Overview of MIMG Undergraduate Research Opportunities

Within the MIMG major, all undergraduate students are involved in authentic research experiences either through Path 1 or Path 2

All students who enter the major are automatically enrolled in Path 1: MIMG Research Immersion Laboratories. This path offers an opportunity to engage in authentic MIMG research through our two-course series. We offer two focuses: virology and microbiology. You can learn more about MIMG lab courses/research experiences within our major here.

Students may also choose to get involved in independent research through UCLA faculty member's labs. This is an independent, student-initiated process. The MIMG Dpt. does not place students in labs. Please see below for information and resources on how to get connected to a lab and find research opportunities.

Once students start volunteering/working in an approved faculty member's lab, there are different options for receiving academic credit for MIMG research (including MIMG 99s and 199sMIMG’s Path 2, and/or MIMG Departmental Honors). Please email the MIMG Advisors to inquire about options for your lab once you are connected to research (undergrad@microbio.ucla.edu).

Steps to Get Started in Research

Step 1: Prepare for Research

  • Evaluate your interests and your time/capacity.
    • What key areas of interest are you interested in?
    • We recommend students connect with a lab when they are interested and have capacity (i.e. can commit X hours/week while maintaining a balance for wellness, academics, and other commitments). For many students, this could be during their second or third year, but experiences may vary.
  • Update or prepare a CV/resume to be able to “apply” to labs.

Step 2: Expand Your Research Network & Identify Labs of Interest

Students will need approval from a lab's "Principal Investigator" or "P.I." to begin volunteering or working in a lab. Ideally, students should aim to work with P.I.s who are UCLA Faculty members (with "Academic Senate" titles like "Professor") to be able to potentially receive academic credit for volunteer work in a lab.* Faculty/P.I.s are eager to mentor and work with undergraduate students but may have limited space in their lab. 

Identifying Potential Labs/ Faculty Mentors for MIMG Research:

Expanding Your Research Network:

Step 3: Contact Faculty & Apply to Research Opportunities ("Cold-Email")

If helpful, please utilize this Google Sheet Example/Template for Faculty/Principal Investigator (P.I.) Outreach for Undergraduate Research Opportunities. This tool is primarily an organization tool to support students' "cold emailing" processes. Students can view and "make a copy" or download to customize and edit.

Finding a Faculty Mentor for MIMG Research:

“Cold Emailing” Tips from MIMG Faculty:

  • Include a clear, updated CV/resume. 

  • Be thoughtful/personal and specific but concise, demonstrating your passion for their field research or specific projects.

  • Reach out to several mentors (i.e. 10+), understanding that lab opportunities and space can be limited. 

  • Do follow up with faculty after giving some response time (i.e. the following quarter), but do not reach out to the same person more than 3 times. 

  • Confirm the Faculty's preferred email/contact method with the Department Advisors (i.e. MIMG Advisors) as needed.

After Being Accepted to a Lab:

  1. Email MIMG Advisors (undergrad@microbio.ucla.edu) with your UID and/or schedule an MIMG Advising Appointment to discuss your options for getting academic credit for MIMG research (including MIMG 99s and 199sMIMG’s Path 2, and/or MIMG Departmental Honors). 

  2. If working with a UCLA Health faculty member, please allot sufficient time (minimum of 2 weeks, ideally 1 month) to complete "onboarding" steps as a volunteer in the lab. Please kindly see onboarding Frequently Asked Questions/FAQs for students and Faculty/P.I.s here

  3. Complete the Free Lab Safety Training before you begin your lab work. 

  4. If enrolling in an MIMG 99 or 199 (as approved by your P.I.), please see enrollment instructions for the MIMG 99 here and enrollment instructions in an MIMG 199 here.

  5. If applying to Path 2 and/or MIMG Departmental Honors, please see Path 2 application instructions here and MIMG Departmental Honors application instructions here

Funding Resources for Paid Undergraduate Resource

Students seeking funding opportunities for their undergraduate research should please utilize resources from UCLA's Center for Scholarships and Scholar Enrichment (CSSE) and/or explore MIMG and CSSE's list of Undergraduate Research Funding Opportunities relevant to MIMG undergraduate students

MIMG will highlight any known undergraduate funding opportunities in our weekly newsletter (MIMG Listserv).