Summer Research Programs in the Health Sciences

Students interested in the medical field should consider opportunities for summer internships.  Examples of summer research programs are listed below.

The Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowship (SURF) Program at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center offers undergraduates the chance to explore clinical and basic science research in laboratories in the Department of Pediatrics.  In addition to hands-on laboratory experience, students participate in various academic and social activities.  The SURF Program includes two scientific writing classes, an ethics in research seminar, an introduction to bioinformatics and a career day.

Application Deadline February 1st.  

The Chester Summer Scholars Program awards 15 collegiate undergraduate students the opportunity to spend ten weeks over the summer in clinical laboratory research settings at MetroHealth Medical Center.  The Program is an opportunity for pre-medicine and scientifically-oriented students to explore the potential for a career in medical research or academic medicine.  Application Deadline February 12th.  

Heritage College of Osteopathic Medicine at Ohio University:  Summer Scholars participants have been preparing for the challenges and rewards of medical school. Twenty-two applicants are selected each year to participate in this rigorous five-week program designed to give you an intensive and realistic introduction to the first-year curriculum at OU-HCOM.  Application Deadline March 1st.  

The Center for Colon Cancer Research (CCCR) at the University of South Carolina is leading the development of groundbreaking research in colorectal cancer. One of the primary goals of the CCCR Minority Research Program is to foster the progression of young scientists, and they are seeking undergraduate students to participate in research internships in a cancer-related field (e.g., biological sciences, pharmacy, public health).  Application Deadline February 15th.  

International Summer Research for Undergraduates--Applications Due Jan 25

Check out the ACS International Research Experiences for Undergraduates (IREU)

"Students spend 10-12 weeks working on frontier chemical and materials science research projects under the guidance of faculty members and graduate student mentors to sharpen scientific skills, develop collaborations with scientists abroad, and experience the life and culture of a foreign country.  For the summer of 2016, up to 17 students from the United States will be selected to conduct research in Germany, Italy, Singapore, or the United Kingdom through the program."

Internship Opportunities in Forensic Science

Danielle (Wood) Chronister received her undergraduate degree in Chemistry from Ashland University in 2010.  She enjoys working in the area of forensic drug chemistry at the Cuyahoga County Medical Examiner's Office.  Current students with an interest in forensics are encouraged to consider the CCMEO Internships.  According to Danielle, "While this would be an unpaid internship, the experience here has gotten many interns jobs either here or at other forensic labs."  Information for the internships can be found here.

It's science internship application season

The start of the New Year means that summer science research internship applications will be due soon.  We have a number of students each summer taking part in paid research internships.  How do you find these opportunities?  A great way to start is by searching this blog for stories of students' internship experiences from past summers, or past postings for research opportunities.  Just check out the Summer Research Internship topic in the right sidebar of this blog.  You can also check out this Start Here post from the past.

One opportunity we have heard about is an internship in Biomedical Sciences at Marshall University.  This one pays $3000 for the 2-month program and applications are due Februrary 12th.

We have had two students in the past take part in this program at UNC Chapel Hill.  Applications are reviewed starting February 2nd.

If you are interested in ecology and environmental science check out this program at the University of Virginia's Mountain Lake research center, or these opportunities in our own back yard on Lake Erie at the Ohio State University's Stone Labs.

One of the keys to getting a paid summer research internship is to apply to multiple positions.  There is lots of competition for these positions, but our students have been very successful in getting them.  Feel free to ask your faculty advisor for help with the personal statement these applications require.  Research experience with an AU faculty member is also very helpful, so if you have not approached one of our faculty about research opportunities it would be a good idea to do so.