Program Dates and Application Deadlines: The 2026 Virtual Academy will be held July 13-17, and the 4-week Mentored Research Exposure Program for High School Students will be held June 22 – July 17, 2026.
Announcing: Applications to both programs will open on February 15, 2026 with a deadline of March 15, 2026 by 5 PM EST. No applications will be accepted after the due date. All applicants will be notified regarding the status of their application not later than May 1, 2025.
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2025 Summer Program Updates Virtual Academy for Middle and High School Students: The 2026 Virtual Academy for Middle and High School Students will be held July 13 – 17, 2026. The Virtual Academy also includes an “optional” half day of programming with workshops, demos and tour on-site at the Wake Forest Institute for Regenerative Medicine (WFIRM) on July 17, 2026. This program connects students from the region, across the US and globe. 4-week Mentored Summer Research Exposure Program for High School Students: The 2026 Mentored Research Exposure Program format offers North Carolina high school students (ages 16-18) a multidisciplinary education, 4-week faculty-mentored regenerative medicine research exposure experience The program will be held June 22 – July 17, 2026. Space is limited with 8-10 positions available. This is a commuter program. |
The Wake Forest Institute for Regenerative Medicine (WFIRM) Summer Research Exposure Program (SREP) offers high school students (ages 16-18) two regenerative medicine summer program opportunities:
1-Week Virtual Regenerative Medicine Academy for middle and high school students engages students (ages 14-18) from across the US and globe in research and technologies associated with the regenerative medicine field while they simultaneously dive deeper into career and educational pathways with access to world-class faculty researchers, industry professionals and near-peer mentors coupled with a half day on-site, hands-on workshop. The Virtual Academy will run from Monday, July 13 until Friday, July 17. From Monday to Thursday of that week, students will participate in Zoom lessons from 9:45 a.m. until 2:30 p.m. EST. On Friday, June 17, Virtual Academy participants will be able to attend an optional on-site tour beginning at 8:30 a.m. and lasting until 1:30 p.m. Lunch will be provided. High school students (ages 16-18) are also eligible to apply for a 4-week, hands-on faculty-mentored regenerative medicine research experience at WFIRM.
4-Week Summer Research Exposure Program for North Carolina High School Students provides high school students (ages 16-18) with educational and hands-on, mentored research/shadowing experiences with WFIRM faculty researchers and their teams. The program is designed to increase students’ familiarity with the scientific process and the RM field. We also seek to stimulate high school students’ interest in advanced education and careers in STEMM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics, and Medicine) disciplines and biomedical research in a friendly and nurturing environment. The experience also illustrates how “science” works in the real world. This program is a commuter program.
Program Benefits
Academic, Social and Personal
- Exposure to regenerative medicine research with WFIRM faculty, students and staff in a strong team-based environment.
- Attend the annual Regenerative Medicine Essentials Course as well as special seminars and weekly research meetings.
- Meet and network with peers and near-peers who have similar interests and goals.
- Heighten and inspire interest and academic confidence in STEM disciplines.
- Gain unique research experience and skill development.
- Become more competitive when applying to undergraduate schools in the STEM disciplines.
Agendas Overview
Virtual Academy 2026 for Middle and High School Students
July 13 – 17, 2026
Broad Agenda
- July 13 to 16, 2026: Virtual Academy held (anticipate 9:45 a.m. EST to 2:30 p.m. EST daily)
- July 17, 2026: “Optional” On-site workshops, tours and graduation at WFIRM
High School 4-Week Summer Research Exposure Program
June 22 – July 17, 2026
Broad Agenda
- June 22 and 23, 2026: Lab Orientation and Training
- June 24 to July 17, 2026: Research Exposure with Mentor – weekly schedule and hours to be determined at mentors’ discretion (avg. 20 – 30 hours per week).
How To Apply
The Wake Forest Institute for Regenerative Medicine (WFIRM) has initiated new opportunities for middle and high school students to explore the world of regenerative medicine and technologies while they simultaneously dive deeper into career and educational pathways with access to world-class faculty researchers and their team.
Application Process and Key Dates: Online application directions announced on February 15, 2026. Application for both programs is March 15, 2026, by 5 p.m. EST.
Special Note: If you are selected to participate in the 4-week program (ages 16-18 only) at the Wake Forest Institute for Regenerative Medicine (WFIRM) Summer Research Exposure Program (SREP) you will also be responsible for providing required immunization records.
To apply to the Virtual Academy for Middle and High School Students, complete the online application posted on February 15, 2026.
To apply to the 4-week High School Summer Research Exposure Program at WFIRM (ages 16 to 18 only), complete the online application form by March 15, 2026, and complete materials in the High School Application Packet with the two completed recommendation forms through U.S. postal mail, with a postmark date no later than March 15, 2026.
After completing the online application, complete each form included in the packet. You have the option to mail the forms or email the forms to Joan.Schanck@Advocatehealth.org. Emailed or postal mailed forms must be received by March 15.
Submitting an Application to the 4-Week SREP Program
To review the 4-week High School Summer Research Program application process, download the High School 4-week Research Application Packet.
Required Documentation for the 4-week High School Program Only- Completed online application form
- Completed materials and forms found in the High School Application Packet
- Signed agreement and parental consent form
- Teacher recommendation form (two recommendations required)
After completing the online application, complete each form included in the packet and mail the completed packet no later than 5 p.m. EST on March 15, 2026, to:
Joan F. Schanck, MPA, Chief Education Program Officer
Wake Forest Institute for Regenerative Medicine
Richard H. Dean Building
391 Technology Way, Suite 199
Winston-Salem, NC 27101
Email
Note: If you're selected to participate in the 4-week Summer Research Exposure Program at WFIRM you'll be responsible for providing immunization records and documentation of a tuberculosis (TB) skin test by May 1, 2026.
2025 WFIRM Middle and High School Virtual Scholars
Celina Ahn, Pine Lake Preparatory
Ephiram Altmon, Bishop McNamara
Caden Bigelow, Page high School
Emilio Coyoy, Ronald Wilson Reagan High School
Sharmelle Das, Raleigh Charter High School
Mahashri Deiva Vidyadaran, Neuqua Valley High School
Amy Han, John Warner Middle School
Sahashra Kathrick, Summerfield Charter Academy
Robert Kirkley, Scotland Early College High School
Xavier Kuzmicki, Oak Hall
Diogo Lazaro, Forsyth Country Day School
Aanya Mahapatra, Cayman International School
Reyansh Malla, The Harker School
Ayesha Mehreen, The Early College at Guilford
Sheylen Mehta, Central Academy of Technology and Arts
Rishab` Monga, Bloomfield Hills High School
Ishi Parikh, Panther Creek High School
Visruth Rao, Weddington High School
Lilian Redwine, Simon G. Atkins High School
Arshan Sadri, Lewisville Middle School
Roshal Sebastian, Iowa Colony High School
Nirmay Shah, The STEM Early College at N.C. A&T
Sofia Soruco, The Hudson School
Aarush Yekula, Jay M Robinson Middle School
2025 WFIRM High School Summer Research Exposure Program Scholars
Emmett Cavey, Northwest Guilford High School
Katherine Collins, Cathedral Oak Academy
Aarnav Gorantla, Forsyth Country Day School
Ira "Tres” Williams, Nansemond Suffolk Academy
Chloe Lin, Cary Academy
Andrew Marrotte, Simon G. Atkins High School
Rachit Chandrakul, Simon G. Atkins High School
Caitlyn White, Calvary Day School
Madeleine Truhel, Grimsley High School
John Stanfield, Early College of Forsyth
William Ko, Simon G. Atkins High School