2025 Notice: Due to budget constraints, we will not have an in-person lab component as a part of BISEP this year. Instead, we plan to offer a condensed, two-week version of the program focused primarily on the Bioinformatics project, Finding Research Opportunities, Career Development, and How to Read Scientific Papers. 

Dr. David Gray (bottom-left) with the 2024 Biomedical Sciences Enrichment Program (BISEP) Cohort

Dr. David Gray (bottom-left) with the 2024 Biomedical Sciences Enrichment Program (BISEP) Cohort

OVERVIEW

The 2025 Biomedical Sciences Enrichment Program (BISEP) is a two-week summer program that prepares rising sophomores for upper division coursework and undergraduate research in the biomedical sciences. The goal of this program is to increase the number of students pursuing research-based careers. The 2025 program will be offered fully remotely and in a hybrid format. The program includes a bioinformatics project, a journal club which instructs students on reading scientific literature, and career development workshops. 

ELIGIBILITY

  • PEERS students entering their sophomore year in 2025-2026
  • 3.0 GPA minimum
  • Life Science majors, including Biochemistry and Computational and Systems Biology
  • Interested in biomedical research
  • Interested in pursuing a graduate degree (e.g. Masters, PhD, MD-PhD, etc.)
  • No prior research experience preferred

PROGRAM DATES

BISEP 2025 will be held Tuesday, September 2 – Friday, September 12. Meeting days are weekdays, 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM. No meetings will be held on university holidays. 

PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS

  • Attend all meetings throughout the full six-week program, including:
    • Journal Club Meetings
    • Academic & Professional Development Workshops
  • Complete the bioinformatics project and present your work at the culminating Poster Session
  • Participate in the Lab Networking Event at the end of the program
  • Complete all writing assignments including composing a Curriculum Vitae (CV), cover letter, abstract, and personal statement
  • Complete one pre-program survey, one exit survey, and three post-program surveys throughout the 2026-2026 academic year

SCHOLARSHIP/FUNDING

BISEP does not provide funding to program participants. There is also no application fee or fee to participate in the program.

APPLICATION

  • The application will be open March 3, 2025 through May 8, 2025 at 11:59PM
  • The application can be accessed as a Survey on MyUCLA under the “Campus Life” tab during the application period. See the Application page for more information.

CONTACT

Abby Warner

Program Representative

awarner@college.ucla.edu