The Biocomputing Scholars Program is a cohort-based undergraduate research program hosted by the Biodesign Center for Biocomputing, Security and Society (CBSS) at Arizona State University (ASU).
CBSS conducts interdisciplinary research at the intersection of computer science, biology, and social systems, often with a focus on characterizing and mitigating malicious behavior in complex systems.
If you are interested in joining us in researching immunogenetics, privacy and cybersecurity, Internet freedom, evolution of software, phase transitions and emergent phenomena, and origins of complexity, see the application and eligibility requirements below.
See our list of current projects for specific examples of research areas.
Eligibility, Application, and Timeline
The Biocomputing Scholars Program is open to any currently enrolled undergraduate student at ASU, online or in-person, with a relevant field of study.
Most of our scholars come from Computer Science, Computer Systems Engineering, Industrial Engineering, Data Science, Mathematics, Biology, Biomedical Engineering, and Physics; but feel free to apply regardless of major if you feel you have something to contribute.
Biocomputing Scholars is a year-long program. Each week, scholars will meet with their project team and mentor to discuss research tasks and progress. Research seminars will be held biweekly, where a CBSS faculty member will present their recent research with an opportunity for an open discussion with scholars. Attendance to meetings is required for participation in the program. All scholars will additionally present their research as a poster presentation at the end of the spring semester.
The application for the 2025-2026 academic year opens on Friday, June 6, 2025. The last day to apply for the 2025-2026 cohort is August 8, 2025. You can find the application here. Applicants will be selected for interview on a rolling basis starting July 25, 2025.Scholars admitted to the program can expect to begin their research projects shortly after the start of the fall semester.
Note: Students who prefer a more biologically-focused or wet-lab research experience are encouraged to apply to our sister program, the ACE Scholars Program.
Scholar Expectations
If admitted to the program, you will be assigned to a project team comprised of 1-5 undergraduate researchers, a graduate or postdoctoral mentor, and a faculty member (PI) from the center.
Workload will vary by project, but you should expect to dedicate an average of 5.5+ hours/week to the program in the following structure:
- 0.5 hr/week: Biocomputing Scholars research seminar, where all scholars will gather for a biweekly presentation from a CBSS faculty member.
- 1 hr/wk: Project team meeting with your graduate or postdoctoral mentor and/or PI to discuss research progress.
- 4+ hr/wk: Independent/group work reading relevant literature, implementing ideas, visualizing results, and preparing progress updates.
Some faculty may additionally ask you to attend their weekly lab seminars.
At the end of the year, project groups will present on their research findings in the form of a poster presentation.
Depending on the project, PIs may also ask groups to write up their research in a report or work to publish the research as a peer-reviewed article.
Other Undergraduate Research Programs and Additional Opportunities
The Biocomputing Scholars Program is distinct from other undergraduate research opportunities at ASU, like the Fulton Undergraduate Research Initiative (FURI), the Grand Challenge Scholars Program, and the School of Life Sciences Undergraduate Research (SOLUR) program.
Depending on scholar readiness and interest, some PIs may work with scholars to propose their Biocomputing Scholars research as a FURI/GCSP/SOLUR project in parallel.
Students in Barrett, the Honors College may also ask their PIs if Biocomputing Scholar research projects can support their Barrett Honors Theses.
Typically, a PI will expect an honors student to extend the project or take individual intellectual ownerwhip over some aspect for it to count as a thesis.
A scholar may be eligible to receive research credits for their participation in the Biocomputing Scholars Program through enrollment in a course like BIO 495 or CSE 499. The receipt of research credits may be contingent on a student’s academic year or standing.
Questions?
Email Lindsay Stephens with “Biocomputing Scholars Program” in your subject line.
