15 Biology Programs for High School Students in Oregon
If you are a high school student interested in biology, structured programs allow you to explore concepts beyond the classroom while developing practical skills. Many of these programs offer research experience, laboratory training, mentorship from scientists and faculty, and exposure to careers in biomedical engineering, genetics, neuroscience, marine biology, and healthcare. You can also strengthen your research, communication, and analytical skills while building meaningful connections with mentors and peers who share similar interests.
Why should you attend a Biology program in Oregon?
Oregon is home to several universities and research institutions that offer biology-focused programs for high school students. Depending on the program, you may conduct laboratory research, explore biomedical engineering and gene therapy, study neuroscience, investigate viral diseases, participate in fisheries and marine science projects, or work alongside researchers on real-world healthcare challenges. These opportunities are especially valuable for students living or studying in Oregon, as well as for out-of-state students seeking experience at leading institutions in the state.
To help you find the right opportunity, we've narrowed down 15 biology programs for high school students in Oregon.
If you’re looking for programs in Oregon, check out our blog here.
Key takeaways
These 15 programs span biomedical engineering, cancer biology, cardiovascular medicine, neuroscience, gene therapy, virology, fisheries biology, veterinary medicine, toxicology, and AI in medicine, so students with a wide range of biology interests can find a relevant option in Oregon or online.
Several programs are free or paid, including Ted R. Lilley CURE Program ($4,000 stipend), Hutton Junior Fisheries Biology Program ($3,000 stipend), OHSU Saturday Academy internships (learning stipends of $500 to $1,500), OHSU Knight Cardiovascular Internship (free), and University of Oregon Summer SAIL (free), while programs, such as Lumiere and Veritas AI, offer full financial aid for eligible students.
Many OHSU-affiliated internships through Saturday Academy accept only one intern per placement, including the Gene Therapy, Extreme Virus Structure, Pediatric Physical Therapy, and Neurodegenerative Disease programs, making them extremely competitive and requiring strong academic preparation and local proximity to Portland.
Programs vary significantly in length and format, from three-day toxicology camps, such as OSU Toxicology Camp, to 10-week full-time lab placements, such as OHSU Biomedical Engineering Internships, so students can choose based on their schedule, experience level, and depth of interest.
Application deadlines for the most competitive programs fall early, including Hutton Junior Fisheries (January 25), Ted R. Lilley CURE Program (January 8), OHSU Saturday Academy programs (March 6), and OHSU Knight Cardiovascular Internship (April 6), so students should begin researching options in the fall.
1. Biomedical Engineering Summer Internships at Oregon Health and Science University (OHSU)
Location: Oregon Health and Science University, Portland, OR
Cost/Stipend: No cost / Fluorescence program is unpaid; Biophysics program provides a stipend
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Competitive; Fluorescence program has 6-8 spots; Biophysics program has 2-3 spots
Dates: Fluorescence program requires a 10-week minimum with flexible dates; Biophysics is 8 weeks starting in June
Application Deadline: Fluorescence program is March 15; Biophysics program is not specified; check the website for updates
Eligibility: High school students (at least 16 years old for the Fluorescence program)
In the OHSU Biomedical Engineering Summer Internships, you will explore advanced topics like organic synthesis, cell culture, super-resolution microscopy, nanofabrication, and molecular biology. During your lab placement, you will actively purify small molecules, conduct time-lapse imaging, perform immunohistochemistry, and analyze data. The program uniquely features direct integration into premier Knight Cancer Institute labs, offering independent project ownership and select research stipends. Through this immersive work, you will master technical skills in wet-bench laboratory methodologies, spectroscopy, and advanced fluorescence microscopy. Ultimately, this rigorous experience builds the foundational critical thinking and scientific communication skills required for competitive biomedical engineering careers.
2. Veritas AI’s AI + Medicine
Location: Virtual
Cost: Varies depending on the program type; full financial aid is available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective; small group and 1:1 mentorship formats
Dates: Multiple 12-15-week cohorts throughout the year, including spring, summer, fall, and winter
Application Deadline: Rolling basis; Spring (January), Summer (May), Fall (September), and Winter (November); you can apply to the program here
Eligibility: High school students who have either completed the AI Scholars program or exhibit experience with AI concepts or Python.
In the Veritas AI + Medicine program, you will explore how artificial intelligence transforms healthcare through a 10-week online curriculum guided by PhD mentors from top universities. You will study medical data preparation, exploratory data analysis, Convolutional Neural Networks, image segmentation, transfer learning, and clinical evaluation. For your activities, you will actively train machine learning models to diagnose diseases, enhance medical imaging, explore genomics applications, and collaborate on an impactful group project. Uniquely featuring a 5:1 student-to-mentor ratio, this program ensures you receive highly personalized, expert instruction. Ultimately, you will develop concrete skills in applied machine learning, Python programming, medical data analysis, and technical problem-solving.
3. Ted R. Lilley CURE Program at OHSU Knight Cancer Institute
Location: Knight Cancer Institute, Ohio Health & Science University (OHSU), Portland, OR
Cost/Stipend: No cost / $4,000 stipend
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective; cohort size not specified
Dates: June 22 – August 14
Application Deadline: January 8
Eligibility: High school sophomores, juniors, and seniors from Oregon schools, ages 16 and above, with a minimum 3.0 GPA, and having taken at least one lab or science class
The Ted R. Lilley CURE Program at OHSU Knight Cancer Institute offers an 8-week hands-on research experience to high school students. The program aims to address health equity issues by encouraging students from underserved populations to participate in biomedical research. You'll work 40 hours every week, attend weekly seminars, and receive expert mentorship. The program allows you to participate in a poster presentation where you'll share your work with directors, lab employees, and staff at the Knight Cancer Institute.
4. Lumiere Research Scholar Program
Location: Remote
Cost: Varies depending on the program type; full financial aid is available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective; typically 1:1 mentor-student ratio
Dates: Varies by cohort: summer, fall, winter, or spring. Options range from 12 weeks to 1 year
Application Deadline: Varies by cohort.
Eligibility: You must be currently enrolled in high school and demonstrate a high level of academic achievement (accepted students typically maintain an unweighted GPA of 3.3 or higher)
The Lumiere Research Scholar Program is a rigorous research program tailored for high school students. The program offers extensive 1-on-1 research opportunities for high school students across a broad range of subject areas. The program pairs high school students with Ph.D. mentors to work 1-on-1 on an independent research project. At the end of the 12-week program, you’ll have developed an independent research paper! You can choose research topics from subjects such as psychology, physics, economics, data science, computer science, engineering, chemistry, international relations, and more. You can find more details about the application here, and check out students’ reviews of the program here and here.
5. OSHU – Knight Cardiovascular Internship for High School Students
Location: OHSU Knight Cardiovascular Institute, Portland, OR
Cost/Stipend: None
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective; cohort size not specified
Dates: Third week of June through August
Application Deadline: April 6
Eligibility: Students in grades 10–11; enrolled in Oregon high schools; ages 16 and above by May 30
In the Knight Cardiovascular Internship at the OHSU Cardiovascular Institute, you will explore the biology of the human heart by focusing on cardiovascular health, disease treatment, and prevention. Throughout the summer, you will engage in a targeted introductory or research track based on your specific interests. You will gain hands-on exposure to real-world applications in cardiovascular medicine and actively explore various cardiology career paths. Additionally, you may choose to participate in continuous research training that spans multiple summers. Uniquely designed specifically for Oregon high school students with no prior experience required, this program provides direct access to experts at a premier medical institute.
6. Hutton Junior Fisheries Biology Program
Location: Multiple locations across the U.S. within a 45-minute commuting distance of the student's home
Stipend: $3,000
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective; 40–100+ students nationally
Dates: Eight weeks during the summer
Application Deadline: January 25
Eligibility: Rising high school seniors or rising college freshmen; must be 16 years old by the internship start date
Hutton Junior Fisheries Biology is an eight-week paid summer internship opportunity for high school students. The program will allow you to develop and explore your interest in fisheries and aquatic sciences. You will receive mentorship and guidance from fisheries professionals, learning about environmental issues and their practical solutions, contributing to marine conservation, and interacting with peers sharing similar interests. You may also have the opportunity to work at outdoor locations, in labs, or on a boat while engaging in a range of possible activities, including data processing, electrofishing, taking fish population surveys, and many more.
7. OHSU – Effects of Genetic and Environmental Factors on the Brain
Location: Portland, OR
Cost/Stipend: Non-refundable $40 application processing fee / Learning stipend of $1,500, $1,000, or $500, depending on total hours
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Competitive; 1 intern
Dates: June 15 – August 28
Application Deadline: March 6
Eligibility: Rising 10th–12th grader (or equivalent); minimum age 16 by the start date; interested in a math/science career; live within ~50 miles of the internship location or have local housing with family/friends; security/background check, possible medical clearance, ability to lift 10 lbs, and lab-appropriate clothing
OHSU- Effects of Genetic and Environmental Factors on the Brain is a full-time, in-person internship opportunity for high school students. The program will allow you to engage in behavioral analysis and study human neurological conditions. You will receive personalized mentorship and engage in individual and team-based activities for a minimum of 300 hours during the program. You will have the opportunity to participate in a range of activities, including behavioral testing, statistical analyses, data analysis, presentations at meetings, and figure preparation.
8. OHSU – Research in Developing Novel Viral Vectors for Human Gene Therapy
Location: Portland, OR
Cost/Stipend: $40 non-refundable application processing fee / Learning stipend of $500 / $1,000 / $1,500 depending on total hours
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Competitive; 1 intern
Dates: June 15 – August 28
Application Deadline: March 6
Eligibility: Rising 10th–12th grader (or equivalent); minimum age 16 by the start date; interested in a math/science career; live within ~50 miles of the internship location or have local housing with family/friends; security/background check, possible medical clearance, ability to lift 10 lbs, and lab-appropriate clothing
OHSU- Research in Developing Novel Viral Vectors for Human Gene Therapy allows high school students to work on a gene-therapy research project. You will engage in 300 hours of work, learn the application of fundamental and advanced molecular biology, and work on the production and assessment of gene therapy viral vectors in experimental animals and cultured cells. The program will also allow you to develop Python programming skills and gain knowledge about concepts in bioinformatics and biostatistics, while exploring large-scale data analysis.
9. Portland State University – Extreme Virus Structure Research
Location: Portland, OR
Cost/Stipend: $40 application processing fee / Paid, amount not specified
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Competitive; 1 intern
Dates: June 15 – August 28
Application Deadline: March 6
Eligibility: Current 11th-grade students (rising seniors) only. Prerequisite: Applicants must have completed Advanced Placement (AP) Biology coursework or its equivalent
Portland State University- Extreme Virus Structure Research offers a full-time in-person research opportunity to high school students. You will work in collaboration with senior scientists and graduate students and engage in ongoing research focused on the structure of SSV1 or the Cruciviruses. You will have the opportunity to work in a range of areas, including protein purification, virology, DNA cloning, bioinformatic analyses, and sequencing. The program allows you to engage in around 300 hours of work and gain knowledge from faculty, graduate students, postdoctoral researchers, undergraduate students, and research associates.
10. Doernbecher Children's Hospital (OHSU) – Pediatric Physical Therapy Research Projects
Location: Portland, OR
Cost/Stipend: $40 non-refundable application processing fee / Learning stipend of $500 / $1,000 / $1,500 depending on total hours
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Competitive; 1 intern
Dates: June 15 – August 28
Application Deadline: March 6
Eligibility: Rising 10th–12th grader (or equivalent); minimum age 16 by the start date; interested in a math/science career; live within ~50 miles of the internship location or have local housing with family/friends; security/background check, possible medical clearance, ability to lift 10 lbs, and lab-appropriate clothing
Doernbecher Children's Hospital (OHSU) - Pediatric Physical Therapy Research Project allows high school students to engage in full-time clinical research. You will assist the Institutional Review Board (IRB) on studies focused on assistive technology and powered mobility for children below three years of age. You will observe real-world pediatric rehabilitation practices and interact with healthcare professionals. The program will allow you to develop a range of skills in data analysis, data acquisition, and literature reviews. The program provides you with the opportunity to explore engineering through hands-on experience and helps you understand the connections among rehabilitation, healthcare, and engineering.
11. Oregon National Primate Research Center (OHSU) – Hyaluronan and Neurodegenerative Disease Internship
Location: Beaverton, OR
Cost/Stipend: $40 non-refundable application processing fee / Learning stipend of $500 / $1,000 / $1,500 depending on total hours
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Competitive; 1 intern
Dates: June 15 – August 28
Application Deadline: March 6
Eligibility: Rising 10th–12th grader (or equivalent); minimum age 16 by the start date; interested in a math/science career; live within ~50 miles of the internship location or have local housing with family/friends; security/background check, possible medical clearance, ability to lift 10 lbs, and lab-appropriate clothing
Oregon National Primate Research Center (OHSU)- Hyaluronan and Neurodegenerative Disease Internship is a full-time, in-person learning opportunity for high school students. You will attend weekly lab meetings and share data and activities while exploring the impact of the extracellular matrix on brain vascular endothelial cells. The program will allow you to learn the application of primary cell culture techniques, quantitative RT-PCR, immunohistochemistry, and fluorescence microscopy. You will gain knowledge about the mechanisms associated with neurodegenerative diseases such as Multiple Sclerosis and Alzheimer's Disease.
12. University of Oregon – Summer SAIL — Physics & Physiology
Location: University of Oregon, Eugene campus, Oregon
Cost/Stipend: None
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective; around 500 participants across all subject areas
Dates: Residential (overnight) program July 12–17, for rising juniors and seniors; day program July 20–24 for rising freshmen through seniors
Application Deadline: Rolling until full
Eligibility: Oregon residents; enrolled in high school; day program open to rising 9th–12th graders, while the residential program is limited to rising 11th–12th graders
In this program, you spend one week on the University of Oregon's Eugene campus exploring how physics and human physiology connect to biology, medicine, and biomedical research. Guided by faculty from the Physics and Human Physiology departments, you tour the undergraduate anatomy lab that houses human cadavers, study how the body functions, and link biological systems to underlying physical principles. Hands-on activities include taking electrical measurements, working with 3D printing, and experiencing the physics of rock climbing at the campus recreation center. Sessions on college admissions, scholarships, and financial aid round out the week to support your path toward higher education.
13. Oregon National Primate Research Center / OHSU – Biomedical Research Immersion Experience (BRIE)
Location: Oregon National Primate Research Center/OHSU West Campus, near Hillsboro, Oregon
Cost/Stipend: None
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective; up to 16 high school students per session
Dates: Spring and Fall cohorts
Application Deadline: Ongoing (coordinated through the Hillsboro Chamber of Commerce)
Eligibility: High school students
In this program, you join a cohort of up to 16 high school students for an in-person look at biomedical science at the Oregon National Primate Research Center/OHSU West Campus, spending three hours on each of five consecutive Fridays. Across the series, you meet West Campus scientists and take part in hands-on activities built around the biology research underway in a particular area of the Center. You explore how nonhuman primate models inform the study of human disease, tying each visit to real biomedical questions. The experience culminates in a three-hour job shadow, where you observe a working researcher's day up close.
14. Oregon State University STEM Academy – Toxicology Camp
Location: Oregon State University Corvallis campus, Corvallis, Oregon
Cost: $140; needs-based scholarships are available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: First-come, first-served basis; cohort size not specified
Dates: July 7–9
Application Deadline: Open until filled
Eligibility: Students entering grades 9–12 in the fall
In this camp, you spend three afternoons investigating how chemicals affect living organisms, exploring what makes a substance "toxic" or "safe," and how humans and ecosystems can be protected from harmful toxins. As a student scientist, you design and conduct your own toxicology experiments, then analyze the resulting data, mirroring the real challenges faced in toxicology and environmental chemistry. You head "into the field" to sample the environment, test chemical effects on daphnia, and examine molecular mechanisms in glowing zebrafish. Through this hands-on biology, you build skills in experimental design, biological observation, and data interpretation. The camp connects living systems, chemistry, and environmental science within OSU's research setting.
15. Oregon State University / Carlson College of Veterinary Medicine – Summer Veterinary Experience
Location: Corvallis, Oregon (Oregon State University campus)
Cost: $400; scholarships are available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Competitive; roughly 26–28 students
Dates: July 20–24
Application Deadline: April 15
Eligibility: Oregon residents; entering junior or senior year (grades 11–12) in fall and at least 16 years old by July 20; grades of B or better in all science classes
In this program, you spend a week at Oregon State University's Gary R. Carlson, MD, College of Veterinary Medicine, exploring veterinary medicine through hands-on biology. Working alongside veterinary students and faculty, you perform a physical exam, use microscopes to examine parasites, watch small-animal rehabilitation demonstrations, tour the necropsy gallery, and take part in clinical skills labs; in past cohorts, students have dissected specimens, such as a sheep brain, to study anatomy. You also tour the teaching hospital, including the large-animal areas, and join a career panel discussion while receiving guidance on preparing for college and the financial aid process. Throughout, mentors and staff foster a supportive atmosphere emphasizing teamwork and open discussion.
Frequently asked questions
1. What biology programs are available for high school students in Oregon?
Options include biomedical engineering and cancer research programs, such as OHSU Biomedical Engineering Internships and Ted R. Lilley CURE Program, neuroscience and gene therapy programs, such as OHSU Genetic Factors on the Brain and Gene Therapy Viral Vectors, marine and fisheries biology programs, such as Hutton Junior Fisheries Biology, veterinary and toxicology programs, such as OSU Summer Veterinary Experience and OSU Toxicology Camp, AI in medicine programs, such as Veritas AI, and independent research programs, such as Lumiere.
2. Are there free or paid biology programs for high school students in Oregon?
Yes, Ted R. Lilley CURE Program provides a $4,000 stipend, Hutton Junior Fisheries Biology provides $3,000, OHSU Saturday Academy internships provide $500 to $1,500 depending on hours, OHSU Knight Cardiovascular Internship is free, and University of Oregon Summer SAIL is free. Lumiere and Veritas AI also offer full financial aid for eligible students.
3. Which Oregon biology programs are best for students interested in neuroscience and brain research?
OHSU Effects of Genetic and Environmental Factors on the Brain, Oregon National Primate Research Center Hyaluronan and Neurodegenerative Disease Internship, and University of Oregon Summer SAIL Physics and Physiology track all provide structured exposure to neuroscience, brain biology, and related fields.
4. Are there biology programs in Oregon open to students outside the state?
Lumiere Research Scholar Program and Veritas AI are fully virtual and open to students anywhere in the world, and Hutton Junior Fisheries Biology Program accepts residents from the U.S., Canada, Mexico, and Puerto Rico. Most in-person Oregon programs prioritize Oregon residents or students who can commute to Portland or Corvallis.
5. Which Oregon biology programs lead to research outputs or publications?
OHSU Saturday Academy internships require a minimum of 300 hours and conclude with data analysis and presentation components, Lumiere Research Scholar Program guides students through producing an independent research paper, and Veritas AI supports students in publishing AI medicine projects through its in-house publication team.
6. When should I apply to biology programs for high school students in Oregon?
Ted R. Lilley CURE Program closes January 8, Hutton Junior Fisheries Biology closes January 25, OHSU Saturday Academy programs close March 6, OHSU Knight Cardiovascular Internship closes April 6, and OSU Summer Veterinary Experience closes April 15, so students should begin researching options in the fall and preparing applications over winter break.