OHSU Summer Internships: A Launchpad for High School Students into STEM and Healthcare Careers

Oregon Health & Science University (OHSU) offers a variety of summer internship programs designed to provide high school students with invaluable research experience and career exploration opportunities in science, technology, engineering, mathematics (STEM), and healthcare fields. These internships cater to diverse interests, ranging from cardiovascular health and cancer research to dental medicine and developmental disabilities. By participating in these programs, students gain hands-on experience, mentorship from experienced professionals, and a competitive edge for future academic and career pursuits.

Pathways to Research and Healthcare Careers

OHSU is committed to establishing clear pathways to careers in dental, oral, and craniofacial research, as well as other healthcare fields. These opportunities extend to high school, undergraduate, and non-traditional learners, with a particular focus on individuals from rural and underrepresented communities in Oregon.

Research Internship Pathways

The summer internship programs at OHSU offer various paid research internship pathways, tailored to the individual's educational level. Each intern is mentored by an experienced researcher, ensuring personalized guidance and support throughout their internship. Interns actively participate in activities designed to enhance their career prospects in the field of science.

Program Structure and Expectations

The summer internship programs typically span a minimum of eight weeks, during which interns dedicate their time to focused research projects. A key component of these programs is the opportunity for interns to showcase their research findings through presentations.

Diverse Internship Opportunities at OHSU

OHSU offers a wide array of specialized internship programs catering to different interests and career aspirations:

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Dental and Craniofacial Research

School of Dentistry Research Internship Program: This program provides high school students, undergraduates, and those matriculating into the OHSU Dentistry program with practical research experience in dental and oral health. The program is directed by Dr. The division of Dental Public Health, led by Drs. Foster-Page and Kohli, focuses on research, policies, and providing oral health care in underserved populations, including at the Russell Street Clinic and clinics throughout Oregon.
Clinical and Translational Research: Focusing on the effects of biomechanics on the craniofacial system, this area investigates clinical and translational research.
Polymeric Materials Research: This research explores polymeric materials as a versatile platform for innovation in various applications, with a focus on conducting clinical research in private dental practices.
Kreth Lab: The Kreth Lab investigates fundamental processes of commensal bacterial interactions in the oral biofilm.
Hsu Lab: The Hsu Lab's research in dentistry focuses on the intersection of stem cell molecular biology and translational research.
Dental Explorers Program: This program provides participants with a general understanding of what a career in dentistry is all about. Monthly two-hour sessions are held at the School of Dentistry, with an emphasis on hands-on activities. The first hour is comprised of a lecture from dental school faculty from a variety of disciplines, while the second hour is a laboratory experience.
Summit: Summit is an intensive four-week residential immersion program designed to give you a true-to-life taste of the experience of attending dental school. You’ll learn from real dental school faculty, staff, and students and take real tests covering real dental program material.
Coos Bay Research Internship: OHSU invites Southwestern Oregon Community College students to apply for a unique research internship focused on the connection between oral and systemic health. Interns will work with local mentors and OHSU faculty to develop skills in survey analysis and present findings. This hands-on research internship seamlessly blends scientific inquiry with community engagement.

Cardiovascular Health

Knight Cardiovascular Institute Program: This program allows Oregon high school students to explore careers in cardiology, including treatment and prevention.
ORION Undergraduate Internship Program: The Oregon Research and Innovation (ORION) Undergraduate Internship Program is an American Heart Association-funded initiative designed to train undergraduate research fellows in basic and translational research focused on the pathophysiology of cardiovascular disease. The overall scientific goal of the ORION Program is to discover new pathways that represent safe and effective druggable targets to reduce the burden of cardiovascular disease, including myocardial infarction and stroke. The ORION Program is creating the future leaders of cardiovascular disease research. Positions are available in the cardiovascular research laboratories led by Drs. Monica Hinds, Owen McCarty, Sandra Rugonyi, Joe Aslan, Joseph Shatzel, and Karina Nakayama. The program includes a stipend to cover room and board and additional support to attend and present at a national conference.
HEART Internship Program: The HEART (High School Students Engaged in Applied Sciences, Research, and Technology) internship program seeks to empower high school students to learn engineering methods for studying heart development. This outreach program is in collaboration between Dr. Sandra Rugonyi's lab at the Oregon Health & Science University and Dr. Arash Kheradvar's lab at the University of California, Irvine. Through this 3-week, full-time program, they aim to immerse students in the world of research, empower students to lead research talks, inspire them to pursue STEM majors in college, and ultimately cultivate their desire to participate in research programs throughout their collegiate careers. If accepted, students will also receive a stipend for their active participation.

Cancer Research

Knight Scholars Program: The Knight Scholars Program, in collaboration with the Knight Cancer Institute, offers a year-long internship for Oregon high school students to explore careers in cancer research, treatment, and prevention. The program is part of a national effort to increase diversity in cancer professions. Students from underrepresented communities, including students of diverse races and ethnicities and students from rural areas, are encouraged to apply. Students receive a stipend during their participation.
Ted R. Lilley CURE Program: This research internship program, supported by the Knight Cancer Institute and the Center for Diversity and Inclusion, offers hands-on research experiences to Portland-area high school students who excel academically and come from socially or economically disadvantaged backgrounds.

Biomedical Research and Other STEM Fields

Fluorescence Molecular Imaging Internship Program: Hosted by the Gibbs Laboratory, this program provides hands-on science education to high school and college students interested in careers in scientific research. Interns learn wet bench laboratory skills, data analysis, and experimental planning. Past projects covered a wide range of quantitative biology and biophysics, including image analysis, -omic analysis, super-resolution microscopy, photophysics of dyes, immunohistochemistry, and basic molecular biology.
OHSU Innovation and Commercialization Internship Program: This program offers an educational experience for individuals interested in technology transfer, business development, and/or patent law. Interns gain real-world experience assisting with innovation development and the transition of technology from laboratory to market. Eligible interns can receive a monthly stipend and/or academic credit for program participation.
Saturday Academy: Saturday Academy offers hands-on, in-depth classes and camps for students in grades 2-12, taught by community experts in science, technology, engineering, math, and the arts.
STEMPrep-OHSU Internship Program: This program is part of the national STEMPrep Project coordinated by the Distance Learning Center. The collective mission is to provide longitudinal STEM experiences to talented trainees from underrepresented populations in STEM across their learning continuum. Students selected for the STEMPrep-OHSU Internship Program are enrolled in an 8- to 10-week basic science research internship wherein they conduct experiments and gain wet bench experience. Interns are matched with a basic science research laboratory and conduct a productive hypothesis-driven research project mentored by OHSU faculty, post-doctoral fellows, and graduate students. Students engage in twice-weekly didactics with curriculum focused on basic science research fundamentals, cancer research, and graduate education/career path resources. They are additionally paired with a clinical mentor to explore the application of basic science research within the field of practiced medicine. The program culminates with an oral presentation of each student’s research project and a poster symposium. Students are housed at Portland State University for the duration of the program and commute to OHSU via trolley.

Programs Focused on Underrepresented Groups

PSI Program: The PSI program introduces high school students to the scientific process, encouraging their scientific passion and fostering a relationship between researchers and the local community. The mission is to open doors to biomedical research for students in Oregon and the Portland metro community who might not have had the chance otherwise, particularly those without built-in advantages, including underrepresented racial/ethnic minority groups, students whose parents do not have graduate-level education, and those from low socioeconomic statuses. The goal is to create a level playing field where talent, curiosity, and dedication are the primary criteria for success, thus inspiring future leaders in science from different backgrounds.
Tribal Health Scholars (THS): This paid externship program supports and inspires AIAN high school students to envision themselves as healthcare professionals and to pursue education required for a career in healthcare. It includes a virtual experience where scholars learn about different healthcare fields and hear from guest speakers, as well as a clinical shadowing externship where scholars gain exposure to health careers at their local tribal health clinics or hospitals.
LSAMP: The Louis Stokes Alliance for Minority Participation (LSAMP) is committed to supporting the success of students from racially underrepresented groups pursuing and earning a bachelor's degree in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM).
BUILD EXITO: After serving students at Portland State University and partner institutions for 10 years, BUILD EXITO is in its final year of grant funding. Consequently, they are no longer able to accept new students into their program. However, their BUILD EXITO team continues to support undergraduate research at PSU through other programs.
Pay It Forward: Pay It Forward is a medical student-run mentorship program that aims to pair current medical students with undergraduate mentees from diverse and underrepresented backgrounds to create a more equitable workforce, increase cultural competence, and reduce health disparities.

Healthcare and Disability Fields

UCEDD Summer Internship Program (SIP): Held every summer, the University Center for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities (UCEDD) Summer Internship Program (SIP) provides opportunities for a diverse group of Oregon high school or early college students to gain experience in the disability field, develop transferable skills, and learn about various career paths in health care. Interns participate approximately 24 hours per week in a project at one of the Institute on Development and Disability centers, gaining knowledge in research, clinical care, information dissemination, or community programs. Interns also have an opportunity to network with other interns, as well as OHSU staff and faculty.
MedQuest: MedQuest is a camp designed to provide a foot in the door to healthcare, even for those unsure if healthcare is the right path for them.
Oregon AHEC: The Oregon Area Health Education Center (AHEC) has education programs across five regional centers and a program office at Oregon Health & Science University. The program blends a didactic curriculum centered on eight core topic areas with community-based experiential learning at clinical practice sites throughout Oregon. They partner with colleges and universities around Oregon to recruit Scholars training to become doctors (MD & DO), physician assistants, occupational therapists, pharmacists, dentists, nurse practitioners, and physical therapists.
Tilikum Summer Health Experience: The Tilikum Summer Health Experience is a free 5-week hybrid summer enrichment program specifically designed for American Indian/Alaska Native (AI/AN) freshman and sophomore college students. The Tilikum Summer Health Experience is part of the AAMC’s Minority Serving Institutions Pathway Initiative (MSIPI).
Undergraduate Observership: This Undergraduate Observership is a week-long clinical shadowing experience designed to expose underrepresented students to the practice of ophthalmology and related eye care specialties.

Other Internship Programs

Administrative Internship Program: The OHSU Administrative Internship Program allows undergraduate and graduate students the opportunity to experience the healthcare profession through an administrative lens. In addition to the assigned project, interns will have the opportunity to experience day-to-day operations (e.g., daily readiness huddles, staff seminars and trainings, etc.), as well interact with patients, families, and staff through rounds and other engagement experiences. Interns will receive a stipend to support housing and living expenses throughout the summer but are responsible for arranging and securing their own housing.
Occupational Health Sciences' Summer Student Research Awards: These three-month paid summer internships are designed to introduce undergraduate students to biomedical and occupational health research. To be eligible for an Institute-funded award, students must be Oregon residents or attend college in Oregon.
OREGON Research and Innovation (ORION) Undergraduate Internship Program: The ORION Program is an American Heart Association-funded initiative designed to train undergraduate research fellows in basic and translational research focused on the pathophysiology of cardiovascular disease.

Program Highlights and Key Features

Hands-on Research Experience

Interns gain practical experience by actively participating in research projects, working alongside faculty, scientists, and graduate students.

Mentorship Opportunities

Each intern is paired with an experienced researcher or mentor who provides guidance, support, and career advice.

Skill Development

Interns develop essential skills in areas such as wet bench laboratory techniques, data analysis, scientific communication, and critical thinking.

Presentation and Showcase

Interns have the opportunity to present their research findings through oral presentations, poster sessions, and group presentations.

Stipends and Support

Many of the internship programs offer stipends to help cover living expenses and housing costs during the program. Some programs also provide housing or assistance in finding housing.

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Eligibility and Application Requirements

Eligibility requirements vary depending on the specific internship program. However, most programs are open to high school students who are interested in STEM and healthcare careers. Some programs also have specific requirements related to academic performance, underrepresented status, or residency.

Common application requirements include:

High school transcript
Resume
Essay
Letters of recommendation

Important Dates and Deadlines

Ted R. Lilley CURE Program: The eight-week CURE Research Program is scheduled for Monday, June 22, 2026, through Friday, August 14, 2026. Applications for the 2026 Ted R Lilley CURE have closed. Applications for 2027 will open in late fall.
2026 Summer Research Internship: The 2026 Summer Research Internship will start on Monday, June 22, 2026, and finish Friday, August 14, 2026. The application window for the 2026 Summer Internship is open until February 20 at 5 pm PST.

How to Apply

Interested students are encouraged to visit the OHSU website or the specific program pages for detailed information on eligibility requirements, application procedures, and deadlines.

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