The Summer Undergraduate Research Experience in Toxicology (SURE Tox) program at the University of Illinois will provide high quality research experiences for undergraduate students during the 2026 summer academic break: June 1 – July 31, 2026, for the Summer Research Program. The program involves active participation by faculty members from several departments and colleges at the University of Illinois, all of whom have expertise in toxicology and experience training undergraduate students. The program also interacts with the Interdisciplinary Program in Environmental Health and Toxicology. Students will receive a $5,000 stipend.
The training program will accept 7-8 undergraduate students per year who will spend 8-10 weeks over the summer in the program. The specific goals of the program are to: 1) match participants with faculty and peer mentors who will direct the student to complete a hypothesis-driven project in the field of toxicology, 2) help each student learn laboratory techniques and research skills, 3) provide didactic training on animal use in research, the responsible conduct of research (e.g., research misconduct, mentor-trainee relationships, and data management), and use of the electronic library, 4) train students to prepare scientific posters and talks and to present their work at scientific meetings, 5) provide networking opportunities for students to meet other students and faculty members in research, and 6) provide students with information on careers in toxicology. At the conclusion of the program, each student will present her/his work at the STEM Career Exploration and Symposium at Illinois held on campus. This training program provides a unique opportunity for undergraduate students to obtain training and research experience in the field of toxicology at a research intensive university with outstanding toxicology programs.
Application deadline: February 15, 2026
Applications must include the completed website form, transcripts, personal statement, two letters of recommendation, and a resume or CV. Please note that applicants must upload their transcripts and personal statement on the website form. Applicants must write in the names and contact information for two references on the website form, but request that the references send their letters of recommendation directly to Drs. Nowak and Flaws by the application due date. Decisions will be made by March 15, 2026.
WORLD CLASS RESEARCH
Funding
- A stipend to each student ($5,000 over 9 weeks)
- Funds for laboratory supplies ($500)
- Room and board (includes food) at a campus dormitory
Amenities
- Access to campus recreational facilities, including gyms, pools and sports facilities
- Access to the university libraries
- Pass for free access to the MTD bus, which has extensive network access coverage
PRECEPTORS
Assistant Professor, Department of Animal Medicine
The Antonson Developmental Neuroimmunology Lab uses translational animal models to investigate inflammatory and neurodevelopmental origins of behavioral abnormalities and mental health disorders. Focusing on the prenatal period as a critical developmental window, our work demonstrates that maternal immune insults (e.g., viral infection during pregnancy) act as teratogens to alter neuroimmune signatures in the offspring brain, leading to disrupted behaviors. Additional interests of the lab include selective permeability of placental and fetal brain vascular barriers and cellular and molecular immune interactions at the maternal-fetal interface. Antonson Lab
Associate Professor of Molecular and Intergrative Physiology
The Anakk laboratory is focused on understanding metabolism in a normal and diseased state. Our goal is to investigate how nuclear receptors maintain metabolic homeostasis and protects the liver from diseases and toxic insults. We are primarily focused on elucidating the roles for nuclear receptors, Farnesoid X Receptor (FXR), Small Heterodimer Partner (SHP) and Constitutive Androstane Receptor (CAR) during liver injury and growth. Anakk Lab
Dr. Bagchi’s laboratory is directed towards understanding how endocrine disrupting chemicals such as bisphenol A alter uterine function during embryonic implantation. Students in her laboratory have recently utilized DNA microarray analysis to identify estrogen- and progesterone-regulated genes, which are potential regulators of uterine function during implantation. The group is now investigating the hormonal regulation and function of these putative implantation stage-specific genes in the endometrium. Summer projects are designed to investigate how chronic exposure to BPA affects uterine epithelial function during implantation. Students will employ immunohistochemical analysis to determine the expression of known markers of epithelial receptivity during implantation in unexposed and BPA-exposed uterine tissues. Indrani Bagchi Profile
Professor, Departments of Bioengineering, Electrical and Computer Engineering, and Medicine
Dr. Stephen Boppart’s Biophotonics Imaging Laboratory develops new optical imaging technologies and translates these for medical applications or biological discovery. His research has involved the development and use of contrast and therapeutic agents for imaging and treating diseases like cancer and neurodegeneration. These same imaging technologies have also been used to detect and image chemicals and particles in cells and biological tissues and in the environment, and any associated toxicity, often with a sensitivity and specificity that is higher than more traditional detection and analysis methods. Students involved in this training program and working in Dr. Boppart’s laboratory would investigate these questions about chemical and particle toxicity, with the goals of improving our basic science and applied technology knowledge. Biophotonics Imaging Lab
Assistant Professor. Dept of Animal Science
Dr. Dean’s laboratory is focused on the biology of the uterus and fallopian tubes, known as oviducts in non-human species. Current projects in the lab include the hormonal regulation of glucose and glycogen metabolism in the uterine epithelium, and a project focused on how high-grade serous ovarian cancer cells, which are now known to originate from the fallopian tube epithelia, interact with the ovarian microenvironment during primary metastasis. Summer research opportunities for SureTox scholars include examining the effects of common endocrine-disrupting chemicals (e.g., phthalates or BPA) on the survival and metabolism of the uterine epithelia. Experiments would include culturing uterine epithelial cells, treating the cells with environmentally relevant concentrations of these EDCs, and comparing growth and glucose metabolism. Matthew Dean Profile
Professor, Department of Comparative Biosciences
Dr. Flaws’ laboratory is focused on determining the effects of environmental toxicants on the development of the female reproductive system, the mechanisms undelying the effects of reproductive toxicants on the ovary, and if environmental exposures are associated with reproductive abnormalities in women. Her laboratory is particularly interested in the endocrine disrupting chemicals such as phthalates, water disinfection by-products, and pesticides. Possible summer projects include using in vitro and in vivo techniques to examine mechanisms by which phthalates, water disinfection by-products, and pesticides disrupt steroidogenesis and ovarian follicular growth. Summer projects also include using in vivo methods to examine the impact of phthalates, water disinfection by-products, and pesticides on fertility in the first and subsequent generations of mice. Flaws Lab
Assistant Professor, Department of Pathobiology
The central focus of the Gaulke lab is to understand the role of gut microbial ecosystems in modulating responses to the thousands of environmental exposures humans experience every day. We conduct studies that span clinical and basic sciences leveraging high-throughput screens, statistical modeling, and cutting-edge molecular techniques to identify exposures capable of disturbing the taxonomic, genetic, and metabolic composition of the microbiome. By integrating host physiological and immunological measures into these studies, we detect interactions between microbiome operation and host physiology and then employ a suite of in vivo and in vitro model systems to interrogate the mechanisms that underpin these associations. We apply the information gained in these analyses to identify exposure biomarkers, define how disruption of microbial communities affects risk of gastrointestinal cancers and metabolic diseases. Ultimately, we aim to engineer microbial consortia to mitigate the impacts of exposures.
Assistant Professor, Department of Kinesiology and Community Health
Dr. Sarah Geiger is an environmental epidemiologist and program evaluator focused on children’s environmental health. Her research focuses on the relationship between environmental pollutants and chronic disease risk factors, including sleep problems, asthma, and obesity. She also conducts research on the impact of environmental pollutant exposure from private domestic well water on children’s health. Trainees may have the opportunity to work on data-focused projects including entry, cleaning, management, and analysis. They may also assist with participant-facing tasks such as recruitment, enrollment, and primary data collection. Sarah Geiger Profile
Founder Professor in Bioengineering
Prof. Irudayaraj’s laboratory is focused on studying the effects of PFAS (Per and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances) on cancer. Their interest is in assessing epigenetic mechanisms triggered by PFAS on kidney and liver cancer. More recently, they are also evaluating PFAS and micro/nano plastics mixtures. They are also interested in developing epigenome editing strategies to revert PFAS toxicity (recent publication in Environment and Health, 2025). Summer research opportunities for SureTox scholars include processing tissues collected from mice (acute/chronic exposure) to PFAS/micro-nano plastics, DNA/RNA isolation for gene expression and genome studies. Opportunities also exist with in-vitro techniques in the evaluation of PFAS-exposed kidney and liver cancer cells and their extra cellular vehicles for biomarkers and assisting in molecular biology techniques involved in developing CRISPR/Cas tools for epigenome editing to revert toxicity.
Professor, Department of Molecular and Integrative Physiology
Dr. Llano’s research in auditory neuroscience focuses on how environmental and genetic factors interact to influence auditory system health. His laboratory studies the ototoxic effects of environmental toxins—such as polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and chronic noise exposure—and how these interact with genetic risk factors, including APOE genotype, to drive hearing loss and cognitive decline. Using mouse models, his group applies a multidisciplinary toolkit spanning molecular, circuit-level, and behavioral analysis. Methods include multiphoton microscopy to probe cellular dynamics, super-resolution ultrasound imaging to assess microvascular function, and molecular anatomical approaches to map auditory circuits. Psychoacoustic and behavioral assays link these mechanisms to perceptual outcomes. The lab’s work ultimately seeks to guide strategies for preventing and treating hearing loss and its cognitive consequences, with relevance to aging, Alzheimer’s disease, and related neurodegenerative conditions.
Associate Professor of Nutrition and the Director of Women’s Health, Hormones and Nutrition lab
Dr. Madak-Erdogan is an Associate Professor of Nutrition and the Director of Women’s Health, Hormones and Nutrition lab at University of Illinois, Urbana Champaign. She received her B.S. degree in Molecular Biology and Genetics from Bilkent University in 2002. After completing her PhD and Postdoctoral studies on Mechanisms of Estrogen Receptor Action, she joined Department of Food Science and Human Nutrition at UIUC, in 2014. Her lab uses various animal and 3D-reengineered models, and advanced statistical and computational analysis to understand how nutrients, environmental toxicant exposures, and hormones impact metabolic health and hormone-dependent cancer outcomes. In addition to mentoring several undergraduate and graduate students, she has taught courses in the areas of Toxicology, Diet, Nutrition and Cancer and Nutrition and Women’s health. She has received several awards including NIEHS, Pre- and Postdoctoral Research Training Program in Endocrine Developmental and Reproductive Toxicology Fellowship, National Center for Supercomputing Applications Fellow, Women in Endocrinology Young Investigator Award form Endocrine Society and Mary Swartz Rose Young investigator Award and Bioserv Experimental Nutrition Award from American Society of Nutrition. Women’s Health and Metabolism Lab
Associate Professor, Department of Comparative Biosciences
Dr. Mahoney’s laboratory focuses on the effects of endocrine disrupting chemicals and pesticides on behavior and the brain in mice. We are investigating the role of the chemical class known as phthalates on biological rhythms, anxiety, social behavior, novelty seeking, and sexual behaviors. We are also looking at pesticides known as neonicotinoids on anxiety and cognition. Potential projects available for SureTox students would be to 1) examine the role of a phthalate mixture on attractivity, receptivity, and partner preference in male and female mice and gene expression patterns in sexually dimorphic brain regions of mice and 2) investigate the impact of the pesticide imidacloprid on cognition and anxiety and neuroinflammation. Dr. Mahoney’s Biosketch
Professor in Molecular and Cellular Physiology
The Nelson laboratory investigates how cholesterol metabolism and homeostasis influence immune cell function. The goal is to leverage this knowledge to develop novel therapeutics for the treatment of breast and ovarian cancer. Our focus is on recurrent and/or metastatic cancer. We are also interested in how environmental influences and toxicants can disrupt cholesterol homeostasis and therefore the immune system. This work is an important first step towards developing strategies to prevent cancer recurrence or improve the efficacy of current therapies.
Visit Nelson Lab
Professor, Department of Animal Sciences
Dr. Nowak’s laboratory focuses on the effects of endocrine disrupting chemicals on the uterus and early embryo development. We are investigating the effects of endocrine disrupters on uterine aging and on embryo-maternal interactions at implantation and early pregnancy. We are also investigating their role in promoting two common reproductive diseases in women, endometriosis and uterine fibroids, through their proinflammatory effects. Our studies involve the use of genetic mouse models as well as in vitro studies with human cell lines. Potential projects available for the SureTox students are 1) impact of environmental toxicants on preimplantation embryo and placental trophoblast survival and growth; and 2) effect of prenatal or adult exposure to phthalate chemicals on uterine aging and uterine pathologies. Nowak Lab
Professor, Department of Molecular and Integrative Physiology
Dr. Raetzman’s laboratory focuses on pituitary gland development, including what makes pituitary stem cells divide, turn into hormone producing cells, and move so they can be in contact with the bloodstream. Her lab is interested in determining how intrinsic signaling pathways direct cell fate and how endocrine disrupting chemical exposure intersects with these pathways to interfere with pituitary gland development and function. Trainees will use tissue collected from mice exposed to phthalates to examine mRNA and protein expression of key developmental markers and hormones. Trainees will also culture mouse pituitaries to determine direct effects on the pituitary of the chemicals being examined.
Associate Professor of Bioengineering, Materials Science & Engineering, and Technology Entrepreneurship
The Smith Lab develops nanomaterials for applications in the life sciences, focusing on nanoparticles for imaging in the body and therapeutic nanomaterials to treat diseases. Our understanding of the intrinsic toxicity of nanomaterials, and their unique degradation pathways in cells and tissues, is still at an early stage. We are interested in evaluating the degradation and elimination processes involved in compound semiconductor nanocrystals as well as organic polymeric nanomaterials, using both molecular biology techniques and high-resolution optical imaging. We are particularly interested in how these processes differ across subjects based on body composition and disease state. Smith Lab
Professor, Comparative Biosciences
The Spinella laboratory is focused on the molecular genetics and epigenetics of cancer, especially in the areas of mechanisms of tumorigenesis, cancer therapy and drug resistance. His lab has a long-standing interest in testicular cancer, a disease with a strong link to environmental toxicant exposures including endocrine disrupting chemicals. Summer projects will utilize cell culture-based and animal models to assess the influence of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) on the biology of testicular cancer with a focus on epigenetics. Students will be exposed to cutting edge molecular, genomics and bioinformatic techniques. Spinella Freemantle Lab
Professor, Department of Comparative Biosciences
Dr. Yang’s laboratory investigates molecular mechanisms governing early embryonic development. Currently, his laboratory is studying functions and regulatory mechanisms of the Hedgehog and Wnt signaling pathways during vertebrate development. He is also interested in maternal control of early embryonic patterning. His laboratory takes advantage of amphibian embryos to assess the effects of exposure to BPA and MXC on the survival and development of the embryo. Potential summer research projects include monitoring gene expression in embryos exposed to BPA and MXC by in situ hybridization, immunohistochemistry, and RT-PCR. Yang Lab
Assistant Professor, Department of Comparative Biosciences
Dr. Ziv-Gal’s lab studies how endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs) may affect female reproductive health. EDCs we examine in our studies are present in many common daily-use products, particularly those used by women. The research in the lab focuses on their impact on the ovary, the oviduct (fallopian tubes in women), and fertility outcomes. Summer projects for SURE Tox scholars may involve processing tissues from mice exposed to EDCs such as parabens, evaluating histomorphology and histochemical markers, and measuring gene expression linked to oviduct and ovary function. Additional opportunities include in-vitro experiments designed to test the direct effects of selected EDCs on these reproductive organs. Through this work, trainees gain experience with molecular, cellular, and tissue-level techniques while exploring how environmental exposures influence reproductive health.
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High quality research experiences for
undergraduate students