Student Research Internship

The Scripps Translational Science Institute (STSI) is an NIH Clinical Translational Science Award-funded collaboration between Scripps Health and The Scripps Research Institute. STSI promotes cutting-edge translational research, in large part focused on personalized health care through the genomic, proteomic, and metabolomic correlates of health and disease. STSI additionally seeks to advance personalized medicine through research incorporating mobile health (mHealth) monitoring of individuals’ symptoms and physiology.

The voluntary summer research internship at STSI provides the opportunity for highly motivated high school, undergraduate, and professional students to work with and learn from a multi-disciplinary team of scientists, including internationally renowned investigators in the areas of genomics, computational biology, and mHealth research. The primary aim of our internship program is to train and prepare young scientists to become future leaders in the realm of translational science.

Internship Objectives

• Gain knowledge of and exposure to current topics in translational science, which includes topics pertaining to the genetic basis for common and complex traits and diseases in humans, as well as topics involving the integration of mobile technologies to monitor and improve health care.
• Learn study design and analysis procedures relevant for translational research, including genomic/genetic association studies and mHealth trials.
• Observe the various steps of proposing, designing, undertaking, and analyzing clinical trials, particularly those evaluating genomics and mobile monitoring of patients with disease.
• Become proficient in presenting scientific concepts — including study design, research findings, data analysis, and results interpretation — to peers and mentors.

Based on the intern’s individual interests, he or she will be assigned a primary mentor. It is the mentor’s responsibility to advise and guide the intern with respect to achieving the aims and requirements of the program. The mentor may also, to the degree appropriate, provide information and insights regarding future academic and career development goals. Although each intern will work primarily with his/her individual mentor, dialogue with other STSI investigators is highly encouraged.

Most of our interns work in a dry lab setting; however we do have a limited number of wet lab positions available. You must indicate your preference on the application for dry lab, wet lab, or either.

Internship Requirements

1. Seminar attendance – Interns will attend three weekly seminars (listed below) and prepare for these seminars accordingly (e.g., read assigned journal articles).
   • STSI Brown Bag Roundtable Lunch with Faculty: Mondays, 12:00-1:00pm
   • STSI Journal Club: Mondays, 1:00 noon – 2:00 p.m.
   • STSI Research Meeting: Fridays, 10:00 – 11:00 a.m.
2. Research Proposal – Interns, together with their mentors, will each develop an independent research project to be completed by the end of the internship.
   • Write a one-page description of this project, which requires mentor approval.
   • Present this proposal to the mentor for final approval, any time prior to the mid-point of the internship.
3. Presentation of Research Project
   • Present results of the independent research project at STSI Research Meeting, scheduled during the second half of the internship period. If appropriate, interns may submit abstracts for presentation at a scientific meeting mutually agreed upon by the intern, his/her mentor, and an STSI senior faculty member.

Who Can Apply?

Highly motivated students in high school, college, or professional training (medical/law/graduate/business school) may apply. The primary criterion for admission is a strong interest in genomics or mHealth translational research. Please note that high school students must be at least 16 years of age before the start of their internship.

A letter stating that you will obtain course credit or transcript notation from an academic institution for your STSI Summer Internship is required.  Please meet with a guidance counselor or dean at your home institution to ensure this letter is possible. If your institution does not offer course credit or transcript notation for our internship, please contact us for assistance.

Selection Process

1. Candidates will be selected based on qualifications and research interests.
2. After all applications are reviewed, individuals whose interests and coursework/experience match current STSI research projects and available mentorship will be offered positions. Some mentors may contact applicants first for a brief telephone or video interview prior to final decision.

Important Dates

The application deadline for the 2017 Student Research Internship Program has passed.

Application review will be completed by March 27, 2017 and applicants will be notified of their application status by April 24, 2017.

STSI offers two internship periods during the summer:

• June 5 – July 28, 2017
• June 19 – August 11, 2017

A 6 week minimum commitment is required.

Funding

Currently our internships are volunteer positions, available for academic credit but not supported by a stipend or living expenses. Should funding opportunities change, we will update this web page accordingly.

STSI is a member of the National Institutes of Health (NIH) Clinical Translational Science Award (CTSA) consortium.