High School Research Opportunities

Fralin Biomedical Research Institute faculty provide a very limited number of research mentorship experiences each year for advanced (junior or senior) high school students. High school students interested in gaining research experience at the institute should submit an application here online. Prospective trainees may learn more about individual faculty, their research, and publications through our Primary Faculty and Laboratory pages.

The following materials are required to complete the application:      

1. A resume, including any laboratory skills and experiences
2. An unofficial high school transcript
3. A statement of the student's research interests, including specific research institute faculty they are interested in working with
4. An estimate of the time the student would be available to participate in research (e.g. Fall semester, 10 hrs/week)

For Faculty and Administrators

Instructors or administrators who wish to match their students to mentorship experiences with scientists are encouraged to contact the Assistant Vice President for Health Sciences Education, Leanna Blevins, Ph.D., to learn more about expectations and coordinate appropriate application deadlines. 

Please note that, unfortunately, we do not typically host students for “job shadowing” programs. It is expected that students will complete and present a small project as part of any mentorship experience, and will have already had some basic preparation in school to familiarize them with how to conduct basic research, use of common computer software, and application of math toward problem solving.