SOAR 2024 May 6 – July 12, 2024 . Center for Anatomical Sciences University of North Texas Health Science Center Fort Worth, Texas . Applications for 2025 will open January 2025 The application deadline is 11:59 pm (CDT) on March 1, 2025

The SOAR (Summer Opportunities in Anatomy Research) program at the University of North Texas Health Science Center provides undergraduate students the opportunity to gain research, education, and outreach experience in the anatomical sciences.

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Read the AAA Innovations Grant Report for SOAR

Read the AAA Innovations Project Update for SOAR

Read the Proceedings of SOAR 2021 (conference abstracts)

As a SOAR student, you will:

• Complete a 10-week research internship with a faculty mentor.
• Receive a stipend of approximately $4,000.
• Develop and present a research poster.
• Explore graduate training opportunities and careers in the anatomical sciences.
• Develop scientific communication skills.
• Engage in science outreach activities.

Current SOAR research mentors

• Kate Lesciotto, PhD, JD, DBFA: forensic anthropology; skeletal estimation of sex; craniofacial growth and development
• Scott Maddux, PhD: biological anthropology; human evolution and variation; craniofacial and respiratory anatomy; thermoregulation and climatic adaptation.
• Rachel Menegaz, PhD: craniofacial biomechanics and functional morphology; impacts of weaning and diet on growth, function, and evolution of masticatory tissues; musculoskeletal health; brittle bone disease..

Internship Housing 

• Housing near campus is provided free of charge for SOAR interns..

Student requirements:

• Undergraduate enrollment in Fall 2024 (junior or senior preferred).
• 18+ years old.
• 3.0 minimum cumulative GPA preferred.
• US citizenship or permanent residency.
• Intention of pursuing a research-based graduate degree (traditional MS/PhD,  or dual clinical/research degree such as DO/PhD, MD/PhD, DPT/PhD, etc.) and future career in the anatomical sciences (anatomy, biology, anthropology, paleontology, etc.).
  • Students looking to attend professional school programs (e.g. DO, MD, DDS, PA, PT, RN) are encouraged to apply for other summer internship opportunities at UNTHSC.
• Students from underrepresented populations are encouraged to apply.

Apply Online

• Applications must be submitted through the  SOAR Online Application Portal. Applications for SOAR 2025 will open January 2025. You can preview the 2024 application HERE.
• For more information about the SOAR program, please email the SOAR program director, Dr. Rachel Menegaz, at SOAR@unthsc.edu.
• For information about other undergraduate internship opportunities at UNTHSC, see the Undergraduate Summer Research Internships run by the Center for Diversity and International Programs.

Funding

The 2022-2023 SOAR programs were funded by the National Science Foundation (REU – Research Experiences for Undergraduates Program)
The 2019-2021 SOAR programs were funded by the American Association for Anatomy Innovations Program.