Apply to participate in an intensive, immersive, ungraded experience designed to help introductory students explore hands-on laboratory research during a portion of Wintersession. Graduate students from local medical schools will provide research mentorship and just-in-time instruction to participants. No prior experience is necessary - we encourage all first-year and second-year students in introductory science courses with an interest in life sciences research to apply, particularly those who identify with a group that has traditionally been underrepresented among science majors at Wellesley. Those coming from high schools with limited exposure to experimental labs are especially encouraged to apply. The program is a joint project, sponsored by the Wellesley College Science Center, the Biochemistry Program, and the Office of the Provost and Dean of the College. Dr. Elizabeth Oakes (CHEM) and Dr. Julie Roden (BISC) co-direct this program.
Applications typically open in mid-September and close after fall break, with students notified of decisions by early November. During reading period in December, you will attend a pre-course orientation and focus group, where you will get to meet the directors and the graduate student mentors. The Research Week program runs each weekday for the last 1.5 weeks of Wintersession. You will spend five days in the Wellesley laboratory learning how to purify and test an enzyme, and understanding the theory behind each technique. Additionally, you will take a full-day field trip to a local medical research campus (either Harvard Medical School in Boston or UMass Medical School in Worcester) where graduate mentors will show you around. The program culminates on the last day with student presentations of scientific findings to peers, mentors, and faculty, followed by a celebratory lunch. Housing and food will be provided for the duration of the program.
Please contact Prof. Roden (jroden@wellesley.edu) or Prof. Oakes (eoakes@wellesley.edu) with any questions.