Intermountain Doctoral Education to Advance Students (IDEAS) in Neuroscience

About the Intermountain Doctoral Education to Advance Students (IDEAS) in Neuroscience Program

a light, airy atrium space in Skaggs Research Building Hall with tables, chairs and University of Utah Flags Hanging

About IDEAS in Neuroscience

Intermountain Doctoral Education to Advance Students (IDEAS) in Neuroscience is a 2 year, NIH funded post baccalaureate program at the University of Utah.  This is a training program for recent college graduates from underrepresented backgrounds who are interested in applying to PhD programs in the neurosciences.

This 2 year post baccalaureate program will include mentored laboratory research, graduate level courses, professional development, and a holistic, culturally competent mentored experience. Students will also attend scientific conferences and have opportunities to present their research. An essential part of the IDEAS curricula is inclusive mentoring, providing career-long scientific, personal, and cultural support.

Key activities include:

  • Graduate Coursework
  • Community Building
  • Independent Laboratory Research
  • Professional Development, including public speaking, science communication, and professional skills
  • Graduate Program Application Prep

Building on institutional momentum and infrastructure at the University of Utah that is dedicated to supporting STEM equity, diversity and inclusion, IDEAS in Neuroscience will support the intellectual, professional, and scientific development of trainees from underrepresented backgrounds so they can flourish and continue on the path to a career in biomedical science.

IDEAS in Neuroscience at the University of Utah

Who Can Apply?

IDEAS in Neuroscience will recruit four students from diverse backgrounds, with a specific focus on students from Intermountain West institutions that serve Hispanic/Latino and Native American communities, and Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs).

What is the Compensation?

  • $35,000/yr for 2 years plus insurance
  • Annual travel allowance to attend a scientific conference
2 students sitting in a lobby outside of classrooms

What are the Application Requirements?

  • A passion for neuroscience; prior lab experience not required
  • BA or BS in a STEM field, awarded by June 2023 from an institution with limited/no access to research programs
  • Interest in pursuing a research based PhD
  • Letters of recommendation and application package
  • US Citizen or permanent resident

Important Application Dates

January 4, 2023 Applications Open

April 30, 2023: Application Deadline

May 15, 2023: Notification of Awards

July 1, 2023: 2 Year Program Begins

June 30, 2025: 2 Year Program Ends

Why Utah?
a photo of LS Skaggs Research Hall on a sunny day with a bright blue sky
University of Utah Health Sciences Campus with snowy mountains in background

How Do I Apply?

Applications should include the following materials emailed directly to ideas-neuroscience@pharm.utah.edu

  1. Fill out the online Application Form
  2. Two letters of recommendation emailed to the address above: Each letter should state the APPLICANT’S name in the subject line.
  3. A single .pdf file containing all of the following items in one document, emailed to the address above:
    1. Cover Letter
    2. CV/Resume
    3. Personal Statement (500 words max) Explain your background and how your interests in STEM developed.
    4. Statement of relevant coursework or past research experience (500 words max) Describe key courses you’ve taken or research experiences you’ve had and explain how they have prepared you for research work.
    5. Statement of Career Goals and Research Interests (250 words max) Explain your long-term career goals and where you see your research heading in the future.
    6. Unofficial College Transcripts

program directors

headshot of karen wilcox, professor and chair in pharmacology and toxicology

Karen Wilcox, PhD

Professor and Chair, Pharmacology and Toxicology

Karen Wilcox Research

headshot of ryan o'connell, pathology department against a white background

Ryan O'Connell, PhD

Associate Chief, Division of Microbiology and Immunology

Ryan O'Connell Research

professor karen wilcox in her lab, working on an experiment

Faculty Mentors

picture of associate professor Marco Bortolato in his lab

Marco Bortolato, MD/PhD

Associate Professor, Pharmacology and Toxicology

Marco Bortolato Research

headshot of Neuroscience faculty KC Brennan with a brown background

KC Brennan, MD

Professor of Neurology

KC Brennan Research

Jessica Brown, PhD

Associate Professor, Pathology

Jessica Brown Lab

headshot of Sophie Caron, associate professor of biology

Sophie Caron, PhD

Associate Professor, Biology

Sophie Caron Research

headshot of clement chow, associate professor of human genetics

Clement Chow, PhD

Associate Professor, Human Genetics

Clement Chow Research

headshot of Richard Dorsky, Professor of Neurobiology and Anatomy

Richard Dorsky, PhD

Professor, Neurobiology and Anatomy

Richard Dorsky Research

headshot of Brian Evavold, Professor and Chief, Division of Microbiology and Immunology

Brian Evavold, PhD

Professor and Chief, Division of Microbiology and Immunology

Brian Evavold Research

headshot of Jim Heys, Assistant Professor of Neurobiology and Anatomy

Jim Heys, PhD

Assistant Professor, Neurobiology and Anatomy

Jim Heys Research

headshot of Kristen Keefe, Professor, Pharmacology and Toxicology

Kristen Keefe, PhD

Professor, Pharmacology and Toxicology

Kristen Keefe Research

headshot of David Krizaj, John Frederick Carter Professor in Ophthalmology & Visual Science

David Krizaj, PhD

John Frederick Carter Professor in Ophthalmology & Visual Science

David Krizaj Research

headshot of Tracey Lamb, Associate Professor of Pathology

Tracey Lamb, PhD

Associate Professor, Pathology

Tracey Lamb Research

headshot of Nichole Link, Assistant Professor of Neurobiology at the University of Utah

Nichole Link, PhD

Assistant Professor, Neurobiology

Nichole Link Research

headshot of Sungjin Park, Assistant Professor of Neurobiology and Anatomy, University of Utah

Sungjin Park, PhD

Assistant Professor, Neurobiology and Anatomy

Sungjin Park Research

headshot of Stefan Pulst, Professor and Chair, Neurology, University of Utah

Stefan Pulst, MD

Professor and Chair, Neurology

Stefan Pulst Research

headshot of June Round, Associate Professor of Pathology, University of Utah

June Round, PhD

Associate Professor, Pathology

June Round Research

headshot of Tracey Lamb, Associate Professor of Pathology

Michelle Schober, MD

Associate Professor, Pediatrics

Michelle Schober Research

headshot of Jason Shepherd, Associate Professor of Neurobiology, University of Utah

Jason Shepherd, PhD

Associate Professor, Neurobiology

Jason Shepherd Research

headshot of Dean Tantin, Professor of Pathology, University of Utah

Dean Tantin, PhD

Professor, Pathology

Dean Tantin Research

headshot of Monica Vetter, Professor and Chair, Neurobiology, University of Utah

Monica Vetter, PhD

Professor and Chair, Neurobiology

Monica Vetter Research

headshot of Matt Wachowiak, Professor of Neurobiology, University of Utah

Matt Wachowiak, PhD

Professor, Neurobiology

Matt Wachowiak Research

headshot of Megan Williams, Associate Professor of Neurobiology and Anatomy, University of Utah

Megan Williams, PhD

Associate Professor, Neurobiology and Anatomy

Megan Williams Research

headshot of Moriel Zelikowsky, Assistant Professor, Neurobiology, University of Utah

Moriel Zelikowsky, PhD

Assistant Professor, Neurobiology

Moriel Zelikowsky Research