Imperial Research Program
20 of the brightest high school minds will be selected to learn with leading PhDs and MAs to produce their own cutting-edge research projects, published to a renowned research journal.
Program Overview
Hands-on Research
Work directly with leading researchers on meaningful projects with real-world applications in medicine, computer science, and mathematics.
Expert Mentorship
Receive personalized guidance from PhDs and MAs from prestigious institutions, building invaluable connections for your academic future.
Publication Opportunity
Potential to co-author research papers and contribute to scientific knowledge, strengthening your college applications.
Program Structure
Introduction to AI and Engineering
Explore foundational topics in AI, Engineering, Computer Science, and Mathematics. Gain insights into the core principles of these fields through interactive lectures and discussions. Understand the significance of these disciplines in solving real-world challenges.
Advanced Topics in AI and Engineering
Delve deeper into complex concepts and applications in AI and Engineering, focusing on real-world problem-solving techniques. Engage in case studies and project-based learning to apply theoretical knowledge to practical scenarios.
Research Topic Selection
Learn how to choose a research topic, develop a research question, and outline your research pathway with expert guidance. Participate in workshops to refine your ideas and receive feedback from peers and mentors.
Research Development
Begin drafting your research paper, focusing on creating a strong first draft and understanding the editing process. Collaborate with peers in peer-review sessions to enhance the quality of your work.
Manuscript Preparation
Prepare your manuscript for submission, focusing on final edits, formatting, and selecting an appropriate journal for publication. Learn about the publication process and how to effectively communicate your research findings.
TA Sessions and Final Revisions
Participate in TA sessions to receive feedback on your paper, make final revisions, and solidify your research decisions. Utilize this time to clarify any doubts and ensure your paper meets academic standards.
Weekly TA Sessions
Engage in weekly TA sessions where students have the opportunity to work on their own papers and ask questions. TAs provide guidance on research decisions, offer feedback, and help revise papers during these shorter 1-hour sessions each week.
Research Areas
Explore diverse fields including computational biology, medical research, AI applications, advanced mathematics, and biomedical engineering.
Skills Development
Enhance critical thinking, scientific writing, data analysis, presentation skills, and research ethics throughout the program.
Career Development
Receive personalized college application guidance, recommendation letters, and connections to our alumni network at top universities.
Meet Our Research Staff
Our exceptional staff of research mentors brings diverse expertise from prestigious institutions. Each mentor is committed to guiding students through hands-on research experiences and helping them develop as future scholars.
Shandra Park
Research Mentor
Biomedical Computation and Physics at Stanford University
Chandra Park is a scholar in Biomedical Computation and Physics at Stanford University, with extensive expertise at the intersection of Artificial Intelligence, Machine Learning, and Medicine. An accomplished academic competitor, Chandra earned a Gold Medal at the U.S. Medicine and Disease Olympiad and ranked first nationally in Korea, representing the Republic of Korea internationally as a Bronze Medalist (23rd globally) at IMDO. Passionate about interdisciplinary research, she excels in leveraging AI for medical advancements and scientific innovation. Students guided by Chandra will benefit from her specialized knowledge in machine learning and neural networks, interdisciplinary STEM applications, and will have exclusive opportunities to connect with Stanford-affiliated communities, paving pathways to prestigious internships and mentorship in physics and computer science.
Dean Matthew Mendes
Research Mentor
Mathematics at UCLA and UT Austin
Dean Matthew Mendes holds a B.S. in Mathematics from the University of Texas at Austin and an M.S. in Mathematics from UCLA. With extensive research experience through competitive REU programs at UT Austin and Louisiana State University, as well as graduate-level research at UCLA, Dean specializes in Number Theory, Combinatorics, and Abstract Algebra. His academic background reflects a deep passion for pure mathematics and a commitment to advancing mathematical understanding through exploration and rigor. Students working with Dean will gain exposure to advanced mathematical thinking and have the opportunity to explore volunteer roles and build lasting academic connections in a strong professional network.
Shenyang Liu
Research Mentor
Computer Science at University of Central Florida
Shenyang Liu is a PhD candidate in Computer Science at the University of Central Florida, where he specializes in cutting-edge research on automated code generation, anomaly detection, program repair, and transforming natural language into structured data. His scholarly contributions, including publications presented at prestigious conferences such as IEEE BigData and ICMLA, have established new benchmark datasets and frameworks in his field. With over four years of dedicated teaching experience at the university level, Shenyang provides expert mentorship and practical guidance. Participants under his supervision will benefit from co-authorship opportunities on future publications, valuable industry referrals for internships, and tailored career mentorship to excel beyond the program.
Harmain Rafi
Research Mentor
Neuroscience at American University
Harmain Rafi is a PhD candidate in Neuroscience at American University with a research focus spanning neurochemistry, computational modeling, and animal models of injury. Her work includes the development of carbon fiber electrodes for neurotransmitter detection, analysis of central and peripheral nervous system injuries in rodents, and the use of advanced pose estimation tools to quantify behavioral patterns. With experience mentoring both high school and undergraduate students, Harmain is deeply committed to cultivating the next generation of STEM researchers. Students working with her will gain insight into interdisciplinary applications of neuroscience, the academic publication process, and scientific writing. She also offers guidance on research careers, publishing, and internship placement—along with personalized mentorship and letters of recommendation for standout students.
Marouene Addhoum
Research Mentor
Computer Science at Oakland University
Marouene Addhoum is currently pursuing a Master's degree in Computer Science at Oakland University, where he specializes in Artificial Intelligence and Natural Language Processing. As a dedicated Teaching Assistant and active member of the COCOA Lab, Marouene has co-authored influential research on NLP applications for Tunisian dialects, offensive language detection, chatbot development, and facial recognition technologies. His hands-on experience ensures students receive mentorship grounded in cutting-edge methods and real-world applications. Participants working with Marouene will have opportunities to engage directly in ongoing NLP research, potentially earning co-authorship on scholarly papers and gaining valuable connections to internships and volunteer roles in AI and Machine Learning.
Detailed Program Information
Personalized Research Mentorship
Benefit from highly personalized mentoring from PhD and MA mentors from prestigious institutions. Our structured yet flexible mentorship process ensures you receive focused support tailored to your specific research interests. Throughout the fellowship, you'll participate in regular one-on-one sessions, gaining invaluable insights and skills that enable you to confidently navigate the research process and produce original, high-quality work.
Students are matched with mentors based on research interests, ensuring a productive and stimulating research experience. Regular feedback sessions and progress evaluations help students refine their research skills and enhance their understanding of the scientific process.
Rigorous Academic Experience
Delve deeply into cutting-edge topics in advanced mathematics, artificial intelligence, computer science, and engineering through our carefully structured lecture series.
Led by distinguished scholars from premier institutions, these sessions blend theoretical learning with practical applications, preparing you to tackle the most pressing scientific challenges of today. Explore intricate concepts and master advanced STEM principles to set yourself apart as a promising researcher in your field.
Eligibility & Selection
The Imperial Research Internship is designed for exceptional high school students with a demonstrated passion for academic research and innovation. Our selection process is rigorous and considers academic achievement, research potential, and personal motivation.
- Open to all high school students around the world
- Strong academic background, particularly in STEM subjects
- Demonstrated interest in research through previous projects, coursework, or extracurricular activities
- Ability to commit to the full 10-week program duration
Program Benefits
Completing the program provides a compelling addition to your academic portfolio, enhancing college applications and setting you apart as a standout candidate equipped with hands-on research experience and publications. Participating in this prestigious fellowship demonstrates exceptional dedication, intellectual curiosity, and advanced research capabilities, significantly boosting your application to elite institutions such as Harvard, MIT, Stanford, Oxford, and other leading global universities.
- Direct mentorship from PhDs and MAs at top research institutions
- Development of advanced research skills applicable to future academic pursuits
- Potential for co-authorship on published research papers
- Certificate of completion and detailed letter of recommendation
- Exclusive networking opportunities with researchers and academics
- Enhanced college application profile with demonstrated research experience
Apply for Summer 2025
Our research internship is highly selective, accepting only exceptional students with demonstrated academic excellence and genuine passion for research. Applications for Summer 2025 are now open.