MARC U-STAR: Maximizing Access to Research Careers Undergraduate Student Training in Academic Research
MARC uSTAR/CDI Star 2019-2020 Cohort


The MARC u-STAR Program seeks to train undergraduate students to think critically and write and speak effectively about their research in order to increase their ability to gain entry into and excel in top PhD programs nation-wide. MARC u-STAR also offers the Summer Scholars Program, which is an eight-week research program for rising Washington University sophomores interested in scientific research.
Funded by the NIH, the program is also made possible with valuable contributions from the following sources:
College of Arts & Sciences
The BALSA Group
Hope Center
Office of Medical Education
Siteman Cancer Center
McDonell Center for Cellular and Molecular Neurobiology
McDonell Center for Systems Neuroscience
Center for Reproductive Health
Office for Student Success
Office of the Provost
Department of Biology
Department of Chemistry
Department of Psychology
Department of Biomedical Engineering
The MARC U-STAR Program at Washington University in St. Louis is supported by the National Institute of General Medical Sciences, National Institutes of Health (NIGMS/NIH) under National Research Service Award T34 GM 083914.
Applications for the MARC uSTAR Academic Year Program and for the uSTAR Summer Scholars Program are currently closed.
Academic Year Program
About the Program
The MARC U-STAR Program is a two-year, junior-/senior-level, research-based honors program students at Washington University interested in pursuing the PhD in the biological and biomedical sciences.
Program Benefits
- Requires students work 10 or more hours per week in a research lab of their choice during the academic year and full-time during the summer.
- Students will attend weekly seminars that train students in effective scientific presentation.
- Workshops on personal statements and poster presentations.
- Opportunities to attend national scientific conferences.
- Grad/undergrad joint dinners, and membership in a close knit, supportive academic community.
uSTAR Summer Scholars
About the Program
The uSTAR Summer Scholars Program affiliated with MARC u-STAR is an eight-week, residential research program for rising Washington University sophomores interested in scientific research.
Program Benefits
- Mentored full-time research in a top-notch WashU research lab.
- Rigorous personalized training in scientific presentation.
- Opening and closing dinners at the program director’s house for students and their friends.
- Weekly Evening Science talks from PhD scientists about their research and career path.
- Student panels on graduate school and medical school and the MD/PhD.
- Closing symposium for all students and their labs.