Education and Training

Genomic Biology Internship Program for High School Students

The Molecular Sciences Institute in Berkeley, CA offers talented high school students summer research and education experience in genomics. MSI is committed to training, motivating and mentoring future genomic scientists. Our Genomic Sciences Internship Program provides Bay Area high school juniors and seniors an opportunity to gain hands-on experience in a genomics laboratory for eight weeks each summer. The 8-week internships are open to students who are juniors or seniors at the time of application

The internship combines research, coursework with activities designed to enrich the students experience and awareness of careers in science and how to train for a career. After receiving a comprehensive introduction to genomics at MSI, students will partner with an MSI scientist to complete a research project. Eighty percent of a the time will be spent at MSI doing research, attending supplemental classes in genomics, bioinformatics, and mathematical biology, and learning about the backgrounds of our research fellows during "Meet the Scientist" sessions. Students meet as a group to review their research during weekly group meetings and to discuss current genomics research at weekly journal clubs. Twenty percent of the time will be spent on MSI-sponsored scientific enrichment activities and fieldtrips throughout the Bay Area.

After completing the summer internship, students may also take advantage of ongoing tutoring in science and mathematics provided by MSI throughout the following school year. In addition, MSI will fund SAT preparation courses for the students, if applicable.

To apply

Applications for summer 2007 are now being accepted.  To apply you must complete either the online application form or submit a paper application by post or email. Applicants must arrange for at least two letters of recommendation to be submitted on their behalf. Completed applications are due at MSI by March 9, 2007. The application and recommendation forms can be submitted on line. Alternatively, paper forms can be mailed to Molecular Sciences Institute, Attn: HS Summer Internship, 2168 Shattuck Ave, 2nd Floor,Berkeley, CA 94704 or returned by email to internshipsmolsci.org.

Links to forms:

On-line student application form

On-line letter of recommendation form.

Download application package (Word Document) with both student and reference forms.

Applicants must be U.S. Citizens or permanent residents.

This program is sponsored by a five-year renewable grant from the National Human Genome Research Institute.

Past Internships

To learn about the talented students who have interned at MSI in past summers, we provide links to the individual summer internship websites. These contain information about each student, a description of the summer research experience and field trips and the student research presentations.

2003 Interns: Scott Coyle, Jermaine Deckard, Jeremy Gordon and Tyra Mcray

2004 Interns: Christopher Chan, Omar Narvaez, Allison Roberts, LaKeysha Renae Spears, Xiao-Yu Fu and Irene Wong

2005 Interns: Michelle Chiu, Krystina Daniels, Ashly Davis, Tonya Love , Bria Selhorst and Adeline Wong

2006 Interns: Nishant Bhat, Ana Carrera, Kenneth Lyons Jr., Jennifer Slotnick, Vi Vu. Tutor:Tonya Love

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