Since its inception, the Monell Center has made a strong commitment to the education and training of high school and undergraduate students. More than 350 students have spent at least seven weeks at Monell during the summer months, earning a weekly salary by meeting the challenges of serious research responsibilities in projects such as cloning the olfactory receptors; investigating flavor preferences in infants, children and the elderly; developing non-lethal repellents for agricultural pests; or studying the chemistry of air quality and how it influences people’s health perceptions. Many students also work at the Center during the school year.
Our program is an intensive paid internship that offers high school and undergraduate students an extraordinary opportunity to learn about science and directly participate in basic research.
Its mission is to increase scientific knowledge and technical expertise and stimulate an interest in science or medicine as careers by accomplishing the following goals:
- Provide students with hands-on research training.
- Improve student learning in science and encourage critical thought and communication skills.
- Increase appreciation of the chemical senses.
Our current program consists of:
- At least seven weeks of full-time structured research activity during the summer with a Monell scientist. Because Monell scientists devote 100% of their time to research, this experience is intense and at the forefront of scientific research in the chemical senses.
- Enrichment activities that include lectures on the mechanisms and functions of the chemical senses; public speaking and written communication; and ethical principles guiding human and animal research.
- A symposium during which apprentices present their research findings to scientific staff, family members, and friends.
- Opportunities to learn about careers in both medicine and science through a popular lecture series featuring preseantation on career paths from scientists, physicians, and educators working at both academic and industrial institutions.
- Post-program contact for students to discuss current research findings and career opportunities in science and facilitate the creation of a mentoring network among past and current participants.
- Additional research experience and science fair projects for interested high school students.
Learn more about research at Monell.
Program Requirements
To meet the requirements for the Research Apprenticeship Program, students must:
- Be currently enrolled in a high school or undergraduate institution
- Be able to prove eligibility to work in the United States
- Have a strong interest in science and research
Contact Information
Please direct all correspondence and inquiries to .
- Develop new skills?
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- Contribute to science?
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- Define who you are?
- Explore career paths?
- Make a difference?