Biomedical Engineering Summer Research Program

“Shared apartment-style living” rooms are reserved by the Biomedical Engineering Department, and rooming information is sent once applications have been selected.

Are letters of recommendation required? 
Letters of recommendation are NOT required. Instead, two personal/academic references are required and should be submitted via online application. The reference information needed: Referee’s name, email address, phone number, and relationship to you.

Are academic transcripts required?
Academic transcripts are NOT required but are encouraged to be submitted via online application.

What is the minimum GPA for acceptance? 
Recommended minimum GPA is 3.0 

When will I be notified of acceptance?  
Decisions start February 24 and will continue until all interns have been selected.  Students will be notified of their acceptance no later than April 2022.  

What are the dates of the program? 
The dates for the program will be between May 29 and August 6, 2022.  

What are the program requirements?

• Orientation
• 10 weeks of research
• Professional development seminars/training/workshops 
• Oral presentation (PowerPoint symposium)

What are the program objectives?

• To introduce students to the field of biomedical engineering and broaden their knowledge
• To educate students about the societal implications of their research
• To cultivate mentoring relationships between the interns and the graduate student and faculty mentors
• To provide research experiences that will promote independent problem-solving skills

Will I do collaborative or individual work? 
There will be opportunities for both collaborative and individual work.

Do I need prior experience in the project research field? 
No prior experience is required, but encouraged (consult project descriptions). 

May I also take summer classes? 
We prefer our students not to take summer courses so they can concentrate on the research internship. 

If I’ve already interned at Wake’s BME program, may I apply again?
Yes, you may apply even if you’ve previously been through the program. However, preference for most positions is reserved for students who have not interned with us in prior summers.

If I cannot stay for the entire duration of the program, may I still apply? 
Technically yes, but we receive hundreds of applications each year. First preference is given to students who can participate for the full 10-week program. We prefer for our students to commit to the entire internship, but please indicate days you’d be unavailable on the application and reasons for any absence.

Do I need to bring a car?
We recommend bringing a vehicle; however, carpooling with other students is also possible and there is a shuttle service from the housing to the research labs. Past students have found having a car or carpooling advantageous.

I am bringing a car.  Do I need to purchase a parking permit? 
No.  Parking permits will be provided.

Are there any observed holidays during the summer? 
Yes, Memorial Day and July 4 are observed holidays.

What type of housing is provided? 
Shared apartment-style housing will be provided. 

Are travel expenses covered? 
No, travel expenses are not paid by the program.

How much will I be paid?
You will be paid a $5,500 stipend.

What should I wear?
A business casual dress code is recommended.

How many students typically apply? 
More than 600 students typically apply each year.

Do you have contingency plans for COVID-19?
We were successful in hosting an in-person REU program in Summer 2021. We intend to hold the REU in-person if institutional and state guidelines allow and will evaluate this possibility in the spring when offers are extended. If it is not possible to hold the REU in-person, we plan to hold the REU virtually instead. 

What is your COVID-19 vaccine policy?
COVID-19 vaccines are mandated for all employees, including students and interns, at Wake Forest School of Medicine with the exception of approved medical and religious exceptions. All students (if accepted) will be required to provide proof of vaccination.

What is the OFFICIAL COVID-19 vaccine statement policy for Atrium Health/Wake Forest Baptist Health teammates?
“COVID-19 vaccinations are now required for all teammates (including remote workers with a Wake Forest Baptist Health ID badge), students/visiting students with badge, temporary workers, interns, and volunteer staff. This applies to paid and unpaid teammates. All teammates must comply with our Infectious Disease Prevention policy by either completing their COVID-19 vaccine series or having an approved medical or religious exemption.  All newly hired teammates will be required to be vaccinated and provide documentation proof of vaccination.” 

COVID-19 Vaccine Exception Policy
"We value our teammates/students who have medical or religious reasons they cannot get the vaccine.

The medical exemption request committee will review medical provider documentation submitted by the teammate to substantiate an exemption, which may be granted if the teammate is allergic to a vaccine or its components. The religious exemption request committee will review a statement of sincerely held religious beliefs submitted by the teammate to substantiate an exemption. Exemption requests based on moral or political objections, or upon factual inaccuracies or misunderstandings, will not be granted. Exemptions will NOT be automatically approved. A multidisciplinary enterprise committee will review all requests and approve or decline the exemption based upon a standard process."

• The Piedmont Triad International Airport (GSO) in Greensboro, often called PTI for short, the closest airport to the Wake Forest Biomedical Engineering Department located at Innovation Quarter in downtown Winston-Salem, is about a 30-minute drive.
• Charlotte Douglas International Airport (CLT) is about a 90-minute drive to Innovation Quarter in downtown Winston-Salem.
• Raleigh-Durham Airport (RDU) is about a two-hour drive to Innovation Quarter.
• There are shuttles to and from GSO, CLT and RDU to Innovation Quarter in Winston-Salem, as well as ride share services.