Become the future of Allergy & Immunology

Explore a career in medicine and the field of allergy & immunology at OHSU through a 5-week summer program!
The Allergy & Immunology Summer Pathways Program is a hybrid experience which provides students with clinical exposure, research education, and community volunteering opportunities to support them in a future medical career.
The program belongs to a national goal of increasing diversity in the physician workforce, specifically allergists. We are seeking local, high school students from the Portland, Oregon metropolitan area who identify as either underserved or underrepresented in medicine persons from racial or ethnic groups that are under-represented in medicine and biomedical research, or persons who have experienced significant disadvantage or adversity (i.e., recipient of social service resources while in elementary or secondary school, enhanced education or other programs for diverse populations, or by experience of economic, educational, cultural, or family adversity).
A stipend of $1500 will be awarded to 2 selected students per year. Applicants must be 16 years of age by the program start date (July 2026). No vacations or breaks may be taken during the program. Students commit to participate in the program 32 hours a week (M-Th), including educational programming, research, and volunteering.

Program Curriculum

The inaugural cycle of this program will run for five weeks from July 6th to August 6th, 2026. During your time in the program, you will be involved in the following areas:

Clinical

You will gain extensive exposure to the medical field, closely shadowing a selection of physicians in their clinic. This will be an opportunity to explore or solidify an interest in the medical career and gain one-on-one mentorship and relationships with physicians in the community.

Hosted in the Burghardt Food Allergy Center, you will primarily work with allergists but will also get the chance to explore closely related medical fields such as dermatology, otolaryngology, or hematology.

Research

The program will begin with a series of lessons on laboratory skills, and you will then be partnered with a research faculty at OHSU to pursue a project of interest over the course of 6 weeks. At the conclusion of your program, you will have the opportunity to present your work, findings, and takeaways at a student symposium in mid-August.

Education

Through a series of lectures, you will be exposed to the scientific foundations of allergy and immunology. These lessons will provide an understanding of the cellular and biomedical processes that underlie many of the pathologies you will see in clinic.

Volunteering

During the program, you will have the opportunity to volunteer with various, local organizations in the Portland community. The goal of this component is to emphasize the importance of volunteering and community work within the medical field.

How to Apply

Students who feel they align with our mission and have an interest in exploring a medical career in allergy & immunology are invited to apply no later than Saturday, February 28th, 2026. To apply, you will need to fill out this form which contains short answer questions. You must also submit your transcript here and have a letter writer send in a letter of recommendation here. 

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

• Do I need research or medical experience to apply for this program?

No, this program does not require any prior experience. We hope to lower as many barriers to entry as possible, and the program will leave you equipped with clinical and research experience to take into future endeavors. We only ask that you hold a genuine curiosity for medicine and an interest in exploring the field of allergy & immunology.

• Who should write my letter of recommendation?

Your letter of recommendation should be from an adult who is familiar with you in an academic or professional capacity. This can be a teacher, a coach, a mentor, adviser, etc. We encourage you to see an individual who you know personally and who can speak to why you would be a good fit for this program and its mission.

• What if I don’t go to high school in Portland, Oregon?

The Allergy & Immunology Summer Pathways Program does not provide summer housing for students, and for this reason, we encourage students to apply from within the Portland area where they will be able to commute to OHSU or other locations on a daily basis. If you have family within Portland who can house you or live within commuting distance, you are welcome to apply.

•What does the program provide?



Two selected students will be provided with a $1,500 stipend for the work and participation over the summer. During the program stay, you will also be provided with the necessary technology to engage with the program’s research and education requirements.