The Summer Institute in Biomedical Informatics offers an intensive internship that includes classes, research projects and training in technical communication.  Classes with clinical researchers meet twice a week; the mentored research projects, carried out under the supervision of investigators at Harvard Medical School (HMS), the Harvard teaching hospitals and MIT, may, and often do, result in refereed publications. The labs are located in various HMS sites, including Children's Hospital and the Brigham and Women's Hospital.  Please note that this is a research-oriented program for students who aspire to a career involving research in genetics/genomics and/or bioinformatics/computer science and related disciplines. Our partner for the program is the Department of Biomedical Informatics (DBMI) at HMS.  Contact this program by email at bigsummer@mit.edu.  Application Deadline: Saturday, January 30, 2016.

The MGH Summer Institute in Biomedical Optics is run by the Wellman Center for Photomedicine at Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH). During the summer, students attend the Biomedical Optics Lecture Series, work on a specific project in a lab at the main campus of MGH or at MIT, and receive additional training in technical communications and responsible conduct of research. The mentors in this program are academically demanding; they are looking for students with strong engineering, physics and biology backgrounds. This program may be contacted by email to BioOpticsSummerInstitute@mgh.harvard.edu. Applications must be postmarked by: Friday, January 15, 2016.

We are looking for a combination of academic excellence and diversity in our summer students. Underrepresented minority students are encouraged to apply.  The lab descriptions on the website state more specific requirements for Biomedical Optics. In the Bioinformatics program, students will be matched with a lab based on their stated interests and dialogue with the program director. 

While the idea of a joint program at both Harvard and MIT may be intimidating to some students, please know that lab mentors are aware that undergraduates are not post-docs, and that their job as mentors is to encourage, not dissuade, students from pursuing research.  Boston is a lovely place to be in the summer with our long days and ideal climate, and a big part of our job is to make sure students have fun, meet lots of people, and feel well cared for. Students in both programs also receive a stipend for the summer.

Complete applications for both programs include an application form, official transcripts from undergraduate institutions attended, and two letters of recommendation.

Note: Students are required to attend the entire nine weeks (with rare exceptions made when school schedules or presentation opportunities are an issue), and must be U.S. citizens or permanent residents. Housing is provided on the MIT campus.