Undergraduates: Open Research Positions & Projects
Current Harvard Undergraduates: contact Kate Penner Undergraduate Science Research Advisor, for advice on applying for research positions. If you find a position below that looks interesting, please contact the lab directly.
Faculty: if you are interested in posting your open research position, please contact Kate Penner.
Our website was recently updated. Transferring project listings is currently in progress. Thank you for your patience! (New listings are posted on a rolling basis.)
Open Projects for Fall 2026
Undergraduate Research Opportunities in the Church Lab // Genetics, HMS
Virology and RNA Structure Undergraduate Research Opportunity // Rouskin Lab
Exploring the Human Visual System in Health and Disease with High-Resolution MRI // HMS, Radiology
Undergraduate Research Opportunity, MJ Lab, Harvard Medical School/Massachusetts General Hospital
Medical AI Bootcamp, Rajpurkar Lab, Harvard Medical School
Open Projects from Spring 2026
Undergraduate research opportunity // Cantor Lab // Dana-Farber Cancer Institute
Undergraduate research opportunity // Kristin Javaras // McLean Hospital
Undergraduate Research Opportunities in the Church Lab // Genetics, HMS
George Church, gchurch@genetics.med.harvard.edu
https://churchlab.hms.harvard.edu/
Longwood, In-Person Opportunity
The Church Lab develops and applies technologies for reading, writing, and recoding genomes, with a focus on gene therapy, aging reversal, synthetic morphogenesis, and AI-driven protein design. Our goal is to engineer new-to-nature biological systems, from virus-resistant genomes to organoids, diagnostics, and space-ready organisms, that deepen our understanding of natural biology while delivering real-world solutions in medicine, sustainability, and biosecurity. We are seeking undergraduate research interns to join ongoing projects and gain hands-on wet-lab experience in molecular biology techniques, protein engineering, microscopy, nanotechnology, screening and validation, and data analysis.
Who this project might be a good fit for, in terms of interests and/or goals: Gene therapy, aging reversal, synthetic morphogenesis, and AI-driven protein design
Additional notes: For more information and to learn how to apply, visit https://docs.google.com/document/d/1JiK19bXIkbVSwRydECqAAkD7yLRO9t-Vi_LaiwU8H9E/edit?usp=sharing
This is a spring 2027 opportunity with the possibility to continue into the summer
Time commitment: Negotiable
Applicant requirements: No experience required
Not funded, possible HCRP
If interested, please contact: The Church Lab Administrative Team at church_lab_admin@hms.harvard.edu
Characterizing Cellular Changes in Offspring Brain following Maternal Immune Activation // Bordt Lab // HMS
Evan Bordt, ebordt@mgh.harvard.edu
https://www.bordtlab.com/
Charlestown, In-Person Opportunity
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a male biased neurodevelopmental disorder (NDD) characterized by neurobehavioral and molecular signatures. In rodent models, maternal immune activation (MIA) during pregnancy has been used to induce behavioral and molecular changes in developing offspring. MIA induces inflammatory responses that pass from the mom to the fetus prenatally via the placenta thereby altering neurodevelopment. Specifically, in the Bordt lab, we are interested in visualizing the cellular changes in the offspring brain following this insult that underlie the behavioral alterations observed. As part of a project that includes single nuclei and bulk RNA sequencing of embryonic brains and placentae, students interested in this project will learn how to cryo-section tissues, utilize immunohistochemistry (IHC), perform confocal microscopy, and complete image analysis using multiple platforms.
Who this project might be a good fit for, in terms of interests and/or goals: Someone who is excited about learning about how maternal health influences neurodevelopment and neurodevelopmental disorders.
If interested, please contact: Elizabeth Plunk, eplunk@mgh.harvard.edu
Mechanisms of Neuronal Cell Death in Protein Aggregation-Associated Neurodegeneration // Boston Children's Hospital // Program in Cellular and Molecular Medicine
PI: Tom Kirchhausen, kirchhausen@crystal.harvard.edu
Longwood Campus, In-Person Opportunity
Neurodegenerative diseases such as Parkinson’s disease are characterized by the accumulation of misfolded proteins and progressive neuronal loss, but how protein aggregation ultimately leads to neuronal death remains poorly understood. Our laboratory uses human iPSC-derived neurons and long-term live-cell imaging to investigate this process at the single-cell level. This project will investigate the mechanisms by which exposure to pathogenic tau aggregates leads to neuronal cell death. We have established live-cell assays that allow us to follow individual neurons over several days while simultaneously monitoring protein aggregation and activation of cell-death pathways. The student will help determine when and how specific cell-death pathways are activated and whether aggregation changes the trajectory by which individual neurons die. The student will work closely with a research fellow and gain experience with human iPSC-derived neuronal cultures, fluorescence microscopy, cell-death assays, quantitative image analysis, experimental design, and interpretation of biological data. The project is already underway and offers the opportunity for a motivated student to take ownership of a defined research question.
Who this project might be a good fit for, in terms of interests and/or goals: This project would be a particularly good fit for a student interested in neuroscience, neurodegenerative disease, cell biology, microscopy, or quantitative biology who would like to experience how a mechanistic research question is developed and tested in the laboratory. It may also appeal to students considering graduate school, medical school, or a research career who want sustained hands-on experience rather than short-term observation.
We are especially interested in students who are curious about how individual cells behave over time and who enjoy connecting microscopy observations with biological mechanisms. No previous experience with neuronal culture or microscopy is expected but experience in basic techniques like western blotting and cell culture is helpful; enthusiasm for learning, reliability, and intellectual curiosity are more important.
Requirements: Western blotting, basic cell culture techniques, ability to travel to the Longwood Campus regularly,
Time commitment: Negotiable, at least 8-10 hours/week
Unfunded project
Additional notes: If interested, please contact: Anwesha Sanyal, anwesha.sanyal@childrens.harvard.edu
Virology and RNA Structure Undergraduate Research Opportunity // Rouskin Lab
PI: Dr. Silvi Rouskin
Lab Website and Publications: https://www.rouskinlab.com/
Project and Duties: Research projects in the Rouskin Lab focus on characterizing RNA structures in viruses and other systems. We interrogate and predict how RNA folds and mediates viral-host interactions, translation, splicing, and gene expression. We use a variety of wet lab and computational techniques to study RNA structures in high-throughput and live infection systems. Students will work directly with postdoctoral fellows and graduate students.
Skills required: Early undergraduate students are not expected to have prior laboratory experience. Upper years should have some laboratory experience in molecular biology/biochemistry in addition to advanced coursework in these areas. All interested candidates should be curious and expect a steep learning curve.
Learning outcome: Students will gain exposure to a variety of cellular, biochemical, and computational methodologies as they relate to RNA structure. More importantly, students will better understand the conduct of research and learn to apply problem solving to emerging scientific questions.
Time Commitment: Students are encouraged to pursue thesis research in the Rouskin Lab. Ideally, candidates will work part time (~10 hours/week, may receive research credit) throughout the academic year and stay 1 or more summers (full time, paid).
Mentoring: Postdocs and graduate students with experience mentoring students will directly advise undergraduate mentees. Students are encouraged to attend lab meetings and journal club if time permits. Students will receive guidance when writing proposals and will be encouraged to apply for nationally competitive scholarships such as the Goldwater/NSF in addition to graduate/professional schools.
Application: Please email a CV or resume and short (<300 words) description of previous experience, research motivation, and career goals to Grant Yang (grantyang@g.harvard.edu) with the subject line “Undergraduate Research Application”. Interested candidates are welcome to meet with members of the lab or discuss their interests before committing to a formal position.
Exploring the Human Visual System in Health and Disease with High-Resolution MRI // HMS, Radiology
Shahin Nasr, shahin.nasr@mgh.harvard.edu
mesovision.martinos.org // Charlestown // In-Person Opportunity
For more than a decade, our lab has used magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to investigate how the human visual cortex is organized and how it supports perception and behavior. Using advanced, high-resolution neuroimaging techniques and state-of-the-art equipment, we study the brain’s fine-scale organization. We also investigate how this organization is altered in developmental conditions such as amblyopia, neurodegenerative diseases such as Huntington’s disease, and psychiatric disorders such as schizophrenia.
Who this project might be a good fit for, in terms of interests and/or goals: Our lab would be a good fit for students who are curious about how the brain enables us to see and how the visual system is affected by developmental, neurodegenerative, and psychiatric conditions. Students interested in neuroscience, neuroimaging, programming, or advanced imaging technologies would find opportunities to connect these interests through research. Our projects are particularly well suited to students who want to gain hands-on research experience, develop their MATLAB/Python and data analysis skills, and explore future study or careers in neuroscience, psychology, biomedical engineering, or related fields.
Requirements: We are looking for students with familiarity with MATLAB (or Python) programming and an interest in neuroimaging and advanced technologies.
Additional notes: We encourage students who are curious, motivated, and eager to learn to reach out. You do not need to be an expert in neuroscience or MRI before joining, familiarity with MATLAB and a willingness to develop new skills are a strong starting point. Our lab offers opportunities to learn about high-resolution brain imaging, contribute to ongoing research, and explore how the organization of the human brain relates to perception and disease.
Time commitment: For first-years and sophomores we expect around 6-10 hours per week, and with juniors and seniors we expect 10+, and 15-20 hours per week.
Unfunded, HCRP eligible
If interested, please contact: shahin.nasr@mgh.harvard.edu
Engineering new phage tail-like entities for treating and preventing antibiotic resistant infection // HMS, Ophthalmology, Mass General Brigham, Microbiology
Michael S. Gilmore michael_gilmore@meei.harvard.edu
MGH Main campus, Boston // In-Person Opportunity
Turning a bacterium’s own weapon into precisely targeted antimicrobials: We recently discovered efagins (ee-FAGE-ins; Enterococcus faecalis phage tail-like inhibitors), bacteria-killing particles encoded in the genomes of every E. faecalis strain we have examined. About one in 1,000 cells sacrifices itself to release efagins that kill selected competing strains while sparing the producer’s own strain. Efagins resemble the tails of bacteriophages, viruses that infect bacteria. Their tail fibers recognize specific sugars on the surfaces of Gram-positive bacteria. Because these sugars differ between strains, efagins are highly selective. The recognition domain—the part that determines which bacterium an efagin binds—is encoded at the end of a single gene in the 18 gene efagin operon. Swapping this end region allows us to redirect efagins toward new targets. Where do we find replacement parts? Phages share structural similarities with efagins, and their genomes offer an enormous library of recognition domains, reflecting the extraordinary abundance and diversity of phages and their bacterial hosts. Students will use computational searches to identify promising domains and molecular biology approaches to engineer and test efagins with new targeting properties. Because efagins kill differently from conventional antibiotics, they offer a potential route to targeting antibiotic-resistant bacteria. Projects connect genomics, molecular biology, and microbiology, giving students the opportunity to identify a new bacterial target and help design a precision antimicrobial against it.
Who this project might be a good fit for, in terms of interests and/or goals: A student with strong interests in molecular biology who is self motivated and can learn to work independently
Requirements: Prior experience preferred
Additional notes: We have successfully hosted undergraduate students previously who may be contacted for additional perspective.
Time Commitment: Negotiable - The student would largely be responsible for advancing the project
Unfunded, HCRP eligible
If interested, please contact: Prof. Michael S. Gilmore michael_gilmore@meei.harvard.edu
Multiple Projects Exploring the Role of Coagulation and Fibrinolysis in Immunity and Inflammation // Silva Lab // HSDM
Lakmali M Silva, lakmali_silva@hsdm.harvard.edu
https://www.hsdm.harvard.edu/silva-laboratory, Longwood campus, Primarily In-Person
Our laboratory investigates the molecular and cellular mechanisms by which coagulation and fibrinolytic pathways regulate inflammation, immune responses, and tissue homeostasis. We are particularly interested in understanding how fibrin, a key protein involved in blood clotting, influences immune cell function and contributes to chronic inflammatory diseases.
Our research focuses on the interactions between fibrin, innate immune cells, and the tissue microenvironment, with an emphasis on oral inflammatory diseases such as periodontitis, intestinal inflammation, and hematopoietic recovery following injury. Using genetically modified mouse models, cellular and molecular approaches, and advanced imaging techniques, we investigate how dysregulation of fibrin deposition and clearance contributes to inflammation and tissue damage.
Incoming undergraduate students will have opportunities to participate in ongoing projects investigating the mechanisms of fibrin-mediated immune regulation. Depending on their interests and experience, students may gain hands-on training in tissue processing, immunofluorescence microscopy, flow cytometry, molecular biology techniques, and data analysis. Students will also participate in laboratory meetings, scientific discussions, and experimental planning.
Our goal is to provide a supportive and intellectually stimulating research environment where undergraduate students develop technical skills, critical thinking, and a deeper understanding of experimental biomedical research.
Who this project might be a good fit for, in terms of interests and/or goals: Our laboratory would be an excellent fit for undergraduate students interested in immunology, inflammation, molecular and cellular biology, microbiology, and translational biomedical research. Students curious about how the immune system interacts with other physiological processes, particularly coagulation and tissue repair, will find opportunities to explore these connections.
We welcome motivated, curious, and enthusiastic students who enjoy asking scientific questions, solving problems, and learning new experimental techniques. Prior laboratory experience is beneficial but not required. We particularly value students who demonstrate initiative, attention to detail, a willingness to learn, and the ability to work collaboratively.
Our research environment is well suited for students considering careers in biomedical research, medicine, dentistry, or graduate studies, as well as those seeking meaningful hands-on research experience. We aim to help students develop scientific independence, critical thinking, and confidence in communicating their findings.
Additional notes: Our laboratory is a collaborative and supportive research environment where curiosity, scientific discussion, and independent thinking are encouraged. We believe that undergraduate research should be a meaningful learning experience, and we strive to provide students with opportunities to contribute to ongoing projects while developing their own scientific interests.
Students will work closely with experienced researchers and receive guidance tailored to their experience and learning goals. We encourage active participation in lab meetings, critical discussions of scientific literature, and opportunities to present research findings.
We value enthusiasm, reliability, open communication, and a willingness to learn more than prior technical experience. We also recognize that research involves challenges and unexpected results, and we view these as important opportunities for learning and growth.
Above all, we hope students leave our laboratory with greater confidence in their scientific abilities, a deeper appreciation for the research process, and a rewarding experience as part of our team.
Time commitment: 6-10 hours/week
No experience required
Unfunded, but HCRP eligible
If interested, please contact: Lakmali M Silva (lakmali_silva@hsdm.harvard.edu)
Undergraduate Research Opportunity, MJ Lab, Harvard Medical School/Massachusetts General Hospital
Dr. Mohammad Jalali, https://mj-lab.mgh.harvard.edu
Project description and duties: MJ Lab develops and applies simulation models and data science methods to study complex health and policy problems and inform real-world decision making. Our projects span areas such as addiction treatment and overdose, suicide prevention, adolescent health, healthcare delivery, health disparities, and other population health challenges.
Students may contribute to literature reviews, data analysis, simulation modeling, visualization, and preparation of manuscripts and presentations. Projects vary over time, and students may work across more than one topic depending on their interests and skills. Juniors and seniors are welcome to apply.
Learning outcomes: Students will gain experience in reviewing scientific literature, analyzing and visualizing data, working with computational and simulation-based research, and communicating research findings. Students will also gain exposure to different areas of population health research and different stages of the research process.
Student stipend: Paid and unpaid opportunities may be available depending on the project and funding. Students may also receive research credit through their programs, and the PI can support applications for undergraduate research funding such as HCRP.
Requirements: Excellent writing and communication skills are required. We are particularly interested in motivated and organized students who pay attention to detail, are comfortable working with quantitative information, and can develop a good understanding of the data they are analyzing. Prior experience with programming is helpful but not required.
Time commitment: 7-15 hours/week, depending on availability
Additional notes: Mentoring: Students work closely with the PI. Project teams meet regularly with the PI to discuss the research. Mentoring also includes opportunities to discuss graduate school, research careers, and professional development.
Student stipend: Paid and unpaid opportunities may be available depending on the project and funding. Students may also receive research credit through their programs, and the PI can support applications for undergraduate research funding such as HCRP.
If interested, please contact: Candidates should send their CV to Dr. Jalali at msjalali@mgh.harvard.edu with “Undergraduate Research Opportunity” in the subject line. Please briefly describe your research interests and availability.
Medical AI Bootcamp, Rajpurkar Lab, Harvard Medical School
The Rajpurkar Lab at HMS is recruiting students for its Medical AI Bootcamp, a mentored research program at the intersection of AI and medicine. You lead your own project, working closely with a senior lab member (a postdoc or PhD student) and with Prof. Rajpurkar directly. Most students start with a short warm-up project before moving to something more ambitious. Students often co-author manuscripts and frequently earn first-author positions. Recent bootcamp projects have appeared at CVPR, MIDL, and CHIL, and in Nature Biotechnology. Undergraduates and graduate students are both welcome.
What it looks like:
- At least 3 months, and often 6 or more. Plan on about 15 to 20 hours per week.
- A weekly group meeting on Zoom, 11 AM to 12 PM ET, plus a standing weekly check-in with your mentor
- Harvard and MIT students work on site in Boston and Cambridge
- We ask that this be your main research commitment rather than one lab among several
- Students at Harvard, MIT, and Stanford can often arrange course credit or a research unit for the work
What we look for:
- Real coding experience. You should be comfortable writing and debugging your own Python, and reading an ML paper closely enough to build on it.
- Practical machine learning knowledge, from coursework, side projects, or past research
- A specific reason you're interested, like a paper of ours you want to extend or a question you want to answer.
Applications are reviewed monthly on a rolling basis. You will need a CV, a transcript, and a short motivation statement, which takes about 10 to 15 minutes. Candidates we select do a Zoom interview that assesses programming skills and usually involves walking through a project or a paper you know well. Candidates selected for interviews will be contacted.
Details and application: https://rajpurkarlab.hms.harvard.edu/bootcamp/
Questions: romain_hardy@g.harvard.edu
Undergraduate Research Assistant — Aging & Imbalance Study // Jenks Vestibular Physiology Laboratory // Mass Eye and Ear, HMS
Jenks Vestibular Physiology Laboratory · Mass Eye and Ear / Harvard Medical School
Fall semester 2026 · 10-25 hrs/week · Eligible for HCRP funding or credit
One in four older adults falls each year, and a fall can mean injury, hospitalization, lost independence, or death. Yet for any given person, it’s often difficult to identify which of the body's sensory or motor functions is at fault.
The human body has an exquisite ability to control its movement and balance, drawing on sensory information from the vestibular, visual, and somatosensory systems. The Aging & Imbalance Study investigates how dysfunction in each of these sensory systems contributes to impaired balance and fall risk in younger and older adults.
In this study, we collect experimental data from human subjects to measure sensory function and balance performance, and we develop computational models of postural control (MATLAB/Simulink and Python) that let us test which sensory deficits explain the balance performance we observe.
You would: participate in collecting data from human subjects; write MATLAB and Python code to analyze data; prepare posters for conferences; contribute to writing papers.
We're looking for: a Harvard College undergraduate in biomedical engineering or a related quantitative field, with working proficiency in MATLAB and Python, an interest in human health and movement, and good organizational and communication skills. You should be comfortable interacting with research subjects, including older adults.
Helpful but not required: coursework or other experience in signal processing, control systems, applied statistics, and/or human physiology.
Funding: This position can be paired with the Harvard College Research Program (HCRP), which requires a separate application submitted by the student (Sept. 8 deadline).
To apply: Please email Dr. Rachel Bellisle (rbellisle@meei.harvard.edu) with a short statement of interest and your CV (including relevant coursework).
Undergraduate Research Opportunity // Cantor Lab // Dana-Farber Cancer Institute
The Cantor lab studies the development and function of T-cells and their products in the context of anti-tumor immunity, antibody-mediated rejection, and autoimmune and neurodegenerative disorders. See Dr. Cantor's website here: https://www.dana-farber.org/find-a-doctor/harvey-cantor/
Bibliography: https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Harvey-Cantor
Skills required: Prior experience/coursework in immunology, cell or molecular biology preferred but not essential. Training will be provided.
Learning outcomes: Opportunity to acquire and expand laboratory and research skills including study design, data analysis methods, presentations, and scientific writing.
Time commitment: A minimum of 15h/wk and predictable schedule is important for the successful candidate, except for exams/finals, etc. with appropriate notice.
Mentoring: In addition to the PI, each student will be trained, supervised, and mentored by a research fellow or senior scientist.
Student stipend: Potential opportunities for student stipend with appropriate time commitment. Applicants are encouraged to apply for financial support. Opportunities include faculty sponsorship, https://uraf.harvard.edu/faculty-aide-program , or Harvard fellowships: https://uraf.harvard.edu/opportunities-directory
If interested: Please send cover letter describing research interests and experience along
with a resume or CV to madison_martinez@dfci.harvard.edu
Undergraduate research opportunity // Kristin Javaras // McLean Hospital
Multiple projects including Brain Activity Underlying Daily Experiences in Young Adult Women and Klarman Family Foundation Eating Disorders Sequencing Project.
Dr. Kristin Javaras, McLean Hospital, Division of Women's Mental Health https://www.mcleanhospital.org/profile/kristin-javaras
Dr. Javaras’ laboratory is looking for a student to assist with several ongoing projects focused on eating disorders and eating behavior, including an NIH-funded study on eating disorders and general eating behavior at McLean Hospital. Dr. Javaras’ research combines psychology, neuroscience, and epidemiology—and also utilizes innovative methodology and technology—to answer questions about eating disorders and eating behavior in humans.Along with attending a weekly Zoom lab meeting (20 mins on a weekday afternoon), specific responsibilities (most of which can be done remotely) may include: entering interview data for a study validating a questionnaire that assesses lifetime eating disorder history for use in genetic research, assisting with reviewing and entering de-identified data for a chart review study of anorexia nervosa, and assisting with creating a database of snack food images for use in rigorous research on eating behavior.
Who this project might be a good fit for, in terms of interests and/or goals: Dependability and attention to detail are required, as is enthusiasm and willingness to learn about all aspects of research.
Prior research experience is not a prerequisite, since training will be provided.
The position is for 12 months, and it will involve a time commitment of 10 hours/week during the summer and 6-10 hours/week during the school year.
The position is hybrid.
This position offers an excellent opportunity for individuals looking for clinical research experience before applying to graduate programs (particularly in the areas of clinical psychology, counseling psychology, health psychology, or neuropsychology) or medical school.
Additional notes: Not able to host a senior thesis.
If interested, please contact: Dr. Jennifer Sneider (jtsneider@mclean.harvard.edu)
In-Person Undergraduate Research Opportunity, Dr. Wayne Marasco Lab, DFCI
Contact information: PI: Wayne Marasco. Contact: Matthew Chang,
marascolab@dfci.harvard.edu. The lab is located in the Longwood area in DFCI’s Department
of Cancer Immunology and Virology (https://marascolab.dana-farber.org/).
Project description and duties: We have projects focused on 1) antibody development for cancer/anti-aging studies and 2) characterizing influenza vaccine responsiveness in young and aged donors. Students will be responsible for executing experiments, analyzing the data, and discussing the results with their mentors. All students are also required to attend and present during group meetings and journal clubs.
Skills required: Prior research experience is preferred. Students who wish to work on computational analysis projects are required to have a working knowledge of R and/or Python and prior experience working with scRNAseq/NGS data sets is preferred. Students are expected to commit to the agreed upon schedule, be well organized, have good time management skills, pay careful attention to experimental details, and have excellent communication skills. Students should also have a desire to learn and be self-motivated to carry out their projects. Completion of an immunology course is a plus.
Learning outcomes: Students in the Marasco Lab will gain hands on experience in antibody engineering, immunology, and infectious disease research, and will have a unique opportunity to contribute to projects headed towards clinical development. They will also have an opportunity to improve their research skills (experimental design and execution, data analysis) and are expected to provide updates and present during group meetings.
Number of hours students are expected to work, length of the project: For summer internships we expect a minimum of 12 weeks (40 hrs/week).
Mentoring: Students will work directly with a postdoc or scientist in our lab and other lab members are available for support as needed. Additional mentorship will be provided by Dr. Marasco.
Student stipend: The Marasco Lab is not able to provide stipends to students, however we are happy to support applications to available undergraduate research fellowships.
Application information: Interested students should submit a resume and a brief paragraph describing their interest in the lab to Matthew Chang (marascolab@dfci.harvard.edu).
Multiple projects on examining the effects of brain injuries in women who have experienced intimate partner violence // PI: Eve Valera // Psychiatry, HMS. (Hybrid position, Charlestown)
The Valera Lab uses a range of methodologies (neuroimaging, neuropsychological, interviews, blood based biomarkers) to investigate the sequelae of brain injuries (including both blunt force trauma and strangulation-related) in women who have experienced intimate-partner violence.
This is a hybrid position, and arrangements can be made between researcher and student.
Time commitment: Negotiable - no restrictions
Applicant requirements: No experience required
Who do you think your lab/project/research group would be a good fit for? What might a prospective student be interested in or what goals might they have that would make your project(s) a match for them? Students going on to either medical school or graduate school or maybe just want experience working on the intersection of neuroscience and women/gender based violence. We offer an opportunity for interns/students to identify a research question and produce a publishable first-author manuscript.
This is an open project with flexibility Yes, I am interested in hosting students looking to embark on a senior thesis. This is an open opportunity with flexibility. PI is interested in hosting a senior thesis.
Funding is not immediately available, but position is HCRP eligible.
If interested, please contact: Eve Valera, evalera@mgh.harvard.edu
Therapeutic development for the treatment of ultrarare disease SELENON-Congeital Myopathy // PI: Alan Beggs // Boston Children's Hospital, HMS. (Hybrid position, Longwood campus)
https://research.childrenshospital.org/research-units/beggs-laboratory-research
SELENON-Congenital Myopathy (SELENON-CM) is an ultrarare neuromuscular disease caused by recessive mutations in the SELENON gene. It is primarily characterized by muscle weakness, axial muscle rigidity, and progressive respiratory insufficiency. The Beggs lab specializes in preclinical development of therapeutics for this and other congenital myopathies. You would help us characterize the mouse model for this muscle disease while helping us test ongoing therapeutics such as gene therapy.
Necessary time commitment: 10 hours per week is ideal for this project. Analysis of the histology that you will produce is computational.
Applicant requirements: No prior experience required.
Who do you think your lab/project/research group would be a good fit for? What might a prospective student be interested in or what goals might they have that would make your project(s) a match for them? This would be excellent for someone interested in pathology but other medical specialties also benefit from learning about how therapies are developed. But I would like to particularly encourage students with interest in PhD programs in translational research.
Additional notes: I am looking for a highly motivated student that wants to further their research skills and are planing to go to graduate school.
This is an open opportunity, rather than a Fall 2025-specific project.
PI is interested in hosting a senior thesis.
Funding is not immediately available, but position is HCRP eligible.
If interested, please contact: Pamela Barraza, pamela.barraza-flores@childrens.harvard.edu