Apprenticeships in Science & Engineering program

The ASE Program provides a full-time summer internship experiences to 9-11th grade students beginning with free workshops on cover letter writing and interview skills training. Successful applicants are selected by ASE mentors and gain professional experience while working as interns with mentor professionals from industry, university, non-profit and government agencies. 

Applications due in March, see ASE Application Instructions for requirements and information on how to apply.

Ted R. Lilley Cancer CURE Program

The Ted R. Lilley Continuing Umbrella of Research Education (CURE) Intern Program is an 8 week summer research mentorship training program supported by the OHSU Knight Cancer Institute and the OHSU Center for Diversity and Inclusion. It is designed to offer research experiences to Portland area high school students that excel academically and come from socially and economically disadvantaged background.

The goals of this program are to give hands-on research experience, science exposure and to increase participation of underserved and minority students in biomedical research and other health-related fields. Learn more about the CURE Program.

Dangerous Decibels program

Dangerous Decibels is the award winning, evidence-based public health program designed to reduce the incidence and prevalence of Noise-Induced Hearing Loss (NIHL) and tinnitus (ringing in the ears, which is an early indicator of hearing loss) by changing knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors.  Initiated in 1999, Dangerous Decibels resources are now in use in over 40 countries and the educational program and materials have been translated from English into Portuguese (Brazilian), Malay, Mandarin and Tamil. 

Contact information and program details can be found at www.dangerousdecibels.org.

The three main educational messages communicated through all Dangerous Decibels activities are:

• What are sources of dangerous sounds?
• What are the consequences of being around dangerous sounds?
• How can I protect myself from dangerous sounds?

The Dangerous Decibels activities include:

• A highly interactive educational program demonstrated to be effective for improving knowledge, attitudes and intended behaviors regarding sound exposure and appropriate use of hearing protective strategies in children and adults.
• Educator training workshops that train, equip and certify individuals from diverse backgrounds to be able to effectively deliver the Dangerous Decibels programs.  Workshops have been conducted in the Australia, Brazil, Canada, Malaysia, New Zealand, Singapore, Tonga and the US.
• The Dangerous Decibels website www.dangerousdecibels.org including:
• The Jolene Cookbook – a fully illustrated tutorial on how to build your own mannequin that can measure the sound levels produced by personal audio devices.
• The Dangerous Decibels Virtual Exhibit – Eight web-based activities that will help users understand how the ear works, how it breaks and how to protect it from dangerous sounds.
• Information about dangerous noise levels, hearing loss and hearing protection.
• Free downloadable educational resources for families and teachers.
• Research studies about noise exposures in children, community-based hearing loss prevention in American Indian populations, the effectiveness of the Dangerous Decibels intervention in Brazil, China, Malaysia, New Zealand and the US, application of health communication science to changing hearing health behaviors in children and adults.

The program continues as an international, good-faith partnership between experts in hearing science, public heath, noise, evaluation and education who are passionately dedicated to preventing noise induced hearing loss and tinnitus.

Fluorescence Molecular Imaging Internship Program

The Fluorescence Molecular Imaging Internship Program is a ten-week program hosted by the Gibbs Laboratory to provide hands-on science education to high school and college students interested in careers in scientific research. The first summer of participation is a voluntary learning experience in which the interns learn a variety of wet bench laboratory skills such as cell culture, spectroscopy, fluorescence microscopy, macroscopic fluorescence imaging, immunostaining, organic synthesis, small molecule purification as well as antibody conjugation and purification strategies. Additionally, interns learn about data analysis and processing and can learn about programming, especially in the area of image analysis. Interns who complete the ten-week program may be eligible to return the following year to participate in a paid internship program that would also provide additional experience.

To apply, send a cover letter expressing your reason for interest in the program as well as your C.V. to Dr. Summer Gibbs. The deadline for applications is March 15. 

Knight Scholars Program

Explore a career in cancer research through a year-long internship with the Knight Cancer Institute at OHSU. The Knight Scholars Program gives Oregon high school students a chance to explore careers in cancer research, treatment and prevention. Programs occur in the student’s home community and at the Knight Cancer Institute in Portland, Oregon. Virtual sessions throughout the school year prepare students for in-person internships during the summer.

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 are paid a stipend during their participation in the program. Our next year-long session begins in August 2025. For more information, email knightscholars@ohsu.edu.

Let's Get Healthy!

Education and research program from Oregon Health & Science University that travels around the state to help the public learn about their health.

Learn more about Let's Get Healthy!

Oregon AHEC Programs

Oregon AHEC is a partnership between OHSU and five regional centers. Please visit center websites for programs in your county.

Oregon National Primate Research Center

• Tours
  • The ONPRC welcomes elementary and middle school students aged 10 and older; high school groups; students from colleges/universities; civic groups and other organizations; and members of the general public on tours that are designed for the special needs of each group in mind. Depending on group size and interest, tours may feature an interactive presentation about science methods, a presentation about current center research projects, a visit to the outdoor corrals to observe the Center's rhesus and Japanese macaque breeding colonies, a presentation by a Center scientist, and or/tours of selected labs (available for groups of 18 or fewer, ages 16 and older).
  • All tours are free of change, and provide an opportunity to learn more about the role of nonhuman primates in biomedical research and to observe nonhuman primate behavior. Minimum group size 10.
• Science Ambassador Program (for high school students and 5th graders)
  • This program provides opportunities for high school students to learn about cutting-edge science while developing their leadership skills. High school students meet weekly throughout the school year. They learn about science from Primate Center researchers, and develop and implement hands-on activities relating to important science concepts to share with the 5th grader "mentees" who join the group twice a month.
  • Applications due in the fall of each year.
  • For more information about K-12 opportunities at Oregon National Primate Research Center,
  • contact Kayla McDaniel by phone 503-346-5055 or by email: mcdankay@ohsu.edu.

Partners in Science

This program, administered by The M.J. Murdock Charitable Trust, provides a generous stipend of $6,500 to encourage and enable full-time middle and high school science teachers to participate in research.  Selected teachers conduct research projects under the direction of ONPRC/West Campus scientists for 8 weeks during each of two consecutive summers. Scientist mentors at OHSU’s West Campus are identified during the Spring and teachers are recruited at the start of the school year. After their 2^nd summer of research, teachers may apply for a Classroom Innovation Grant, that awards up to $5,000 towards supplies for an inquiry-based project in the classroom. 

For a list of mentors and projects and to apply to this program at the Oregon National Primate Research Center/OHSU West Campus, contact Kayla McDaniel, mcdankay@ohsu.edu or 503-346-5055. For more information about this program, visit the M.J. Murdock Charitable Trust website. 

Partnership for Scientific Inquiry (PSI) Program

The PSI Program is a unique 16-week didactic course followed by an opportunity for a summer internship, designed to introduce high school students in Oregon and the Portland metro area to biomedical research, with a special emphasis on supporting underrepresented minorities and students from disadvantaged backgrounds. Through a combination of lectures from diverse researchers, one-on-one mentorship, hands-on experiences, and structured assignments, students gain an in-depth understanding of scientific research and inquiry.

The program covers various aspects of biomedical research, including learning to critically read research articles, preparing oral presentations, writing research proposals, and exploring different research methodologies. Beyond the classroom, students have the opportunity to participate in a summer research internship, where they work alongside experienced mentors to apply their skills in a real laboratory setting. Our goal is to provide an accessible and inclusive pathway for all students to explore scientific careers. 

How to Apply: Applications for the 2025 cycle isnow open! The deadline to submit an application and a teacher recommendation is Nov. 24, 2024. 

Quantitative Biology / Biophysics Internship

The Quantitative Biology / Biophysics Internship in the Galbraith Lab within the Knight Cancer Institute and the BME Department creates opportunities for high school, undergraduate, and graduate students to participate in quantitative biology and biophysics research. Interns participate in experiments and data analysis as part of an NSF grant to the lab. We anticipate applicants from a wide range of educational levels.

Our primary goal is to offer them a cutting-edge research setting with correspondingly meaningful problems to give them the tools to become quantitative scientists. We structure each project to be appropriate for the student’s educational level, and interns are encouraged to take “scientific ownership” of their project.  At the end of the internship, students typically present their work at a local conference or are included as an author in a national abstract presentation.

Saturday Academy programs

Saturday Academy offers hands-on, in-depth classes and camps for student in grades 2-12. Classes are taught by community experts in science, technology, engineering, math and the arts. In addition, we offer internships to high school students in science and engineering through our Apprenticeships in Science & Engineering program; we bring SA classes to local schools through our Saturday Academy to You program; and we teach technology and programming to girls through our Girls Engage Technology program. 

Financial aid and tuition assistance are available. For more information or to register for classes, please visit Saturday Academy or call 503-200-5858.

School of Dentistry Research Internship Program

The OHSU School of Dentistry Research Internship Program provides interns with practical research experience in the fields of dental and oral health. This program is designed to support high school students, undergraduates, and those matriculating into the OHSU Dentistry program, offering them valuable opportunities to engage in research activities. Our goal is to establish clear pathways to careers in dental, oral, and craniofacial research, fostering the next generation of researchers in these critical areas.

STEMPrep

OHSU has partnered with Dr. Moses Williams of the Distance Learning Center to form the STEMPrep internship program. The collective mission is to foster sustained interest and engagement of underrepresented minority students in STEM-related activities, and ultimately success in STEM-related careers.

STEMPrep is a full-time 8-week summer internship for 11th and 12th graders and 10 weeks for college students.  Trainees are paired with a research and clinical mentor. They are given hands-on research experience and participate in didactic sessions and a computational boot camp.  In addition, the students are treated to a variety of fun weekend excursions in and around the Portland metro area.

UCEDD Summer Internship Program

The OHSU UCEDD Summer Internship Program (SIP) will be hybrid (some in-person and some virtual activities). SIP is an eight-week long summer internship that provides opportunities for high school or early college age students to gain experience in the disability field, develop transferable skills, and learn about various career paths in health care. Interns will participate 24 hours per week in group activities and on a project at one of the Institute on Development and Disability centers, gaining experience in research, education, training, and dissemination.

This internship is designed for students who are interested in pursuing a career in health care, specifically with a focus on disability. Interns will receive a stipend. Applications are due January 16, 2023.

Visit for more information, including a link to the application.