If you’re a high school or college student, you can explore a career in biomedical engineering through a summer internship. You will contribute to world-class research that helps healthcare providers understand and treat disease.

• ORION Undergraduate Internship Program
• Fluorescence Molecular Imaging Internship Program
• Quantitative Biology / Biophysics Internship
• Equity Internship Program

ORION Undergraduate Internship Program

Dates: 10 weeks, flexible start date
Applications due: Feb. 14, 2025 at 5 p.m. PST
Who’s eligible: Undergraduates (rising juniors and seniors), recent graduates
Spots: 4

As a student in the Oregon Research and InnovatiON (ORION) Undergraduate Internship Program, you’ll study basic research and real-world treatments for cardiovascular disease. You’ll work to find new pathways that lead to safe and effective treatments for cardiovascular disease, including heart attack and stroke. 

You’ll learn four key concepts: 

• Experimental premise and design in cardiovascular research 
• Data and quantitative analysis 
• Oral and written presentation of results 
• Diversity, equity and inclusion in teams

You will conduct research in one of four areas:

• Blood cell biology and drug development
• Biomaterials and medical devices 
• Computational fluid dynamics and imaging
• Regenerative medicine

Positions are available in the cardiovascular engineering laboratories led by Monica Hinds, Owen McCarty, Sandra Rugonyi, Joe Aslan, Joseph Shatzel and Karina Nakayama. 

This initiative is funded by the American Heart Association. Students receive a stipend of $6,000 to cover room and board, as well as support to attend and present at a national conference. 

How to apply: Fill out the application here and have the following items ready (combined PDF attachment preferred):

• CV or resume 
• Unofficial transcript
• Cover letter describing career goals and research interest
• One letter of recommendation (to be submitted separately by your reference)

Program Flyer

Questions? EmailBMEIntern@ohsu.edu: 

Fluorescence Molecular Imaging Internship Program

Dates: Flexible start and end dates; 10-week minimum
Applications due: March 15, 2025
Who’s eligible: High school and undergraduate students
Spots: 6-8

Embark on a journey to advance your career in biomedical engineering and science with the Gibbs Lab at OHSU.
This internship offers a hands-on learning experience in developing novel contrast agents to enhance imaging technologies.

What you will learn:

• Cell culture
• Bioconjugation 
• Immunostaining
• Microscopy
• Fluorescence imaging
•  Image analysis
• Organic synthesis
• Spectroscopy
• Analytical characterization

The first summer is unpaid. Successful interns may be invited back for a paid position the following year.

How to apply: Email Dr. Summer Gibbs at GibbsInternship@ohsu.edu with your CV and a cover letter explaining your interest in the program.

Quantitative Biology / Biophysics Internship

Dates: 8 weeks, starting in June
Applications due:  March  31, 2025
Who’s eligible: High school and undergraduate students
Spots: 2-3

Participate in experiments and data analysis as part of the Galbraith Lab’s research in quantitative biology and biophysics. You’ll be in a cutting-edge research setting with meaningful problems to solve as you learn the skills to become a quantitative scientist.

We structure each project to be appropriate for your educational level, and you will be encouraged to take scientific ownership of your work. At the end of the internship, you will either present your project at a local conference or be included as an author in a national abstract presentation.

Skills and concepts learned by past interns include:

• Image analysis
• Time lapse and super-resolution microscopy
• Nanofabrication
• Immunohistochemistry and characterization of novel fluorophores
• Basic molecular biology

The Galbraith Lab operates within the Knight Cancer Institute and the Department of Biomedical Engineering. Interns receive a stipend.

How to apply: Send email to theGalbraith Lab  with your CV and a cover letter explaining your interest in the program. Visit the Galbraith Lab webpage for more information.

Equity Internship Program

Dates: June 23 - Aug. 15, 2025
Applications due: Jan. 22, 2025 at 5 p.m. Pacific
Who’s eligible: Undergraduate students who excel academically and come from socially and economically disadvantaged backgrounds
Spots: 25-30 positions across OHSU

The Equity Internship Program offers hands-on research experience to underrepresented students. Lab placement options include the Department of Biomedical Engineering and the Knight Cancer Institute's Cancer Early Detection Advanced Research Center, among other tracks at the university.

You’ll study alongside OHSU scientists, attend seminars and present your research at an OHSU poster symposium. Previous summer interns have studied cell behavior in 3D engineered tissues and worked on an assay to measure protease activity in early-stage ovarian cancer, among other projects.

How to apply: See the Equity Research Program for more information and an application link or contact studentdiversity@ohsu.edu.