NeuroCamp is a free BRI summer outreach program that brings together a group of 15-20 highly motivated high school students in an instructional course introducing them to neuroscience. Students will learn the fundamentals concepts of neuroscience and basic lab techniques in Molecular Neurobiology, Neurophysiology and Neuroanatomy. The overall goal of the program is to provide an exciting and rewarding introduction to research in neuroscience to a broad range of high school students from the Los Angeles area. Ultimately, NeuroCamp aims to stimulate participants’ interest in college and an educational path leading to careers in science.
Application Requirements:
(1) Resume
(2) Letter of Recommendation: Please provide a letter of recommendation from a teacher or mentor. The letter of recommendation will need to include a handwritten signature, teacher contact information, and the letterhead of the affiliated school.
(3) Statement of Interest: Please provide a brief written statement of why you are interested in participating in the summer program.
Neurocamp 2024 will be held at UCLA over two weeks:
| Week 1 | June 17 – 21, 2024 | 12:00pm – 4:00pm |
| Week 2 | June 24 – 25, 2024 | 12:00pm – 4:00pm |
*Please note there will be no class on June 19, 2024 in observance of the university holiday*
For application inquires, please contact the NeuroCamp Coordinator.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are housing and transportation assistance available for applicants?
No. The Neurocamp Program does not provide housing or transportation assistance.
Do applicants need to reside in Los Angeles, CA (Southern California)?
No. However, housing and transportation assistance are not available.
Are the program dates mandatory?
Yes. Failure to appear will result in removal from the program.
What should I include in my resume?
Please include the following elements:
1. Contact Information: Name, Address, Phone Number, and Email Address
2. Objective or Summary: A Brief statement about your career goals or what you hope to achieve
3. Education: List your high school, expected graduation date, GPA (if strong), and any relevant coursework or academic achievement
4. Extracurricular Activities: Include clubs, sports teams, volunteer work, or leadership roles you’ve participated in
5. Work Experience: If you’ve had any part-time jobs, internships, or volunteer positions, include them along with your responsibilities and accomplishments
6. Skills: Highlight any relevant skills you have, such as computer proficiency, language fluency, or technical abilities
7. Achievements and Awards: Mention any honors, awards, or recognition you’ve received, whether academic or extracurricular
Is the summer program free for applicants?
Yes.
When is the application deadline?
Applications are due by Friday, May 3, 2024, 11:59 PM
Is there an application fee?
No.
How do I submit my Letter of Recommendation?
Please upload your Letter of Recommendation in the application portal. You may also send your Letter of Recommendation directly to the Neurocamp coordinator at BRI@mednet.ucla.edu.
When will I be notified if I am accepted into the summer program?
Applicants will be notified of their application status by May 31, 2024.
Lisa Nguyen
Year in program: 2019
Current Institution: El Camino Community College
At the UCLA Neurocamp, I learned a lot about how the brain works, along with the diseases. I also did a lot of hands on labs, to see if the sample I had carried the Huntington Disease. I have learned more about this concept than in AP Biology. I am looking to do more research like this in the future. What inspired me to learn about neuroscience is my curiosity for how the brain works. Everyone’s brain works differently, and I was willing to learn more about that.
Parth Amin
Year in program: 2019
Current Institution: Dartmouth College
I was able to get my hands dirty with wet work, particularly through investigating c-elegan habituations. After observing their responses to air puffs, our lab was able to observe the phenomenon of neural plasticity within the simple nematodes. I was also able to further my understanding of neurodegenerative diseases, neuronal firing, brain anatomy, and the process of PCR with my lab section. I like to thank Dr. Grisham for allowing me to work with him and his wonderful team. I find neural plasticity and brain development very fascinating. I was intrigued to learn more about the neuronal pruning that results with age, and the molecular mechanisms that facilitate neuronal signal strengths. I was pleasantly surprised that my childhood video game character, Sonic Hedgehog, plays a critical role in the development of the human brain.
Monica Amirian
Year in program: 2019
Current Institution: UCLA
During the two-week summer program at UCLA Neurocamp, I was introduced to concepts of neuroscience and basic lab techniques in Molecular Neurobiology and Neurophysiology. In high school, I never got to work in a lab setting and learn about all the tools that can be used which is why I applied to Neurocamp because it is a great program to show high school students who are interested in doing research one day about labs. One of my biggest accomplishments during this program was getting to master how to use a pipette in an experiment with mice ears to figure out which one of the ears was contaminated with a disease. We also got to experiment with crickets who were injected with caffeine to see the differences in their reactivity. However, one of my favorite parts about the program was meeting new people who I still to this day keep in touch with through social media. The mystery about all the diseases in neurology is what inspires me to learn about neuroscience. The brain is a complex organ that contains all our memories, histories, and emotions that has so much to be explored and most of it has not been discovered yet. The field of neuroscience always has a challenge and obstacle ahead of you which keeps your everyday learning interesting.