Undergraduate Internship Program
A Chance to Change Lives Through Neurosurgical Research at UPMC / PITT
The Spine Computational Outcomes Learning Institute (SCOLI) at the University of Pittsburgh Department of Neurological Surgery proudly opens applications for our undergraduate internship program. This prestigious opportunity enables students to engage in impactful neurosurgical research while building skills in clinical analysis, collaboration, and communication.
About SCOLI
Directed by Dr. Nitin Agarwal and Dr. D. Kojo Hamilton, SCOLI leads multidisciplinary efforts to improve spine health through research in:
- Degenerative spine disease
- Spinal cord injury
- Spinal deformities
- Socioeconomic and educational barriers to spine care
- Health literacy and outcome disparities
We unite neurosurgery, engineering, physiatry, and pain management to address complex spinal disorders through innovation.
Internship Program Details
Student Applications: June 13, 2025
Faculty Recommendations: June 20, 2025
Eligibility
- Undergraduate student in good academic standing
- Interest in medicine or neuroscience
- U.S. work authorization
Benefits
- Hands-on research with faculty mentors
- Weekly research meetings and mentorship
- Opportunities for authorship and presentation
- Academic, clinical, and leadership growth
Research Domains
Interns will contribute to active SCOLI research, including:
- Neurotrauma and recovery outcomes
- Effectiveness of spine treatments
- Socioeconomic drivers of surgical care
- Patient education tools and outreach
- Health literacy initiatives and equity research
Application Process
Applicants should submit:
- Curriculum vitae (CV)
- Academic transcript
- Contact information for two faculty recommenders
Note about Recommendation Letters: Recommendation letters will be submitted separately by faculty. After you complete your application, your listed recommenders will receive an email with instructions to submit their recommendation through a private portal. Please inform your recommenders in advance.
Important Deadline Information: While student applications must be submitted by June 13, 2025, faculty recommenders have until June 20, 2025 (7 additional days) to submit their letters of recommendation.
If you have any questions, please email Dr. Ayesha Akbar Waheed, our Intern Program Director, at [email protected].
Top candidates will be invited for interviews before final selections are made.
How to Submit
Submit your application materials through our online portal:
The application will ask you to provide faculty recommender contact information. Your recommenders will then receive instructions to submit their recommendations through a separate portal.
Student Application Deadline: June 13, 2025
Faculty Recommendation Deadline: June 20, 2025
Why SCOLI?
- Immersive academic medical research environment
- Direct access to expert neurosurgeons and faculty
- Career-building experiences in data and patient research
- Opportunities to present and publish scholarly work
- Strong preparation for competitive medical school pathways