Research in Medicine Academy

Dive into the world of medical research with Summer Discovery at UC Berkeley with your very own mentored research project with Polygence. This hybrid program is specifically designed to give high school students the research skills and expert guidance they need to conduct their own unique research project throughout the upcoming school year.

On campus with Summer Discovery at UC Berkeley, participants will spend two weeks exploring cutting-edge techniques and methodologies used in modern medicine through a hands-on learning approach. Coursework will be augmented with interactive lectures from renowned experts in the field and visits to state-of-the-art research facilities. Students will gain valuable insights into the medical research field, develop critical thinking skills, and practice rigorous academic research as they work towards developing their own research project to pursue in class and beyond. By the end of two weeks, students will have developed their research project proposal and will submit it for review on the final in-person day.

After completing the in-person program at UC Berkeley, students will continue their research project as they join a virtual cohort and get matched 1:1 with a research mentor in their field of interest. Students will meet with their mentor over 10 virtual sessions and complete their project at their own pace. Final research papers can be submitted for publication in prestigious journals, shared at research symposiums, turned into podcasts and more. Students will select their preferred mentorship start date at the conclusion of the on-campus session, with available options in August, September, or October 15th.

This course is conducted in partnership with Polygence, the premier online research academy for motivated students looking for dedicated mentorship from expert academics and practitioners. Tuition for the Summer Discovery x Polygence Medical Research Program at UC Berkeley includes both the on-campus Summer Discovery experience as well as Polygence’s Core Research Program. Read more about the Core Program here. 

After applying for and enrolling in the Summer Discovery at UC Berkeley program, students will complete a separate enrollment form for their research projects. This step ensures Polygence has all necessary information about a student's academic background, interests, and experiences to match them with an ideal project mentor. Through this form, students will also provide an initial project topic and idea for their research, based on their own interests in medicine. Students will be provided the opportunity to amend their project idea after their time at UC Berkeley. 

Learning Outcomes:

1. Develop Proficiency in Medical Research Methodologies: Students will gain hands-on experience with cutting-edge research techniques and learn how to design, conduct, and analyze medical research projects.
2. Enhance Critical Thinking and Problem-Solving Skills: Through interactive lectures and independent research, students will strengthen their ability to critically evaluate medical data and develop innovative solutions to complex problems.
3. Produce a Research Proposal: By the end of the course, students will have created a well-researched project proposal, ready for submission and potential publication, showcasing their ability to plan and communicate scientific research.
4. Build Professional Networks and Mentorship Connections: Students will engage with renowned experts and peers, forming valuable professional relationships that can support their future academic and career aspirations in the medical field.

Information is subject to change as instructors finalize course content and syllabi.