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Summer Undergraduate Research Program for Underserved Scholars

CERTIFICATE & PATHWAY PROGRAMS

Message from the Faculty Director

SURP4US Summer 2027

We look forward to welcoming the next cohort of participants in summer 2027.

The application period runs from October 1, 2026 to January 15, 2027.

The Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai is committed to fostering the development of future leaders in the field of biomedical sciences by providing a multidisciplinary learning environment that is inclusive and designed to support students from diverse backgrounds. Once you are accepted to the program, you will be matched with a mentor from the Graduate School faculty, based on your desired research area. Our Summer Undergraduate Research Program for Underserved Scholars (SURP4US) is an excellent opportunity for college students interested in the biomedical sciences who are socioeconomically disadvantaged and/or have limited access to hands-on research opportunities. You will work with your mentor and spend your summer in the laboratory, engage in supervised research, and participate in exciting, hands-on projects in one of our PhD training areas.

SURP4US runs for ten weeks from June to August. It is a non-degree, non-credit undergraduate experience for juniors or seniors interested in pursuing careers as research scientists (future PhD and MD-PhD graduate applicants only). The program offers numerous, unmatched benefits, including:

  • Intensive research training in a cutting-edge biomedical laboratory
  • Assistance and guidance on the PhD and MD-PhD application process, including one-on-one advisement sessions, mock interviews with our PhD faculty, information sessions, and professional development workshops on preparing a competitive application
  • The opportunity to meet with directors of our programs to discuss and answer questions about their programs
  • Full access to seminars, journal clubs, and work-in-progress meetings to enhance your scientific knowledge on distinct research fields and novel technologies
  • Full access to the school’s recreation office along with networking opportunities with current students, faculty members, and school administration through social events
  • An opportunity to present your SURP4US research project at a poster session
  • An opportunity to apply to the FlexGrad program, a pathway to early admission into Mount Sinai's PhD programs in Biomedical Sciences or Neuroscience. FlexGrad includes waived standardized testing requirements and credit for laboratory rotations. To be eligible to matriculate into the Biomedical Sciences or Neuroscience PhD programs through FlexGrad, students must complete the following pre-matriculation requirements:
    • An honors thesis or equivalent;
    • One year of Chemistry, Biology, Physics, and/or Mathematics, with a grade of no less than a "B";
    • One semester of Statistics

    Online courses cannot be used to fulfill the pre-matriculation requirements.

Learn More & Apply Request Information

Meet the Director

Person headshot

Jamilia Sly, PhD
ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR | Population Health Science and Policy
ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR | Family Medicine & Community Health
ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR | Oncological Sciences

Dr. Jamilia Sly is a community psychologist and health equity researcher who utilizes community-engaged research to address the social and systemic factors driving cancer disparities among underserved populations.

Research Placements

AI and Emerging Technologies

Develop predictive diagnostic and therapeutic models using machine learning

Cancer Biology

Train to become a skilled molecular and cellular biologist for cancer research

Development, Regeneration & Stem Cells

Work with stem cells to explore their impact on regenerative medicine

Disease Mechanisms & Therapeutics

Discover and develop chemical probes to study the pathophysiology of diseases

Genetics and Genomic Science

Utilize machine learning and big data analysis for computational biology

Immunology

Study the cellular and molecular mechanisms of the immune system.

Microbiology

Study a wide range of viruses, including influenza, Zika, and more

Neuroscience

Gain insight into brain function from molecular to behavioral levels
Moore

Kendall Moore

"The summer I spent in SURP4US served as a springboard for all my following research and career aspirations. At Mount Sinai, there is an immense amount of collaboration going on, and SURP4US allowed me to get to know individuals doing groundbreaking science and translational research."

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Kendall Moore

"The summer I spent in SURP4US served as a springboard for all my following research and career aspirations. At Mount Sinai, there is an immense amount of collaboration going on, and SURP4US allowed me to get to know individuals doing groundbreaking science and translational research."

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Chinoso Nwakama

“SURP4US was a pivotal moment for my scientific development. Whether it was running experiments or catching glimpses of brains being imaged during my microscopy core, there is a passion for discovery at the Icahn School.”

Moore

Kendall Moore

"The summer I spent in SURP4US served as a springboard for all my following research and career aspirations. At Mount Sinai, there is an immense amount of collaboration going on, and SURP4US allowed me to get to know individuals doing groundbreaking science and translational research."

Moore

Chinoso Nwakama

“SURP4US was a pivotal moment for my scientific development. Whether it was running experiments or catching glimpses of brains being imaged during my microscopy core, there is a passion for discovery at the Icahn School.”

Calhoun

Naomi Calhoun

“The SURP4US seminars were truly an information hub and exposed me to research projects, technical equipment, and procedures in various departments in the institution. One of my favorite parts of the experience was the relationships I built with my cohort members.”

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