Undergraduate Programs

Research Education & Training

Undergraduate Research Opportunities at Lerner

Undergraduate research opportunities are available in Cleveland Clinic Lerner Research Institute laboratories. The number of laboratories with these opportunities varies throughout the year. Undergraduate students have the opportunity to gain hands-on experience in laboratory techniques, and to explore careers in biomedical research. Students with previous research laboratory experience are often preferred. For local students, continuation in the laboratory during the school year may be possible. Students are responsible for their own housing.

The Research Education and Training Center does not place undergraduate students in the labs of the Lerner Research Institute. If you are interested in a research opportunity, we recommend that you do the following:

Resume

  • Prepare an updated resume that includes your research experience, your relevant coursework and grades, and your contact information.

Review Labs

  • Review the research interests of the labs in the department of interest and familiarize yourself with the general research areas of those labs.

Email

  • Send each Principal Investigator (Faculty member) of those labs that interest you a brief and customized email to introduce yourself, your interest in the work of that particular lab and your availability. Also, attach your updated resume with a list of relevant science and math courses that you have taken, your GPA and a list of academic references with contact information (no relatives, please) to the email.

Follow Up

  • You may wish to follow up with a phone call or email to the Principal Investigator within 5 - 7 days.

Preparation

  • Be prepared to convey your enthusiasm for their research to all the investigators who respond to your email and to provide a letter of reference from a professor in your major if you are hired

Cleveland State University Scholars Program

The Lerner Research Institute is a participant in the undergraduate University Scholars Program at Cleveland State University. Undergraduate honors students at Cleveland State are given the opportunity to conduct research in the laboratories of the LRI. Interested students must apply directly to the CSU Honors Program and must be selected by CSU faculty to participate. For more information, please visit the University Scholars Program website.