The Summer 2026 OPALS application is now OPEN. Apply Today!
The UCSD IEM OPALS High School Internship Program is dedicated to empowering pre-college students with a strong foundation in STEM through authentic, hands-on research. The program emphasizes setting realistic expectations, cultivating curiosity, and developing a thoughtful, rigorous scientific mindset. Interns gain a rare opportunity to work alongside researchers, graduate students, and industry collaborators engaged in interdisciplinary projects at the intersection of engineering, medicine, and artificial intelligence.
Throughout the internship, students deepen their understanding of core scientific principles, learn to critically evaluate experimental data, and contribute to ongoing research efforts. By the end of the program, each intern will present their work in a research presentation or poster session, demonstrating their growth in scientific reasoning and communication.
Representative Project Areas
- Cellular & Molecular Biology (~4 projects)
- Experimental Neuroscience & Brain Health (~ 2 projects)
- Computational Neuroscience & Behavior (~ 2 projects)
- AI-driven Biological Data Analysis (~ 2 projects)
- AI for Biomedical Research & Healthcare (~ 2 projects)
- AI for Environmental & Sustainability Solutions (~ 2 projects)
- Biomedical Imaging & Instrumentation (~ 2 projects)
- Engineering & Systems Design (~ 2 projects)
Skill Development
Interns build foundational research skills, including:
- Scientific literature review
- Experimental design & data collection
- Quantitative analysis & computational methods
- Scientific communication (posters & presentations)
- Collaboration within multidisciplinary research teams
Expected Contributions
Interns may contribute to:
- Research abstracts and posters
- National and international scientific conferences
- Peer-reviewed or proceedings-based publications (when appropriate)
Program Culture
Our program is guided by the 4 A’s: Available, Approachable, Accountable, and Achievable. These principles ensure that students are challenged, supported, and held to high standards while fostering a welcoming and inclusive research environment.
Dates and Deadlines
The program is divided into two sessions:
- The Summer session is an intensive four-week program, mainly in-person from 9 AM to 4 PM every weekday.
- The Spring session runs from mid-January to the end of June, requiring interns to commit 2-4 hours per week.
- Application Period Opens: September 26, 2025
- Applications will be prioritized on a first-come, first-served basis.
- Applications will close on November 30, 2025.
- Program Dates: January 25 - June 27, 2026
- 2-4 hours per week
- Application Period Opens: February 1, 2026
- Applications will be prioritized on a first-come, first-served basis.
- Applications will close on April 19, 2026.
- Program Dates: July 6 - July 31, 2026
- 9 AM - 4 PM from Monday to Friday, in person at UC San Diego
Requirements & Apply
How to Apply?
- Complete OPALS Application Fee Payment
- Apply for the Summer 2026 OPALS Program
- If you have any questions or concerns, contact ieminternships@ucsd.edu
Application Preparation Materials:
- Unofficial transcript
- Personal statement
- Resume
- Reference contacts
Eligibility and Application Details:
- Current high school and community college students with curiosity and enthusiasm for STEM are welcome to apply.
- Housing & Transportation will not be provided for applicants.
- Due to high demand for our OPALS program, we are establishing a minimum age requirement of 14, effective July 1, 2026. Priority will be given to applicants aged 16 and older.
- Since seats are limited, we may be unable to accommodate all applicants.
- Applicants will be notified of acceptance decisions via email.
Commitments & Cost
- Application Fee: $65
- Program Fee: $3,000
- The program is unable to provide housing or transportation.
- Voluntary donations to the IEM OPALS program to defray program costs (approximately $1000 per intern) are gratefully accepted. However, please note that donations will not influence acceptance of the program.
- Application Fee: $65
- Program Fee: $3,000
- The program is unable to provide housing or transportation.
- Voluntary donations to the IEM OPALS program to defray program costs (approximately $1000 per intern) are gratefully accepted. However, please note that donations will not influence acceptance of the program.
Chief Scientists
Veronica Gomez
Institute of Engineering in Medicine, UCSD
Linda Shi
Institute of Engineering in Medicine, UCSD
Chengbiao Wu
Department of Neurosciences, UCSD
Management Team
Andrew D. McCulloch
Director, Institute of Engineering in Medicine, UCSD
Philip Godfrey
Management Services Officer, Institute of Engineering in Medicine, UCSD
Justina Houston
Administrative Assistant, Institute of Engineering in Medicine, UCSD
Jiyeon Song
Communication & Office Assistant, Institute of Engineering in Medicine, UCSD
Contact
- IEM Internships: ieminternships@ucsd.edu
- Program Director: Dr. Linda Shi ( zshi@ucsd.edu)
Support OPALS
If you are ready to make a difference and impact the future of health care, consider a gift to the Institute of Engineering in Medicine at UC San Diego.
Proposition 209 Compliance
In accordance with applicable Federal and State law and University policy, the University of California does not discriminate, or grant preferences, on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion, sex, disability, and/or other protected categories. Initiatives are open to all eligible members of the UC San Diego campus community and does not discriminate against, or grant preferential treatment to, any individual or group on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion, sex, disability, and/or other protected categories.
Proposition 209
UC Anti-Discrimination
