The Postbaccalaureate Research and Education Program (PREP)

The PREP program at The Herbert Wertheim UF Scripps Institute for Biomedical Innovation & Technology is a one-year, full-time, immersive postbac research experience at the interface of chemistry and biology. The program is intended for bachelor’s degree recipients who graduated within the last two years and are interested in increasing their laboratory skills and scientific knowledge, in preparation for application to high-caliber, research-oriented Ph.D. programs.


Intern Angel Feliz at the microscope.
Recent college graduates learn wet-lab and research skills during the immersive, one-year PREP experience at The Wertheim UF Scripps Institute. This is a perfect opportunity for those who want more exposure to academic research careers before applying to a doctoral program in the biosciences.

Program Goals

Participants in the program will:

  • Build strong wet-lab skills;
  • Master and develop new technologies in our state-of-the-art labs;
  • Be part of a team addressing pressing biomedical questions;
  • Design experiments and evaluate technique applications;
  • Develop data analysis and interpretation skills;
  • Contribute data toward lab publications;
  • Present their work and practice their scientific communications skills;
  • Know when to apply research-related ethics and standards.

Program Details

Participants join a laboratory based on their faculty and research interests. The research experiences and supplemental classroom curricula focus on improving the depth and understanding of scientific knowledge and enhancing critical thinking and communication skills. PREP students work alongside faculty, graduate students, and postdoctoral researchers, spending 75% of their time on laboratory work and research-related activities, and 25% on professional development, including journal clubs, research seminars, and doctoral fellowship application workshops. In addition, participants complete an individual development plan with their faculty mentors to identify additional learning goals and opportunities, such as graduate-level classes. All participants submit a proposal to the National Science Foundation, with the support of their faculty mentor.

PREP Lab Project Examples

A sampling of the many research opportunities at The Wertheim UF Scripps Institute for participants in our year-long postbac research program, PREP.

Laura Solt with student and intern.

PREP Contact

Rosie Albarran Zeckler

Rosie Albarran Zeckler

MGR, Academic Support Srvcs
Phone: (561) 228-2994
Mailing Address:
120 SCRIPPS WAY
JUPITER FL 33458