14 Biology Programs for High School Students in San Diego, California
Biology programs can help you explore scientific research and laboratory learning beyond what you typically study in school. Many of these programs introduce you to topics like genetics, molecular biology, ecology, and biomedical science through lab activities, research projects, and mentorship from researchers or instructors. You can also gain exposure to scientific research environments while learning alongside students with similar academic interests.
Why should you attend a program in San Diego?
San Diego is home to universities, research institutes, and biotechnology organizations that offer biology programs for high school students across a range of subject areas. Depending on the program, you can explore topics such as genomics, regenerative medicine, marine biology, or translational research through lab work, field studies, and guided research experiences. These opportunities can be worth considering, whether you are a San Diego student looking for programs nearby or an out-of-state student interested in exploring biology programs in a research-focused environment.
We’ve curated a list of 14 biology programs for high school students in San Diego, California.
If you’re looking for online summer programs, check out our blog here.
1. Heithoff-Brody High School Summer Scholars Program
Location: Salk Institute for Biological Studies, La Jolla, CA
Stipend: Provided
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: June 15 – August 7
Application Deadline: March 1
Eligibility: High school students (16+) who live and attend school in San Diego and have completed at least one year of high school chemistry and biology
This biology program embeds high school students directly into Salk research laboratories to work on authentic scientific projects in San Diego, California. You gain proficiency in molecular biology techniques, such as PCR, gel electrophoresis, and cell culture, while being mentored by world-class scientists. The curriculum is designed to transition students from classroom theory to professional laboratory practice. Beyond technical skills, the program emphasizes critical thinking and the ability to communicate complex biological concepts. You conclude your summer by presenting your original research findings to the Salk community.
2. Veritas AI's AI+Medicine
Location: Virtual
Cost: Varies by program (financial aid available)
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective
Dates: Several cohorts year-round
Application Deadline: Varies by cohort. You can apply to the program here.
Eligibility: High school students
This program introduces you to how artificial intelligence is applied within medical and healthcare contexts. In the early weeks, you explore foundational concepts, including how medical data is prepared and analyzed. As the program progresses, you work with more advanced topics such as convolutional neural networks, image segmentation, and transfer learning. You also examine how computational methods intersect with clinical processes and decision-making. Throughout the program, you collaborate with a small group of high school students to develop a project focused on AI-driven medical applications.
3. Scripps Research Translational Institute (SRTI) Summer Internship
Location: Scripps Research Translational Institute, La Jolla, CA
Cost/Stipend: None
Acceptance rate/cohort size: ~40 students
Dates: June 1 or 15 – August 7
Application Deadline: March 30
Eligibility: High school, college, or professional training students (16+) interested in genomics and translational medicine
This biology program in San Diego focuses on translational science, which bridges the gap between laboratory discovery and patient care. You’ll be paired with mentors to work on projects involving genomics, molecular biology, and digital medicine technologies. You participate in weekly seminars and workshops covering topics ranging from clinical trial design to bioinformatics. The experience is designed to provide a comprehensive view of how biological research is applied to solve human health challenges. You’ll be expected to complete a final project or presentation detailing your contributions to your assigned lab's research goals.
4. Lumiere Research Scholar Program — Biology Track
Location: Virtual
Cost: Varies by program (financial aid available)
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective
Dates: Several cohorts year-round
Application Deadline: Varies by cohort
Eligibility: High school students
In this research program, you work one-on-one with a PhD mentor to develop an independent project on a topic of your choice, which can be within biology or a related field. The process begins with defining a research question, followed by structured exploration and literature review over several weeks. You then focus on writing a research paper, receiving ongoing feedback from your mentor throughout the drafting process. The program emphasizes research design, critical analysis, and academic writing as core skills. By the end, you’ll have produced a finalized paper that reflects your investigation and understanding of the topic. You’ll also have the opportunity to present your work in a virtual symposium setting.
5. Vertex Pharmaceuticals San Diego Learning Lab Internship
Location: Vertex Pharmaceuticals, San Diego, CA
Stipend: Provided
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: 6 weeks in the summer
Application Deadline: Typically in February/March
Eligibility: San Diego Unified School District high school students
This biology internship introduces high school students in San Diego to the drug discovery process. You spend the majority of your time in the San Diego Learning Lab, a dedicated space where you perform experiments alongside Vertex scientists and mentors. The curriculum covers essential biotech skills, including protein purification, assay development, and the use of automated laboratory equipment. You also attend professional development sessions and explore various career paths within the life sciences industry.
6. Sanford Burnham Prebys SPARK Program
Location: Sanford Burnham Prebys, La Jolla, CA
Stipend: Provided
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: 6 weeks in the summer
Application Deadline: April 1
Eligibility: High school students (16+) living in San Diego or Imperial County who are U.S. citizens/permanent residents
This San Diego-based biology program provides exposure to ongoing work within a biomedical research lab. You engage directly with laboratory environments, observing and contributing to research processes used by professional scientists. The program focuses on familiarizing high school students with experimental methods and the structure of scientific investigations. Through this experience, you gain insight into how research questions are developed and tested in a lab setting. You’ll also get to interact with researchers, which will help you better understand day-to-day scientific work and collaboration.
7. Scripps High School Summer Internship Program
Location: Scripps Research Translational Institute, La Jolla, CA
Stipend: $5,040
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: June 16 – 18 (training bootcamp) | June 22 – August 7
Application Deadline: March 22
Eligibility: High school students (16+) from REACH partner schools/programs who have completed at least one year of chemistry and biology with a minimum 3.0 GPA
This biology program in San Diego, California, focuses on translational research and how scientific findings are applied to human health. You learn about topics such as genomics, disease traits, and the use of mobile technologies to monitor patient health. The program also introduces you to study design and analysis methods used in clinical and genetic research. Working with a mentor, you’ll develop an independent research project and refine it through proposal writing and feedback. You’ll also regularly attend seminars and engage with scientific literature to support your learning. The program concludes with the presentation of your findings through both a research meeting and a poster symposium.
8. Science and Engineering Apprenticeship Program (SEAP)
Location: NHRC Naval Health Research Center, San Diego, CA
Stipend: $4,000 (first-time participants) | $4,500 (returning participants)
Acceptance rate/cohort size: ~300 placements nationwide
Dates: 8 weeks in the summer
Application Deadline: November 1
Eligibility: 10th to 12th-grade students (16+) who are U.S. citizens
Through this biology program, high school students participate in research conducted within the Department of Navy laboratories. You’ll be placed in a lab setting where you contribute to ongoing scientific or engineering projects under the supervision of professional researchers. The program emphasizes mentorship, allowing you to learn directly from scientists and engineers about research methods and technical processes. Over several weeks, you engage with real-world applications of biology and related STEM fields in a government research environment. Tasks may include data collection, analysis, or assisting with experimental procedures, depending on the project.
9. Scintillon Research Institute SURE Program
Location: Scintillon Institute, San Diego, CA
Cost: $2,000 ($2,500 post deadline); financial aid available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: July 13 – August 7
Application Deadline: May 1
Eligibility: San Diego County high school students (16+)
This biology program for high school students in San Diego emphasizes foundational experience in biomedical research through structured lab work. Early in the program, you learn about ongoing research projects before beginning your own guided exploration. You’ll get introduced to research environments through direct participation in wet lab activities and guided instruction from a faculty mentor. The curriculum is organized to cover core elements of scientific research, with mentorship at its core. The experience focuses on developing familiarity with laboratory techniques and the workflow of basic scientific research.
10. Sally Ride Science Academy
Location: UC San Diego, La Jolla, CA
Cost: $200 – $495/course (scholarships available)
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: Multiple sessions in the summer
Application Deadline: Rolling
Eligibility: Rising high school students
The Sally Ride Science Academy offers intensive, week-long workshops focused on specific disciplines like marine microbiology, DNA and blood vessels, and astrobiology. These courses are designed as hands-on laboratories where you collect data, use professional-grade software, and conduct field observations. The marine microbiology track exposes students to marine microbes and the lab techniques used to study them. The Holobionts in Space course teaches students about human regeneration and guides them through hypothetical survival on Mars. Overall, these workshops provide a concentrated exploration of niche biological fields not typically covered in standard high school curricula.
11. UCSD Life Sciences Research Scholars Program
Location: Boz Institute, La Jolla, CA/Virtual
Cost: Varies by course
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: Varies by course
Application Deadline: June 5
Eligibility: High school students
In this biology program, you explore life sciences through a combination of fieldwork, laboratory training, and computational analysis. You engage with topics such as molecular biology while also learning bioinformatics and biostatistics methods used in modern research. The structure emphasizes the full research process, including literature review, hypothesis development, and experimental design. You also gain experience in data collection, processing, and interpretation using scientific tools and techniques. At the end of the program, you’ll present your findings in a formal poster session.
12. Rady Children’s Hospital Summer Medical Academy
Location: Rady Children’s Hospital, San Diego, CA
Cost: $3,000 (scholarships available for eligible students)
Acceptance rate/cohort size: ~40 students
Dates: Session 1: June 15 – 26; Session 2: July 6 – 17
Application Deadline: February 20
Eligibility: High school students (15–19 years old)
This biology program is designed for high school students in San Diego who are interested in clinical biology and medicine. You experience a combination of lectures, hands-on clinical skills clinics, and shadowing opportunities with healthcare professionals. The program covers topics such as human anatomy, physiology, and the biological basis of pediatric diseases. You learn practical medical skills such as suturing, casting, and emergency response while interacting with specialists in fields such as oncology and cardiology. You also participate in simulation labs at UCSD, learn about AI in healthcare, and engage in brain dissections.
13. UCSD COSMOS: Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine
Location: UC San Diego, La Jolla, CA
Cost: $5,518 (financial aid available)
Acceptance rate/cohort size: 16 – 200 students/campus
Dates: July 5 – 31
Application Deadline: February 6
Eligibility: Students in grades 8–12 who have completed Algebra II/Integrated Math II and one year of high school biology
This San Diego-based biology program introduces high school students to interdisciplinary topics at the intersection of biology, engineering, and medicine. You examine how tissue engineering and regenerative medicine aim to restore or replace biological functions using scientific and technical approaches. The curriculum includes lab-based and project-driven learning that goes beyond typical high school coursework. You work with advanced concepts such as cell-based therapies, biomaterials, and engineered tissues within a structured academic setting. Faculty and researchers will guide your exploration of how these approaches are applied to medical challenges.
14. UCSD SPARK Program
Location: UC San Diego, La Jolla, CA
Stipend: Provided
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: June 15 – August 7
Application Deadline: May 1
Eligibility: High school students (16+) living in San Diego who attend Lincoln, Hoover, Crawford, or Morse High Schools
This biology program in San Diego provides an introduction to regenerative medicine through both lab-based experiences and clinical observation. You spend time in research labs working on projects related to tissue repair and cellular therapies. In addition, you shadow medical professionals to understand how these research areas connect to patient care. The program also includes sessions exploring various fields within regenerative medicine, offering a broader view of the discipline. Mentorship will be provided by medical and undergraduate students who guide your learning and research activities.