SureCV is a program of the Cardiovascular Research Center (CVRC) at the University of Wisconsin-Madison that provides undergraduate students a structured summer research experience. Students participating in SureCV join the laboratory of a CVRC sponsor to participate in ten weeks of mentored research, seminars, career development activities and networking opportunities. CVRC will sponsor five students from affiliated laboratories to join SureCV in the Summer of 2026. Students need the support of the principal investigator to apply for this opportunity.
Key program information
- Application deadline: February 20, 2026
- Program dates: June 3, 2026 – August 12, 2026
Support and benefits
- $6000 stipend (disbursed in accordance with UW-Madison policies).
- Travel support to attend a conference with the sponsor.
- Full participation in SureCV.
Strongly encouraged to apply
- Students with disabilities.
- Students from low-income backgrounds or who are first-generation college attendees.
- Students who attend small colleges or institutions without broad research facilities.
- Students from groups that are underrepresented in science.
Eligibility Requirements
- Support to apply from a CVRC-affiliated laboratory. The PI will need to submit a letter of support.
- Junior or senior status with good academic standing at the time of the start of the program.
- Enrolled full-time at an academic instititution during the 2026 Spring/Winter Semester.
- At the time of application the student must be:
- A US citizen or permanent resident, or
- Foreign national holding a student or exchange visa, including F1, H1, H1B, J1, PR or TN. If you hold Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) status, contact the program before you apply.
Application Requirements
- General application form
- CVRC Sponsor lab – Provide the contact information of the PI from the sponsoring laboratory. We will send an email requesting a letter of support from the PI. Please ensure they are able to respond before the application deadline.
- College transcript; unofficial transcripts are acceptable
- Resume/CV
- Three short personal essays
- Personal statement: How have your background and life experiences motivated your decision to pursue a research opportunity at the University of Wisconsin-Madison?
- Research interests and experience: Although previous research experience is not required to be considered for participation in our summer program, please describe any past research experience. This may include research as part of a course if you do not have other research experiences.
- Future goals and career plans: Describe how your participation in SureCV at UW-Madison will contribute to your future goals and career plans.
APPLICATION CLOSED
Contact us
For more information email: CVRC Summer Program
Leadership team
- Dr. Hector Valdivia, MD, PhD, Program Director
- Eric Schafer, BA, Administrator
- Katie Randall, BS, Administrative Specialist
SUMMER 2025 COHORT
Kate Bjorklund
Kate is a junior at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, majoring in Neurobiology and Psychology with a certificate in Athletic Healthcare. Her current research specifically focuses on the effects of post-translational modifications (S-glutathionylation) on cardiac myosin binding protein-C and the general influences this has on hypertrophic cardiomyopathy.
Lucas De Carvalho
Lucas de Carvalho is an incoming senior at the University of Wisconsin-Madison majoring in Neurobiology and Psychology. Since joining Robertson Lab in May of 2024, he has helped investigate the biogenesis of heteromeric hERG1a/1b ion channels, which he intends to continue to characterize.
Vin Nikolai
My name is Vin Nikolai and I’m originally from Waupaca, WI. I’m currently a senior at UW-Madison studying Kinesiology on a pre-medical track. I enjoy playing and watching sports, exercising, and being outdoors. My research this summer is in the Schrage Lab with a focus on sex differences in cerebral blood flow.
Mackenzie Sloan
Mackenzie is an incoming junior at the University of Wisconsin-Madison working towards a B.S. in Biomedical Engineering. She joined the Cardiovascular Fluid Dynamics Lab in the fall of 2024 with a focus on the development of hemodynamic metrics using 4D Flow MRI. This summer she plans to continue her work analyzing the clinical scans of patients who undergo the Ross procedure in the hopes of identifying metrics for successful candidacy.
Achal Gowda
I’m originally from Peshtigo, WI. I just graduated in May from UW-Madison with a B.S in Biology. I joined the Alvarado lab in October 2023. My main focus is investigating the role of ryanodine receptor phosphorylation in the adrenergic response. I do this by recording transient calcium release in isolated cardiomyocytes from knock-in mouse models. I’m looking forward to continuing my work and learning new techniques during the CVRC Summer Research Fellowship.