Sklar ӳ��ý Summer Research Program for Undergraduate Students

Sklar BSRP students spend the summer performing original computational or experimental-based research in labs within the Stanley Center for Psychiatric Research.

Sklar Banner_undergrads

The ӳ��ý runs the ӳ��ý Summer Research Program (BSRP), an intensive nine-week summer program designed for undergraduates with a commitment to biomedical research and an interest in genomics.

The program includes a rich curriculum both inside and outside of the lab that emphasizes communication, collaborative problem solving, graduate school preparation and demystifying scientific careers. The curriculum further includes an intensive scientific communication course, seminars with leading scientists from Harvard and MIT, and weekly workshops focused on the graduate school application process, professional and personal development. General details about the BSRP, including eligibility requirements, the application process, and deadlines, can be found here.

The Sklar Program currently sponsors one BSRP student every year. Undergraduate students specifically interested in neurobiology, brain development, and psychiatric research are encouraged to explore Stanley Center labs and projects on our website, and apply to the BSRP as a Sklar BSRP fellow.

How to apply

Interested applicants should review the for requirements and apply through their centralized application.

Past Sklar BSRP Fellows

Marina Saffold Juan Pineda

Marina Saffold

Marina Saffold was the 2024 Sklar BSRP fellow. At the time, she was a rising junior at Pomona College majoring in neuroscience with a minor in chemistry. As the Skalr BSRP fellow, she worked in the Nehme lab developing a human induced pluripotent stem cell (hiPSC) model of aged astrocytes to study mechanisms for neurodegeneration. In the future, Saffold plans to pursue an M.D./Ph.D. degree and become a physician scientist.

Juan Pineda

Juan Pineda was the inaugural 2023 Sklar BSRP fellow. At the time Pineda was a rising senior at Macalester College, majoring in Neuroscience with a minor in Anthropology and Music. As a Sklar BSRP fellow, he worked in the Macosko lab where he developed a tool to link cell transcriptome information with neuronal connectivity in the brain. Going forward, he is interested in pursuing an M.D./Ph.D. and research in neuroscience, specifically in finding therapeutic targets for neurodegenerative disorders and subsequently developing therapeutics. Juan has since joined the Macosko lab as a research associate.

Undergraduate FAQs

Who is generally eligible for the Sklar BSRP fellowship?

Applicants must:

Be enrolled in a four-year college in the United States as a rising sophomore through to rising senior
Have an interest in psychiatry, psychology, mental health or neuroscience
Have a strong interest in pursuing graduate school
Have a cumulative GPA of 3.2 or above (on a 4.0 scale)
Be a US citizen or permanent resident

When is the application deadline?

Applications are due on the same timeline as others for the BSRP. More information, including application deadlines on the BSRP website.

What degree is required to apply?

No prior degree is required for applications to the BSRP.

Is a project hypothesis and outline required for the application process?

A project hypothesis and outline are not required to apply.

How many Sklar BSRP fellowships are awarded annually?

We currently fund one Sklar BSRP fellowship annually.

How can I find a good match for my research interests?

Please review the list of Stanley Center investigators and their research interests, and feel free to discuss your relevant interests in your application essay and interest selection.

What is the stipend for this program?

Program information, including stipend details, is available on the BSRP website.

Who should I ask to provide my letters of recommendation?

Program information, including details about letters of recommendation, is available on the BSRP website.