UCSF Summer Research Experiences in Neuroscience

About This Grant

PROJECT SUMMARY/ABSTRACT Summer Research Experiences in Neuroscience (SREN), developed and led by the Science & Health Education Partnership (SEP) at UC San Francisco (UCSF), will annually support 10 public high school students in neuroscience research internships. Interns’ research projects will focus on deepening our understanding of the brain and nervous system in order to reduce the burden of neurological disease. UCSF’s world-renowned departments of Neurology, Neurological Surgery, and Institute for Neurodegenerative Diseases offer an ideal backdrop to develop interns’ ability to conduct rigorous scientific research. The specific aims for this project are to: 1) develop students’ science skills, 2) build students’ awareness of neuroscience careers and identity as neuroscience researchers, and 3) foster college readiness. This project leverages UCSF SEP’s experience coupling authentic research experiences with co-curricular supports to prepare students to matriculate to and thrive in college, ultimately to increase participation in neuroscience careers. The short and long term impacts of SREN on its student cohort will be documented through surveys to track high school graduation, college matriculation, major selection and degree completion, as well as students’ self-reported gains in science confidence and researcher identity. Over the lifetime of the project, 50 students will be engaged in authentic neuroscience research projects and have the chance to leverage the support structures within SREN to propel themselves into a neuroscience career.