research experience and employment in Botany and Zoology research labs; (2) provide critical first employment in research labs, which is often a prerequisite to further employment or graduate school admission; (3) level the playing field for succeeding in science at UBC by providing accessible information about locating research opportunities and other career-advancing research experience and developing a research career; (4) increase biology-specific employment among undergraduates by providing career information that explicitly considers undergraduate diversity; (5) increase undergraduate success in obtaining or succeeding in research positions by providing mentorship.

 

Programs for Fall 2022

 

The Mentorship Program aims to match undergraduates with faculty, graduate students, and postdoctoral fellows in the Faculty of Science. Mentors will be able to provide undergraduate students with guidance, coaching, and detailed information relating to four core development areas: 1) career development and opportunities in biological sciences 2) applying for graduate school 3) finding and obtaining research experiences 4) applying for grants and scholarships. The mentorship program will run for one term.

 

BUDR Micro-Experiences will be awarded to half of the mentees,  providing undergraduate students with a paid opportunity to gain in-person, practical laboratory-based research experience. The Micro-Experience aims to develop technical skills, foster critical thinking, encourage networking opportunities, and catalyze future employment. Twenty undergraduates will be matched with research labs and paid for 40 hours placements. The Micro-Experience will act as a crucial first step in career building for undergraduate students.