Summer Research Program Inspires Young Scientists, Future Doctors

This year's exceptional class of interns presented their research findings at the Summer Research Internship Program Poster Day.

LSU Health New Orleans' Summer Research Internship Program, co-directed by Drs. Paula Gregory and Fern Tsien in the Department of Genetics, works to cultivate high school, undergraduate, postgraduate and medical students’ interest in pursuing medical and research careers in either the basic or clinical sciences. Students spend eight weeks in the program during the summer matched with mentors in laboratories or clinics at LSU Health New Orleans and its partners.

Students learn laboratory techniques used in medical research and attend weekly seminars. They also receive training in presentation skills, including how to prepare a presentation at a scientific meeting. All students present their research results at the end of the summer at a poster session.

About 500 students have benefited from the program,some of whom have gone on to pursue careers in the sciences.

The program is funded by the National Science Foundation (REU), National Institutes of Health, Louisiana Baptist Community Ministries Science Youth Initiative, New Orleans BioInnovation Center, Entergy Foundation, LSU Health New Orleans School of Medicine and its Stanley S. Scott Cancer Center.