provides
support for talented undergraduates to spend a summer working in a research
laboratory on the Caltech campus. The MURF program aims to increase the representation
of underrepresented students (such as African American, Hispanic, and Native
American, females who are underrepresented in their discipline, and first-generation
college students) in science and engineering Ph.D. or M.D./Ph.D. programs
and to make Caltech's programs more visible to students not traditionally
exposed to Caltech. The program supports Caltech’s commitment to training a diverse set of science, technology,
engineering, and math leaders.
Applications are encouraged from students who wish to work in a modern academic
research laboratory under the guidance of experienced scientists and engineers.
The program will expose students to the excitement and opportunities of a research
career. This experience provides excellent preparation for students interested
in subsequently pursuing a Ph.D.
- Increase critical mass of underrepresented graduate students
at Caltech
- Provide opportunities for students not generally familiar with
Caltech to experience the research environment at Caltech
- Train a diverse set of leaders in fields of science, technology,
engineering, and math
- Promote awareness of diversity among students, faculty, and
staff
- Provide opportunities for students who come from challenging
backgrounds and must overcome significant barriers to pursue their goals of
becoming a scientist or engineer
The MURF program is in large part supported by the generous contributions
from the following organizations: Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Gordon and
Betty Moore Foundation, Genentech Foundation, and NSF Center for the Science and Engineering of Materials.
Caltech's Student-Faculty Programs Office coordinates an array
of undergraduate research programs. Students might also consider applying for
the SURF or Amgen
Scholars programs.