School of Science Summer Research Program

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We welcome all current SMC Science students to apply to become a part of our Summer Research Program. Within the ten-week program, students will work in close collaboration with their choice of a faculty advisor. Students spend the summer (typically after their sophomore or junior year) gaining first-hand experience with genuine scientific research, either on a part of the advisor's ongoing research program or on a project created by the student.

Thanks to the generous donations, the following awards are available for students: 

  • Mal and Sylvia Boyce Scholar Award
  • Robert W. and Beverly J. Summers Research Award

The Summer Research Program includes a variety of activities during the summer, including barbecues, research meetings, field trips, and various social events. The work culminates with the submission of a formal written research report, an oral presentation, and presentation of results at the Brousseau poster session held on campus each fall.

Students participating in the Brousseau poster session may be selected to present their work at various national and local conferences, including the annual meetings of Sigma Xi and the American Association for the Advancement of Science.

Summer Research Application Process

Participation in the program is awarded through a School-wide competition. Successful applicants will receive a stipend of $5000, housing on campus, and a budget for supplies and expenses.  

Informational session is linked below. Q&A included.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1DErAVeH26k

Completed applications are due February 16 by 5:00 pm to Martha White via email (maw17@stmarys-ca.edu).

Please contact Professor Aaron Lee via email at atl8@stmarys-ca.edu if you have questions about the Program.

Two students Investigate Plant Viruses in a laboratory

Identifying Safe Alternative to Pesticides

Two science majors got the chance to literally dig into how environmental conditions affect our food in their Summer Research Program, reflecting just how hands-on student projects can get at SMC. Biology major and Music and Chemistry double minor Emily Hancock ’24 and Allied Health Science major Emma Cardinale ’24 investigated how aphids carrying viruses infect certain cereal crops. Their program, Plant Viruses, Vector Behavior, and Host Susceptibility, was both lofty and crucial: Identifying safe alternatives to pesticides used on the plants we eat.

Benjamin Harte

Mission to Mars

Ben Harte '22 was part of one of the winning teams of a NASA design challenge hosted by NASA Glenn research laboratory in Ohio for their project creating a mini rover they called “Cory.”

The Mission to Mars Summer Research Project gave Harte a solid basis for his work. “The research I did with Professor Alice Baldridge isn’t her usual research; it was kind of like, ‘We're in a global pandemic. We need to do something that you hopefully are interested in,’ Professor Baldridge went above by suggesting we design a mission to Mars."

Beyond the Summer Research Program

In addition to the Summer Research Program at SMC, many students participate in research during the academic year. Furthermore, Saint Mary's students have been accepted into summer research programs at various colleges and universities across the country, and have successfully pursued internships in industry. 

For further exploration:

EduMed Online Guide to Summer Research & Internship Opportunities

Scientific Summer Research & Internships

National Science Foundation REU programs

Brooklyn College Summer Research Opportunities Database

Pathways to Science STEM Programs Page 

Summer Research Programs for Undocumented Students