Distinguished neuroscience internship program engages high schoolers with seminal research projects

The Explorations in Neuroscience Internship Program at The Ohio State University College of Medicine is an eight-week, paid, summer research-intensive program that gives high schoolers the chance to engage in seminal and authentic research experiences in existing research laboratories. Since its inception in 2021, this program has garnered national attention and hosted 60 high school interns. For the 2026 cohort, 12 students were chosen from 272 applications from across the country, signaling that students desire the opportunity to engage in biomedical research projects side-by-side with expert researchers. 

The internship experience was conceptualized from the Department of Neuroscience's ongoing Explorations in Neuroscience High School Camp, a one-week educational intensive hosted by the college for nearly 80 high schoolers and organized by Melissa Stenger, lead administrator in the Department of Neuroscience, and Georgia Bishop, PhD, professor of Neuroscience and vice chair for Academic Affairs.  

When camp leadership recognized the need for research opportunities for exceptional students, Dr. Bishop and Candice Askwith, PhD, associate professor of Neuroscience, successfully applied for an R25 Research Educational Opportunities grant funded by the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS) at the National Institutes of Health (NIH). The original funding period ran from 2020 through 2025, with a project renewal awarded in 2026.  

This funding has resulted in an effective and sustainable program that provides: 

• High school students the chance to work side-by-side with experienced researchers on seminal neuroscience projects in biomedical laboratories.  
• The chance to experience both the thrill of discovery and the challenges of research at the same time, leaving students with an authentic understanding of what it takes to be a biomedical researcher and clarity on whether committing to the career path is right for them.  
• Time and structure for interns to engage in twice-weekly educational and professional development experiences through lessons with faculty and educational mentors in scientific literacy, communication, experimental design and rigor and transparency in science.  
• Multiple opportunities to interact with peers and The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center community through intentional networking sessions and site visits to research facilities.  

The first cohort of the program is just graduating from college and determining their path in the biomedical workforce. 

Follow-up surveys completed by 2025 interns revealed that: 

• All program alumni who graduated from high school have enrolled in college, with 57% returning to The Ohio State University and others attending universities such as Brown, Tufts, Vanderbilt and Case Western Reserve. 
• All but one intern has elected science, technology, engineering, math or neuroscience-related majors.  
• Just over 58% have engaged in undergraduate research activities in a variety of fields, from neuroscience to aerospace engineering.  

The Ohio State Wexner Medical Center is ranked 12th in the nation in research and development and serves as a model and development partner for other institutions creating deliberate paths for biomedical training. This program, currently coordinated by Drs. Askwith and Gombash, Stephanie Muscat, PhD, clinical instructor in the Department of Neuroscience, and Jodie Hall, PhD, a research  scientist in the Popovich Laboratory, provides early exposure to innovative ideas, tools and techniques for students who want to ask rigorous questions, embrace challenges and pursue knowledge that no one has yet uncovered. 

The program would not be possible without the support and guidance of the participating faculty members and bench mentors who train and provide authentic biomedical research experiences for the interns. Those participating this summer include: Giles Plant, PhD, professor of Neuroscience; Martin Haesemeyer, PhD, assistant professor of Neuroscience; Olga Kokiko-Cochran, PhD, associate professor of Neuroscience; Ashley Ingiosi, PhD, assistant professor of Neuroscience; Daniel Gallego Perez, PhD, professor in the departments of Biomedical Engineering and General Surgery at The Ohio State University; Sabhya Rana, PhD, assistant professor of Neuroscience; Dana McTigue, PhD, professor of Neuroscience and vice dean for Research; Jie Gao, PhD, assistant professor of Neuroscience; Angela Filous, PhD, assistant professor of Neurology; Cole Vonder Haar, PhD, associate professor of Neuroscience; Erica Glasper, PhD, associate professor of Neuroscience; and Dr. Askwith.