In conjunction with Dr. Vincent Meunier, P.B. Breneman Department Head Chair and professor of engineering science and mechanics, the MD/PhD Summer Exposure Program is able to include undergraduate students from the Engineering Science and Mechanics undergraduate degree program.

For summer 2023, the program has been awarded two slots for engineering students by Dr. Meunier. Please note that these two positions are only open to students in the Penn State College of Engineering, Engineering Science and Mechanics undergraduate degree program.

The Penn State College of Medicine MD/PhD Summer Exposure Program is a 10-week summer program that includes a research and clinical exposure experience for outstanding students in the College of Engineering who are interested in becoming physician-scientists.

Selected students will spend 10 weeks working in a biomedical research laboratory at the College of Medicine under the guidance of a faculty member on the MD/PhD program and will be paired with physician scientist for their clinical exposure. The exposure program includes career development, peer mentoring activities and a research forum at the end of the summer.

Application

Eligible applicants will have a maximum of 59 credits and be in good standing within declared major or honors program.

Applicants are asked to provide an essay highlighting their research experience and motivation to pursue the physician-scientist pathway and one letter of recommendation. The letter of recommendation must be from a Penn State University faculty member.

Selected students will be interviewed in March/April. Interviews will be conducted virtually unless College of Medicine policy changes.

Student Selection

Up to two students will be selected. Excellent students may be offered the opportunity to return for a second summer.

2023 Note

The Engineering Science and Mechanics MD/PhD Summer Exposure Program will begin accepting applications for summer 2023 on Nov. 28, 2022. Applications will be accepted until Feb. 1, 2023.

Stipend and Housing

Students in the summer program will receive a $4,000 stipend. Housing costs are the student's responsibility.

Key Dates

• Nov. 28, 2022: Application opens
• Feb. 1, 2023: Application closes
• March 2023: Interviews conducted
• April 2023: Offers extended
• May 30, 2023: Start of internship and mandatory orientation date
• Aug. 3, 2023: Undergraduate Research Symposium
• Aug. 4, 2023: End of internship

For Details

For more information, please contact:

• Alison Smolinski: MD/PhD Administrator, Penn State College of Medicine, als539@psu.edu or 717-531-1188
• Shelby Barron: Staff, Engineering Science and Mechanics, sxb5933@psu.edu or 814-865-5678