The University of Kentucky has a fantastic range of summer fellowship opportunities for students. There are several opportunities with a neuroscience focus detailed below, but please check out the Office of Undergraduate Research for a full list of opportunities, including the Beckman Scholars Program.
Summer Research Opportunities
2025 NRPA Fellowship Recipients
Tanisha Garg is a junior majoring in Neuroscience at the University of Kentucky.
Her research mentor is Dr. Samir Patel, Spinal Cord and Brain Injury Research Center.
Joshua Griffith is a 2nd-year medical student at the University of Kentucky.
His research mentor is Dr. Robin Cooper, Department of Biology.
Olivia Driskill is a senior majoring in Neuroscience at the University of Kentucky.
Her research mentor is Dr. Tritia Yamasaki, Department of Neurology.
Sarah Tran is a 2nd-year medical student at the University of Kentucky.
Her research mentor is Dr. David Yurik, Department of Neurosurgery.
Top Row (L-R): Tanisha Garg & Joshua Griffith
Bottom Row (L-R): Olivia Driskill & Sarah Tran
07/07/2025
Dear All-
Because of the uncertainty regarding federal support for research at universities, the VPR limited the budgets of the RPAs for FY26 to their available funds. This resulted in us needing to make some difficult decisions. We felt it important to maintain the infrastructure we built to support neuroscience research across campus, but we will have to suspend several of the NRPA programs. We met with the NRPA Internal Advisory Council last week to discuss our options.
We will be maintaining the work of the NeuroBank, continuing the annual Neuroscience Clinical-Translational Conference, and be able to provide statistical support, albeit at a reduced level. We can fund one pilot award, also at a reduced funding level.
We need to otherwise suspend the Pilot Award Program, Equipment Grant Program, Collaborative Groups Program, Faculty Recruitment and Retention support, the Visiting Faculty and Technical Experts Program, and Student Research Fellowships.
We hope that these reductions are only temporary, but please take advantage of the programs we are able to continue during this difficult time.
Larry and Linda
NRPA Research Fellows Program
The University of Kentucky and the Office of the Vice President for Research are committed to reducing health disparities in the Commonwealth. The Neuroscience Research Priority Area’s mission is to promote and support innovative neuroscience research at the University of Kentucky, and succeeding in that goal necessitates ensuring the range of neuroscientists is as broad and exceptional as the field itself.
The NRPA Research Fellows program aims to enhance the field of neuroscience by increasing access. As such, a strong candidate is not necessarily one with previous neuroscience experience but someone who demonstrates the curiosity, commitment, and creativity that drive science and discovery.