Science Coach is excited to announce
The 2025 Summer Cancer and Neurology Research
Paid Internship Opportunities

This is an incredible opportunity for all students interested in cancer or neurology research to work alongside professional researchers on a component of their larger yearlong authentic research project, which can be presented as the student’s research at multiple competitions during the 25-26 school year.

Science Coach gives students participating in the Pathways workshops and summer internship a unique opportunity to conduct authentic research during their internship and/or with a mentor. If you are a student who wants to differentiate themselves from other college applicants, the Advanced Innovation Methodology Research Class is for YOU! $300 holds your seat in the Pathways Class and AIM Online Research Class.

For more information and to sign up for the Pathway Series, click the button above.

For more information about AIM Online Research Class, click the button below.

Washington University of St. Louis (WUSTL) Research Clubs – CRISPr (Cancer Research Inspiring future Scientists Program) and BRAIN (Bright Researchers Advancing in Neuroscience), the Siteman Cancer Center, and the Washington University Department of Biology have partnered with Science Coach to provide three (3) cancer research and one (1) neurology research summer internship opportunities at Siteman Cancer Center during the summer of 2025. 

To be considered for this competitive internship opportunity:

1. Students must complete this Google form to sign up for the Cancer Biology Pathway Series.
2. Participate in the Cancer Biology Pathway Series of six (6) workshop lessons starting spring, 2025.
3. Submit a written application at the end of the workshop series to apply for one of the summer internship opportunities.

You could be eligible and selected for one of the summer internships if you are:

• age 16 years and up (as of 6/5/25)
• able to obtain a place of residence in the St. Louis metro area, if selected for a summer internship
• a high-achieving and self-motivated student who demonstrated excellence in this current-year’s authentic research project
• able to participate in the Cancer Biology Pathway Series via Zoom
• (Only applies to the neurology internship opportunity) registered as a 25-26 Science Coach student.

While all 6th – 12th grade students can participate in the virtual Cancer Biology Pathway Series, students competing for the internship have required attendance. This includes participating in journal clubs, speaker events, and a research support structure. Students will get to hear from guest speakers such as distinguished Wash U professors and Siteman faculty, and learn about relevant topics. Some outstanding student groups will get to participate in laboratory tours and rotations.

If you are not a Science Coach student and want to leverage your research internship and create an authentic research project to enter in various competitions, you’re invited to join our AIM Online Research Class. Experience in authentic research will make your college application stand out from all the rest!

Workshop Dates for the Cancer Biology Pathway Series:

• • Workshop 1: Intro to Cancer Biology
  • Workshop 2: Cancer Treatments
  • Workshop 3: Approaching Scientific Literature
  • Workshop 4: Lab Techniques & Etiquette
  • Workshop 5: Journal Club/Guest Speaker
  • Workshop 6: Journal Club/Guest Speaker

If you are unable to attend a workshop, recordings will be posted after each workshop, but synchronous attendance is highly preferred.

The cancer and neurology internship applications will be released to workshop attendees in March, 2025, and are due on April 1, 2025. Final decisions will be made and released on April 15, 2025.

The selected internship students will receive:

• A 10-week internship working full-time in the lab at Siteman Cancer Center, Monday through Friday, (dates to be determined)
• Be paired with Siteman faculty mentors and learn about careers in science from leaders in their fields
• Gain research experience, perform basic science research at a Siteman lab, learn key laboratory techniques, and assist in ongoing projects at the lab
• Receive access to WashU social events and professional networking opportunities
• Weekly check-ins to assist students on their projects and allow them to meet other students in the program
• An end-of-program symposium where students will have the opportunity to present their research
• Earn a $4,000.00 stipend for time spent in the lab during summer internship
• Students may request Metrolink transportation to the lab on a daily basis (M-F). The student is responsible for getting to a Metrolink station.

Additional Details:

• Science Coach students will be required to present their summer research work at the Science Coach Spring 2026 Symposium.

Science Coach volunteer and a WUSTL Cancer Research Club member graduate Arjun Nair has been instrumental is setting up this summer opportunity.

Mentors working with cancer research summer interns:

Angela Hirbe, MD, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor of Medicine and Pediatrics
Director, Adult Neurofibromatosis Clinical Program|Division of Oncology, Sarcoma Section
Washington University School of Medicine

Jessica M. Silva-Fisher, PhD
Assistant Professor
Department of Medicine
Oncology Division
Stem Cell Biology

Milan G. Chheda, MD
Associate Professor
Department of Medicine
Oncology Division
Molecular Oncology

Mentor working with Science Coach neurology intern:

David H. Gutmann, MD, PhD
Neurologist
Principal Investigator, Gutmann Research Laboratory
Director, Neurofibromatosis Center; Donald O. Schnuck Family Chair and Professor of Neurology
Washington University School of Medicine

Please email Teams@ScienceCoach.org with any questions.