WV-INBRE Puerto Rico Summer Research Exchange Program
Program Summary
WV-INBRE is pleased to announce its 2026 Puerto Rico Summer Research Exchange Program. This program is nine weeks of biomedical research under the mentorship of Dr. Claudia Ospina (Inter American University of Puerto Rico) or Dr. Eliud Hernandez Ofarrill (UPR Medical Sciences Campus) with a focus on Natural Products research. Additional options for research mentors may also be available at a later date. Two students from WV-INBRE lead and primarily undergraduate institutions will be selected to participate in the research program. Participants will receive formal research training while expanding their learning experience through workshops, seminars on current topics, mentoring and use of state-of-the-art facilities.
General Guidelines and Eligibility
Applications are requested for participation in the 2026 Puerto Rico Summer Research Exchange Program sponsored by the WV-INBRE and PR-INBRE, which will run from June through July, 2026. Participation is open to all students who are enrolled full-time at the institutions participating in the WV-INBRE network who will have not graduated by August 2026. Students at WVU and Marshall University are eligible to participate, however, students attending a primarily undergraduate institution will receive preference. Applications from women and members of minority groups are especially encouraged. A stipend of $7,000 will be provided to each intern for the 9-week period. Nearby housing will be provided as will travel expenses to and from Puerto Rico.
Interns will be required to prepare an abstract and present their findings of their summer research project at either the Puerto Rico INBRE summer symposium or the 2026 WV-INBRE Summer Research Symposium in Morgantown, WV on July 28, 2026.
Research Placements
One of the students selected will conduct research under the mentorship of Dr. Claudia Ospina, Dr. Eliud Hernandez Ofarrill, or a mentor in another area of biomedical research to be named later.
Application Checklist
- Cover letter
- Curriculum Vitae
- Transcripts from all institutions of higher learning attended
- Letters of recommendation from two professors
Application Deadline
All application materials are due by the end of the business day, March 13, 2026. Application materials should be sent to: joseph.horzempa@westliberty.edu.
Evaluation Criteria
- Academic record, particularly in science related courses
- Laboratory experience
- Stated interest in biomedical research and career goals
- Why the applicant would like to participate in the program
- Recommendations from two faculty members at the applicant's institution and others, if relevant
Additional Information
The individuals selected to participate in the WV-PR research exchange must acquire traveler’s health insurance prior to their departure to Puerto Rico. Proof of this insurance is required. Travel dates and lodging arrangements made by the WV- and PR-INBRE programs must be followed. Because the age of consent in Puerto Rico is 21 years, participants under the age of 21 are required to have written consent of their parents or prior legal guardians.