To promote interest in science, medicine, and health among young people, the Department of Pediatrics at the University of California, San Francisco has created a research-intensive summer internship program for entering senior high school students. The goal of the program is to introduce students to the professional world of science, broadly defined, and get them excited about science-related fields.

The program begins with accepted applicants and mentors attending an orientation seminar and an opening reception, during which time parents will also be invited to meet the mentors and other students. During the program, students will be placed with a research group or laboratory, where they will have the opportunity to interact with and be mentored by various researchers including graduate students, medical students, post-doctoral fellows, research assistants, and/or faculty members, and will be assigned a designated research project. Students will attend seminars on various topics related to professions in science (see below for examples of seminar topics). Students will also tour different laboratories and facilities at UCSF and other universities to gain additional exposure to science learning and educational environments. At the end of the summer, students will present their research during an evening reception.

While all students are eligible, we encourage applications from women, underrepresented minorities, and talented and motivated students who have faced or might face challenges that may limit their ability to achieve their educational and career goals. Preference is given to recruiting a diverse set of students, including students from public schools, schools in the inner city or rural areas, and from schools or families with limited educational opportunities.

The Program Consists of the Following:

• A summer program (approximately mid-June through mid-August).
• An opening reception, at which student interns, their parents, and mentors meet each other.
• Seminars on:
  • a) the treatment of human and animal subjects, and confidentiality;
  • b) lab safety;
  • c) anatomy and radiology;
  • d) introductory statistics and scientific methods;
  • e) how to make a scientific presentation;
  • f) career pathways in science;
  • g) applying for college; and others. UCSF faculty, staff, and medical students will present the lectures.
• Participation in a scientific research project.
• Tours of UCSF labs, the UCSF library, medical and graduate school classes, and the medical center.
• Tours of other university campuses (such as Stanford and UC Berkeley).
• Opportunities to meet medical students and undergraduate students.
• A closing reception and scientific presentation session at the end of the program.
• Opportunities to continue as a volunteer during the school year and earn credit toward class electives, community service, and/or completion of a high school science fair project.
• Ongoing assistance with college and scholarship advice; and college and career advice.

Intern Projects

Interns are expected to assist in a specific research project that addresses a scientific question. Students will receive training in all aspects of their project, as needed. Examples of projects that students might be involved with include:

• Assisting in carrying out a specific laboratory procedure or measurement method
• Assisting with analyzing a specific set of data
• Conducting a small literature review
• Assisting in assessing the health needs of children or adolescents in a particular community
• Setting up data bases and assisting with data entry and management

UCSF Pediatrics summer interns have worked on a variety of research projects, studying cancer, kidney transplants, flu viruses, and adolescent health.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact us:

* We will be holding 1-hour information sessions on the following dates:

Space is limited at the Information Session.
Please call or Email Malena Ramos to reserve your spot at the information session held on January 12th, 2008.

Saturday, December 8, 2007 at 1 pm
Saturday, January 12, 2008 at 2 pm

Both sessions will be held at the UCSF Laurel Heights Campus Room 474 located at:

3333 California Street
San Francisco, CA 94118

Downloads

• Letter to Career Counselors (PDF)
• Complete Program Information (PDF)
• Program FAQs (PDF)
• Program Application Form (PDF)