KANNAPOLIS — Undergraduate students with an interest in plant research are encouraged to apply for a dynamic summer of science as part of the Plant Pathways Elucidation Project (P2EP) at the North Carolina Research Campus, a 350-acre life sciences hub dedicated to advancing scientific discoveries relating to human health, nutrition and agriculture.

P2EP is a one-of-a-kind opportunity for students to discover and characterize plant fibers and phytochemical metabolites along with the pathways that create them. Interns will be exposed to cutting-edge bioinformatics tools, genome sequencing and state-of-the-art facilities, while better preparing themselves for careers in science.

During the 11-week P2EP summer internship, undergraduate students work in lab teams 40 hours per week that are mentored by Research Campus faculty members, scientists from industry partners on campus, and by doctoral students. Each team will be assigned a project involving the program’s target crops and work through all phases of the research process including field harvest, genome sequencing, post-harvest and deciphering metabolic pathways.

The 2015 P2EP internship is from May 18 to July 31. Applications are due by March 2. Interns must be 18 years of age and attend an accredited college or university as a rising sophomore, junior or senior, preferably with coursework related to the mission of P2EP. A minimum grade point average of 3.0 on a 4.0 point scale is preferred, but students with lower GPAs in good standing with their respective institutions may be considered. 2015 college graduates may apply as well.

For more information and an application, visit www.p2ep.org or e-mail Program Manager Ebony Powers Waterman.

About P2EP

P2EP is a $1.9 million research and training program with the goals of preparing students for jobs in STEM fields and establishing a knowledge base of plant pathways research.

The program was founded and is directed by UNC-Charlotte Bioinformatics Services Division, N.C. State University Plants for Human Health Institute, the David H. Murdock Research Institute, the Dole Nutrition Institute, the North Carolina Research Campus, General Mills, and UNC General Administration.