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About EDGE Genomics

UNC EDGE Genomics is an innovative 2-year summer program that provides training in research skills, career education, and mentoring to undergraduate students who are interested in careers in genomics. EDGE Genomics is aimed at freshman and sophomore undergraduate students. Our goal is to ensure the nation remains a leader in scientific discovery and innovation by training the most innovative and talented next generation of geneticists.

Our program provides access to genomics careers for qualified scholars that have very limited access to cutting edge research and training opportunities. Over the past 3 years, the EDGE Genomics program has supported 51 undergraduate scholars from 22 different institutions across 5 states (NC, GA, TN, VA, RI). Most scholars (59%) came from community colleges, while the rest of our scholars (41%) were from 4-year universities both within and outside the state of NC. EDGE scholars have early access to training starting at different stages of their academic journeys: 37% started the program as freshmen, 53% started the program as sophomores, and 10% started the program as juniors.

EDGE Genomics has a unique 2-year program structure.

Year 1 provides students with an overview of the fields of genetics and genomics: basic research, applications of genomics in patient care, ethical, legal, and social issues, and career pathways. Students receive mentoring from faculty and scientists in training.

The Year 2 research experience places students in cutting-edge research labs at UNC-Chapel Hill. Students work on an independent research project, attend weekly lab meetings and journal clubs, and present their research at the end of the program. EDGE Genomics students, faculty, and staff have built a vibrant community of peers and mentors that will guide students as they embark on their careers.

Timeline for 2025 program:

  • early January 2025: application period opens
  • Monday January 27, 2025, 4:00-4:45pm: virtual open house event
  • February 17, 2025: applications due
  • late March or early April 2025: acceptances announced
  • July 7-25, 2025: program dates for year 1 students
  • June 2 – July 25, 2025: program dates for year 2 students

EDGE Genomics students receive compensation (stipend amounts $1800 for year 1 students and $4800 for year 2 students). Housing and meals are provided. Training typically runs from 9am-5pm weekdays, with optional weekend social events. There is no tuition charged or course credit offered for EDGE Genomics.

EDGE Genomics is an innovative 2-year summer program for undergraduate students who are interested in careers in genomics. Students must be U.S. citizens or permanent residents. Students must be 18 years old or older at the start of the program. Students need to have completed an AP or college freshman biology class before starting the program and to finish the program before graduating with their undergraduate degree. EDGE Genomics is aimed at freshman and sophomore undergraduate students.

Application Process

Applications for the 2025-2026 cohort were due on Monday February 17, 2025.


Recommendations

The EDGE Genomics application requires at least one recommendation form to be filled out by one of your AP or college-level science/STEM course instructors. You may have one additional optional recommendation from a non-relative who knows you well. You will enter the name and email address of your recommender(s) as part of your program application.

Recommendation forms must be completed by 11:59pm on February 24, 2025. Applications without recommendation forms will not be reviewed.

If you have any questions, email precisionmedicine@med.unc.edu.

Overview: EDGE Genomics coursework and training focuses on three areas of emphasis:

Genomics in the lab

Genomics in medicine

Genomics in society

These three areas of emphasis are threaded through the program elements:

Mentoring Circles: Mentors provide guidance and advice to students. EDGE Genomics students will be matched with peer and career mentors. Mentoring circles consisting of EDGE Genomics students, graduate student mentors, and faculty mentors will meet weekly.  
Mentored Research Experience: Year 2 EDGE Genomics students will work on an independent research project in the lab of their research mentor. They will attend weekly lab meetings and present their results at an end-of-program mini-symposium.  
Science Communication Training: Communicating science ideas and findings to others (both scientists and lay audiences) is critical to a successful career in science. EDGE Genomics students will receive training in written, visual, and oral communication. Year 2 will culminate in a poster presentation based on the mentored research experience and an optional poster presentation at a national conference.

Professional development: UNC’s School of Medicine Office of Graduate Education offers a professional development seminar series. The seminar series assists students with the transition into graduate school by addressing topics such as applying and succeeding in graduate school, networking, and writing personal statements.
Careers in Genomics: Students will learn about training paths and job descriptions for various careers in academia, medicine, industry, government, and nonprofits. Students will meet with genetic counselors, clinical geneticists, research scientists, bioethicists, lawyers who specialize in genomic issues, bioinformaticists, genomic analysts, and other professionals working in careers that span the fields of genetics and genomics.

 

Some institutions offer an undergraduate major in genetics or genome studies, but these are not as common as majors in biology. Many undergraduate minors are relevant to a career in genetics and genomics. The following list includes many relevant minors. Those with web links are minors offered at UNC Chapel Hill.​ Most of the fields listed here have options for graduate study.

In addition, the Department of Allied Health Sciences at UNC Chapel Hill offers 3 degrees in Clinical Laboratory Science (CLS): a bachelor of science degree and 2 master’s degrees. After completion of their degree, CLS students are prepared to perform and interpret the wide variety of tests used in health care and other settings, ensuring the validity of results, and explaining the results to other health care professionals.

There are many other summer undergraduate research programs focusing on genomics. EDGE Genomics students should be competitive applicants for any of these programs.

Location Program Name
Genetics and Genomics Summer Programs  
varies iSPRinG: Immersive Summer Program for Research in Genomics
Bethesda, Maryland STAR: Stimulating Training and Access to HIV Research Experiences
New York City, New York Undergraduate Summer Research Program in Single-Cell Genomics
Athens, Georgia SUNFIG: Summer Undergraduate Fellowships in Genetics
Seattle, Washington University of Washington Genome Sciences Summer Research Experiences for Undergraduates

Bar Harbor, Maine (or)

Farmington, Connecticut

Jackson Laboratory Summer Student Program
varies Human Biomolecular Atlas Program (HuBMAP)
Seattle, Washington Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center Summer Undergraduate Research Program
   
   
Lists of many summer programs  
varies Search Pathways to Science programs database
varies Search National Science Foundation (NSF) Research Experiences for Undergraduates (REU) program list
   
Summer Programs in Other Disciplines  
Chapel Hill, North Carolina 21st Century Environmental Health Scholars
Chapel Hill, North Carolina Carolina Summer Fellowship Program
Chapel Hill, North Carolina Summer Undergraduate Research Experience in Chemistry
Chapel Hill, North Carolina & others Amgen Scholars Program
varies Short-Term Research Experience Program to Unlock Potential (STEP-UP)

 

Additional Opportunities

NIH training programs

Training Opportunities

UNC Center for Faculty Excellence TEAM ADVANCE training. Organized by the UNC Center for Faculty Excellence, TEAM (Targeting Equity in Access to Mentoring) ADVANCE promotes accessible, equitable, and effective mentoring across the University, with an emphasis on supporting women of color and white women in STEM fields.

Center for the Improvement of Mentored Experiences in Research (CIMER). The mission of CIMER is to improve the research mentoring relationships for mentees and mentors at all career stages through the development, implementation, and study of evidence-based and culturally-responsive interventions. CIMER offers Entering Mentoring training for research mentors and Entering Research training for students.


Resources for Interactive Teaching

Science of Effective Mentorship in STEMM – online guide from the National Academies

Google Jamboard – digital interactive whiteboard

Poll Everywhere – UNC affiliated polling platform

Open Stax Biology – open access textbook, could be useful for before-class background reading

Case Studies – from the National Science Teaching Association

BioInteractive resources – from the Howard Hughes Medical Institute

CourseSource – an open-access journal of peer-reviewed teaching resources for undergraduate biology and physics

The EDGE Genomics program is seeking passionate professors, graduate students, and senior-level undergraduate students to join our program! Help us provide EDGE students with valuable mentorship, hands-on lab experience, and professional development opportunities. Opportunities include hosting a student in your lab for a summer research experience, giving a guest lecture, serving on a career panel, or being a near-peer mentor.  
Your time and knowledge can make a significant impact! If you’re interested in contributing to the EDGE Genomics program, send email to precisionmedicine@med.unc.edu.