Student Summer Research Internship (Lab Rats)
The Application for the 2022 Lab Rats Program is NOW OPEN!!
Students accepted into the 2022 Lab Rats program will participate in a 5 week hands-on research intensive internship hosted in laboratories across the Texas A&M campus. The goal is to provide an exciting research experience for students interested in careers in biomedicine, environmental health science, public health, health and kinesiology, and bioengineering. Students will be in residence in College Station for the duration of the program.
During the course of their internship, students will:
- Meet with research lab groups to learn about their research,
- Conduct hands on activities with the lab groups,
- Participate in daily small group meetings and discussions,
- Receive a stipend for their participation in the program.
The program provides an exciting opportunity to work with outstanding professors and leading research scientists. See the list to learn more about them.
2018 Lab Rats/Young Scholars Program
The program provided an opportunity for students from our two partnering high schools (Med High and Mercedes High School) to participate in hands-on, hypothesis driven, project-based research in the laboratories of their chosen mentor. Students were invited to apply online through the MENTORS website that featured a list of Texas A&M faculty willing to host students in their labs, along with a description of their research focus. A total of 35 students applied (compared to 30 total applicants last year), 20 from Med High and 15 from MHS. Using carefully designed rubrics, and with input from the project leaders and school administration at both schools, 16 applicants were selected for interviews (8 from each school). Due to the increased popularity of the program among students of both partner schools and direct request from the school administrations, the number of selected participants were increased from 8 last year to 12 this year (6 students from each school). The selected students were assigned to research labs based on the preferences indicated in their applications.
All 12 selected students arrived on Texas A&M University campus on June 10, 2018. The MENTORS Project provides accommodations, 3 meals/day and a stipend of $1,200 for each of the Interns. Before working in the labs, the students attended a day-long orientation to receive required training on general and lab-specific biosafety and blood borne pathogens. They reported to their labs on June 12th. Over the course of the 6-week program, students also participated in lectures and discussions on research ethics, scientific misconduct, the appropriate use of animals in research and preparing and delivering a 10-minute scientific talk. Throughout the program, the group participated in enjoyable social and educational events, including movie & game nights, pool, sand volleyball & grill and Aggie Apparel Shopping. The program culminated in the Summer Research Symposium on July 20th, 2018. Each student gave a 10-minute “platform” presentation of his/her work, and answered questions for up to 5 minutes. The program ended and students departed on Friday July 20, 2018.
Meet Lab Rats/Young Scholars 2018