Aspirnaut Program at U-M Empowers Future Scientists Through Internships

Innovative Internship Program Nurtures Future Scientists Amid Changing Federal Science Policies

As federal policies and funding for science undergo significant changes, a pressing question arises about the future of the scientific field. In this shifting landscape, young scientists find reassurance in initiatives like the Aspirnaut Summer Research Internship at the University of Michigan (U-M), designed to foster the next wave of scientific talent.

Amidst these transitions, it’s crucial to remind emerging scientists of their trusted role in healthcare and medicine. A recent national survey conducted by Research!America underscores this, showing that over 90% of adults across political lines prioritize the U.S. maintaining leadership in health research.

This survey reveals a sustained public trust in science and a strong belief in supporting basic research that expands knowledge boundaries, which is viewed as essential and deserving of federal backing.

The University of Michigan takes on the responsibility of extending cutting-edge resources to a diverse student body, aiming to cultivate future innovators. One such effort is the Aspirnaut Summer Research Internship, a program at the Life Sciences Institute (LSI) that guides budding scientists from high school through postdoctoral stages.

Each summer, the Aspirnaut Summer Research Internship offers six to ten high school students a six-week paid experience to immerse themselves in scientific research. The program actively seeks participants from underrepresented areas within the state.

Since its inception in 2018, the program has trained 60 interns from across 30 Michigan counties, including the Upper Peninsula. Notably, over 40% of these interns hail from counties with limited U-M student enrollment, exemplifying the program’s reach.

The internship equips students with research expertise and experience, empowering them for future educational pursuits. Participants engage in independent research projects guided by mentors, acquiring valuable skills in the process.

Beyond laboratory work, the program offers workshops and activities that prepare interns for college life, including professional development sessions, writing workshops, and standardized test preparation, all while experiencing dorm life on campus.

The program’s success is evident: all Aspirnaut alumni have pursued postsecondary education, with nearly half attending U-M. Remarkably, 80% were first-generation college students. More than half chose life sciences majors, while 15% pursued other STEM fields.

Alumni testimonials further highlight the program’s impact, often describing the experience as transformative for students who previously hadn’t considered a scientific career or college education.

The Aspirnaut program collaborates with various U-M initiatives, including the Research Experience for Youth (REY), D-RISE, and BioMed Focus, to amplify its impact.

At LSI, the Aspirnaut program serves as the initial stage in a pathway that extends through undergraduate and postgraduate opportunities, connecting aspiring scientists with future STEM careers.

In addition to its summer internships, LSI also hosts undergraduate researchers from all Michigan colleges through the Perrigo Summer Undergraduate Fellowship. Former Aspirnaut interns have returned as Perrigo fellows and continued their journey in LSI labs while pursuing their Ph.D. at U-M.

Programs like Aspirnaut, Perrigo, D-RISE, and BioMed Focus play a crucial role in fostering scientific talent across Michigan, ensuring students can rely on U-M for career development and lifelong learning. For more information, visit Look to Michigan.

— Roger Cone is the Mary Sue Coleman Director of the Life Sciences Institute, the Tadataka Yamada Distinguished University Professor of Molecular and Integrative Physiology in the Medical School, and a professor of molecular, cellular and developmental biology in the College of Literature, Science, and the Arts. His extensive research and discoveries related to the nervous system’s control of energy storage have earned him numerous awards and recognitions, including election to the National Academy of Sciences, and the National Academy of Medicine, and the American Academy of Arts and Sciences.