Summer Research Internship Program in Biomedical Informatics

The Summer Internship Program in Biomedical Informatics is designed to provide students from diverse backgrounds with a high quality Biomedical Informatics research experience; thereby encouraging students to consider pursuing PhDs and research careers in the field. Biomedical Informatics is the interdisciplinary science of acquiring, structuring, analyzing and providing access to biomedical data, information and knowledge. As an academic discipline, biomedical informatics is grounded in the principles of computer science, information science, cognitive science, social science, and engineering, as well as the clinical and basic biological sciences. Exceptional students from any of these disciplines are encouraged to apply.

Our program introduces students to the field through faculty-mentored projects that will allow each student to actively apply information technology to address health care challenges. These projects result in a final report and presentation. In addition, students will participate in a seminar series with lectures given by leading Biomedical Informatics researchers.

Our department is the largest academic department of Biomedical Informatics in the country, with more than 65 faculty members and a portfolio of research and development projects that spans from computational biology and bioinformatics applied to the understanding of biological molecules, through advanced clinical information systems that care for hundreds of thousands of patients at Vanderbilt, to collaborative regional and national research initiatives.

Summer internship students will also benefit by their association with the broader Vanderbilt Summer Science Academy (VSSA). The VSSA provides enrichment seminars that include guidance and preparation for entrance exams to graduate school that will help construct a strong foundation on which to build scientific careers. Students will also have the opportunity to learn about our PhD Program in Biomedical Informatics and the Interdisciplinary Graduate Program (IGP) at Vanderbilt University.

Funding and Eligibility

Positions are funded by the the National Science Foundation Research Experiences for Undergraduates (REU) and internal funds. We accept applications from graduate, undergraduate and high school students.

High School Students: These positions are designed for students with an interest in science, technology, engineering, mathematics, and computer science to receive exposure to the field of biomedical informatics and encourage students to pursue PhDs in the field. Available number of positions: 2-4. Priority will be given to Metro Nashville Public Schools students in the application review process. We are unable to consider students from outside of the Nashville region for this program.

Vanderbilt residence hall housing is available for undergraduate and graduate students requiring summer housing. All students are required to attend the Summer Seminar Series and to give a short presentation of the research experience at the end of the internship.

Eligibility and Application

  • A background in programming and a moderate understanding of using computer technology is an advantage. The specific prerequisites for a research project will be addressed by the faculty mentor. 
  • The application link is available here. 
  • Must be U.S. citizen or permanent resident. 

Key Dates (subject to change):

Application Deadline: February 15, 2025

Start Date: May 27, 2025

End Date: August 1, 2025

Summer Seminar

The Summer Seminar Series is intended to acquaint interns with a wide range of informatics research questions, methods, and approaches. During these talks, faculty members share their own personal experiences to demonstrate ways in which clinicians and scientists from a range of disciplines can become engaged in biomedical informatics research. The seminars are informal with ample time devoted to questions and answers thus producing an interactive environment in which students are encouraged to participate. At the end of the Seminar Series, interns will present their research to an audience of other interns, full-time students, and faculty. REU-Pathi website

Contacts

Kim Unertl, PhD,
Associate Professor & Director of Graduate Studies

Rischelle Jenkins
Program Manager

 

Last updated on 10/6/2023