Authentic research with faculty mentors
Are you a high school junior or sophomore interested in pursuing a STEM career and wanting to go to college? Then consider a research experience by working with St. Bonaventure University faculty on an authentic research project.
Your research experience will take place on the SBU campus, pending university policy approval. A faculty mentor will work with you on a cutting-edge science topic. Scientists from different STEM fields will share their insights into your future career paths and give you advice on how to prepare for your future success remotely.
You will conclude your research experience by presenting your own project as a poster. Here, you will hone your science communication skills and make your family proud. Throughout the program you will have the opportunity to bond with peers who have the same interest in STEM and passionate scientists with whom you interact.
Program Eligibility
Applicants for the summer program must be completing their sophomore or junior year of high school before summer 2025.
This is not a residential program. However, on-campus housing options are available. For students who need housing accommodations during the program, please contact Dr. Zhang for details.
Summer of 2025 program
- Application Deadline: Monday, April 7, 2025
- Announcement of Acceptance: Thursday, April 24, 2025
- Program Dates: Monday, July 14 – Friday, July 25, 2025 (2 weeks)
DOWNLOAD OUR PROGRAM FLYER
Application Submission
The following are requirements for application to the 2025 program.
- Transcript: An unofficial copy of your high school transcript
- Personal Statement: A one-page personal statement describing why you want to apply to this program
- Housing: A statement on whether you need on-campus housing accommodations or not. If you do, an adult must accompany you during your stay on campus.
- Sponsorship: A statement on whether an organization/school will sponsor your participation if accepted. If there is, please provide the name of your sponsor and their contact information. Need-based scholarship is available for students without sponsors pending on the availability of funds.
- Research Interests: Read Faculty Research Descriptions on the flyer and rank your top three areas of interest from the following: Biochemistry, Bioinformatics, Computational Chemistry, biopsychology, Mechanical/Electrical Engineering, Human-Computer Interaction, Materials/organic Chemistry, Microbiology, Molecular Genetics
Once accepted, a $1000 program fee is required to secure a seat. If an organization/school is sponsoring their student(s), please provide school contact information. Need-based scholarship is available for students without sponsors pending on the availability of funds. Please contact Dr. Zhang for details.
This is not a residential program. However, on-campus housing options are available. For students who need housing accommodations during the program, please contact Dr. Zhang for details.
Application materials may be submitted electronically (in the body of an email and attachments) to:
Dr. Xiao-Ning Zhang, professor of biology and director of the biochemistry program at SBU.
Email Dr. Zhang
Phone: (716) 375-2485
View photos from past programs
Photos from previous years' student research programs are available for viewing and for download on our university Flickr site. Click on a particular year below to access its Flickr folder. (Note: The 2020 program was canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.):
Program supporters
Since 2015, the High School Student Research Program has been supported by:
• The National Science Foundation
• SBU Keenan Grant
• Cutco Corp.
• Corning, Inc.
• Western New York STEM Hub
• Roswell Park Cancer Institute
• C-A Teacher Center
• Olean Medical Group
• Local School Districts
• Donations to "STEM into High School Initiative"
• Future donations are welcome to keep the program available for students who seek research opportunities!