- Call or text: +1 (808) 261-4476
- Mon-Fri (8:30am - 4:30pm) Lunch Break 12:30pm-1:30pm
- [email protected]
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- Call or text: +1 (808) 261-4476
- Mon-Fri (8:30am - 4:30pm) Lunch Break 12:30pm-1:30pm
- [email protected]
Hawaii Pacific Neuroscience offers the largest neuroscience teaching facility in the state of Hawaii. Our mission is to give back, mentor and nurture the future of our Hawaii healthcare leaders. Since 2009, over 295 students have gained valuable experience through our program. The 2020 SIP cohort included 35 students from the high school to the graduate school level. In our 8-week intensive program, interns have the opportunity to interact directly with our multidisciplinary team of doctors and to experience working in a clinic setting. Additionally, interns choose a therapeutic area to research for the duration of their program and present their research in a Summer Symposium at the end of the program.
Applications for the 2021 program are now available. Please reference the application below and submit no later than 30 APR 2021. The expected 2021 cohort will be 35 students. Applications are accepted on a rolling-basis and will be closed when the cohort is filled. For further inquiries, please email Catherine Mitchell at [email protected].
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Please click on the button below to submit the application fee.
Catherine Mitchell
Clinical Research Coordinator
SIP Coordinator
“The most important lesson that I was able to pick up through this program is the importance of closeness and collaboration with your team. In the clinic, I observed the close interactions of all the members of the Hawaii Pacific Neuroscience team, and the respect and kindness that is exchanged between all of these members.”
"My biggest takeaway from this year’s summer internship is learning how to be a better leader. ... My group got the work done, we even finished slightly ahead of schedule. They had fun working with me and I had fun working with them. Learning how to be a good and effective leader is a skill that I will always carry with me."
"Submersing myself in this environment has equipped me with a broader knowledge about neuroscience, and has allowed me to interact with professionals of the expertise like, Dr. Carrazana... This internship has intimidated me, but in a good way... I feel as if things that are easy are not necessarily truly valued... "
“As a leader, I’ve realized that the majority of students is eager to “cure cancer”, but very few want to start small. Perhaps, look into journals and find paucity in the literature, understand what one can do to add information to our current knowledge, and eventually, work their way up. This process takes all time, effort, and luck, not something that can be accomplished over a short period of time. HPN provides the perfect dojo for a student like me to practice and sharpen our skills.”
"I was able to see my team improve their clinical research skills and expand their knowledge in neuroscience, and I was able to humbly grow alongside them. As time passed, I also noticed my confidence levels increase. I knew I understood the project, I knew I had the skillset necessary to conduct clinical research, and I came to believe that I could serve as a team leader. And because my team and I were able to grow together as well as struggle together, my team of highly qualified individuals eventually became individuals that I could call family... However, I believe the most beautiful aspect about being a clinical researcher is that everything we do is for our patients and to make a positive impact in the world around us..."
“Now, more than ever, I wish to do research in cognitive neuroscience, and I intend to do everything I can to get there. Though my time at Hawaii Pacific Neuroscience has come to an end, for now, I know even greater things await me ahead at Johns Hopkins University, where I have committed to studying neuroscience and cognitive science. In ten years’ time, I will have obtained my Ph.D. and be conducting and leading research that will make an impact in this world.”
"This summer’s internship was extraordinarily fascinating. Amongst all the things that I had learnt at my time there, I have to say that my biggest takeaway is that under every well-maintained clinic there is a veritable army of people working to keep it going. It seemed surreal that a relatively small location could contain so much energy and experience... Furthermore, at HPN, I found myself working more with others under a common goal... Seeing how the clinic worked as a whole to help those with neurological problems whilst supporting research into said problems was a real eye-opening experience."
The Summer Research Program at Hawaii Pacific Neuroscience is one of the most sought after summer internships in the country. It provides students the opportunity to spend an intensive 9 weeks working side-by-side with leading neuroscientists and researchers in Hawaii working on groundbreaking studies in Alzheimer’s disease, epilepsy, Parkinson’s disease, multiple sclerosis, and other neurodegenerative diseases.This internship is a time-intensive commitment with mandatory lectures built into the program. Do not apply for HPN-SIP if you are unable to attend mandatory events. The calendar does not include your time in the clinic and your time with your research group. Interns will need to be on-campus, in person for their data collection sessions (4 one-hour weekly time blocks) in addition to in person orientation (June 15ᵗʰ Saturday), midterm (July 13ᵗʰ Saturday), and finals (Aug 17ᵗʰ Saturday).
The program emphasizes collaborative teamwork in a supervised setting headed by a faculty mentor and medical student leader culminating in poster presentations at the end of the program, followed by national and international scholarly activities.
June 15th, 2024 – August 17th, 2024 (9 weeks)
Applicants must be enrolled in an accredited college or university as an undergraduate or graduate student. A small cohort of individuals in their senior year at an approved High School may be considered under “exceptional circumstances”.
There is a nonrefundable application fee of $49
Click online to pay nonrefundable application fees
APPLY ONLINE by April 30th, 2024
questions, please contact [email protected]
APPLY ONLINE by April 30th, 2024.
1) Headshot (Picture of face and shoulder) see website for 2023 Cohorts examples
2) Curriculum Vitae/Resume
3) Cover Letter
a. No more than 2 pages
b.Must address the following questions:
i. Why do you want to participate in this specific program?
ii. How do your skills and experiences make you the perfect match for the program?
iii. What are your realistic expectations for this program?
iv. What are your long-term educational goals?
v. How will your summer schedule accommodate this internship?
4) GCP and HIPAA certificates
a. GCP & HIPAA links for students (FREE)
i. CITI GCP: https://about.citiprogram.org/en/homepage/
→ Must specify your university for free access.
→ Ex) University of Hawaii, you only need to complete GCP ICH.
ii. HIPAA: https://info.proservice.com/hipaa-compliance-on-demand
→ You will be asked to provide your full name, email address, and company. Please put “Hawaii
Pacific Neuroscience” for the company. Please take the “HIPAA Compliance Online Exam” after
reviewing the webinar (link found in the Summary section).
5) “Exceptional Student Consideration”
a. All incoming high school seniors must complete an additional cover letter
b. Must address the following questions:
i. What makes you stand out as an “Exceptional Student” and why should you be considered?
ii.What are your long-term goals and how will this internship help you achieve them?
6) Confirmation of application fee (screen shot of payment email will do), pay online
Application will not be considered without application fee confirmation.
Applicants will be notified of their selection via email no later than May 14th, 2024
Questions, contact: [email protected]
Our HPN-SIP 2019 cohort presented their midterm findings to an audience of community physicians at Adventist Castle Medical Center. The physicians had the opportunity to ask clarifying questions and provide valuable insight for the research presented. Great work students!
