Summer Program in Biological Sciences in Public Health
This intensive 9 week laboratory-based biological research program is for undergraduates during the summer following their sophomore or junior years. Up to 10 internships awarded by a competitive process.
Program Overview
The program goal is to expose college science students (who will be juniors or seniors in the fall of 2013) to the rewards of laboratory research directed toward solving important public health problems. The overall mission of our program is to recruit qualified students for graduate-level training leading to research careers in the biological sciences. Interns apply state-of-the art technology in their own research projects under the direction of a Harvard faculty member. Research projects focus on biological science questions that are important to the prevention of disease. Disease areas include infections (TB, Chagas disease, and Malaria), cancer, lung diseases, multifactorial, multigenic and common diseases of aging, diabetes, obesity, etc. Scientific approaches include regulation of cell growth and gene regulation, cellular metabolism, DNA modification, cellular signaling, structure-function analyses, etc.
Visit the Biological Sciences in Public Health faculty listing for more detailed information about program faculty and their research.
Program Dates
The 2013 Summer Program runs Sunday, June 9 – Saturday, August 10, 2013.
Eligibility
To qualify for this Harvard School of Public Health sponsored program, applicants must meet the criteria below:
- Applicants must be U.S. citizens, U.S. nationals, or permanent residents of the U.S. (proof of permanent residency must be provided);
- Applicants must be from an underrepresented group in graduate research, which includes: first generation college students (neither parent nor legal guardian has a bachelor’s degree); students from an economically disadvantaged background as defined by the U.S. Department of Education (requires additional supportive documentation)*; students from racial and ethnic groups that are underrepresented, such as: blacks or African-Americans, Hispanics or Latinos, American Indians or Alaskan Natives, and Native Hawaiians and other Pacific Islanders;
- Applicants must have a GPA of 3.0 or above;
- Applicants must have a basic science background and have taken several classes beyond intro level courses;
- Applicants must have a demonstrated interest in public health, specifically laboratory research.
Individuals already accepted into a graduate program are ineligible to apply.
Financial Support
Financial support over the course of 9 weeks includes a stipend of $3,600, a travel allowance of up to $475 and free dormitory housing.
Application Deadline
The application deadline for the 2013 Summer Program has passed. Check back in the coming months for information on the 2014 application process.
Questions
Questions may be directed to Holly Southern, Assistant Director of Administration and Academic Affairs, at BPH@hsph.harvard.edu.