Biological Research
Three-Week Summer Science Program
• BioSTEM Award, 2018, J&J • Top Summer Science Program, 2011-Present, NY Times/ThoughtCo.com • Top Robotics Program, 2017, RoboLoco • Best Medicine Program, 2018, ParentMap • Top Biomedical Engineering, StockTalk.com • Top 101 Summer Camps & Programs, How-To-Learn.com • #1 Marine Bio, 2022, ThomasNet, Xometry • Top Summer Programs, 2023, collegematchpoint.com • Best Computer Science, 2023, collegetransitions.com
This program was named Top Science Program in the US by the New York Times subsidiary, About.com
Biological Research: Synthetic Biology has won numerous awards and sold out multiple years in a row. Why? Because this cutting-edge program, one of the most lab-intensive at BLI, covers topics you won’t see in high school. Synthetic Biology, gene therapy, and genetic engineering will allow scientists to eliminate genetic diseases and mutations, saving lives across the globe. Genetic engineers are working to eliminate cancer-causing mutations, lessen the impact of Down Syndrome, and provide the ability to hear to deaf patients for the first time. They can even engineer bacteria to break down plaque in the bloodstream, eliminating blood clots that would otherwise result in fatal strokes. The new frontier of modern medicine has arrived, and this summer at BLI, you can be a part of it.
What are you waiting for? Apply now. Not ready to apply? Join the Mailing List.
This is a competitive admissions summer research program designed for teens.
Applications are open for Summer 2023:
Session 1: June 26-July 14, 2023 | Olin/Wellesley, MA
Session 2: July 17-August 4, 2023 | Olin/Wellesley, MA
Maria Lazebnik
Dr. Lazebnik is an adjunct assistant professor at Bentley University. She teaches Human Biology, Human Inheritance, and Human Health and Disease. Dr. Lazebnik is involved in research focused on undergraduate STEM education and developing innovative course content to work hand-in-hand with the curriculum, in particular with a project at Boston’s Museum of Science. Dr. Lazebnik received her BS in Neuroscience and Biology as well as her MS in Cell and Molecular Biology from Brandeis University. Later, she received her PhD in Genetics from Tufts University School of Medicine. In addition, she has extensive research experience, having been a research fellow at the NIH, a research associate at Brandeis and Tufts, and a postdoctoral fellow at Tufts Molecular Oncology Research Institute. Finally, Dr. Lazebnik is a multi-published educator and research scientist. She has had three articles published in the National Center for Biotechnology Information.
The article Designer Genes by Sachi Lagwankar shows how the author was immersed in the field of Biology during BLI’s Biological Research program. She writes that the program helped her learn in a way that no high-school lab could. Read more
The article Forging a Path in Synthetic Biology by Jeremy Wang describes how BLI’s Biological Research program furthered his understanding & further motivated him to study Synthetic Biology and how the research he did helped him. Read more
Student Comments – Summer 2021
‘I really enjoyed the program. The lectures were extremely informational and engaging and the labs were fun. Jim is an amazing teacher and clearly knows a lot about Synbio– I wish there were more teachers like him at my school!’
‘Not only was the program incredibly informative, it was so much fun! I never thought that I would learn so much in 3 weeks. Mr. Jim was a great teacher, and the TA’s were very helpful’
‘I enjoyed how hands on the course was, there were always labs to do each afternoon. The morning lectures were very informative and Mr. Jim was very effective at conveying the information in an engaging way. I’m extremely satisfied with this course. ‘
‘This program was a perfect opportunity to gain exposure to an incredible variety of topics realted to synthetic biology, as well as many different aspects of biotechnology and lab procedures. Jim was an absolutely fantastic teacher with boundless enthusiasm. The TAs were super and crucial to all of the great experiences we had in this course.’
‘It was wonderful. Jim was excellent and was always very enthusiastic and passionate about teaching. It was a very valuable experience, especially the extensive hands-on lab work. I learned a lot about synbio and its applications. The TAs were also very great. Jim always encouraged and welcomed questions, which I loved..’
‘The program was great experience and full of fun. I really enjoyed the labs and the lectures where we learn new techniques such as CRISPR. Jim was so kind and funny, he really made every class enjoyable.’
‘The program was very fun and I had fun learning a lot in a great environment. The people and teachers were very nice and the course was well made for all levels. Jim was super thoughtful and helpful and went out of his way to do things above and beyond to help. I loved the labs.’
‘I liked the hands on aspect of the program. The labs were exciting, and even if we didn’t get the ‘right’ results. I still enjoyed learning about the science. I liked how Jim was engaging even during the longer lectures.’
‘I really enjoyed Mr. Dixon’s enthusiasm. It was contagious and motivated me to learn as much as possible. I also loved performing gel electrophoresis and being able to make my own gels.’
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