Summer Undergraduate Research Internship
The Summer Undergraduate Research Internship (SURI) is the premier summer program at the Houston Methodist Academic Institute, offering a transformative 10-week experience for undergraduate students dedicated to biomedical research and translational science.
Interns are carefully matched with renowned faculty mentors who provide expert guidance in mastering essential laboratory techniques and navigating complex research projects. Each student is assigned a unique focus within an ongoing study, allowing for deep exploration of their scientific interests and meaningful contributions to advancing medical knowledge.
SURI emphasizes comprehensive professional development alongside research training. Interns engage in didactic lectures, skill-building workshops, and career panels designed to enhance scientific communication, ethical understanding, and leadership abilities. The program also fosters a strong sense of community through networking events, social gatherings, and team activities, connecting interns with mentors, clinicians, and peers.
The internship culminates in the MAPTA Summer Research Symposium, where interns present their research findings through formal poster presentations. This event provides valuable experience in scientific communication and an opportunity to celebrate their accomplishments. Many participants collaborate with mentors on publications or national conference presentations, paving the way for future academic and professional success.
A competitive stipend supports the interns throughout the summer. Graduates of the program often continue their relationship with Houston Methodist, returning for further research opportunities, advanced training, or professional roles. With its focus on mentorship, diversity, and innovation, the SURI program is a distinguished pathway for emerging leaders in biomedical science.
Allison Nef, a 2025 Summer Undergraduate Intern and Texas A&M University-Brown Scholar, reviews her research poster in preparation for the judges' arrival at the 2025 MAPTA Symposium.
Reflections from Our 2025 SURI Interns
“The Houston Methodist Summer Internship Program has been a transformative journey—one that exceeded our expectations in every way. We came from different corners of the world: from Texas and North Carolina to New York and South Korea. Each of us arrived with hopes of gaining hands-on research experience, but we walked away with so much more.
This program gave us access to leading researchers, innovative laboratories, and opportunities that many students only dream of. But beyond the academic and professional growth, we found community. We supported one another through experiments that didn’t go as planned, cheered each other on as we prepared for symposium presentations, and had real conversations about what it means to pursue science, medicine, and leadership as young scholars in a rapidly evolving world.
From early morning commutes to long days of data collection to bonding over boba and late-night group study sessions, our cohort became more than just colleagues—we became friends. We gained clarity in our career goals, confidence in our ability to succeed, and a deeper understanding of the impact we can make through our work.
What makes this program truly special is its commitment to diversity, collaboration, and excellence. The Houston Methodist Summer Internship Program not only opened doors for us—it empowered us to open doors for others. We’re leaving with memories we’ll always cherish, mentors who believed in us, and a renewed passion for using science and research to improve lives.”
2025 Summer Undergraduate Research Interns: Sahasra Saravanan (Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute), Lois Jung (Hallym University), Jennifer Le (Texas A&M University), Rashawn Hamlette (North Carolina A&T State University), and Chinaza Ijezie (Texas Southern University).