Graduate Undergraduate Research Union (GURU)

Who We Are:

Graduate Undergraduate Research Union (GURU) is an organization dedicated to connecting undergraduates with research and mentoring opportunities. We work with the Biomedical Engineering Department and UT's chapter of the Biomedical Engineering Society (BMES) to organize and host several events a year to promote undergraduate research, connect undergraduates with graduate mentors, and build community between undergraduates and graduate students. 

What We Do:

GURU hosts many events throughout academic year and over the summer to help undergraduate students in BME get involved in research and promote a supportive and collaborative research community. Some of our main events include:

• GURU LINK: Twice a year we host a poster session for graduate students with open positions for undergraduate researchers to present on their work. This is a great opportunity for undergraduate students to learn about different research labs and projects in the department, as well as an excellent opportunity to connect with potential graduate student mentors. 
• Undergraduate Research Poster Competition: Each spring, GURU works with the BME department to host a poster session where undergraduate researchers have the opportunity to present their work to peers as well as graduate students and professors in BME. Students have the opportunity to compete in the poster competition, which is judged by three BME professors. Monetary prizes are awarded to the top three posters, and all participants receive feedback on their work. 
• How to Get Involved in Research Workshop: Each fall, GURU hosts a workshop and Q&A panel to help BME undergraduates learn how to get involved in undergraduate research. We seek to demystify this oftentimes confusing process and answer questions about how to join a research lab. 
• REU and Scholarship Informationals: GURU hosts seminars and Q&A panels each year on topics specific for undergraduates involved in research, such as how to apply for summer research opportunities such as REUs and what kinds of research-specific scholarships are available to undergraduates and how to apply for them. 

How You Can Help:

If you would like to help us support undergraduate research in BME, please donate! We plan to use contributions to continue being able to have awards for the Undergraduate Research Poster Competition, draw more undergraduates to our events, and expand our influence in the BME research community by hosting more events. We greatly appreciate your support!

Stay up to date on our events by visiting our website: https://sites.utexas.edu/guru/