Overview of Programs
As part of its mission to train the next generation of aging-science researchers, the Buck offers three programs for undergraduate students.
- The Summer Scholars Program provides summer research opportunities.
- The SPARC Program enables recent college graduates to take a gap-year to gain Alzheimer’s research experience.
- The Buck Postbaccalaureate Research Program is a second option for recent graduates that provides two years of research experience in preparation for advanced degree programs or the biotech industry.
Training for each program emphasizes communication skills and includes personalized career development.
Scroll down to learn more about each program and apply.
Buck Summer Scholars Program
The Buck Summer Scholars Program offers undergraduate students the opportunity to investigate insights into the critical molecular and biological drivers of aging as well as translation of that research into new therapies which will improve healthspan. Summer Scholar participants will conduct biomedical research to combat diseases of aging, such as Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, cancer, heart disease, and diabetes. Each Summer Scholar conduct research project under the guidance of a scientific mentor. The Program emphasizes both laboratory and communication skills training to develop well-rounded future scientists, healthcare professionals, and policy makers.
The Buck Summer Scholars Program offers undergraduate students the opportunity to investigate insights into the critical molecular and biological drivers of aging as well as translation of that research into new therapies which will improve healthspan. Summer Scholar participants will conduct biomedical research to combat diseases of aging, such as Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, cancer, heart disease, and diabetes. Each Summer Scholar conducts a research project under the guidance of a scientific mentor. The Program emphasizes both laboratory and communication skills training to develop well-rounded future scientists, healthcare professionals, and policy makers.
The Summer Scholars Program is unique among internship programs with its emphasis on the development of scientific communication as well as laboratory and critical thinking skills. Throughout the summer, students participating in the program will be guided through communication assignments that simulate research explanations scientists often must provide other scientists, financial supporters, or the general public. The communication training will culminate with presentations of their work to peers, mentors, and other scientists. Other program highlights include a flexible start date and the ability for international students and graduating seniors to participate.
Over the course of the program, interns will:
- Learn new technical skills.
- Explain scientific concepts to a non-scientific audience.
- Write a scientific report.
- Give a formal research presentation to scientists.
The program can accommodate both semester and quarter system students. As such, the start date will vary between May and June.
- Internships will last between 10 and 12 weeks.
- Stipend rates will be based upon levels used by government agencies, such as the NIH and NSF.
- The Buck Institute will be able to provide housing during June and July. Advice and suggestions can be provided to aid participants in locating their own housing for the remainder of the internship.
- Travel support will be provided.
If you have any questions, please email Senior Program Manager of Education Gregory Chin at gchin@buckinstitute.org.
Research project descriptions will be updated by October 21.
This program is designed for undergraduate students. Only students who are currently pursuing an undergraduate degree or students who received their degree during the fall, winter, or spring terms of the 2024-2025 academic year are eligible for the 2025 Buck Summer Scholars Program.
- There are no restrictions to class standing. Freshmen, sophomores, juniors, seniors, and fifth year seniors are all eligible to apply.
- Students currently enrolled in a master’s, doctoral, medical, or similar postgraduate degree granting programs are ineligible to apply. Any applicant who has already earned a degree prior to the 2024-2025 academic year is also ineligible.
- Students enrolled in a dual undergrad/grad program are eligible provided no degree has been conferred by the start of the internship.
- The applicant must be enrolled at a college or university in the United States. Special circumstances, such as established exchange programs, will be considered on case-by-case basis. U.S. citizens studying abroad also are eligible to apply.
Applicants must be eligible to receive a stipend. International students who are studying abroad in the U.S. will need to participate in the Summer Scholars Program through Curricular Practical Training (CPT) for off-campus employment. Unfortunately, due to the length of time required for approval, Optional Practical Training (OPT) for off-campus employment cannot be accepted. You can learn more about CPT requirements here.
Qualifications
- Applicants should have some biologically or computationally related prior research experience.
- GPA 2.0 or higher.
- There are no specific major requirements. Students of any major may apply, provided they have relevant prior biological or computational research experience.
- Please review the research project descriptions for more specific experience desired by each lab.
- The application portal will launch by November 4.
- Completed applications were due at NOON on Friday, January 17, 2025 (12 pm PST 1/17/25).
- Finalists will be contacted by March 7, 2025.
2023 Summer Scholars:
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2023 Summer Scholars: Back Row: Debra Buggs, Sydney Becker, Kaya Ceyhan, Owen Donayre, Will Nickols Front Row: Anna Girtle, Ronak Jaisalmeria, Olivia Wilson, Lea Baskin Monk
2022 Buck Summer Scholars—Back Row: Zhixin Zhang, Seth Talyanski, Varun Sridhar, Brennen Keuchel, Grace Qi Front Row: Kaitlyn Hung, Alexa Schlotter, Caroline Voorhis, Theresa Fitzgibbon
SPARC Postbaccalaureate Program
Support and Preparation for an Alzheimer’s Research Career (SPARC)
The Support and Preparation for an Alzheimer’s Research Career (SPARC) Program offers recent college graduates the opportunity to investigate Alzheimer’s Disease and related dementias through an interdisciplinary approach. Rather than simply viewing individual diseases in isolated silos, researchers at the Buck Institute investigate the contribution of common processes governing aging on the development of pathologies associated with chronic age-related diseases. This discipline, known as ‘Geroscience,’ is the interface between the biology of aging and age-related chronic disease and a set of commonly shared processes known as the ‘hallmarks’ of aging. As part of its overall mission, the Buck Institute has adopted the geroscience concept toward the study of Alzheimer’s Disease as a means to accelerate research in the field toward novel treatments to improve care for people currently facing these conditions.
The SPARC Program is designed to offer recent college and university graduates the opportunity to participate in a one-year immersive program before continuing their research career or pursuing a graduate degree. Participants of the program will have the opportunity to improve their critical thinking and scientific communication skills within the context of an Alzheimer’s-related research project.
During an initial one-month bootcamp, SPARC participants will:
- Learn new technical skills through hands-on curriculum
- Enhance critical thinking skills through discussion and journal club
- Improve presentation skills through workshops and talks
- Meet with prospective host labs through talks and shadowing before being matched
Over the course of the program, SPARC participants will:
- Learn new technical skills
- Explain scientific concepts to a non-scientific audience
- Write a simple grant proposal
- Give a formal research presentation to scientists
The program starts on September 2, 2025
- The duration of the program is 1 year
- The position will be salaried with benefits, including medical, dental, vision, and retirement.
- Travel support will be provided
If you have any questions, please email Senior Program Manager of Education Gregory Chin at gchin@buckinstitute.org
Research project descriptions will be updated by October 21.
This program is designed for recent college and university graduates, who have earned their degree within the past two years prior to the start date of the program. Graduates of the classes of 2023, 2024, and 2025 will be eligible to apply to the 2025 SPARC Program.
- Students currently enrolled in a master’s, doctoral, medical, or similar postgraduate degree granting program are ineligible to apply. Similarly, any applicant who has already earned a postgraduate degree is ineligible to apply.
- Participation is limited to U.S. citizens and permanent residents.
Qualifications
- Applicants should have some biologically or computationally related prior research experience.
- GPA 2.0 or higher
- There are no specific major requirements. Students of any major may apply, provided they have relevant prior biological or computational research experience.
- The application portal will launch by November 4, 2024.
- Completed applications will be due at NOON on Friday, February 21, 2025 (12 pm PST 2/21/25).
- Finalists will be contacted by April 4, 2025.
Buck Postbaccalaureate Research Program
The Buck Postbaccalaureate Research Program offers undergraduate students the opportunity to investigate insights into the critical molecular and biological drivers of aging as well as translation of that research into new therapies which will improve healthspan. Postbaccalaureate Researchers will conduct biomedical research to combat diseases of aging, such as Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, cancer, heart disease, and diabetes. Each Postbaccalaureate Researcher will conduct a research project under the guidance of a scientific mentor. The Program emphasizes both laboratory and communication skills training to develop well-rounded future scientists, healthcare professionals, and policy makers.
The Postbaccalaureate Research Program is designed to offer recent college and university graduates the opportunity to participate in a two-year immersive program before continuing their research career or pursuing a graduate degree. Participants of the program will have the opportunity to improve their laboratory, critical thinking, and scientific communication skills within the context of a research project. Other program highlights include the ability for international students to participate and a flexible schedule for interviews.
Over the course of the program, Postbaccalaureate Researchers will:
- Learn new technical skills.
- Explain scientific concepts to a non-scientific audience.
- Write a simple grant proposal.
- Give a formal research presentation to scientists.
The program has a flexible start date between May and August of 2025.
- The duration of the program will be 2 years.
- The position will be salaried with benefits, including medical, dental, vision, and retirement.
- Travel support will be provided.
If you have any questions, please email Senior Program Manager of Education Gregory Chin at gchin@buckinstitute.org.
Research project descriptions will be updated by October 21.
This program is designed for recent college and university graduates, who have earned their degree within the past two years prior to the start date of the program. Thus, graduates of the classes of 2023, 2024, and 2025 will be eligible to apply to the 2025 Postbaccalaureate Research Program.
- Students currently enrolled in a master’s, doctoral, medical, or similar postgraduate degree granting program are ineligible to apply. Similarly, any applicant who has already earned a postgraduate degree is ineligible to apply.
- Participants in the program must be able to legally work in the U.S. via citizenship, permanent residency, or optional practical training (OPT). Note that only international students who can use OPT work authorization can apply. Similar programs that fulfill the work visa requirement will be considered on a case-by-case basis, but international students from abroad are ineligible for this program.
We strongly encourage students using OPT work authorization to consult their on-campus advisors prior to submitting the application to ensure that the OPT application is submitted in a timely fashion to avoid a delayed start to the program should an offer be made. You can learn more about OPT authorization here
Qualifications
- Applicants should have some biologically or computationally related prior research experience.
- GPA 2.0 or higher.
- There are no specific major requirements. Students of any major may apply, provided they have relevant prior biological or computational research experience.
- Please review the research project descriptions for more specific experience desired by each lab.
- The application portal will launch by November 4, 2024.
- Completed applications will be due at NOON on Friday, February 21, 2025 (12 pm PST 2/21/25)
- Finalists will be contacted by April 4, 2025.
Gregory Chin, PhD
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