Biomedical & Bioinformatics Research Internship and Training Experience (B-BRITE) at the Knight Cancer Institute

B-BRITE Internship Students 2024
B-BRITE interns gather before the 2024 Research Internship Poster Symposium.

Engaging Curiosity in the Next Generation of Biomedical Scientists

The B-BRITE summer internship program seeks highly motivated college students interested in exploring biomedical research as a career path.

B-BRITE interns will work directly with established mentors during an 8-week immersive research experience from June 23 to August 15, 2025.

We encourage students from backgrounds underrepresented in STEM, those who are first generation college students, and those from socioeconomically disadvantaged backgrounds to apply.

The B-BRITE Summer Program at the OHSU Knight Cancer Institute offers:

  • An introduction to experimental design and data analysis.
  • Participation in a guided research project facilitated by an experienced researcher.
  • Hands-on experience in cutting-edge biological and quantitative cancer research methods.
  • Weekly educational seminars and trainings, delivered by faculty and research professionals.
  • Development of written and oral communication skills.
  • Networking within a broad community of scientists.
  • Stipend of $500 a week for the 8-week program.
  • Limited need-based housing and airfare support is available.

Do you know someone who might be interested in the Biomedical & Bioinformatics Research Internship and Training Experience (B-BRITE) at the Knight Cancer Institute? You can print or send them the 2025 program flyer and direct them to this webpage.

The Cell, Developmental & Cancer Biology Summer Research Internship has changed its name to the Biomedical & Bioinformatics Research Internship and Training Experience (B-BRITE)

Applications for the 2025 Summer Program will open in early November 2024.

Contact us

For more information:

cancerbiointern@ohsu.edu

Eligibility

  • We are looking for motivated college undergraduates with a strong interest in a career in biomedical and data sciences who have completed foundational introductory science courses. Depending on a student’s research interests, this might include biochemistry or computer science courses. Applicants will have completed at least two undergraduate years but will not have  graduated by the start date of the program in June 2025.
  • Students must be available and present for the entire duration of the internship, from June 23 – August 15, 2025. No vacations or breaks may be taken. A commitment of 40 hours per week is required, including research time and educational programming attendance.
  • We are unable to provide visas to foreign students. Therefore, we are only able to accept international students who are studying in the U.S. with a valid visa, depending upon designated school official approval.
Nmesoma Onyejekwe, 2024 B-BRITE intern
Nmesoma Onyejekwe, 2024 B-BRITE intern from the lab of Teresa Zimmers, presents her research at the 2024 Poster Symposium.

Oregon Health & Science University values the benefits of having a diverse scientific population. We encourage applications from those who come from backgrounds historically underrepresented in the sciences, including students who identify as Black or African American, Latino or Hispanic, Native American and Pacific Islander, first generation to attend college, socioeconomically disadvantaged, and those who are studying at small liberal arts colleges. Although prior experience in research is not a prerequisite for applying to the B-BRITE Summer Program, a strong interest in gaining hands-on research experience is essential.

Are you unsure whether this program is a match for you? Information about other internship and training opportunities at the Knight Cancer Institute and OHSU can be found at Cancer Research Training and Education.

Application

Applications for the 2025 Summer Program will open in early November 2024. Please check out our Cancer Research Education and Training webpage for other program opportunities with Oregon Health & Science University. Questions about the program may be addressed to: cancerbiointern@ohsu.edu

Johnathan Pang, 2024 intern
Johnathan Pang, 2024 intern from Luiz Bertassoni’s lab, presents his poster at the Poster Symposium.

Frequently asked questions

This is a full-time internship experience. Interns are expected to work 40 hours per week in the lab and participating in scheduled activities. Interns should discuss scheduling details with their assigned mentor.

Students selected for the internship will receive a stipend of $500 per week up to a maximum of 10 weeks. 

Housing and travel support will be awarded to a limited number of interns. Please indicate in your application if you would like to apply for airfare and housing support.

Beginning December 15th, 2023 all visitors and volunteers will be required to provide either documentation of a Covid vaccine administered after September 15th, 2023 or a formal declination form. Those who decline the Covid vaccine must wear a mask at all times in healthcare areas of the hospital.  Please be prepared to adhere to this policy, as it’s a requirement for onboarding for your in-person experience at OHSU. You will not be allowed to participate within OHSU if you are not compliant with this policy.

Completed applications must be received by the deadline of February 1, 2024 and will include:

  1. A resume including past lab or research experience (if applicable) and employment history;
  2. An unofficial college transcript;
  3. A one-page statement explaining your motivation for applying to this internship program and how you expect this experience to further your academic and professional goals;
  4. At least one and up to two letters of recommendation from a professor or supervisor who can comment on your potential to be successful working as part of a group doing basic science research.

CDCB/KCI interns are expected to participate full-time, from approximately 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. every weekday. In addition, interns will prepare a poster presentation of their research project and may attend other scientific seminars while at OHSU. Therefore, it is not advisable that interns pursue other coursework during the program.

We strive to match scholars and mentors based on research interests; however, not all KCI researchers are available to serve as mentors during any given summer. The more explicit you are in your application about your research interests, the better we can match you with a mentor.

The internship is typically performed in the Department of Cell, Developmental & Cancer Biology and Knight Cancer Institute laboratories at either the OHSU Marquam Hill Campus or South Waterfront Campus in Portland, OR. Interns must use mass transit or bicycle to get to campus (daily on-site parking is available, but it is expensive and not guaranteed). Public transit passes will be provided by the program.

No. Preference will be given to currently enrolled undergraduates who will graduate in spring 2025 or later.

Vacations or breaks are not allowed during the course of the internship due to the intensive nature of the program. Further, the internship is a full-time commitment and therefore should not be combined with significant other school or work.

Notifications will be sent out in early March via email. There will be a number of onboarding steps to complete before the internship begins, so please be sure to monitor your emails and act quickly if you are accepted. 

If you have questions or need more information, email us at cancerbiointern@ohsu.edu.

About Us

Director:
Grace Gill, Ph.D.
Associate Professor, Division of Oncological Sciences, Department of Cell, Developmental and Cancer Biology

Co-Director:
Katelyn Byrne, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor, Department of Cell, Developmental and Cancer Biology

Co-Director:
Zheng Xia, Ph.D.
Associate Professor of Computational Biology, Biomedical Engineering Department

Program Coordinator:
Pauline Thaler
Pathway Programs Project Coordinator
cancerbiointern@ohsu.edu