LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — A scholars program based at the University of Nebraska Medical Center is offering college students a chance to conduct scientific research.

The INBRE program allowed Nebraska Wesleyan University student Carlie Pickrel to research this summer how the Epstein-Barr virus, a herpes strain commonly found in the human body, facilitated or hampered the growth of certain cancers.

She presented her research earlier this week to 23 other undergraduate students in the program, as well as other biomedical researchers.

INBRE is funded through the National Institutes of Health. The program is available in 24 states, plus Puerto Rico, which aren’t traditionally competitive in receiving federally funded grants for scientific research.