During the summer months MaineHealth Institute for Research (MHIR) provides undergraduates with an opportunity to engage in biomedical research projects through the MHIR Summer Undergraduate Research Program.
Research at MHIR covers the spectrum of biomedical science in our various Research Centers: Center for Molecular Medicine, Center for Clinical and Translational Science, Center for Interdisciplinary Population & Heath Research, and the Center for Applied Science & Technology.
The Summer Undergraduate Research Program is ten weeks in duration, and students work 40 hours per week. Students are responsible for their own transportation and housing, though resources will be provided to help students search for housing options in the Greater Portland area.
We welcome you to review the information provided here about the 2025 Summer Undergraduate Research Program, including eligibility and program dates, as well as previous student projects. Please revisit this page in early December when the application will go live.
Please contact us with any questions.
MaineHealth Summer Research Internship Program has a two part application process.
- Go online and complete the MaineHealth Employment Application
- Complete the supplemental MaineHealth Summer Undergraduate Research Internship Program Application
Although you may complete your application in more than one sitting, it may help you to gather the following in preparation for the application:
- Resume
- Transcript (unofficial/screenshot is ok)
- Grades in your most recent five science classes
- Personal Statement (500 words or less): The personal statement should include an overview of your qualifications for participation in the program. If applicable, please include specific experiences in biomedical science, previous summer internships or academic programs, involvement with hands-on laboratory experience, and general research interests, including any strong preferences for, or against, working in a specific research area.
- Short Answer questions (all limited to 250 words):
- Please list any skills or experiences you would particularly like to gain during an internship at MHIR.
- Please list any skills/relevant experience you currently have that might be useful for your internship (lab techniques, software/programming experience, etc).
- Please describe how your individual identities, experiences and perspectives have helped you become the student, friend or community member you are today.
- Describe an obstacle or challenge you have faced, and how you overcame it.
- Describe a success, either academic, professional, or personal, that you are proud of.
Only applicants who complete both parts of the application will be considered. Applications for the 2025 Summer Program will open in early December.
The MaineHealth Employment application asks for information about your past employment and education history- you may upload a resume and it will pre-populate much of that application for you. The MaineHealth Employment application will ask you to provide the names and contact information for two references. Your references may be contacted via email or phone but formal recommendation letters are not required to be submitted as part of the MH or MHIR applications.
The application deadline for the Summer Undergraduate Research Program is January 31, 2025. Selection begins in February, and all students will be notified no later than April 1, 2025. Students being considered for positions may be contacted for interviews which may be conducted via telephone or virtually.
1st week of December Application Available Online
Friday, January 31 Application Deadline
No later than April 1 Notification of Admission
April 1 – May 31 Intern Employment Onboarding
Monday, June 2 Program Orientation
Wednesday, August 6 MaineHealth Research Intern Symposium
Friday, August 8 Last day of Summer Program
We welcome applicants who have backgrounds, identities and/or experiences that will contribute to MHIR’s mission to inspire, support and conduct innovative research.
| Stipend | $17/hr currently |
| Duration | 10 weeks: June 2, 2025 – August 8, 2025 |
| Work Hours | Although there is some variation depending on research location and where you are in your research project, generally interns work Day Shift hours Monday through Friday |
| Enrichment Activities |
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| Eligibility Requirements |
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Program Stats & Previous Projects
Data below represent 2024 application numbers, and 2024 participant information.
Applications: 244
Selected Participants: 25
Class of 2024
The MaineHealth Summer Research Internship Program welcomes applications from students who meet eligibility requirements for the program. The class data below represents a snapshot of our program participants but does not represent any particular preferred population. Students are selected based on a range of factors, including research experience, academic background, and genuine engagement and interest in research, as evidenced by their submitted application materials.
Rising junior- 7
Rising senior/senior- 14
Graduating senior/postbac- 4
Colleges represented: American University, Bard College, Bates College, Berea College, Boston College, Bowdoin College, Carleton College, Colby College, Fresno Pacific University, Hamilton College, Kalamazoo College, Mount Holyoke College, Tufts University, University of Southern Maine, Universidad de Los Andes, University of Pittsburg,
2024 Research Project Titles:
- Tranexamic Acid Affects Endothelial Cell Stress
- Cardiovascular Emergencies and Critical Treatment
- Unraveling a Novel Molecular Mechanism Underlying MRSA Resistance to Ceftaroline
- Investigating Potential Receptors for CTHRC1
- Psychosocial Distress is Common in Cancer Patients
- Heart Health and Weight Loss: Surgical Interventions Versus Pharmaceutical Treatment
- The Taming of Powassan Virus in Southern Maine: Understanding the Ecology of Powassan Virus
- Researching the Role of Fabp4 and Fabp5 on the Bone Microenvironment of Mice Injected with Murine Myeloma Cells
- Quantitative Analysis of Human G-CSF in Cardiac Arrest Patients: ELISA-Based Insights into CD10- Neutrophils and Clinical Outcomes
- Exploring the Effects of Social Isolation on Bone Turnover in C57BL/6J Mice
- Socioeconomic and location-based factors associated with financial sacrifices among cancer patients
- Characterization of CD73 in Critically Ill Patients
- Assessing Interpretations of Psychosis Screening Questions in Adolescents and Young Adults
- Impact of Developmental Thyrotoxicosis on the Dopaminergic System in Mice
- Key Clinical Factors Predict Moderate-to-Severe Cerebral Edema After Cardiac Arrest
- The Role of Brown Adipose Tissue in Therapeutic Hypothermia
- Isolating exosomes from the Trpv1 lineage subpopulation of fat cells
- Availability of Pediatric Asthma Specialty Care in Maine
- Failing Hearts And Weakened Spines: Evaluating Current Trabecular Analysis In Mouse Vertebrae
- Altered Striatal Markers of Thyroid Hormone Action and Reward System in an Obesity Model of Ghrelin Deficiency
- Development Of An Optogenetic-Based Cellular Therapy For The Treatment Of Metabolic Disease
- Distinct Role of Rab27a in Mouse Perivascular Adipose Tissue and Aorta
- Investigating a Role for Mest in Establishment of Non-Exercise Activity Thermogenesis in Post-Natal Day Eight Mice
- Assessing a Mindfulness Based-App to Lower Stress in Caregivers of Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) in Rural Maine
- Assessing the Effectiveness of Boot Camp Translation for Lunch Cancer Screening Awareness: A Process Evaluation