If we have space and sufficient resources, we are happy to welcome undergraduates to work in the laboratory. Research experience is crucial for graduate school application, so if you are thinking about it, give it a try! You do not have to have specific coursework or prior experience, at least not for our lab (and many others), only motivation and willingness to learn and to commit to a semi-regular schedule.
Please contact the PI, at Marta.Gaglia@wisc.edu and make sure to state why you are interested in the laboratory and how you heard about us.
[Here is a template for the email:
Dear Dr. Gaglia,
My name is ___ and I am ___ year student at ___. I came across your group through ____ and I am interested in your research because ____. I would like to discuss whether you have any research opportunities in your laboratory.
Regards, ___]
If we do not have space, don’t be discouraged. Availability of research opportunities is often dictated by funding, personnel, physical lab space etc. It is not unusual to have to contact several groups to find availability. Also, many universities have summer programs so look around for funded positions. Beware that a lot of them have application deadlines early in the year (January/February). The NSURP program also helps students connect to labs for remote research opportunities: https://nsurp.org/.