WashU SOAR

The Summer Opportunities for Achievement in Research (SOAR) program is sponsored by the Washington University Kidney O’Brien Center for Chronic Kidney Disease Research.

The WashU SOAR program is an immersive 9.5-week research program for undergraduate students interested in pursuing nephrology research and pursuing a PhD and/or MD.

The program is designed to provide interns with the opportunity to get hands-on experience in basic science research under the guidance of a mentor from the Division of Nephrology.

Program Details:

  • Openings: Three interns
  • Dates: May 29 to August 2, 2024 (9.5 weeks)
  • Paid Housing at “The Village” on the Danforth Campus
  • Stipend and Extras
    – $500 per week
    – $200 Bear Bucks card for essentials in the first week before receiving the 1st paycheck
    – Free MetroLink pass
  • Application is due February 15, 2024
  • Mentors will be assigned after admission
  • Interns will have the opportunity to attend WashU seminars including weekly conferences by Jim Skeath, PhD, Professor of Genetics at WashU and Director of the MARC U-Star Program
  • Interns will present their research at the end of the program
  • Eligibility: 
    – U.S. Citizens or Permanent Residents.
    – Undergraduate students enrolled in accredited four-year colleges or universities in the United States or U.S. territories.

The SOAR internship program is under the direction of Monica Chang-Panesso, MD, co-leader the Administrative Core of the WashU Chronic Kidney Disease National Resource Center. Contact info: mchang-panesso@wustl.edu.

Are You Interested in Becoming a WashU SOAR Intern?

  • Please sent a personal statement (why are you interested, what are your career goals, what are your expectations/hopes for the experience) to Jean Smith jean_smith@wustl.edu.
  • Two letters of recommendation are required. Reference should email the letter of recommendation directly to Jean Smith (jean_smith@wustl.edu).

Please include “SOAR” in the subject line of all emails.

Why come to St. Louis?

Affordability and a sense of community make this big Midwestern city feel like small town USA. There are many reasons to consider living here for a summer: