Molecular Biology Summer Research Program for Undergraduates - 2013
The program is ten weeks, starting June 3 and ending August 9 (there is some flexibility in start dates for students whose academic schedules require it). The program provides full-time internships in basic laboratory research related to gene therapy of cystic fibrosis, other genetic diseases, cancer, and vaccines. The stipend is $3,500. The program is intended for college students following their sophomore or junior year. Application deadline is Monday, February 11, 2013.
About the Program
We have run the program for seventeen years, starting with 6 trainees the first summer, growing to around 10-12 each subsequent year. This program was formerly called the Medical Genetics Summer Research Program for Undergraduates. We feel very strongly that part of our mission is to provide an opportunity for students to have a research experience in a cutting-edge research environment.
Research focuses on genetic diseases, and since the program is mainly sponsored by the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, research relating to Cystic Fibrosis is emphasized. Cystic Fibrosis research is approached from various avenues of scientific research, and our students will have access to faculty members involved in areas such as cancer biology, cell biology, physiology, immunology, cardiovascular disease, developmental biology, virology, etc.
Because our trainees are in basic science labs where the research may be only tangentially related to gene therapy, we feel it is important for students who have spent a summer with us to leave with a "feel" for this field. To this end, we have an hour-long meeting every Wednesday afternoon. Because we are funded by the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, we use Cystic Fibrosis as a model and consider it in some detail over the first few weeks of the program. We then ask investigators who are focusing on developing genetic therapies for other types of diseases to talk to the group. Topics include therapy for cardiovascular disease, muscular dystrophies, cancer, hereditary blindness, neurological diseases, etc. These are informal gatherings, not classes, and we encourage the students to ask questions and discuss the various topics.
In the last week of the program, we ask each trainee to prepare and give a 10-minute presentation about his/her research project and also to write a short summary (one page) of the work. The written summary provides information that is reported to the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, but more importantly, it serves as a permanent record for the student to refer to in preparing for future interviews where questions about the research may arise.
Program Eligibility
This program is best suited for students who have completed their sophomore or junior year of undergraduate studies. Generally, we do not accept applications from students completing the freshman year, unless you have completed additional basic science coursework. We only accept students currently enrolled in pursuit of their undergraduate degree; if you already have an undergraduate degree, you are not eligible for our program.
A minimum overall GPA of 3.25 is strongly suggested to apply for this program.
Women, minority students, disabled students, and students from small colleges are encouraged to apply.
We are not allowed to accept volunteers into our program. All accepted students must receive stipends.
How to Apply
The application form may be completed on this website. To apply, submit the following:
- application form (web form)
- statement of personal goals (web form)
- official copy of your transcript (hard copy sent in mail)
- 2 letters of recommendation (preferably sent via email)
Application deadline for 2013 is Monday, February 11, 2013.
Personal Statement
The personal statement of goals is important. Tell us about yourself, your interests, and
what your career goals are. Please include any particular scientific interests
and specific areas or techniques that you are interested in learning
more about. State what you hope to gain from participating in our program.
You can explain any research experience you've had, although
previous experience is not a requirement. Statements may range from 500-2000 words; there is no strict limit.
Letters of Recommendation
Two (2) letters of recommendation from academic faculty should be sent
directly to the Summer Research Program office via email:
mbsummer@mail.med.upenn.edu or via
postal mail at the address below. Email is preferred. These
letters may be sent separately from the other application materials.
Transcript
An official copy of the undergraduate transcript (including Fall
semester grades) is required. It may be sent separately to the address
below.
Mailing Address:
Molecular Biology Summer Research Program
Suite 2000 Translational Research Laboratories
125 S. 31st Street
Philadelphia, PA 19104-3403
ATTENTION: Martha Turnitsa
The application form is available online:
All fields must be completed in order to submit the form. Please type "NA" if something is Not Applicable.
The application deadline for participation in the summer of 2013 is Monday, February 11, 2013. Selection and notification of outcome will be completed by mid-March.
FAQs
Acceptance into the Program
Your grades/scores, personal statement, and your letters of recommendation will be judged as a package to determine acceptance to the program. We identify a list of students who we think the program will serve well and accept them, starting in late February in a "rolling" process. We accept only the number of students that we can support. We generally ask for an answer within two weeks. If someone turns us down, we offer the position to the next person on the list.
What kind of lab will I be in?
We work with a group of investigators who are interested in having an undergraduate student in their labs. We consider the overall environment in the labs and look to place students in labs that will mesh with their interests as described in the personal statements. The goal is to allow students to learn techniques, be exposed to the process of scientific research, and to explore a specific area of research in some depth. Sometimes students ask to be placed in a specific lab. If that can be worked out, we honor that request. Most of our trainees do not specify a particular investigator, but virtually all tell us of their particular interests in their personal statements. Based on those interests, we make the lab placements.
Can you give me a list of possible labs?
We do not have a fixed list of participating faculty, because the group changes every year. Part of the change relates to our seeking mentors that fit with the interests of students who have accepted our offer to be a part of the program. Some faculty who have participated previously may decide that they cannot take on a summer student because of travel plans, personnel turnover, preparation of grant applications, etc. Others decide at the last moment that they would like to have a student. You might explore the Biomedical Graduate Studies website (http://www.med.upenn.edu/bgs), which has links to various biomedical graduate groups at Penn. Within the individual graduate group sites, there are lists of faculty members, with additional links to information about their research. If you find a lab particularly interesting, let us know. However, for all the reasons mentioned above, we cannot guarantee lab placements.
Housing
Housing is not included with acceptance to the program. You will be responsible to pay for and arrange your own housing.
Penn has on-campus housing available, and there are also plenty of off-campus apartment/sublet options (most students highly recommend the off-campus option, and it is cheaper).
On-Campus University Housing is available to interns through the Conference Services Department of the University. The cost is approximately $250/week for multiple occupancy. This cost can be deducted directly from your stipend, if requested (they ask for full payment). You may contact Conference Services directly at 215-898-9319 or by e-mail at confsvcs@pobox.upenn.edu. Some general info about the accommodations can be found at their website http://www.destinationpenn.com/housing/intern_housing.asp.
Another option is 'off-campus' housing. Summer Sublets can be found in the area surrounding the campus (usually cheaper, and often negotiable). One place to find ads is in the student newspaper's classifieds, The Daily Pennsylvanian (online at http://www.dailypennsylvanian.com). The sublets are usually priced anywhere between $50-$150 a week. There is also an Office of Off-Campus Living. They have listings on their website at http://www.upenn.edu/offcampusservices, and their phone # is 215-898-8500.
If you would want to find a roommate within the program, we can provide you with the e-mails or phone #'s of other program participants. Also, in the past, Penn students who participate in the program have offered to help non-Penn students arrange housing.
Gym Membership
Students participating in the summer program may also wish to use the Penn recreational facilities. http://www.upenn.edu/recreation The cost for summer membership is ~$250.
↑topContact Us
The best way to reach us is via email at: mbsummer@mail.med.upenn.edu
Mailing address:
Molecular Biology Summer Research Program
Suite 2000 Translational Research Laboratories
125 S. 31st Street
Philadelphia, PA 19104-3403
ATTENTION: Martha Turnitsa
Fax: 215-494-5443
FYI: Other co-op opportunities, internships and summer jobs in biology, medical research, and biotechnology can be found on the following websites:
http://people.rit.edu/gtfsbi/Symp/summer.htm
http://www.asbmb.org/summerresearchprogram/Landing.aspx