Summer Research for Undergraduates
- Do you know an undergraduate interested in learning more about biomedical research?
- Do you have undergrads looking for a summer job where they can work on cutting-edge research?
- Looking for ideas on how to start your own program?
Here are a few paid options for USA-based students to kickstart a research career and pique their interest in biomedical science!
Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowship Program
Based at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital (Ohio, USA). There are wide options from clinical, translational, community, and basic science research and the opportunity to work with one of over 700 faculty members.
If you have a particular disease or biomedical research area that interests you, this program could allow you to explore that in a top-ranking research environment.
The Program Director Sherry Thornton and many staff that work on SURF make this an exciting summer program.
Biomedical Research Internship for Minority Students
This one is for Cincinnati locals who are graduating high school seniors and college freshmen. “This nine‐week program offers a chance to learn, explore, and gain hands‐on experience in a Children’s Hospital Medical Center research laboratory environment for 15 to 16 minority students each summer.” Students participate in SURF activities and additional networking and workshadow options.
Here’s what some of the students had to say:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=50dDqY1Dvwo&feature=emb_title
Applications for the 2020 BRIMS internship opens in December 2019.
McNair Scholars Program
“The Ronald E. McNair Postbaccalaureate Achievement Program is one of the Federal TRIO Programs designed to assist undergraduate students that are first-generation college students, who are Pell eligible and/or members of an under-represented ethnic group in the quest to obtain a graduate degree, ultimately the PhD.”
Named after Dr. Ronald E. McNair (1950-1986) who was America’s second African-American astronaut in space.
Cancer-focused Summer Undergraduate Research (CanSUR)
This information was shared with me by a faculty member in Case Western. CanSUR students are based in the Case Comprehensive Cancer Centers. “The goal of the program is to generate excitement for a future career in cancer research in highly motivated undergraduates and help them prepare for the next stage of their careers.”
Applications for 2020 are open through January 2019.
What next?
Share this information with a keen student!
- If you are applying, these are competitive programs so put your best application forward.
- Make sure your resume is clear and without any typos.
- If you already have a research interest share that enthusiasm!
- If you’re still trying to figure out what you want to do – that’s great too! Try to identify one or two areas you are interested in and why.
- Can you think beyond the next summer to what kind of career you’re interested in? It can change as time goes on, but having a focus for your application could strengthen it.
- If you know something about the program you are applying to, or alumni that have come through the program – that is worth noting.
Add your summer program in the comments so the right student can benefit.
Closing Words
I am always impressed by the enthusiasm and motivation by our summer students here at Cincinnati Children’s. It is great to see the next generation of researchers, clinicians, and community leaders develop new skills and interests. As part of a panel of dedicated researchers, I share strategies on effective summer student mentoring with a motivated Cincinnati Children’s Hospital faculty.
The Capstone poster presentation is a showcase of work done by the students over the summer. The scope of work achieved and knowledge exhibited is remarkable. I am proud of all our students – those who have won prizes, gone onto the next stage of their research or clinical career, and/or refined their thinking. A comment from one of outstanding summer student speaks to the experience:
“You positively changed my critical thinking.”
The right internship experience goes beyond bench work. A summer filled with new cutting-edge learning opportunities can develop the foundation for future innovative solutions in the fast-moving field of biomedical research.
Good luck with your application. You are the future of biomedical research!
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Halima Moncrieffe, PhD is an immunologist who is driven to improve the outcome through science. She blends immunology and functional genomics to better understand why children get the autoimmune diseases lupus and arthritis. Here is a video of her work: https://animoto.com/play/lrhXecFMd4DxbCpXgpKmCA
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