Monell Science Apprenticeship Program, Summer 2024 – Dec 18

Posted by Monell Center on November 7, 2023

The Monell Science Apprenticeship Program (MSAP) is looking for highly motivated high school and undergraduate students in the greater Philadelphia area (including Camden) for an eight-week intensive paid internship that provides the opportunity to directly participate in basic research. Our mission is to mentor students in biomedical science and our program was named one of the top 25 pre-college summer programs for learning science by Best College Reviews. We have a special interest in providing this opportunity to students who are from groups typically under-represented in the sciences, including veterans, women, individuals with disabilities, individuals from ethnic and racially marginalized groups, and from low-income households. Students with no prior experience conducting research are highly encouraged to apply.

The Monell Center is a basic research institute furthering scientific discovery on the chemical senses (taste and smell). Each summer, we offer a group of approximately twenty students the unique opportunity to work alongside our scientists in a paid apprenticeship and to learn more about careers in research – a true apprenticeship experience! Students are asked to meet the challenges of serious research responsibilities while contributing to projects at the forefront of scientific research.

Past projects that MSAP students have worked on include:

• Cloning olfactory receptors and testing how they respond to odors
• Investigating flavor preferences in infants, children and the elderly
• Developing non-lethal repellents for agricultural pests
• Studying the chemistry of air quality and how it influences people’s health perceptions
• And more! Available projects change each year.

Students will work with human subjects, animal subjects, and/or data. As you apply, you should spend some time thinking about what type of work most interests you, and indicate your specific interests in your personal essay. Your personal essay is also a place to describe any life experiences that are influencing your decision to apply to the program.

Application deadline: December 18, 2023

Learn more and apply.