Biomedical Research Programs for Undergraduate Students

The Indiana Medical Scientist/Engineer Training Program’s Undergraduate Summer Research Program (aka the Indiana MSTP-USRP or pre-MSTP) is available for undergraduate students who have completed their freshman, sophomore, or junior years with a background in biology, chemistry, physics, social and behavioral sciences or engineering and are interested in pursuing an integrated career as a physician-scientist or physician-engineer. Participants receive compensation for their summer research at IU School of Medicine—Indianapolis.

The Summer Undergraduate Research Experience in the Biomedical Sciences Program is designed for undergraduate students with a background in biology, chemistry, physics or biomedical engineering who are interested in pursuing a doctoral training program in the biomedical sciences. Research areas of study include precision medicine, genomics, bioinformatics, cancer, neuroscience, infectious disease, cell and immunotherapy, musculoskeletal research, metabolic diseases, cardiovascular systems, addiction and more. Participants also engage in professional development. This 10-week summer experience program provides each participant with a stipend. Housing is provided to participants with a permanent address located greater than 30 miles from Indianapolis.

The Herman B Wells Center for Pediatric Research Summer Student Internship Program provides an excellent opportunity for undergraduate students who are looking to gain hands-on experience in biomedical science. A long-term goal of the program is to increase the number of medical students and researchers choosing a career in pediatric health research.

The Medical Neuroscience Undergraduate Summer Research Program in Indianapolis is administered by the Stark Neurosciences Research Institute. This nine-week program provides a strong foundation for developing and fostering research skills in the field of neuroscience. Basic and translational research specialties of faculty mentors in this program include neuroimmunology, pain and sensor systems, and spinal cord and brain injury along with developmental, affective, mood, movement, neurodegenerative and addictive disorders.

The Life-Health Sciences Internships Program connects IU Indianapolis life and health sciences undergraduates with paid research and professional internships on and near the IU Indianapolis campus. The program is open to undergraduate sophomore and junior students who are pursuing careers in life and health sciences or thinking about graduate or professional school in these topic areas. This program spans the academic year and matches students with on-campus and campus-affiliated opportunities in research and other professional opportunities. Interns have the opportunity to participate in formal and informal events throughout the year with a final event at the end of the second semester to present project work and findings.

The Indiana CTSI Undergraduate Summer Internship Program is designed to provide Indiana University and University of Notre Dame students with experience in translational research and the opportunity to work with Indiana CTSI-affiliated faculty mentors located at IU Indianapolis. Student interns work on a project designed to increase the student’s awareness of and interest in translational research. Students are selected through a competitive application process in March, and preference is given to those with prior research experience. Participating students will receive a stipend and must commit to a 40-hour work week during the summer months.

The Medical Physician Engineers, Scientists, and Clinicians Preparatory (MPESC-Prep) program provides talented and diverse high school and college students with opportunities for STEM-related professional development and mentorship to prepare them for future careers in biomedical research, clinical care, physician-scientist and physician-engineer roles. High school student participants are selected from public schools in the greater Indianapolis area. The MPESC program considers eligibility factors such as being underrepresented in the biomedical sciences, including rural students, first-generation students, students with disabilities and students from various racial and ethnic backgrounds.

The program’s eight week research-intensive summer experience includes clinical exposure and opportunities to network with peers, higher level trainees and faculty leaders in scientific research and clinical care.