CREST Summer Research Experience

Program Description

The CREST Summer Research Experience is a paid, 8-week undergraduate research program at Morehouse School of Medicine (MSM) that provides students with meaningful research training, mentorship, and professional development in biomedical science. The program supports approximately six undergraduate students each summer and recruits participants from the Atlanta University Center, partner institutions across the Southeast, and colleges and universities with strong interests in biomedical and behavioral research.

The program provides students with hands-on research experiences in circadian biology, sleep science, neuroscience, genomics, pharmacology, and related areas of biomedical research. Participants are integrated into active research laboratories and work closely with both a faculty mentor and a graduate student or postdoctoral mentor. In addition to laboratory research, students participate in a structured curriculum covering research ethics, rigorous research practices, circadian and sleep biology, scientific communication, graduate school preparation, and career development. Through weekly laboratory meetings, cohort activities, and research presentations, students gain a deeper understanding of the scientific questions driving their projects while exploring research as a potential career path.

Application Information

Eligibility

Applicants should:

  • Be currently enrolled as an undergraduate student
  • Demonstrate an interest in biomedical research
  • Be available to participate fully in the 8-week summer program
  • Have a strong interest in scientific research and discovery

Students from institutions within the Atlanta University are strongly encouraged to apply.

Program Benefits

Participants receive:

  • A summer stipend
  • Individual mentorship from faculty and research trainees
  • Hands-on research experience in an active laboratory
  • Training in scientific communication and responsible conduct of research
  • Guidance on graduate school preparation and research careers
  • Opportunities to present research findings

Program Activities

  • Faculty-mentored research project
  • Weekly laboratory meetings
  • Cohort professional development sessions
  • Circadian and sleep biology mini course
  • Responsible Conduct of Research training
  • Research presentation preparation
  • Graduate school and career mentoring

Program Highlights

Core Curriculum

All participants complete a shared curriculum in sleep and circadian biology and professional development to ensure a common educational experience across research laboratories. Topics include research ethics, rigorous and reproducible science, fundamentals of circadian biology and sleep, the genetic basis of circadian rhythms, graduate school funding opportunities, and career pathways in research.

Research Day

At the conclusion of the summer program, students present their research during CREST Research Day. This event provides trainees with the opportunity to deliver a scientific presentation and receive feedback from faculty and peers. Research Day serves as a forum for sharing research discoveries, strengthening scientific communication skills, and building connections within the sleep and circadian research community.

Continued Research Opportunities

Students who wish to continue their projects after the summer are encouraged to remain engaged in research while completing their undergraduate studies. When possible, students may continue their research activities in a part-time capacity and receive ongoing mentorship from program faculty and trainees.

Graduate School Preparation

Program faculty provide guidance on preparing competitive applications for graduate programs and research careers. Students receive mentoring on navigating the graduate admissions process, identifying training opportunities, and developing long-term academic and professional goals.

Building a Regional Research Community

As the program grows, CREST Research Day will expand to include trainees, faculty, and alumni from institutions across the region. The long-term vision is to create a regional forum that supports scientific exchange, collaboration, and professional development within the circadian and sleep research community.