Research Opportunities for Pre-Meds on the University of California Campuses
Research is an extremely important part of the medical school application. In fact, the AAMC ranks Scientific Inquiry as one of the core competencies for aspiring medical students. What is scientific inquiry? It’s the ability to apply knowledge of the scientific process to integrate and synthesize information, solve problems, and formulate research questions and hypotheses; is facile in the language of the sciences and uses it to participate in the discourse of science and explain how scientific knowledge is discovered and validated.
While there are many programs across the country, California residents are very lucky. The University of California campuses offer summer research opportunities on many of its campuses. These internship programs provide students with one-on-one mentorship and the chance to work on research projects that can help them stand out in their medical school application. Most of these summer programs are designed primarily for juniors.
This extensive list is a good starting point for students looking for summer research opportunities.
UC Berkeley | UC Davis | UC Irvine | UCLA | UC Merced| UC Riverside| UC San Diego
UC Berkley
NSF Summer REU (Research Experiences for Undergraduates) Site at Berkeley in Cell, Developmental and Evolutionary Biology
This program is designed for highly motivated students with interests in biological research. Individual research projects are available in 22 faculty laboratories in biology at UC Berkeley and the Joint Genome Institute. The program integrates academic and professional development through group tutorials on cell, developmental and evolutionary biology, and bioinformatics; informal faculty research seminars; and workshops on the graduate school application process and career opportunities. The 10-week program (June to August) includes mentoring from faculty, graduate students, and peers from the Berkeley Biology Scholars Program; a $3,500 stipend; free on-campus housing in International House, including 19 meals/week; reimbursement for travel costs; and excursions and social programs.
APPLICATION DEADLINE
Mid-March
FURTHER INFORMATION
weisblat@berkeley.edu reuapplic@lists.berkeley.edu
Summer Research Opportunities Program (SROP)
SROP is designed to increase the level of diversity among prospective Ph.D. students pursuing careers in university teaching and research by providing research opportunities to historically underrepresented students. This 10-week summer program seeks a diverse group of sophomores, juniors, and seniors (those not graduating in the spring term) in the arts and humanities, social sciences and physical sciences. Students work with faculty members on predetermined research projects and participate in workshops and seminars designed to assist them in preparing for graduate school. Students are provided a stipend, room and board, and a travel allowance (within program limits).
APPLICATION DEADLINE
Early February
FURTHER INFORMATION
Phone: (510) 643-6010 grad.diversity@berkeley.edu www.grad.berkeley.edu/diversity
UC Davis
Center or Biophotonics Opportunities
This summer research internship program takes place between May and September every year with one of the Center partner institutions (UC Davis, Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, UC Berkeley, UC San Francisco, Alabama A&M University, Stanford University, University of Texas at San Antonio, Mills College, and Fisk University). Six fully-funded positions are available. Interns receive a stipend of $400 per week and up to $500 travel reimbursement. Housing is not provided. Participants work in a laboratory on research projects, participate in orientation events, learn how to make an effective research poster, and present their work to other scientists.
APPLICATION DEADLINE
Mid to late February
FURTHER INFORMATION
cbst-internships@ucdavis.edu http://cbst.ucdavis.edu/education/ undergraduate/research/internship
Research Experiences for Undergraduates Program in Physics
During this 10-week program students live together on campus while working alongside faculty and graduate students on a research project. Throughout the summer students discuss their work at weekly lunchtime gatherings with a faculty mentor present. College students from two-year or four-year institutions may apply. Strong preference is given to students who have completed at least one year of calculus- based introductory physics. Students receive housing and meals, a $300/week stipend, and travel to and from the program.
APPLICATION DEADLINE
Mid-February to Mid-March
FURTHER INFORMATION
zieve@physics.ucdavis.edu http://london.ucdavis.edu/~zieve/REU/reu.html
Summer Undergraduate Research Program (SURP)
SURP prepares students for the competitive application and admissions process to graduate programs. Participants in the paid 8- to 10-week program conduct research under the direction of a UC Davis faculty mentor, attend weekly seminars, participate in a GRE prep course, and present their findings at the end of the summer. Seminars include topics such as enhancing research skills, delivering research presentations, and successfully navigating the graduate application process. Students from historically underrepresented backgrounds are especially encouraged to apply. Participants receive a $3,000 stipend, housing, board and roundtrip travel (within program limits). Computer, library, and recreational resources are available.
APPLICATION DEADLINE
Late February
FURTHER NFORMATION
www.gradstudies.ucdavis.edu/surp/index.html
UC Irvine
Chemistry Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowship (Chem-SURF)
Chem-SURF provides a 10-week summer research opportunity for undergraduates. Women, underrepresented minorities, and individuals from economically and socially disadvantaged backgrounds are especially encouraged to apply. Under the personal guidance of a UCI faculty mentor, students gain first-hand experience and training in state-of-the-art research facilities. Seminars and workshops provide opportunities to build knowledge and enhance dialogue about chemistry science and applications. Students share their research accomplishments by presenting their findings at the Chem-SURF Research Symposium. In addition to a $3,500 stipend, students receive free, furnished on-campus housing, travel reimbursement, and ongoing support after the program ends. The Chem-SURF program is funded in part by the National Science Foundation.
APPLICATION DEADLINE
Early April
FURTHER INFORMATION
freeman@uci.edu www.urop.uci.edu/chem-surf.html
UC Los Angeles
Center for Research, Education, Training and Strategic Communication on Minority health Disparities
This federally funded 8-week program is designed for traditionally underrepresented minority students who plan to pursue advanced degrees in health-related fields with a focus on research and a commitment to helping reduce or eliminate health disparities in racial/ethnic minority populations in the United States. Students participate full-time in a research project under the supervision of Center faculty from the life sciences, Chicano studies, medicine, nursing, psychiatry, public health, social welfare, sociology, and urban planning. Participants receive a $2,400 stipend plus room and board in University housing. Transportation costs are reimbursed as appropriate. Applications are available online in December.
APPLICATION DEADLINE
Early February
FURTHER INFORMATION
cmhd@ucla.edu www.minorityhealthdisparities.org
Research in Industrial Projects for Students (RIPS)
Sponsored by the Institute for Pure and Applied Mathematics, this program creates teams of four undergraduates paired with faculty mentors and industry liaisons to investigate real-world industrial problems. Students obtain technical and managerial experience and spend two months working on a specific problem posed by an industry sponsor. Students receive a $2,600 payment for their 9-week participation in RIPS plus room and board. The program also assists with an airfare travel allowance. Applicants should have completed upper-division math classes and have some background in computer programming.
APPLICATION DEADLINE
Mid-February
FURTHER INFORMATION
Stacey Beggs
rips2009@ipam.ucla.edu www.ipam.ucla.edu/programs/rips2008/
UCLA Research Experiences for Undergraduates (REU) Physics & Astrophysics Summer Program
Undergraduates enrolled in physics or astrophysics degree programs are invited to apply for this 10-week summer program. Women and students from traditionally underrepresented groups and institutions are encouraged to apply. Students work with a faculty mentor, professors, researchers and graduate students in ongoing experimental or theoretical research programs in physics and astrophysics. Participants attend weekly seminars, receive GRE preparation, write a research report and present their findings at the closing Symposium. Participants network with students in other campus research programs, explore the southern California area and participate in an astronomy camping trip. Participants receive a $3,500 stipend, housing accommodations and travel costs.
APPLICATION DEADLINE
Early March
FURTHER INFORMATION
The Summer Humanities Institute (SHI)
Sponsored by the UCLA Bunche Center for African American Studies and the Mellon Foundation, this program offers rigorous academic training in the humanities and humanistic science disciplines in preparation for a doctoral degree. These disciplines include anthropology, art history, cultural/critical studies, English, ethnomusicology, history, literature, political science and sociology. Activities include seminars on new humanistic scholarship, skills workshops to enhance preparatory competencies, and cultural immersion and enrichment programs that augment the structured learning experiences. Students receive a stipend for the summer, room, board, and airfare or other travel accommodations. Applications are available online in December.
APPLICATION DEADLINE
Early February
FURTHER INFORMATION
Dr. Lisbeth Gant-Britton
Bunche Center for African American Studies Phone: (310) 825-9821
shi@bunche.ucla.edu www.bunche.ucla.edu/frames/index.html
UCLA Summer Program for Undergraduate Research (SPUR)
The SPUR program offers talented undergraduates in the arts, humanities, social sciences, and some professional schools the opportunity to work closely with faculty mentors on research projects. The program is designed to help participants pursue academic careers in teaching and research. The 8-week program also features workshops and seminars on GRE preparation, writing and research skills, preparing an effective statement of purpose, and applying to graduate school. Underrepresented minorities and students who may be economically or socially disadvantaged are encouraged to apply. Participants receive a $2,400 stipend plus room and board in University housing. Transportation costs are reimbursed as appropriate. Applications are available online in December.
APPLICATION DEADLINE
Early February
FURTHER INFORMATION
gdivision@gdnet.ucla.edu www.gdnet.ucla.edu/asis/srp/srpintro.htm
UC Merced
AGEP Summer Research Program
UC Merced’s AGEP Summer Research Program is sponsored by the National Science Foundation. The program is designed to prepare underrepresented minority students for graduate education, and is open to juniors, seniors and Master’s level students in the sciences, technology, engineering and mathematics fields. The program provides students the opportunity to work closely with UCM faculty mentors and graduate students on exciting research projects during an 8-week summer research program. AGEP Scholars are awarded a $3,000 stipend and have the opportunity to participate in GRE and graduate school preparation workshops, field trips to world-renowned research laboratories and many others benefits.
APPLICATION DEADLINE
Late March
FURTHER INFORMATION
Graduate Division 5200 N. Lake Road Merced, CA 95343
Phone: (209) 228-4723 graddiv@ucmerced.edu http://graduatedivision.ucmerced.edu/
Yosemite Research Experiences for Undergraduates (REU) Program
This 9-week program offers a great summer research experience for undergraduate students. The program supports many research areas including those in the sciences, technology, engineering and mathematics fields. Students will participate in a unique blend of hands-on fieldwork at Yosemite National Park and laboratory experience, either at UC Merced, or at the USGS Western Ecological Research Center in El Portal. Participants will receive a stipend of $3,600 as well as housing and meals.
APPLICATION DEADLINE
Mid-March
FURTHER INFORMATION
Dr. Benoit Dayrat Yosemite REU
5200 N. Lake Road Merced, CA 95343 bdayrat@ucmerced.edu
http://qsb.ucmerced.edu/faculty/bdayrat/ lab/REU.html
Center for Computational Biology Undergraduate Internship Program
The UC Merced Center for Computational Biology offers a unique summer internship experience for students wishing to explore the field of computational biology. Students will learn computational and mathematical modeling methods by applying them to biological questions ranging from the molecular to the cellular level. Students will
attend classes taught by core faculty and staff and will have the opportunity to work with scientists applying this knowledge towards their projects. The 6-week program provides students a stipend, a week-long workshop and research experience at the University of Illinois National Center for Supercomputing Applications (NCSA) and many other benefits.
APPLICATION DEADLINE
Mid-March
FURTHER INFORMATION
Dr. Masa Watanabe 5200 N. Lake Road Merced, CA 95343
mwatanabe@ucmerced.edu http://ccb.ucmerced.edu
UC San Diego
Amgen Scholars Program
This program provides an 8-week, full-time research experience for undergraduates, supported by the Amgen Foundation. The objectives of the program are: to provide students with the skills to become research scholars; to stimulate students’ serious consideration of graduate study; and to increase learning and networking opportunities for students committed to pursuing either a professional or academic research career in biological sciences or bioengineering. Amgen scholars will receive stipend support, on-campus housing and board allowance. Participants will conduct research for 30 hours a week, participate in a GRE preparation program and present their research at a mid-summer national gathering of Amgen scholars and at the UCSD Summer Research Conference.
APPLICATION DEADLINE
Late January/Early February
FURTHER INFORMATION
Calit2 Summer Undergraduate Research Scholar Program
This program provides college students with the opportunity to perform hands-on research under the guidance of a UCSD faculty advisor over a 10-week period. The student can either assist in an ongoing research project or propose a new project related to telecommunications and information technology. Students will attend weekly seminars to learn more about applying to and preparing for graduate school, funding opportunities for research, connecting with current graduate students, career opportunities in academia and industry, and making scientific presentations. All participants will display the results of their research efforts at a poster session at the end of the program. Approximately 30 scholarships are available each year. Each participant receives a $5,000 stipend.
APPLICATION DEADLINE
Early March
FURTHER INFORMATION Lovella Cacho Program Coordinator
ugradprogram@calit2.net http://ucsdstudents.calit2.net
Marine Physical Laboratory Summer Research Internship Program (MPLSRIP)
This 10-week program offers juniors and seniors the opportunity to work with oceanographers who are currently doing research in a variety of ocean sciences. Students may also have the opportunity to take sea trips throughout the summer. Majors in physics, engineering, applied mathematics, and chemistry are encouraged to apply. This program is open to U.S. citizens and permanent residents. Summer Intern salary will be $12.00 per hour, not to exceed 40 hours per week. Room, board, and transportation are not provided by the program.
APPLICATION DEADLINE
Early March
FURTHER INFORMATION Marine Physical Laboratory
http://mpl-internship@ucsd.edu scripps.ucsd.edu/mpl
Physics Research Experience for Undergraduates (REU)
Funded by the National Science Foundation, this 10-week program provides mentored research experiences in physics. Applicants must be U.S. citizens or permanent residents who are enrolled in an accredited undergraduate program. Program participants receive a $3,300 stipend, university housing, and round-trip transportation.
APPLICATION DEADLINE
Mid-February
FURTHER INFORMATION
reu@physics.ucsd.edu www-physics.ucsd.edu
Summer Training Academy for Research in the Sciences (STARS)
The STARS program is a rigorous 8-week summer research internship in which students participate in mentored research experiences, a GRE preparation course, graduate school preparation workshops and scientific lectures on current research in preparation for the challenges of doctoral programs. Students complete a scientific research paper and present their research at the UCSD Summer Research Conference. Each year 10 students are funded through the National Science Foundation. To qualify, a participant must be ethnically underrepresented, a rising junior or senior, or a recent graduate interested in research in science, engineering or math. Additional participants may also come funded through their home campus from programs such as NIH MARC, NIH RISE, McNair, Howard Hughes Medical Institute and other funding sources.
APPLICATION DEADLINE
Mid-February
FURTHER INFORMATION
urstars@ucsd.edu http://ogs.ucsd.edu/stars
Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowship (MSTP SURF)
Offered by Medical Scientist Training Program (MSTP), this federally funded 8-week program is designed for motivated ethnically underrepresented undergraduates who have completed their freshman year toward a bachelor’s degree in biological sciences. Research is conducted in the areas of cardiovascular, pulmonary, hematologic, and sleep disorders. Applicants must be interested in learning about a physician-scientist career. Students receive a stipend and housing; meals are not provided. Travel is reimbursed up to $600.
APPLICATION DEADLINE
Late February/Early March
FURTHER INFORMATION
mstp@ucsd.edu http://meded.ucsd.edu/mstp/surf/
UC Santa Barbara
Global Medical Brigades: Clinical Medicine & Research Immersion
For those considering international experiences, joining a Global Medical Brigade to destinations like Panama can greatly enhance your application. These brigades combine clinical immersion with research opportunities. Pre-med students get the chance to work directly in underserved communities, shadowing physicians, aiding in triage, and conducting health workshops. These experiences allow students to understand the intricacies of healthcare delivery in diverse settings and make a meaningful contribution to community health research. Along with the hands-on clinical experiences, brigade participants are also involved in rigorous global health research projects, often leading to the collection of invaluable data and the possibility of publishing their findings. This unique opportunity not only gives a glimpse of practical medicine but also immerses students in intensive research tasks, all while being surrounded by the rich culture and natural beauty of the host country.
APPLICATION DETAILS
For more specifics on applying for the Global Medical Brigades and upcoming trips, reach out to your university’s Global Medical Brigade local chapter, or book a brigade directly through MedSchoolCoach.
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