Newborn Medicine Summer Student Research
Email: MGBfcNBMSummerResearch@mgb.org
Overview
Our dedicated team of Neonatologists, Pediatricians, Researchers, and NICU Specialists offers one-on-one mentorship to students in a variety of topics within the field of Perinatal and Neonatal Medicine. Students will be appropriately matched to mentors based on their research interests and experience (if any) to ensure a rewarding and professionally stimulating experience. Space is limited and applications must be completed by the deadline below to be considered for selection. The program will be in-person at Brigham and Women's Hospital and Massachusetts General Hospital. Students are expected to be in-person throughout the entire duration of the program, from Monday through Friday each week.
Requirements
The Department of Pediatrics Summer Student Research Program aims to admit highly motivated students with an interest in research and its applications to healthcare, academic medicine, and related fields. In accordance with Brigham and Women’s Hospital policies, participants are required to be medically cleared by our Occupational Health Services, which consists of health screening, as well as adherence to the mandatory MGB vaccination and health policies. No prior research experience is required. All students must meet the following requirements:
- Undergraduate or Medical student (as of Fall 2026)
- The program is primarily geared towards undergraduate students, but we will consider highly motivated medical students.
- Proven interest in Research, Academic Medicine, or related fields
- Adherence to Mass General Brigham vaccination policy
Previous Research Projects and Reviews
- Previous Research Projects
- Impact of antioxidant juice intake on brain injury in growth restricted infants
- Late Onset Oxygen Requirement Following Neonatal Therapeutic Hypothermia
- Parenting Involvement and Barriers to Visitation in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit
- Nutritional Intake and Body Composition in Premature Infants
- Neurodevelopment of Auditory Cortex in Preterm Infants
- Human Milk Fortifier and Metabolic Acidosis
Reviews from Former Students
“I would definitely recommend this summer student program to others. From being able to work under incredibly talented mentors, to learning from a wide range of perspectives from both clinical and research teams, to just being surrounded by a supportive environment characterized by progress, change, and discovery, I loved every aspect of my experience at the summer student internship."
“I would definitely recommend this summer student program to anyone who is interested in this branch of medicine because you truly get a grasp of everything that goes around in the NICU or after they are discharged. I entered with a slight interest in the field and ended up loving it and considering it as a possible career path. Thanks for making this experience so great. I hope this program keeps inspiring others just as it did to me."
"The Summer Student Program was amazing. The organization, the teaching, and the care about the students were all incredible. It was really indescribable to have these 8 weeks inside a hospital. It was so important to have these experiences of researching and learning from incredible health care providers. I will never forget. Thank you."
"The Summer Student Research Program was a wonderful opportunity to gain exposure to neonatal and pediatric medicine. I chose this program out of personal interest for these fields and would highly recommend anyone interested in medicine and healthcare to apply. The skills I developed through this experience will surely support me in future endeavors and have inspired me to continue pursuing my passion for medicine.“
“I would definitely recommend this to other students. You won’t just be doing neonatal research, you’ll also gain valuable connections with professionals who want to mentor you, which is extremely helpful if you don’t personally know anyone in the health field. This is also a great opportunity to get a well-rounded glimpse into what it’s like to work in the NICU”
“I would recommend this program in a heartbeat. It exceeded all my expectations and helped me to discover more about my passion for medicine.”
"I found the Calderwood [writing] Seminars to be highly valuable, particularly as someone who is working to strengthen their writing skills. I especially enjoyed the interview profile assignment, as it provided a meaningful opportunity to engage in a deeper conversation with my mentor and learn more about his life and experiences."
How to Apply
Important Dates and Deadlines
- Applications Open: January 5, 2026
- Applications Close: February 6, 2026
- Decisions Announced: March 20, 2026
- Program Dates: June 8, 2026 – July 31, 2026
We regretfully acknowledge that these dates may not work for all academic calendars, but these dates are not able to be flexible due to obligatory orientation and initiation of group work. Please only apply if you are able to attend the full duration of the program.
Applications will be accepted from January 5, 2026, through February 6, 2026. All required Application Materials must be received by February 6, 2026, at 5PM EST.
Submit the following application materials here by the application deadline. Incomplete applications will not be considered.
- CV
- A personal statement in your own words (500 words maximum)
- Describe your interest and why you would be a good fit for a research program in the NICU
- Unofficial university transcript
- 1 Letter of Recommendation
- This can be from a teacher, professor, supervisor, or research mentor.
Faculty and Contacts
Course Directors
Sailaja Ghanta, MD, BWH, Neonatologist, Course Director
Pearl Houghteling, MD, BWH, Neonatologist, Course Director
Margot Murphy, BWH, Program Coordinator, Course Director
Departmental Leadership
Tanzeema Hossain, BWH, MBBS, Neonatologist, Director of Education
Helen Christou, MD, AMC Division Chief of Newborn Medicine, Mass General Brigham for Children
Joanne Wolfe, MD, MPH, Mass General Brigham Chair, Department of Pediatrics