Since 1978, our High School Summer Fellows Program has brought high school students from Los Angeles and Orange Counties to TLI’s campus for 8 weeks. The fellows — rising high school juniors and seniors — work with our highly-accomplished physicians and scientists on individual research projects.
Students in the program will:
- Spend 8 weeks participating in hands-on training with our world-renowned faculty in a real-world lab setting.
- Conduct an intensive research project, culminating with a presentation at the end of the program to peers, family, and the research community.
- Receive a Certificate of Completion and a competitive stipend.
Certificates of Completion will be awarded to all participants at the end of the program and upon the successful completion of all program requirements. This includes attendance to all summer program lectures, on-site lab participation, completion and return of the annual program survey.
Research Areas
The fellows view science from the inside out and are guided through the program by experienced mentors in these research areas:
- Cancer Biology and Immunotherapeutics
- Health Services and Outcome Research
- Infection and Immunity
- Metabolic Diseases and Endocrinology
- Neurotherapeutics
- Respiratory Medicine and Exercise Physiology
- Translational Genomics
- Women’s and Children’s Health
Program Eligibility
All student applicants must meet the following criteria:
- Enrollment as a high school junior or senior in Fall 2026.
- Demonstrated outstanding general academic achievement with a particular focus on science coursework.
- Ability to participate in all program activities as required during the eight weeks (Monday through Friday, generally from 9 AM to 5 PM).
No more than three absences total are permitted throughout the duration of the program. College tours/orientations and vacations should be scheduled to avoid any conflicts.
If an absence from program participation is required, the student must contact Dr. Mina Desai, Director of the High School Summer Fellows Program, at [email protected] and Wesley Chen, Education Manager, at [email protected].
Application Requirements
The following materials must be received by the application deadline:
- 2025 High School Summer Fellows Program Student Online Application Form.
- Official high school transcript.
- Two letters of recommendation from high school teachers, preferably science teachers.
Submit Your Application
Applications for the 2025 High School Summer Fellows Program are now closed. Stay tuned for details about applying to the 2026 cohort in the coming months.
Contact Us
If you have any questions about the High School Summer Fellows Program, application requirements, or program eligibility, you can contact our education team.