Joining the Lab
Send inquiries to tfreedma [at] umn.edu. 
We'll reach out in a few days if there may be a spot for you.
Our lab has broad interests in basic and biomedical research encompassing cell signaling, immunology, cancer biology, and structure-function, using methods ranging from purified proteins to mouse models and human samples. An immunology background is not a prerequisite. Motivation to gain the expertise you need for success is!
We are committed to mentoring and providing a welcoming space for a diverse team, including trainees from traditionally underrepresented cultural/ethnic heritage and gender, in an anti-racist, anti-misogynist, anti-homophobic (etc.) lab environment.
Postdocs, Medical Fellows, and Research Staff: Send Tanya your cover letter and CV, including contact information for 3 references.
PhD Rotation Students: Incoming and first-year PhD students at the University of Minnesota are encouraged to e-mail Tanya to discuss options for rotation and thesis projects and to our current trainees to discuss their projects and experiences.
Advising Statement: We are committed to providing a high-quality training experience. Feel free to ask us directly about our lab environment and mentoring style.
Prospective Graduate Students: To be considered for a position, students must first be accepted to one of our graduate programs. Because admissions priorities and faculty rosters of the graduate programs vary, prospective students might consider applying to MPaT and one of the others below:
MPaT (Molecular Pharmacology, Therapeutics), @MPaT_PHCL_UMN
MICaB (Microbiology, Immunology, Cancer Biology), @CFI_UMN, @UMNCancer
BMBB (Biochemistry, Molecular Biology, Biophysics), @UMN_BMBB
MSTP (Medical Scientist Training Program), @UMNMSTP, for PhD phase of MD/PhD
Medical Students: For summer research in the lab, please apply to the Medical Student Training Progam in Infection and Immunity. If you wish to discuss a longer-term project, send Tanya your cover letter and resume, including contact information for 3 references.
Undergraduates: For a general overview of undergraduate reseach, refer to the CBS Roadmap to Research. Check out the Pharmacology Department website for information about the Pharmacology Minor, Club, research-for-credit, and funding opportunities. If you wish to volunteer in the lab, send Tanya your cover letter and resume, including contact information for 3 references. We can only train students who commit to being in lab at least 20 hours per week. UMN undergrads seeking a paid research position can work with Tanya to apply for an Undergraduate Research Opportunities Program (UROP) award (October deadline for spring-semester projects or a late February deadline for summer or fall-semester projects). Non-UMN & UMN undergrads seeking a paid summer research position, particularly PhD-interested students whose backgrounds encompass diversity in culture, disability, ethnicity, gender, and economic background, can apply directly to our Life Sciences Summer Undergraduate Research Program (LSSURP).
High-School Students: Send Tanya your cover letter and resume, including contact information for at least 1 reference from a science teacher. We will contact you if there is space in the lab. We can only train students who commit to being in the lab > 20 h/wk.