Explore. Discover. Transform.

The Molecular Medicine Summer Immersion Program is a two-week, full-day summer experience designed for motivated high school students who are curious about science, medicine, and biomedical research. This program goes beyond textbooks to introduce students to how modern medicine is built on molecular and cellular biology.

Hosted on the University of Houston main campus, students learn in real university laboratory spaces under the guidance of faculty, researchers, and trained mentors. Through hands-on experiments, interactive lectures, and small-group activities, participants gain insight into how scientific discoveries translate into real-world medical treatments.

The program emphasizes teamwork, critical thinking, and scientific communication. In addition to hands-on laboratory training, students participate in discussions with pre-medical, medical, and graduate trainees to learn about academic pathways and careers in medicine and biomedical science.

Who Should Apply

High school students ages 15–18 with a strong interest in science, medicine, or biomedical research.

Program Dates & Schedule

Two identical sessions are offered (same curriculum and activities):

• Session 1: July 6 – July 17
• Session 2: July 20 – July 31

Space is limited to 20 students per session.

Program hours

Monday–Friday, 9:30 AM – 4:00 PM

Drop-Off & Pick-Up

Students may be dropped off starting at 9:15 AM and should be picked up by 4:15 PM. Parents or guardians are asked to sign students in and out each day, with staff available at the building entrance to assist. Late pick-up after 4:15 PM will incur a $1 per minute supervision fee. Students are supervised at all times during program hours. On-campus housing is not provided for this program. 

Location

Science Teaching Laboratory Building, University of Houston main campus.

Laboratory Skills & Topics

Students will receive hands-on training in core biomedical techniques, including laboratory biosafety and sterile technique; mammalian cell culture, cell counting, and viability assessment; transient gene delivery into mammalian cells; fluorescence microscopy to visualize gene expression; bacterial culture and recombinant strain amplification; inducible recombinant protein expression; protein purification using affinity-based methods; protein analysis by electrophoresis; and experimental planning, documentation, and troubleshooting. All activities are conducted in compliance with University of Houston policies for minors in laboratory settings, with continuous supervision by trained faculty and student mentors.

Daily Structure

• Interactive lectures on disease mechanisms and therapeutic strategies
• Guided laboratory experiments
• Small-group discussions and problem solving
• Career and academic pathway conversations
• Final project preparation and presentation showcase

What Students Receive

• Certificate of Completion
• Formal laboratory biosafety training
• Exposure to university-level biomedical research techniques
• Recognition awards at the final showcase for teamwork, creativity, and scientific curiosity
• Eligibility for a faculty letter of recommendation for college applications (selective, based on exceptional performance, engagement, and professionalism)

Tuition and Fees for Each Session

• Early Registration (on or before May 1): $1,600
• Standard Registration (after May 1): $1,800

Tuition Includes

• All instructional sessions and laboratory materials
• Access to university laboratory facilities and equipment
• Friday lunches, daily snacks, and refreshments
• Program T-shirt, lab coat, and safety goggles
• Certificate of Completion and awards ceremony

Lunch

• Monday–Thursday: Students bring their own lunch
• Friday: Lunch provided at the University of Houston dining facility

Refund Policy

• Before May 31: Full refund minus a $100 administrative fee
• June 1 – June 15: 50% refund
• After June 15: No refunds

If the university cancels a session, all tuition will be fully refunded.

Other Policies & Logistics

• Emergency contact information will be collected during registration. Parents or guardians will be notified in the event of illness or emergency.
• Participants may be photographed or recorded for educational or program-related promotional purposes, with consent collected after registration.
• Closed-toe shoes are required for all laboratory activities. Additional safety requirements will be provided when the program begins.

Questions

For program inquiries, please contact us at mmsip@central.uh.edu.

Reigstration

A link to register will be provided soon.