A Landmark Year for the Rosetta Commons REU Program

This year, the Rosetta Commons Research Experience for Undergraduates (REU) program received a record-breaking 613 applications—more than any year in its history. As a long-standing program committed to training the next generation of leaders in biomolecular modeling and design, this moment marks both a milestone and a reflection of growing global interest in the field.

Rosetta Commons has offered its REU program for over a decade, connecting undergraduate students with world-class mentors and collaborative research environments across leading institutions. This application surge speaks to the program’s strength and a broader enthusiasm for biomolecular design and its transformative potential.

“It’s an incredible time for the field of biomolecular design with so much excitement from new powerful tools and potential impact from health to sustainability. Together with the visibility of the Nobel Prize to David Baker, it has seemed to really drive interest in our program. Additionally, I’m excited to see many people in our applicant pool who are studying both biology and computer science, fantastic interdisciplinary foundation.” – Jeffrey Gray (director of Rosetta Commons)

This year’s applicants represent an inspiring plethora of backgrounds and academic paths—from those deeply rooted in life sciences to students working at the interface of biology and computational science. This interdisciplinary momentum mirrors the nature of biomolecular research today: fast-moving, collaborative, and deeply impactful.

We are grateful for the overwhelming interest and look forward to welcoming our 2025 REU cohort this summer. Their curiosity, talent, and drive will no doubt shape the future of science in ways we have yet to imagine.