High School Emerging Researcher Experience

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Shangping Li is conducting translational research under the mentorship of Wenting Lu.
The High School Emerging Researcher Experience is part of the Undergraduate Research Internship Program, giving high school participants an opportunity to interact with college students and perform in a fast-paced academic setting.

The  High School Emerging Researcher Experience is designed to introduce a select group of academically outstanding juniors and seniors to the world of translational research. By working alongside undergraduate research interns, students will gain valuable insights into the research process. Each summer project will be selected by the mentor assigned to the student and their specific area of expertise. With access to Houston Methodist's renowned faculty, students receive mentorship that guides them through their summer projects and provides instruction on the laboratory techniques necessary for successful completion. The program concludes with a research symposium, where interns present poster presentations of their work.

Additionally, the High School Emerging Researcher Experience includes a career and professional development curriculum, equipping students with valuable tools for college applications. Through participation in intern events, such as the welcome reception, sporting events, seminars, and didactic lectures, each intern has the opportunity to experience both personal and professional growth.

Internship Guidelines & Requirements

 

Applications for the 2025 Summer Internship Programs will open on December 2, 2024, and close on January 31, 2025. The High School Emerging Researchers Experience will begin on June9th, 2025, and end on August 1, 2025. The internship is held at the main Houston Methodist Hospital in the Texas Medical Center (6565 Fannin St., Houston, TX 77030).

All programs require a full-time commitment for the 8-week duration (June 9–August 1, 2025). Daily attendance is required of each student for a full 8-hour workday, approximately 8:30 a.m.–5:00 p.m., except for the July 4th holiday. Please review our comprehensive FAQ for more information.

 

Eligibility:

  • High school students who are currently in their junior or senior year and will be at least 16 years old by the start of the program (June 9th, 2025) are eligible to apply.
  

Application Requirements:

  • Completed summer internship program application
  • Two required essay questions and one optional
  • Two letters of recommendation
  • Current transcript (official or unofficial): The grades from your current academic year must be included for your transcript to be accepted. Your transcript MUST include your grades for the current 2024 fall semester.
  • Resume
  • Minimum 3.5 GPA 

 

Application Instructions (please read before starting the application):

 

Starting December 2nd, you can access the application portal through the "Summer Internship Program" tab on the right side of the page. You can only apply to ONE summer internship program. Once you begin your application, you must complete it in one sitting. The application cannot be saved and revisited later. Additionally, once you submit your application, you will not be able to log back in to make any edits once you press submit. If you submit applications to more than one program, we will only review the first application we receive.

 

As part of the application, you will need to complete the following:

 

  • Provide your demographic information
  • Select your preferred research area
  • Answer short essay questions (listed in the FAQ section at the bottom of the landing page)
  • Upload your current resume
  • Upload your current transcript (official or unofficial): The grades from your current academic year must be included for your transcript to be accepted. Your transcript MUST include your grades for the current 2024 fall semester.

  • Your transcript MUST include your grades for the current 2024 fall semester.
  • Additionally, you will be asked to enter the email addresses of your two recommenders. We will send them a letter of recommendation form to complete.
  • Once you have submitted your completed application, uploaded all required documents, and we have received the letters, you will receive an email confirming that all materials have been received. This will allow your application to proceed to the next stage in the selection process.
  • The application, all required documents, and recommendation letter forms must be submitted by 12:00 PM on January 31st, 2025. Applications submitted after this deadline will not be considered for the 2025 cohort. No exceptions.

 

We will notify you in March regarding your status for the 2025 Summer Research Internship Program.

 

Additional Information:

  • High school students are NOT eligible to receive a stipend for participation in the Summer Research Internship Program.

Additional Help:

 

Thank you for your interest in the Houston Methodist Summer Research Internship Program! We look forward to receiving your application.

Below is a testimonial from one of our 2024 high school interns: 

Deeya Joglekar, 2024 Intern

“My experience with the Houston Methodist High School Emerging Researcher Experience was unparalleled. Immersed in authentic research, I had access to resources and mentors who provided invaluable guidance tailored to a diverse group of interns. Over the course of ten weeks, I gained profound insights into both myself and the impactful nature of research in the medical field. This internship made for an unforgettable summer.”

Deeya Joglekar (2024 High School Intern)

Clements High School