About this track

Students interested in basic neuroscience research will obtain a hands-on laboratory experience at ASU’s Biodesign Institute or a partnering laboratory at ASU’s Tempe campus. Students may have experiences in basic scientific techniques, experimental design and statistical analysis.  Students may run imaging data analysis for PET data, MRI data or functional MRI data by using the latest imaging processing packages such as SPM, FreeSurfer, etc. Other experiences will include public health, psychology, and epidemiology research.  Hands-on instruction and training is provided in basic scientific techniques, which may include solution preparation, pipetting, microscopy, centrifugation, cell culture, and experimental design and analysis. These techniques will be taught in the context of the students’ participation in ongoing research projects and protocols that can be completed during the program, with oversight by faculty at each participating facility.

Excellent written and verbal skills are required co clearly communicate with staff, interviewers, participants and the community.

Applicants have the opportunity to rank interest in individual research areas on the Application Form.  Every effort will be made to match you to your preference, but it is not guaranteed. 

About the Biodesign Institute

The ASU Biodesign Institute is a primary example of ASU’s innovative approach to research initiatives and institutes – one that looks to remove barriers instead of creating them and to generate impact that extends beyond the university campus.  ASU’s Biodesign Institute was not created in the image of a traditional research institute, with a rigid focus on a single field of study, but instead advances bio-inspired solutions drawing on multiple disciplines to address complex challenges in health, sustainability and security.  Built into this transdisciplinary research model is a pipeline for translating discoveries and new knowledge into new technologies and products to benefit people and our planet.  There are 15 research centers at the Biodesign Institute, including the ASU-Banner Neurodegenerative Disease Research Center, or NDRC, currently co-directed by Dr. Eric Reiman, focused on advancing the scientific study, treatment and prevention of Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s and other neurodegenerative diseases in state-of-the-art laboratory space. 

---

Information required:

• Education history (high school to graduate school)
• Previous employment
• Military service
• Summary of past research experience
• Personal statement
• Contact information for faculty and professional references
• GPA
• Unofficial transcripts