Program Overview
Memorial Sloan Kettering and Weill Cornell Medicine are pleased to invite applications for the 2021 Engineering Summer Program (ESP). ESP is designed to bring together undergraduate rising sophomores, juniors, and seniors interested in engineering and biomedicine for a summer research experience in labs at Memorial Sloan Kettering or Weill Cornell Medicine. Applicants must have a background in engineering, physical sciences, computational, or related fields.
The 10-week program begins on June 7 and ends on August 13, 2021. We are currently anticipating holding this internship in person, but will make a final determination about virtual vs in person in the Spring. We will continue to assess New York State guidelines and will post updates here.
Students who are accepted to ESP will:
- Adapt their engineering skills to address biomedically-focused research questions in cutting-edge laboratories
- Interact with faculty, postdoctoral fellows, and graduate students
- Attend weekly luncheon/seminar series of presentations by faculty
- Attend professional development workshops
- Present a poster on their work at the end of the program
Students will receive a stipend of $6,000 for the summer. Housing is available.
Areas of Research
Students will partner with faculty who have expressed a strong interest in working with students with engineering skill sets. The faculty listed below are conducting research in diverse areas of biomedical sciences and welcome the added expertise provided by undergraduates from engineering backgrounds. Information about their scientific projects can be found by visiting their respective web pages:
- Emre Aksay (neural integration and plasticity)
- Michelle Bradbury (nanotechnology, molecular imaging)
- Jan Grimm (nanotechnology, molecular imaging)
- Daniel Heller (nanotechnology, drug delivery, imaging probes)
- Richard Hite (cryo-electron microscopy, X-ray crystallography and electrophysiology)
- Travis Hollmann (pathology, microscopy instrumentation and probes)
- John Humm (molecular imaging instrumentation and probes)
- Moonsoo Jin (cancer immunotherapy and nanotechnology)
- Rebecca Jones (functional MRI, wearable devices and eye tracking)
- Alex Kentsis (nanoscale chromatography, mass spectrometry)
- Kayvan Keshari (molecular imaging, bioengineering and electrical engineering)
- Jason Lewis (molecular imaging, radiochemistry, nanotechnology)
- Conor Liston (neuronal circuit mechanisms; optogenetics)
- Suzanna Maher (design of joint restoration scaffolds/implants)
- Frederick Maxfield (optical microscopy and biophysical techniques to study the properties of living cells)
- Michael McDevitt (nanotechnology, drug delivery)
- Alexandros Pertsinidis (optical microscopy)
- Kristen Pleil (neuronal circuit characterization using microscopy, electrophysiology, and in optogenetics)
- Milind Rajadhyaksha (optics and imaging)
- Thomas Reiner (molecular imaging, nanotechnology)
- David Scheinberg (nanotechnology, drug delivery)
- Nicholas Schiff (recovery of consciousness following brain injuries)
- Robert Schwartz (stem cell models of human liver disease)
- Stephen Solomon (minimally invasive image-guided cancer treatments)
- Yi Wang (MRI for cardiovascular, cancer & neurological diseases)
- Richard White (cancer research tools)
How to Apply
ESP seeks current domestic undergraduate freshmen, sophomores, and juniors who are majoring in engineering, physical sciences, computational, or related fields. We strongly encourage students from groups historically underrepresented in science (disadvantaged, disabled, Black, Hispanic/LatinX, Native American) to apply.
Students can complete and submit the online application here starting November 1, 2021.
Eligible applicants must be authorized to work in the US.
Application Timeline for Summer 2021
November 1: Applications open
February 1: Application closes on February 1 at 11:59pm EST
Decisions will be announced no later than March 15, 2021
Application Considerations
- Completed college-level engineering, physical sciences, or computer sciences courses
- Have an interest in the application of engineering to biological problems in the laboratory/clinic
- Have some hands-on experience with engineering/computational or laboratory work
- Two letters of recommendation: These letters should be written by faculty members or employers who are familiar with the applicant’s credentials, especially with respect to any engineering practice, laboratory, or related work experience
- In addition to the application form and an admissions essay, applicants should submit an official transcript from their college or university. Transcripts must be emailed from your school’s registrar to oset@mskcc.org. If you have any questions or concerns about transcripts, please contact oset@mskcc.org.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the purpose of the Engineering Summer program?
This 10-week program is designed to bring outstanding engineering, physical sciences and computational biology undergraduate rising sophomores, juniors, and seniors interested in pursuing a career at the intersection of engineering and biomedicine for a research experience on the Memorial Sloan Kettering, and Weill Cornell Medicine campuses.
What will ESP interns do?
ESP interns will adapt their engineering skills to answer biomedically-focused research questions in cutting-edge laboratories. Each intern will have an independent project and will work with an assigned lab faculty/mentor. In addition to working in the lab, interns will attend journal clubs, scientific and professional development seminars. At the end of the 10-week program, the ESP intern will present a poster on their project.
Is the summer program limited to specific majors?
Those who have completed college-level engineering, physical sciences or computer science courses, have some hands-on experience with engineering/computational or lab work and have an interest in application of engineering to biological problem in the laboratory/clinic are invited to apply to ESP. We are most interested in those who would like to pursue graduate work in biomedical or chemical engineering.
Where is the internship located?
Interns will be hosted on site in one of the faculty labs listed on the ESP website (MSK or Weill Cornell) in New York City.
Is this a paid internship?
Yes, interns will receive a stipend of $6,000 for the summer paid on a bi-weekly basis.
How many slots are available for this program?
The program enrolls up to 10 interns per summer.
Is summer housing provided?
Yes, summer (dormitory) housing is provided for free to any who need it. Interns will be paired in groups of 2 per room and by gender.
What amenities are included in housing?
The assigned space consists of a twin-size bed, a dresser, a desk, and closet space. All apartments have two bedrooms, each suite has a kitchenette which contains a microwave, electric stove-top burners, sink, cabinets, a large refrigerator and private bathroom (Utilities and Wi-Fi included). Dishes, utensils and cooking supplies are not provided.
Does the program cover travel costs?
No, the program does not cover travel costs.
More Frequently Asked Questions
Contact Us
Questions? Contact Program Administrator at OSET@mskcc.org.
