Youth Neurology Education and Research Program
Overview
The Mass General Youth Neurology Education and Research Program is a paid summer internship engaging youth from throughout the community, with a particular focus on offering educational and research opportunities to Massachusetts high school and undergraduate students from underrepresented backgrounds. Founded in 2020 by Nicte Mejia, MD, MPH, FAAN, the program is funded by the Biogen Foundation, Massachusetts Life Sciences Center, and the Muscular Dystrophy Association.
The program aims to inspire through exposure to leading neurologists and neuroscientists, equip through paid mentored research, and empower with structured support to translate contributions into publications, presentations, and awards.
Requirements
Massachusetts high school and undergraduate students. Program focuses on female, Black, Latinx, American Indian, and first-generation youth.
Curriculum
Interns are paired with neurology mentors to collect, analyze, and interpret scientific data. Participants engage in the INSPIRE Speaker Series with leading neurology experts, career development forums, innovation sessions, and leadership skills workshops. The program concludes with student research presentations.
Research Experience
Paid, 40-hour/week mentored neurology research in MGH labs. Research areas span the full range of neurology subspecialties. Alumni have co-authored publications in peer-reviewed journals including Neurology.
How to Apply
Director: Nicte I. Mejia, MD, MPH, FAAN.
- INSPIRE: exposure to leading neurologists
- EQUIP: paid mentored research experience
- EMPOWER: publications, presentations, awards
- Focus on underrepresented communities
- Building diverse neurology workforce
- Paid, 40-hour/week summer internship
- Biogen Foundation + MA Life Sciences + MDA funded
- Founded 2020; 100+ interns to date
- INSPIRE Speaker Series (500+ students globally)
- Peer mentoring and longitudinal career support