# Undergraduates: Open Research Positions & Projects ## expand\_more **Current Harvard Undergraduates:** contact [Kate Penner](mailto:penner@fas.harvard.edu) 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](mailto:penner@fas.harvard.edu)​​​​​. 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 from Spring 2026 [Undergraduate research opportunity // Cantor Lab // Dana-Farber Cancer Institute](#Cantor) [Undergraduate research opportunity // Kristin Javaras // McLean Hospital](#Javaras) [In-Person Undergraduate Research Opportunity, Dr. Wayne Marasco Lab, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute (In-Person, Longwood)](#Marasco) [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)](#Valera) [Multiple Projects on Human Vestibular Neuroscience // PI: Richard Lewis // Dept. of Otolaryngology, Mass Eye and Ear. (In-person, Boston)](#Lewis) [Therapeutic development for the treatment of ultrarare disease SELENON-Congeital Myopathy // PI: Alan Beggs // Boston Children's Hospital, HMS. (Hybrid position, Longwood campus)](#Beggs) --- #### 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: Bibliography: 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, , or Harvard fellowships: If interested: Please send cover letter describing research interests and experience along with a resume or CV to [madison\_martinez@dfci.harvard.edu](mailto: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 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 can be hybrid or fully remote. 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:** --- #### In-Person Undergraduate Research Opportunity, Dr. Wayne Marasco Lab, DFCI Contact information: PI: Wayne Marasco. Contact: Matthew Chang, . The lab is located in the Longwood area in DFCI’s Department of Cancer Immunology and Virology (). **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 (). --- ##### 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, --- ##### Multiple Projects on Human Vestibular Neuroscience // Richard Lewis // Dept. of Otolaryngology, Mass Eye and Ear. (In-person, Boston) We’re looking for motivated undergraduate students to join exciting projects that explore how the inner ear helps us balance and navigate within the world. Students will have the opportunity to work directly with patients using immersive virtual reality (VR) and state-of-the-art balance testing devices to better understand how the vestibular system works. Whether you’re curious about neuroscience, engineering, psychology, research or medicine, this is a great opportunity to gain real research experience and contribute to meaningful discoveries. **Necessary time commitment:** negotiable **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?** Neuroscience, Physiology, Pre-med, Pre-graduate school, Biomedical Engineering students. **Additional notes:** There are a variety of projects to work on! We would prefer someone that is a freshman, sophomore, or junior, but can be flexible. We can also be flexible with a start date. Looking for 1-4 undergraduate students to help out. This is an open opportunity with flexibility. A senior thesis could be a possibility, depending on how projects develop. Funding is not immediately available, but position is HCRP eligible. If interested, please contact: Tyler Kramer, --- ##### Therapeutic development for the treatment of ultrarare disease SELENON-Congeital Myopathy // PI: Alan Beggs // Boston Children's Hospital, HMS. (Hybrid position, Longwood campus) 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, ---