Kynon JM Benjamin

Kynon JM Benjamin

The HEART-GeN Summer Scholar Program is a structured summer research experience in computational biology, genomic neuroscience, scientific communication, and professional development.

The program is a paid, full-time (10-week) research experience hosted by the HEART-GeN Lab on Northwestern’s medical campus in Chicago.

This is a defined enrichment program, not a general assistantship. Scholars complete a structured curriculum, contribute to active research, and leave with a written report, final presentation, and mentorship network.

Scholar Tracks

Underclassmen Scholar

Open to: Incoming first-year students and rising sophomores at any accredited college or university
Stipend: $4,000 (fixed, for the 10-week program)

Eligibility

  • Incoming first-year student with fall enrollment confirmed or rising sophomore
  • Not currently eligible for or enrolled in any Northwestern-sponsored undergraduate summer research program
  • No prior research experience required

Upperclassmen Scholar

Open to: Rising juniors and rising seniors
Stipend: $7,000 (fixed, for the 10-week program)

Eligibility

  • Rising junior or rising senior at any accredited college or university
  • At least one academic year of prior research experience in any field
  • Not eligible for the Northwestern Summer Research Opportunities Program (SROP)

Program Snapshot

  • Duration: 10 weeks, full-time (40 hours/week)
  • Location: Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL
  • Format: In-person

What Scholars Do

All HEART-GeN Summer Scholars engage in hands-on computational research, scientific communication, mentorship, and a structured professional development curriculum.

Research Training

  • Learn R and Python programming for biological data analysis
  • Learn computational biology, genetics, and neuroscience
  • Work in Linux/Unix environments and use high-performance computing (HPC) resources
  • Use Git and GitHub for version control and collaborative research
  • Apply statistics to genomics and neuroscience data
  • Develop reproducible research workflows

Scientific Communication

  • Attend the HEART-GeN Summer Writing Workshop
  • Lead a journal club discussion on a paper relevant to their project
  • Write a report summarizing their summer research
  • Deliver a final oral presentation to the lab and invited guests
  • Write an abstract for conference attendance

Mentorship

  • Meet weekly one-on-one with Dr. Benjamin
  • Receive near-peer mentorship from senior undergraduates, graduate students, and lab research staff

Professional Development

Scholars participate in sessions on:

  • Building Resilience in STEM
  • Clean Coding
  • Improv for Science Communication
  • School After Undergrad
  • Resume/CV development
  • Responsible Conduct of Research (RCR)
  • Social Media in STEM

Program Outcomes

By the end of the program, scholars will have contributed to an active research project, prepared a written report, delivered a research presentation, and developed a network of mentors and peers.

Application Information

Application deadline: March 27, 2026 Applications: Apply here

Application Materials

All tracks

  • Brief statement on why HEART-GeN and your interests (250 words max)
  • 1-page resume

Underclassmen Scholar only

  • Unofficial transcript or coursework list
  • Describe a time you worked through a difficult problem; this does not need to be academic

Upperclassmen Scholar only

  • Brief description of prior research (2-3 sentences): what lab, what you did, and what you learned

Students from groups historically underrepresented in genomics, neuroscience, and computational biology are especially encouraged to apply.

Cohort Archive

2026 Cohort

First HEART-GeN Summer Scholar Cohort
Program start: May 26, 2026

Read the cohort announcement

Upperclassmen Scholars

  • Nia Terry, Spelman College; Rising Senior; Psychology (BS)
  • Ayesha Saleem Sheikh, Smith College; Rising Junior; Computer Science, and Statistics and Data Science

Underclassmen Scholars

  • Juliana Walker, Brown University; Rising Sophomore; Neuroscience
  • Joan D'Aguilar-Balfour, Spelman College; Rising Sophomore; Engineering (Biomedical Track)

Affiliate Scholars

  • Sierra Mannion, Northwestern University; Rising Junior; Biological Anthropology, Global Health

Roster

Scholar Track Institution Standing Program/Major
Nia Terry Upperclassmen Scholar Spelman College Rising Senior Psychology (BS)
Ayesha Saleem Sheikh Upperclassmen Scholar Smith College Rising Junior Computer Science, and Statistics and Data Science
Juliana Walker Underclassmen Scholar Brown University Rising Sophomore Neuroscience
Joan D’Aguilar-Balfour Underclassmen Scholar Spelman College Rising Sophomore Engineering (Biomedical Track)
Sierra Mannion Affiliate Scholar Northwestern University Rising Junior Biological Anthropology, Global Health