During Summer 2026, the Department of Agricultural Biology will be hosting students for an REEU, or Research and Extension Experiences for Undergraduates

If you are interested in applied agricultural research and extension, consider submitting an application.

This opportunity will allow you to immerse yourself in eight weeks of research and extension experience.

Questions? Reach out to Kadie Britt, kadie.britt@colostate.edu

Application information

Access the application document here

How to submit your application:

1. Fill out the information requested in the application document. Draft short statements to address your research experiences, interests, and personal experiences that shaped your career goals.
2. Share copies of your current transcripts and two letters of recommendation.
3. Compile all documents into a single PDF.
4. Email your application to Kadie Britt, kadie.britt@colostate.edu by April 3rd, 2026.

Program details

The program is a Research and Extension Experience for Undergraduates (REEU) focused on Applied Research and IPM (integrated pest management) for Dryland Systems (ARIDS).

The REEU has a duration of eight weeks, beginning on June 1, 2026 and ending July 24, 2026.

You will be provided:

• Lodging and food
• Reimbursement for your travel costs to the Colorado State University campus in Fort Collins, Colorado
• A stipend of $5,500

Once you are accepted into the program, you will be matched with a faculty member best aligned with your research interests and engage in applied research and/or extension during the eight-week program.

You will present the results of your work at the end of the program.

Research and extension focus areas

Entomology:

• Applications of entomopathogenic fungi in suppressing a stem-boring pest of quinoa
• Mechanisms of quinoa resistance to a key pest
• Integrated pollinator management in urban landscapes
• Modern techniques in plant-pest interactions (e.g., RNAi)

Plant Pathology:

• Molecular virus-host interactions in wheat
• Disease surveillance and diagnostics in wheat
• Modern techniques in plant-pathogen interactions (e.g., disease resistance screening, mapping of loci and molecular mechanisms, recombinant viruses)

Plant Molecular Biology:

• Characterization of aphid salivary effectors in wheat, sorghum, or potato under drought stress
• Gene expression analysis of drought stress on crop responses on a diurnal scale
• Developing CRISPR technology to modify aphid and host genes involved in crop (wheat, sorghum, or potato) colonization
• Techniques used: DNA and RNA extraction using the Opentron OT-2 robot, PCR and qRT-PCR, plant and aphid bioassays, and CRISPR

Weed Science:

• Developing novel weed management tools in wheat
• Effect of environment on herbicide metabolism
• Optimizing CoAXium wheat production system

Faculty mentors