harvard medical school research program

Medical Research Courses

• Social Sciences

Prescription Drug Regulation, Cost, and Access: Current Controversies in Context

Understand how the FDA regulates pharmaceuticals and explore debates on prescription drug costs, marketing, and testing.

Immuno-oncology

See how the immune system is being used to improve cancer treatment..

Clinical Drug Development

Learning about the process of clinical drug development has important implications for anyone working in health care and related sectors.

Cancer Genomics and Precision Oncology

Learn how cancer treatment is evolving due to advances in genetics..

Gene Therapy

Explore recent advances in gene therapy and learn about the implications for patient care..

Global Clinical Scholars Research Training

This Harvard Medical School one-year, application-based certificate program provides advanced training in health care research and methods.

Foundations of Clinical Research

This Harvard Medical School six-month, application-based certificate program provides the essential skill sets and fundamental knowledge required to begin or expand your clinical research career.

• Summer Research Programs

Harvard offers many ways to participate in research during the summer.

• Dissertation
• Fellowships
• Maximizing Your Degree
• Before You Arrive
• First Weeks at Harvard
• Harvard Speak
• Pre-Arrival Resources for New International Students
• Alumni Council
• Student Engagement
• Applying to Degree Programs
• Applying to the Visiting Students Program
• Admissions Policies
• Cost of Attendance
• Express Interest
• Commencement
• Diversity & Inclusion Fellows
• Student Affinity Groups
• Research Scholar Initiative
• Find Your Financial Aid Officer
• Funding and Aid
• Financial Wellness
• Consumer Information
• Life Sciences
• Policies (Student Handbook)
• Student Center
• Title IX and Gender Equity

Summer Research Opportunities at Harvard (SROH)

Harvard Griffin GSAS administers the Summer Research Opportunities at Harvard (SROH) program, but you may be interested in other programs at Harvard's many schools and affiliated hospitals.

Other Summer Programs

Harvard programs, harvard-amgen scholars program.

Harvard-Amgen Scholars will conduct novel biotechnology-focused research with Harvard scientists over the course of a 10-week summer internship. Interns will have the opportunity to interact closely with faculty through scholarly and pre-professional development activities including a Distinguished Faculty Lecture Series and Biotechnology Journal Club. They will also gain critical exposure to tools for effective science communication, proposal writing, and graduate school preparation, and will have opportunities to explore the Boston area through a variety of social activities and outings. Currently, enrolled undergraduates interested in pursuing a bioscience PhD or the MD/PhD are eligible to apply, especially those from underrepresented and diverse backgrounds. US citizenship or permanent residency is required. Housing on Harvard’s Cambridge campus, travel, meal allowance, and a stipend are provided. 

Harvard Stem Cell Institute (HSCI) Internship Program (HIP)

The Harvard Stem Cell Institute Internship Program (HIP) provides an opportunity for Harvard and non-Harvard undergraduates to gain direct experience in stem cell research while working in a Harvard Stem Cell Institute (HSCI) laboratory under the supervision of an experienced researcher. Interns participate in a mandatory stem cell seminar series and a career pathways presentation and present their summer research findings at the HIP Symposium in August. Candidates must express a strong interest in stem cell biology; previous lab experience is desirable but not required. Approximately 35 students are selected by competitive review for this 10-week internship. A stipend is provided.

Research Experience for Undergraduates (REU) at the School of Engineering and Applied Sciences

The Harvard John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences (SEAS) Research Experience for Undergraduates (REU) is a 10-week program that introduces undergraduates to bioengineering, materials research, nanoscience, and engineering while providing a coordinated, educational, and dynamic research community that inspires them to seek a graduate degree. REU research opportunities are arranged in conjunction with the Materials Research Science and Engineering Center (MRSEC), the Center for Nanoscale Systems (CNS), the Wyss Institute for Biologically Inspired Engineering , as well as other Harvard-based engineering and science entities. Professional development workshops, faculty seminars on research and ethics, and community activities are integrated into the program. Students receive a stipend and housing.

Center for Astrophysics Solar Research Experience for Undergraduates Program

Scientists from the Solar and Stellar X-Ray Group (SSXG) and the Solar, Stellar, and Planetary Group (SSP) at the Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics (CfA) host undergraduate students from around the US. For 10 weeks, these students will participate in cutting-edge astronomical research about the sun and the heliosphere and learn the skills necessary for a successful scientific career. Projects range from data analysis to computer modeling to instrument building. Special seminars will be held to increase students' public speaking and computer programming skills. Students will learn from experience about scientific research and how to apply their academic work to real-world problems. Some time will also be devoted to exploring Cambridge, Massachusetts, and the surrounding area. US citizenship or permanent residency is required.  Stipend, housing, and travel are provided. Please visit the website for more information .

Harvard Forest Summer Research Program in Ecology

The Harvard Forest Summer Research Program in Ecology is an 11-week research program that allows students to participate in ongoing research at the Harvard Forest in Petersham, Massachusetts. Projects focus on the effects of natural and human disturbances on forest ecosystems including global warming, hurricanes, forest harvesting, and invasive organisms. Researchers come from many disciplines, and specific studies center on population and community ecology, paleoecology, land-use history, phenology, biogeochemistry, soil science, ecophysiology, and atmosphere-biosphere exchanges. Students work with mentors from Harvard and collaborating institutions. Responsibilities may include field sampling, laboratory studies, data analysis, and scientific writing. In addition, students attend seminars given by nationally known scientists and workshops on career and graduate school preparation. At the end of the summer, students present their research results by writing an abstract and presenting their findings at a student research symposium. The program provides room, board, and a competitive stipend.

Program for Research in Markets & Organizations

The Program for Research in Markets & Organizations (PRIMO) provides an opportunity for Harvard and non-Harvard undergraduates (rising sophomores, juniors, and seniors enrolled full-time at a US institution) to work closely with Harvard Business School faculty, gaining exposure to business research on a variety of cutting-edge ideas. The primary goal of the program is to build and foster a strong community of scholars committed to excellence in research as part of the Harvard Summer Undergraduate Research Village. Students must commit to the 10-week program and are provided with Harvard campus housing, meals, and a research stipend.

Programs at Harvard Medical School 

Summer honors undergraduate research program at harvard medical school.

Summer Honors Undergraduate Research Program (SHURP) is a 10-week summer research program primarily for college students belonging to groups that are underrepresented in the sciences. In addition to laboratory-based research with Harvard Medical School faculty, the program includes research and career development seminars and a peer-mentoring program. Stipend, housing, and travel are provided. Administered by the Division of Medical Sciences (PhD programs office) at Harvard Medical School every year since 1991, SHURP is offered for currently enrolled undergraduates who are considering careers in biological or biomedical research sciences, who have already had at least one summer (or equivalent term-time) of experience in a research laboratory, and who have taken at least one upper-level biology course that includes molecular biology. US citizenship or permanent residency is required.

Systems Biology Summer Internship Program

The 10-week Systems Biology Summer Internship Program enables interns to work on research projects spanning many scientific fields including systems biology, biophysics, bioinformatics, genomics, applied mathematics, and computation. Participants learn a range of cutting-edge techniques in the exciting and dynamic research environment of the FAS Center for Systems Biology and the Department of Systems Biology at Harvard Medical School. Participants must be US citizens or permanent residents. Individuals from underrepresented minority and economically disadvantaged groups are especially encouraged to apply.

Cell Biology Research Scholars Program

The Cell Biology Research Scholars Program provides a 10-week full-time research opportunity to undergraduate students with a passion for scientific discovery and fundamental biology. Students will be hosted by faculty investigators to work on cutting-edge research projects and participate in training workshops and mentoring activities in preparation for a productive scientific research career. A stipend is provided, but scholars are responsible for travel, housing, and meals.

Biological Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology Summer Scholars Program

The Biological Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology (BCMP) Summer Scholars Program is a 10-week program designed to provide hands-on laboratory research experience to motivated undergraduates with a strong interest in pursuing graduate studies focused on molecular mechanisms in biology. The program offers students the opportunity to gain experience in hands-on laboratory research; to interact with faculty, postdoctoral fellows, graduate students, and other summer interns; to attend weekly presentations by department members on specific research projects and cutting-edge research tools; and to improve their presentation, writing, and communication skills. Participating laboratories cover a broad range of basic and disease-oriented research topics using the analytical tools of biochemistry, molecular genetics, biophysics, chemical biology, and structural biology. A stipend is provided, but students are responsible for travel, housing, and meal accommodations.

Summer Undergraduate Program in Immunology at Harvard Medical School

The 10-week Summer Undergraduate Program in Immunology exposes undergraduate students to current topics in immunology. Students participate in a combination of weekly lectures and laboratory work with faculty, graduate students, and postdoctoral fellows from the Harvard Medical School Immunology Graduate Program. Participants from colleges in which the topic is not taught or presented in depth are especially welcome, and individuals from underrepresented minority groups are especially encouraged to apply. Preference will be given to students who are in their sophomore or junior year. A stipend is provided, but the program is unable to assist with travel, housing arrangements, or visas for students.

Summer Institute in Biomedical Informatics at Harvard Medical School

Summer Institute in Biomedical Informatics , now entering its 15th year, is a nine-week full-time extensive research opportunity with a curriculum including didactic lectures, clinical case studies, a mentored research project, and presentation of findings. The program is for undergraduates with quantitative interests and skills who aspire to contribute to translational advances in biomedicine with a future PhD or research-oriented MD or MD/PhD. A stipend, housing, and a travel allowance are provided. If you are an undergraduate with a strong quantitative background and interested in innovation and methodological rigor in your approach to scientific inquiry in biomedicine or in the translation of computational methods to engineering/software applications in medicine, this is the summer program for you!

The Four Directions Summer Research Program

The Four Directions Summer Research Program (FDSRP) provides an opportunity for talented Native American undergraduates to explore careers in the medical profession under the guidance and supervision of staff from Harvard Medical School and Brigham and Women's Hospital. The FDSRP is an eight-week summer research opportunity offered to undergraduate and first-year medical students with a commitment to the health of Native American communities. Interns engage in basic science or translational research projects under the supervision of Harvard Medical School faculty advisors. Students also receive career development training, meet faculty from across the hospital and medical school, and participate in a variety of social networking events. US citizenship or permanent residency is required. Stipend, housing, and travel are provided.

Newborn Medicine Summer Student Research Program

The Newborn Medicine Summer Student Research Program is sponsored by the Harvard Program in Neonatology for students interested in clinical aspects and research in Newborn Medicine. During the 8–12-week program, students are guided by faculty and fellow mentors from the program with the goal of providing undergraduate and medical school students with intensive clinical and laboratory research. As part of the program, the students will have the opportunity to observe newborn care in the hospital nurseries, clinics, and neonatal intensive care units. Partial funding is available for students participating in the program.

Harvard Summer Research Program in Kidney Medicine

Based at Harvard Medical School, the Harvard Summer Research Program in Kidney Medicine is an eight-week research-intensive experience that provides undergraduates interested in science or medicine an introduction to nephrology, and an overview of basic and clinical science. At the end of the program, students will have the opportunity to present their research at a national student symposium. Stipend and housing are provided. Research experience is preferred but not required. US citizenship or permanent residency is required.

Programs at the Harvard T. H. Chan School of Public Health

Summer program in biological sciences in public health.

The Summer Program in Biological Sciences in Public Health at the Harvard T. H. Chan School of Public Health is an eight-week laboratory-based biological research program for undergraduates belonging to underrepresented groups during the summer following their sophomore or junior years. The program exposes college students to the rewards of laboratory research directed toward solving important public health problems such as infections (malaria, TB, parasites), cancer, lung diseases, multifactorial, multigenic, and common diseases of aging, diabetes, and obesity. Scientific approaches include regulation of cell growth and gene regulation, cellular metabolism, DNA modification, cellular signaling, and structure-function analyses. The overall mission of the program is to prepare qualified students for graduate-level training leading to research careers in the biological sciences.

Summer Program in Epidemiology

The Summer Program in Epidemiology at the Harvard T. H. Chan School of Public Health is an intensive five-week program that integrates mathematics and quantitative methods to provide students with an understanding of the skills and processes necessary to pursue a career in public health. The program recruits undergraduates belonging to underrepresented groups for graduate-level training. Areas of study include cancer prevention, infectious disease, environmental and occupational health, nutrition, and more. Students will participate in an introductory course in epidemiology and biostatistics, faculty lectures, a research project led by faculty or post-doctoral fellow, and networking opportunities. Travel, lodging, a stipend, and frequent meals are provided.

Multidisciplinary International Research Training (MIRT) Program

MIRT is a national program designed to encourage students to pursue careers in biomedical and behavioral research providing support for undergraduate and graduate students to do health-related population-based research and training in developing countries including Zimbabwe, Ethiopia, Vietnam, Thailand, Republic of Georgia, Peru, Mexico, Ecuador, Chile, and Australia. Trainees get knowledge of scientific literature associated with projects, biomedical research ethics, and cultural aspects with a focus on how these aspects affect public health issues as well as scientific and medical issues. Research opportunities are designed collaboratively with faculty in these institutions to address health and health disparities pertinent to their countries.

Summer Program in Biostatistics & Computational Biology at the Harvard School of Public Health

The Summer Program in Biostatistics & Computational Biology is an intensive six-week introduction to biostatistics, epidemiology, and public health research. Based at the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, this program is designed to introduce qualified undergraduates and post-baccalaureates to the use of quantitative methods for biological, environmental, and medical research, and to demonstrate the application of quantitative methods to the study of human health. US citizenship or permanent residency is required.

Programs at Harvard’s Affiliated Hospitals

Summer research trainee program at massachusetts general hospital .

The goal of the eight-week Summer Research Trainee Program (SRTP) is to provide underrepresented minority students with an overview of opportunities available in biomedical research and clinical medicine. Students are assigned to Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH) laboratories or clinical sites where they undertake original research projects and prepare presentations of their work under the mentorship of an MGH investigator. In addition to this research experience, students will attend weekly seminars, career development workshops, and networking events. The program is open to underrepresented minority students who have completed at least three years of college or who are first-year medical students; no prior research experience is necessary. US citizenship or permanent residency is required. Housing, meals, and a stipend are provided.

Summer Training in Academic Research and Scholarship Program at Brigham and Women’s Hospital

The STARS Program provides underrepresented minority (URM) undergraduate and first-year medical students with a strong interest in pursuing advanced careers as research scientists, physicians, and/or healthcare professionals with an opportunity to engage in basic, clinical, and translational research projects during an eight-week summer program at Brigham and Women’s Hospital (BWH) and Harvard Medical School (HMS). Interns participate in a research project under the supervision of an HMS faculty mentor. Additional activities include "Research 101" education and training sessions, social networking opportunities, weekly roundtables with BWH Faculty and the Office for Multicultural Faculty Careers, and community health center/clinic shadowing. US citizenship or permanent residency is required. Housing, travel, and a stipend are provided.

Continuing Umbrella of Research Experiences at Dana-Farber/Harvard Cancer Center

The Dana-Farber/Harvard Cancer Center (DF/HCC) Continuing Umbrella of Research Experiences (CURE) program introduces Massachusetts high school and undergraduate students from underrepresented minority populations to cancer research. Each year, CURE selects several students to participate in full-time 8–12-week summer internships. Interns are assigned individual mentors, who oversee their research and offer guidance. In addition to working on a research project, participants benefit from various program activities, such as a comprehensive orientation, scientific research, and professional development seminars, journal club discussions, networking, and social events. Applicants must demonstrate an interest in pursuing a biomedical or health-related research career. Students receive a weekly stipend.

Brigham Research Institute Undergraduate Research Summer Internship Program 

The Brigham Research Institute’s Summer Undergraduate Research Internship Program provides an excellent opportunity for undergraduates across the United States to gain a focused, challenging, and hands-on research experience in a basic science or clinical laboratory setting. Interns can choose from a wide variety of host labs doing exciting work in areas related to cardiovascular, immunology, musculoskeletal, neurobiology, and sex differences research. During the 10-week internship program, students can take advantage of educational and professional development offerings on the Brigham and Women’s Hospital and Harvard Medical School campuses as well as participate in a central curriculum associated with the program. Students will present their research findings in a mini research symposium at the end of their training period.

Equity, Diversity, Inclusion & Belonging

Share this page, explore events.

• News & Highlights

• Publications and Documents
• Postgraduate Education
• Browse Our Courses
• C/T Research Academy
• K12 Investigator Training
• Translational Innovator
• SMART IRB Reliance Request
• Biostatistics Consulting
• Regulatory Support
• Pilot Funding
• Informatics Program
• Community Engagement

Diversity Inclusion

• Research Enrollment and Diversity
• Harvard Catalyst Profiles

Fostering the growth of a diverse clinical & translational workforce

• Visiting Research Internship Program
• Faculty Fellowship

Visiting Medical Students Tackle Big Research Questions

Learn more about the 2023 Visiting Research Internship Program (VRIP) and their research projects. Read article .

Building Equity in Biomedical Research

Learn more about our Visiting Research Internship Program (VRIP) and how it kindles next-generation diversity in clinical and translational sciences. Read article .

Five Questions with the 2022 VRIP Summer Interns

Check out our Five Questions playlist on Youtube to learn more about the 2022 VRIP interns.

Visiting Research Internship Program (VRIP)

This eight-week mentored, summer research program is designed to support medical students in developing their interests in research and health-related careers, particularly in clinical and translational research.

In addition to a mentored clinical and translational research experience, VRIP students participate in weekly seminars with Harvard Medical School faculty, focusing on topics such as research methodology, health disparities, ethics, and career paths. Participants also have the opportunity to participate in offerings of other Harvard Medical School programs such as career development seminars and networking events.

Eligibility

• First and second year medical students, with a focus on those who are from groups underrepresented in medicine and/or disadvantaged individuals
• In good standing from accredited U.S. medical schools
• U.S. Citizens or U.S. Noncitizen Nationals or Permanent Residents of U.S.

Important dates

• All application materials due: Friday, December 15, 2023
• Notification of 2024 VRIP participants: February 19, 2024
• Program dates: June 3-July 27, 2024 (eight weeks)

Financial assistance

• Housing is provided
• The program will provide a stipend
• Transportation reimbursement of up to $400 toward the cost of traveling to and from Boston is available

How to Apply

The 2024 VRIP application cycle is closed.

Past VRIP Interns

Garrett Arosemena Ott, MSc University of Virginia Mentor: Charles R. G. Guttmann, MD, Brigham & Women’s Hospital

Orlane Caro, MHS Meharry Medical College Mentor: Jose Figueroa, MD, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health

Destiny Green Mayo Clinic Alix School of Medicine Mentor: Rani George, MD, PhD, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute

Rahim Hirani, MS New York Medical College Mentor: Meena Nathan, MD, Boston Children’s Hospital

Khadijah Jannah, MHS Meharry Medical College Mentor: Edward K. Rodriguez, MD, PhD, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center

Lashawn Peña, MS SUNY Downstate Health Sciences University Mentor: George Molina, MD, Brigham & Women’s Hospital

Erik Velez-Perez Ponce Health Sciences University Mentor: Paulo Lizano, MD, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center

Vellia Zhou Tufts University School of Medicine Mentor: Ronald Arellano, MD, Massachusetts General Hospital

Ateh Zinkeng, PSM University of Arizona School of Medicine Tucson Mentor: Monique A. Hartley-Brown, MD, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute

Leila Abdelrahman, MS Florida Atlantic University Charles E. Schmidt College of Medicine Mentors: Julie Price, PhD and Ciprian Catana, MD, PhD, Massachusetts General Hospital

Michael Dang, MS Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center Mentor: Marsha A. Moses, PhD, Boston Children’s Hospital

Elias Eteshola, PhD Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University Mentor: Anju Nohria, MD, MSc, Brigham & Women’s Hospital

Lacey Foster, MS Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California Mentor: Samuel Lin, MD, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center

Aaliyah Joseph, MS Eastern Virginia Medical School Mentor: Zeina Chemali, MD, Massachusetts General Hospital

Mischael Saint-Sume Morehouse School of Medicine Mentor: Meena Nathan, MD, MPH, FRCS, Boston Children’s Hospital

Gabriella Sierra Meharry Medical College Mentor: Jonathan Gaffin, MD, Boston Children’s Hospital

Bryan Torres, MS Tulane University School of Medicine Mentor: Gezzer Ortega, MD, Brigham & Women’s Hospital

Watch Five Questions with the 2022 VRIP interns.

Hana Abdirahman University of California, Riverside, School of Medicine Mentor: Daniela M Dinulescu, PhD, Brigham and Women’s Hospital

Alero Arueyingho Meharry Medical College Mentor: Meena Nathan, MB, BS, Boston Children’s Hospital

Briana Cortez University of Texas Rio Grande Valley Mentor: Cristina Aguayo-Mazzucato, MD, PhD, Joslin Diabetes Center

Irasema Fonseca Gonzalez A.T. Still University School of Osteopathic Medicine in Arizona Mentor: Emily Oken, MD, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Harvard Pilgrim Healthcare

Symone Jordan University of Louisville School of Medicine Mentor: Einat Liebenthal, DSc, McLean Hospital

Ruby Lopez-Flores University of Nevada, Reno School of Medicine Mentor: William Meehan, MD, Boston Children’s Hospital

Ariana Mora Emory School of Medicine Mentor: Jose Figueroa, MD, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Brigham and Women’s Hospital

Ugoji Nwanaji-Enwerem Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University Mentor: Jennifer Huang, MD, Boston Children’s Hospital

Elizabeth Saxe University of Washington School of Dental Medicine Mentor: Thomas Tsai, MD, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Brigham and Women’s Hospital

Brea Willey University of Miami, Miller School of Medicine Mentor: Patrizia Vannini, PhD, Brigham and Women’s Hospital

Jasmin Williams University of Connecticut School of Medicine Mentor: Altaf Saadi, MD, Massachusetts General Hospital

Evan Woodard Morehouse School of Medicine Mentor: Lori Laffel, MD, Joslin Diabetes Center

Watch Five Questions with the 2021 VRIP interns.

Ayushi Aggarwal, MPH University of Maryland School of Medicine Mentor: Adriana Panayi, MB, ChB, Brigham and Women’s Hospital

Jaquantey Bowens, MS Indiana University School of Medicine Mentor: Guillermo Garcia-Cardena, PhD, Brigham and Women’s Hospital

Baillee Cooper, MS Tufts University School of Medicine Mentor: Bo Zhang, PhD, Boston Children’s Hospital

Chelsie Poindexter, MS Meharry Medical College Mentor: Josh Joseph, MD, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center

Victoria Sanchez Indiana University School of Medicine Mentor: Alexander Lin, PhD, Brigham and Women’s Hospital

Michelle Kobou Wafo Albany Medical College Mentor: Sylvia Rosas, MD, Joslin Diabetes Center

Watch Five Questions with the 2020 VRIP interns.

Center for Diversity & Inclusion

2023 Program Dates: 6/3/2024 - 7/25/2024

Applications for the 2024 Four Directions Program are currently closed.

OUR PROGRAMS:

Four directions summer research program.

The Four Directions Summer Research Program (FDSRP) is a unique summer research opportunity at Harvard Medical School (HMS) and Brigham and Women’s Hospital (BWH) for undergraduate rising sophomores, juniors and seniors with a commitment to the health of Native American communities. Students engage in a basic science research project under the direction of a Harvard Medical School Faculty Mentor. Additional activities include clinical shadowing, career development seminars, weekly Talking Circles, networking events and more. Upon completion of the program, students leave BWH and HMS with new skills, experiences and knowledge that can be used to empower themselves, their communities and future generations of Native peoples from all Four Directions.

Our Mission

The mission of the Four Directions Summer Research Program (FDSRP) is to train the next generation of leaders in Native American health care. With the support of our Office for Research Careers (ORC), FDSRP is able to prepare students with mentoring, networking, and hands on research experience under the guidance of Harvard Medical School faculty.

To provide students with tools, information and opportunities on their journey to becoming physicians, researchers and public health professionals; as well as role models and teachers in the academic community. To create an extensive network of health professionals dedicated to Indigenous Health Care that will serve as a venue for knowledge sharing, nationwide mentoring and advocacy. To cultivate students’ understanding and awareness of Native American health issues and minority health issues more broadly.

Our History

The Four Directions Summer Research Program was founded by Native American students attending Harvard Medical School. These students shared a common vision of increasing educational and career opportunities for promising Native American students. With the help of a few devoted medical school faculty, the program was launched in 1994 with the successful enrollment of 6 students for the first summer. FDSRP is now in its 28th year and has brought over 200 students to Harvard Medical School during this time.

Brigham and Women’s Hospital Center for Diversity & Inclusion Thorn 13 Suite 1304 20 Shattuck Street Boston, MA 02115-6054

Monday – Friday: 9am – 5pm

[email protected]

617-525-8363, quick links.

Program Features Program Team How To Apply FAQ Photo Gallery

Watch: 1st Generation Journeys at Harvard Medical School

Program Features

• Eight-week research experience . Students work with their lab mentor to submit an abstract of their summer research and share their research findings during a final research presentation day.
• Clinical shadowing. Students have two half-days to shadow clinicians spanning a wide range of disciplines at Brigham and Women’s Hospital.
• Talking Circle. Talking Circle is a traditional component of Native American culture. Students meet weekly with Program Director Tom Sequist to discuss a variety of topics over dinner.
• Professional  and Career Development Workshops . Students meet regularly with faculty from Brigham and Women’s Hospital (BWH), Harvard Medical School (HMS) and Harvard School of Public Health (HSPH) to discuss topics such as MD/PhD programs, medical school admissions, health policy, interviewing and presentation skills. 
• Social & Networking Events. Group dinners and barbecues, sight-seeing around Boston, networking events with Harvard Medical Students and more.

Financial Support

• Transportation to and from Boston.  Our team covers the complete cost of travel to and from Boston. This includes your flight/bus to and from Boston Logan Airport as well as your travel from Boston Logan Airport to your housing residence, and vice versa upon departure. We also provide students with a $75 USD subway pass for transportation while in Boston.
• Housing. Our program provides housing free of charge for the entire length of the eight-week program. We also provide pots, pans and other utensils for meal preparation.
• Living stipend. FDSRP and ORC provides each student a stipend of $5,000 for the eight-week program. Select program meals and social activities. Includes light breakfasts and lunches during workshops, weekly dinners for Talking Circle, and food, transportation and tickets for program-specific social activities.

Program Team

Imoigele P. Aisiku, MD, MBA Associate Chief Diversity & Inclusion Officer

Dr. Aisiku is an Associate Professor and Vice-Chair for Diversity and Equity and the Director of the office of IDEaS in the Department of Emergency Medicine. Dr. Aisiku is also the Chief of the Division of Emergency Critical Care Medicine. Dr. Aisiku also serves as a BWPO Board of Trustee member. As a clinician scholar, Dr. Aisiku has many interests and has served in numerous leadership roles at BWH but has a passion for diversity and community service that spans before his BWH years. In particular he has a passion for being involved in the community and helping to develop young minds from different backgrounds and in particular disadvantaged backgrounds and give them an opportunity to succeed. He is committed to advancing DE&I efforts in his department and through collaborations with the BWH CDI throughout the hospital as well.

Tom Sequist MD, MPH Program Advisor

Dr. Sequist is the Chief Patient Experience and Equity Officer at Mass General Brigham. In this role he leads system wide strategies for improving patient experience and health care equity, while also leading core programs in quality and safety. He is a member of the Taos Pueblo tribe in New Mexico and is committed to improving Native American health care.

How To Apply

Prepare & submit your online application.

• Write your Personal Statement Please describe in 400-750 words your educational and professional goals, and how your participation in the BWH Four Directions Summer Research Program will assist in meeting your goals. Be sure to articulate your qualifications and reasons for wishing to participate in the program. Please upload your personal statement to the application as a word document or PDF file. Be sure to include your last name as a header on all pages.
• Write your answer to the Essay Question:  In 150 words or less, please describe your involvement in the Native American Community. Please be sure to include any hobbies, cultural activities or volunteer work that may demonstrate your contribution to the lives of Native People.
• Send your Unofficial Transcript: Please have them sent to: [email protected] (PDF format) 

Via Email to [email protected] Letter should be emailed as a PDF document and include an official letterhead at the top. Letter must be emailed DIRECTLY by the letter writer.

• Complete online application and upload your essay.
• Wait for application confirmation screen

Important Dates & Deadlines

Application Opens:

November 15, 2023

2022 Program Dates: Monday, June 3, 2024 – Thursday, July 25, 2024

All FDSRP Required Supporting Materials must be received by our office by: January 15, 2024

Do I have to be Native American/Alaskan Native to apply?

Anyone with a demonstrated commitment to the health of Native American communities is welcome to apply to our program. However, we strongly encourage Native American/Alaskan Native students to apply.

How much is the research stipend?

The research stipend for the eight-week program is $5,000 USD. You will receive the first half of the stipend in the amount of $2,500 USD at the beginning of the eight-week program, and the second half at the end of the program.

Do I need prior research experience to be a competitive applicant?

No. Many of our students enter the program with no prior lab experience. Our program places you with a Harvard Medical School lab mentor who will guide you through your research and make themselves available to answer any questions throughout the process.

Where are we housed during the program?

FDSRP students are housed at the MassArt School of Design Artists’ Residence for the eight-week program. The Artists’ Residence is apartment-style housing with individual rooms and a shared kitchen area. The Artists’ Residence is walking distance to Brigham and Women’s Hospital and Harvard Medical School, making it easy to get to and from lab each day.

How do I arrange my travel for the program?

Our team books your travel internally and covers the complete cost of travel to and from Boston. This includes your flight/bus to and from Boston Logan Airport as well as your travel from Boston Logan Airport to your housing at MassArt Artists’ Residence, and vice versa upon departure. 

Photo Gallery

Center for Diversity & Inclusion Brigham and Women’s Hospital 75 Francis Street, Boston MA 02115

General Inquiries:  Email: [email protected]

Home | Our Mission | Our Team OWC | For Residents| Resources News | Events | Contact

Department of Family Medicine and Community Health

Medical School

• Make a Gift
• Program in Health Disparities Research
• Broadway Relocation Fund
• Discovery Fund
• Macaran A. Baird, MD, Fund
• Vince and Mary Kay Hunt Global Health Fund
• Trainee Experience
• Faculty & Staff
• Health Equity & Care Delivery
• Family Medicine
• Physical Therapy
• Rehabilitation Science
• Collaborate with Department Faculty
• Collaborative Scholarship Intensive (CSI)
• Ekstasis Peer Consultation
• Teaching, Evaluation, and Curriculum for Healthcare Professionals (TEACH)
• Student Resources
• Preceptor Resources
• Application Process
• Global Family Medicine
• Curriculum and Call
• Our Faculty
• Our Residents
• Curriculum & Call
• Human Sexuality
• Fellow Benefits
• Eli Coleman Institute for Sexual and Gender Health
• Preparing for Sports Medicine Fellowship
• Advanced Life Support in Obstetrics
• Community Health
• Family Medicine Point-of-Care Ultrasound
• Leadership & Finance
• Medical Student Programmatic Course Awards
• Primary Care Psychiatry
• Sexual Medicine
• Sports Medicine I: Basic Musculoskeletal Assessments
• Sports Medicine II: Procedures in Sports Medicine
• USA Soccer Cup Course
• Continuing Medical Education
• Medical Family Therapy Internship
• PhD/MS Requirements
• How To Apply
• Course Descriptions
• Meet Our Students
• Lab Members
• Remotely Delivered Cognitive Multisensory Rehabilitation for Sensory and Motor Recovery after Spinal Cord Injury
• Cancer Survivorship & Lymphology Research Lab
• Minnesota Rehabilitation Biomechanics Lab
• Respiratory Physiology and Neuroplasticity Laboratory
• Community Voices for Health
• About Family Matters
• For Participants
• For Researchers
• Publications
• Family Matters Intervention
• ISBAAR Project
• Our body, Our health
• Project EAT
• Parent Participatory Action Research
• Preschool Plates
• 5-2-1-0 Childhood Obesity Study
• All in the Family
• Family Meals, LIVE!
• Family Meals, LIVE: Sibling Edition
• Family Meals, Child Health and Well-Being
• Paha Sapa: Play it Forward
• Prenatal Group Visits Study
• Patient Centered Assessment Method
• Patient Care
• Advocacy and Policy
• Education and Resources
• Faculty and Staff
• Admissions Standards
• DPT Curriculum
• Clinical Education
• In the Community
• Tuition Information
• Program Scholarships
• External Scholarships & Loan Forgiveness
• PT Job Postings
• Human Movement Pathways Program
• DPT/PhD Joint Degree
• Geriatric Residency
• Continuing Education
• Physical Therapy Faculty Clinical Providers
• Why The University of Minnesota
• Macaran A. Baird, MD, Lecture
• Past Grand Rounds

All About the PhD in Rehabilitation Science Program

Brendan Dougherty, PT, PhD , assistant professor and co-director of the Rehabilitation Science Graduate Program, shares the history, structure, and ongoing successes of the PhD in Rehabilitation Science program.

Can you give us an overview of the rehabilitation science PhD program?   

Our PhD program recently celebrated 25 years! It began in 1998 and evolved out of the former Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation (known as PM&R) primarily from the leadership of Physical Therapy and Occupational Therapy programs. There was (and still is) a growing national need for PhD-level trained clinicians and scientists to advance research related to physical rehabilitation. 

The goal for starting the Rehabilitation Science Program was two-fold: 1) bring together experts to advance science that could then be applied to patient care and clinical practice (i.e. translational research), and 2) integrate research training into these clinical programs. So, our roots are very much in the fields of physical therapy and occupational therapy. At the time, there were only a handful of like programs nationally. We were on the forefront along with the likes of the University of Florida, the University of Delaware, and the University of Southern California, to name a few.

When we welcomed our first class, it was very small—about six students and eight faculty. We've been growing through the years, more than quadrupling our number of students, building our curriculum, and expanding faculty beyond those in physical and occupational therapy. Our program, and the field of rehabilitation science, is now a broad, interdisciplinary collective of scientists working in research areas at each level of the translational research continuum with the shared goal of advancing rehabilitation care for patients of all ages.    

What is the structure of the PhD program?  

Full-time students generally take 4-5 years to earn their PhD. In the first two years students take classes, followed by preliminary written and oral exams. In year three, students are generally prepared to dive into their dissertation project, which culminates in a final thesis defense. This progression to degree completion is in line with the other PhD programs in the Medical School.   

What kinds of students are in the rehabilitation medicine PhD program?  

As our program has grown, diversified, and broadened across departments and centers at the University and VA Medical Center, the make-up of our students has changed as well. Right now, we have 28 PhD students, and they are from all different academic backgrounds. Early and mid-career clinicians are attracted to our program, with about half of our students having clinical degrees (physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, orthotics and prosthetics, exercise physiology). 

However, more and more students are applying to our program straight from undergraduate or master’s degree programs with broad experience in biomedical engineering, physiology, neuroscience, public health, and chemistry, for example. Since our faculty are experts in areas spanning the basic and clinical sciences, we attract students with a range of research interests, and we feel that this breadth is a significant strength of our program.   

Who are the faculty members for this program?  

Our faculty members are a lot of the same names you see in physical therapy, as well as faculty from UMN-affiliated institutions including Gillette Children’s and the Minneapolis VA Medical Center. Faculty with primary appointments in occupational therapy, kinesiology, neurology, and neuroscience also have graduate faculty appointments in the Rehabilitation Science program. We look forward to exploring opportunities for further expansion to include faculty from family medicine! 

How does the PhD program fit into the overall Division of Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation Science?  

Rehabilitation Science’s expressed mission is to train the next generation of scientists and academics that will go on to teach and advance the science of rehabilitation. Our graduates’ research will be translated into application in the real world, in the clinic or hospital setting. There is significant synergy with the goals and mission of the Doctor of Physical Therapy Program, with our programs aligning in mission, faculty, and long-term goals. 

Specifically, the PhD program overlaps with physical therapy in research areas related to human performance, human movement, and recovery from injury and disease. But it is important to emphasize that rehabilitation science is not exclusive to physical therapy. Biomedical engineering, exercise science, neuroscience, occupational therapy, physiology, and other areas are represented as well. 

We run the gamut from bench scientists that are looking at things from the cellular and molecular level all the way to human subject research. As our program continues to grow, we are excited about further broadening these research areas to encompass all aspects of the rehabilitation experience.    

What do students choose to study while in the program?  

One highlight of our program is its flexibility. Students have the freedom to choose electives from a variety of different disciplines on campus. We may have a student who is interested in neuro rehab, so they might take courses from Neuroscience. Students who are more interested in psychosocial outcomes might be doing community-based studies out of Public Health.

But the hallmark of what binds all of what our students do is our robust research development and our core curriculum. These are skills that all students need and practice and will stay with them throughout their career. One example is our grant writing course where students are guided through the creation of an NIH F31-style grant proposal based on their research direction. Many students go on to submit these proposals, and students in our program have been fortunate to receive several NIH F31 fellowships. 

We also have a presentation course focused on speaking scientifically yet relating research in layperson terms. We try for a holistic training of the student—that is our broad-based curriculum. Each student then breaks out and goes into sub-curriculum electives that meet their individual needs based on the type of research they're going to be doing.  

Is there anything else that you would like to share about the program?   

We are eager to get the word out about who we are! Our program is relatively small compared to some other PhD graduate programs in the Medical School, but our unique interdisciplinary research and flexible curriculum are likely to be attractive to a wide variety of individuals interested in graduate studies.   

We’re proud of who we’ve become in 25 short years. The evidence is there in terms of our impact. In addition to our success with NIH F31 awards, our students frequently receive institutional awards such as the Graduate School’s Doctoral Dissertation Fellowships. Our trainees are routinely welcomed on training grants and have accepted invitations nationally and internationally to present their work. We may be small, but we take pride in the fact that we are impactful.   

Learn more about the Rehabilitation Science PhD program