Student Research Internship
The Scripps Translational Science Institute (STSI) is an innovative institute that aims to transform and fully integrate clinical and translational research. A collaboration between Scripps Health and The Scripps Research Institute, STSI promotes cutting-edge translational research, in large part focused on the genomic, proteomic and metabolomic correlates of human health and disease. STSI additionally seeks to advance personalized medicine through studies of mobile health (mHealth) remote monitoring of individuals’ symptoms and physiology.
The voluntary summer internship at STSI provides the opportunity for highly motivated high school students, undergraduates, and professional students to work with and learn from a multi-disciplinary team of scientists, who include internationally renown investigators in the areas of genomics, bioinformatics, 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 studies, including genomic/genetic association studies and mobile health 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, data analysis, research findings, and results interpretation — to peers and mentors.
Mentoring
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 with his/her individual mentor to achieve the requirements of the internship, interns are highly encouraged to engage in scientific dialogue with other investigators at STSI.
Most of our interns work in a dry-lab setting; however we do have a limited number of wet-lab positions available. Please indicate your preference on the application. If you would like to work in the wet-lab setting, please be aware that you must be at least 16 years of age and have a letter stating that you will obtain course credit or transcript notation from your academic institution for your Scripps wet-lab experience. You must meet with a guidance counselor or dean at your home institution to ensure this letter is possible before applying for our wet lab setting.
Internship Requirements
- Seminar attendance – Interns will attend two weekly seminars (listed below) and prepare for these seminars accordingly (e.g., read assigned journal articles).
- STSI Journal Club: Mondays, 12:00 noon – 1:00 p.m.
- STSI Research Meeting: Fridays, 10:00 – 11:00 a.m.
- 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 a proposal of this project to the mentor prior to moving forward with the study. This proposal can occur any time prior to the mid-point of the internship.
- Presentation of Research Project
- Present the results of the independent research project at STSI Research Meeting. This presentation can occur any time after the Research Proposal presentation and prior to the end of internship.
- If appropriate, and if funding is available, interns may submit their abstract 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 (medical/law/graduate/business) school may apply. The main criterion for admission is a strong interest in genomics or mHealth translational research. Please note that high school students must be at least 15 years of age before the start of their internship, 16 for wet lab experience.
Important Dates
Applications are accepted year-round; however those interested in pursuing a summer internship are required to apply by Monday, April 18th, 2016. Notification for the summer internship will be sent by Tuesday, May 10th, 2016.
STSI offers two internship periods during the summer:
- June 6 – July 29, 2016
- June 20 – August 5, 2016
Please note that the deadline for applications for 2016 summer internship program has now passed.
Selection Process
- Candidates will be selected based on their qualifications and research interests.
- After all applications are reviewed, individuals whose qualifications and research interests are a good fit with STSI’s programs and mentors may be interviewed by telephone, video link, or in-person (if feasible).
- Final selection will be made after the interviews have occurred.
Funding
Unfortunately, due to funding restrictions, internships are volunteer positions. As such, STSI will be unable to provide a stipend or living expenses for the intern.
Contact Information:
Scripps Translational Science Institute
Attn: Internship Coordinator
3344 North Torrey Pines Court, Suite 300
La Jolla, CA 92037 USA
Phone: 858-554-5708
FAX: 858-546-9283
[email protected]
The STSI is a member of the National Institutes of Health (NIH) Clinical Translational Science Award (CTSA) consortium.