Join the Hjelmen Lab

Undergraduate researchers are the core of everything we do. No prior research experience required — just curiosity, commitment, and a willingness to learn.

How to Apply

Active Projects

These are the projects currently running in the lab. Projects marked Recruiting are actively looking for student collaborators.

Active

Survey of Forensically Relevant Diptera in Utah

Documenting which blow fly and other forensically important Diptera species occur across Utah's ecoregions, and how elevation, habitat, and season affect their distribution. Includes field collection and lab identification.

Field collection Insect ID Data analysis
Active

Environmental DNA Detection from Diptera Samples

Developing genomic and bioinformatic pipelines to identify insect species from environmental DNA — without needing physical specimens. Combines wet lab work with computational analysis.

Bioinformatics DNA extraction R / Python
Active

Genome Size Evolution in Paleopterous Insects

Estimating and comparing genome sizes across Paleopterous insects (mayflies, dragonflies) using flow cytometry, investigating patterns of size change across these ancient lineages.

Flow cytometry Comparative phylogenetics R
Recruiting

Sex Chromosome Evolution via Genome Size

Using differences in genome size between males and females to identify species with unusual sex chromosome systems. Candidate species are then sequenced to investigate what's on those chromosomes.

Flow cytometry Genome sequencing Bioinformatics
Active

Diptera Phylogenetics & Karyotype Evolution

Constructing a comprehensive Diptera phylogeny and using it to investigate patterns of karyotype evolution across flies — how chromosome number and structure have changed through time.

Phylogenetics Comparative methods R
Active

Genome Size Evolution in Insects

This project is a long term project in which the goal is to investigate patters of genome size evolution across all of insects. This project is expected to be broken up in to many smaller projects and investigations of genome size and its relationship to other life history characteristics

Phylogenetics Comparative methods R
Open

Have an Idea? Bring It.

The lab is open to new questions and directions. If you have an idea related to genome evolution, insect biology, or bioinformatics, reach out — we can talk through whether it's feasible and interesting.

Your ideas here

What to Expect

Research in the Hjelmen Lab is a genuine experience — not busy work. Here's what a typical student journey looks like.

Getting started

You'll begin by meeting with Dr. Hjelmen to discuss what it's like in the lab, your interests and your goals. We then dig into papers and work to find a project is specific to you and your interests. You'll get oriented on lab protocols, safety, and the background literature for your project.

Learning the techniques

Depending on your project, you'll learn wet lab techniques (DNA extraction, flow cytometry, insect dissection) and/or computational approaches (R, command line, database searching). You don't need to know any of these going in.

Collecting and analyzing data

You'll generate and analyze your own data as part of an ongoing project. This is real research — results that don't go as expected are just as valuable as ones that do.

Presenting and publishing

Students are encouraged (and expected) to present at conferences (UCUR, Pacific Branch of Entomology, national Entomological Society of America meetings) and are included as co-authors on publications when they make significant contributions. Several past students are already published.

What You'll Learn

Flow cytometry & genome size estimation
R programming & statistical analysis
Phylogenetic comparative methods
Insect collection & identification
Genomic database searching (NCBI, SRA)
Scientific writing & literature reading
Conference presentation skills
Collaborative research workflow
Command line & bioinformatics pipelines

Time Commitment

Most students work in the lab 5–10 hours per week, though this is flexible based on your schedule and the project phase. Research can be informally or done for credit through BIOL 4890. Talk to Dr. Hjelmen about what arrangement works best for you.

Where Students Go

UVU lab members have gone on to PhD programs and careers in science — often with publications already on their CV.

Olivia Frary
Genome size & lifespan differences between sexes
PhD Program, Fall 2025
Babs Jetton
Diptera phylogenetics & karyotype evolution
PhD Program, Fall 2025
Remington Motte
Dscam1 evolution in Hymenoptera
PhD Program, Fall 2024
Audrey French
Chromosome shape variation in fruit flies
Industry, Fall 2024

Remington Motte co-authored a published paper as an undergraduate. Olivia Frary and Babs Jetton both presented at national conferences before graduating. See the full team →

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need prior research experience to join?
No. Many of the most successful students in the lab started with no research experience at all. What matters is curiosity and a genuine willingness to show up and learn. All techniques are taught in the lab.
Do I need to know how to code?
Not to start. Coding skills (especially R) are something you'll likely develop over time working in the lab — they're not a prerequisite. If you're already comfortable with R or Python, that's a bonus, but it's not required.
Can I do research for course credit?
Research is often performed informally without credit; but, yes. There are options to take research for credit (1-3 credits in a semester). Talk to Dr. Hjelmen about enrolling. You usually must have already worked with Dr. Hjelmen for this option. .
Is there pay?
Paid positions depend on available funding and are not guaranteed. Most students work for course credit or as volunteers. When funding is available for a paid position, current lab members are given priority. Ask Dr. Hjelmen about the current situation when you reach out.
How many hours per week is expected?
There's flexibility, but most active students work around 5–10 hours per week. Consistency matters more than total hours — showing up reliably and following through on commitments is what makes a successful research experience.
Will I have a chance to present or publish my work?
Yes, both are encouraged and happen regularly. Students who make significant contributions are included as co-authors on papers. Conference travel (to UCUR, Pacific Branch of the Entomological Society, and the national Entomological Society of America meeting) is supported when funding allows. Several current and former students have already been to national conferences.
What if I'm not a biology major?
Students from other disciplines are welcome, especially those with quantitative or computing backgrounds. However, research projects are restricted to students within UVU College of Science. If you're interested, or have additional questions reach out and we can talk about fit.

Ready to Reach Out?

There's no formal application. Just send an email — here's what to include to make it easy to respond:

  1. Introduce yourself — your name, year, and major
  2. Say what interests you — which project caught your eye, or what area of biology/bioinformatics excites you
  3. Describe your background briefly — any relevant coursework, skills, or experience (research or otherwise)
  4. Mention your availability — what semester you'd want to start and roughly how many hours per week you could commit. It's also good to know when you plan on graduating
  5. Attach your CV or unofficial transcript — optional, but helpful
  6. Suggest a time to meet - Read the contact page
Email Dr. Hjelmen

You can also stop by during office hours — check the contact page for Dr. Hjelmen's current calendar.