Biomedical Data Science Summer Research
2025 Program Info
Program Dates: May 27–Aug. 2, 2025
When to Apply: Nov. 1, 2024–Feb. 15, 2025
Information you will need to provide for the application:
- Name and email address for at least one person (faculty member preferred) who will provide a letter of recommendation. Two letters of recommendation are allowed.
- Electronic version of your unofficial college transcripts.
- Written Statements
- How have your background and life experiences (including cultural, geographical, financial, educational, or other opportunities or challenges) motivated your decision to pursue a summer research opportunity?
- How would your participation in a summer research program at UW–Madison contribute to your future goals and career plans?
- Describe which areas of research are of interest to you.
- Describe any research experience you have had, it may include coursework or capstone projects.
The summer research program in Biomedical Data Science (BDS) gives undergraduate students (enrolled in Bachelor’s or Associate’s degree programs) the opportunity to explore careers in biostatistics, bioinformatics, and biomedical big data by working closely with faculty and staff mentors. This program is ideal for students with strength in mathematics and computer sciences who wish to apply their skills to solving real world problems in biomedical research. There is a wide variety of research activities, including brain image analysis, clinical trials, electronic health records, epidemiology, genomics, experimental design and analysis of laboratory studies.
Goals
- Gain direct research experience in the field of biomedical data science
- Learn tools and skills that will promote successful admission to graduate programs
- Explore career opportunities in biomedical data science
Activities
- Work one-on-one with a faculty/staff mentor on a chosen research topic
- Participate in workshops covering statistical methods, research topics of interest, ethics related to scientific research, and professional career opportunities
- Enjoy scholarly, cultural, and social activities with participants in other summer research programs on the University of Wisconsin – Madison campus
- Present their work at the end of the summer to their peers, mentors and members of the department
Financial Support
The BDS program is designed to be accessible to students who might not otherwise have this kind of research opportunity. There is no cost for program participation. In addition, a stipend is provided to each student, and housing and travel costs are covered.
Eligibility
- Strong interest in learning about biomedical data science
- Undergraduate (bachelor’s or associate’s degree) student status for Fall 2025
- Applicants must be U.S. citizens or permanent residents enrolled in an accredited college/university, majoring in either a quantitative science or in biology, and have successfully completed at least one year of calculus.
- Preference will be given to students who will have completed their junior year and who have a cumulative grade point average of at least 3.0.
A primary objective for our summer program is providing research experience to students who wouldn’t otherwise have the opportunity. Students from historically underrepresented backgrounds, those attending small colleges / technical schools, from low-income households, with documented disabilities and first in their family to attend college are encouraged to apply.
Applications open November 1!
Participants in the 2021 program worked as a team on a new the new Genomic Variant Interpretation project. Read about our 2021 Program
Learn More
To learn more about our graduate, certificate and summer programs and application procedures contact the administrative program director:
Shelley Maxted
maxted@wisc.edu