The mission of the the Irvine Interdisciplinary Internship in Neuroscience Program is to provide undergraduate students from diverse backgrounds the opportunity to participate in high-caliber research projects in the neurobiology of learning and memory.

Participants will have access to:

• challenging and interesting neuroscience research projects in cutting-edge research laboratories;
• training to prepare for advanced degrees in neuroscience and biomedical research;
• enrichment activities to help you excel in neuroscience and biomedical graduate programs; and
• exposure to diverse professional career opportunities in neuroscience and biomedical research.

Background

Each year, the program hosts ten undergraduate students for a paid, 8-week summer internship that includes a travel allowance for roundtrip airfare to and from UCI, as well as housing in undergraduate dormitories. 

The program will provide extensive training in neuroscience and professional development opportunities to promising undergraduate students. By combining an immersive research experience, and activities to educate about graduate school in STEM, this program strives to provide tools for the next generation of neuroscience graduate students, as well as the knowledge and experience to address the challenges of applying to graduate school. 

What to Expect

During the first week, students will learn the theoretical background for their research projects and train in the related experimental approaches. By the third week, students will start their assigned projects independently. During weeks 3-7, the students will be fully immersed in their laboratory experience and working independently with guidance from the lab mentor or a designated graduate student or postdoc in their lab. In the final week the students will work on developing their presentations which they will deliver during the last two days of the internship. Participants will be be invited to present their research at the CNLM Annual Conference the Spring following their summer experience.

Participants will be selected based on academic preparation, their overall achievements, personal statement, as well as interest in neuroscience research. Prior research experience is not required.

Minimum requirements include:

• 3.0 grade point average (exceptions reviewed on a case-by-case basis)
• U.S. citizen or permanent resident
• Must be in your 2nd, 3rd or 4th* year as a full-time student in any major at a four-year college or university in the U.S. *Note: Graduating 4th year students are not eligible to apply. 

Students can apply using our online form. The following can be prepared prior to submitting an online application.

• 250-word responses to the following three questions. 
  • Describe your personal research interests and why you are interested in participating in this summer research experiences for undergraduates (REU) program.
  • Share a difficulty in your life that you have overcome and what you learned from it.
  • Have you participated in community outreach activities? If yes, provide examples. 
• A resume or CV
• Most recent unofficial transcript
• Two letters of recommendation will be requested after the initial application process. 

Letters of recommendation will only be accepted from the applicant’s professors, academic advisors, and supervisors (either from work or volunteering experiences).

Letters of recommendation must address the individual's relationship to the student and should assess the student’s: (1) Critical thinking; (2) Cultural competence; (3) Written and oral communication skills; and (4) Leadership potential and teamwork skills.

For questions, please email Ms. Manuella Oliveira Yassa (manuella.yassa@uci.edu)