About the Fellowship
The Center for Integrative Movement Sciences (CIMS) is grateful for the support of Dr. M. Marlene Godoy, who has created an endowment in the Dunlop School of Biological Sciences with the mission to support research opportunities for undergraduate students.
Dr. M. Marlene Godoy ('76) is a UCI alumn who worked four jobs to pay her way through school. As an undergraduate major in Biological Sciences, she rode her bicycle to campus from her family home, and helped her parents financially. She also served as the school's first peer advisor. Dr. Godoy went on to become a successful dentist who ran her own private practice until she retired. She has demonstrated a deep commitment to supporting students and advancing scientific knowledge and education.
Through her gift, Dr. Godoy aims to help undergraduate students financially and encourage them to engage in research experiences, complete their degrees and pursue fulfilling careers. She has demonstrated longstanding commitment to UC Irvine, not only through her endowment, but also through her service on the Alumni Association Board and through the Dean's Leadership Council in the Dunlop School of Biological Sciences.
The Dr. M. Marlene Godoy Fellowship in Movement Sciences provides a research stipend (currently $3000 per student) to support research training in movement physiology, biomechanics, exercise sciences or a related field.
Fellowship awardees are expected to work 20 hours per week for 10 weeks in the Summer or an equivalent time commitment, with project timing coordinated and confirmed with the CIMS Director and the faculty mentor. The fellowship stipend will be prorated for projects of shorter duration, and require the faculty mentor and CIMS director's approval. The faculty research mentor must commit to providing guidance, oversight, and regular mentoring to the Fellow.
The Fellow awardee will be expected to provide a brief summary report of research activities at the end of the project. Fellows also have the opportunity to join in the training activities of the Integrative Movement Sciences Institute as part of their research experience (see more here).
Eligibility:
- Applicants must be current UCI undergraduates.
- Priority will be given to undergraduate students who have completed coursework in physiology, exercise sciences and locomotion.
- Eligibility to receive the stipend will need to be confirmed through the Office of Financial Aid and Scholarships.
- There is no minimum GPA requirement for the fellowship, but performance in relevant classes will be considered when evaluating candidates.
- Priority will be given to students who would benefit from a funded research opportunity to enable them to participate in research (e.g. students who must normally undertake paid employment in the Summer to support themselves).
- Priority will also be given to qualified students who have had limited previous opportunities to engage in research during their undergraduate studies (e.g. transfer students).
Application process and deadlines:
- Applications are generally due in May each year, for research during the upcoming Summer session.
- Students must identify a faculty mentor for the project who is an affiliate of the Center for Integrative Movement Sciences (https://cims.uci.edu/people/).
- If you are interested in applying but have not yet identified a faculty mentor, first browse through the affiliated faculty, and reach out directly to prospective faculty mentors to ask if they have potential projects available for the Summer that you could work on for this fellowship. You should concisely summarize your motivation and specific research interests when you contact faculty.
- Students and their faculty mentors should develop a plan for a summer project that allows substantial intellectual involvement and direct research engagement by the student. This fellowship does not support students engaged in routine lab maintenance.
- Interested students should discuss possible projects with prospective faculty mentors and complete the application form by the deadline below. Any questions can be directed to the CIMS Director, Dr. Monica Daley (madaley@uci.edu). To apply for the fellowship, complete the application form below by midnight on Sunday, May 25th, 2025.
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