About PGRP Summer Internships

Since 2003, undergraduate students from across the country have been coming to the Boyce Thompson Institute and Cornell University to participate in our 10-week summer internship program. Select local High School students also participate in a similar internship program for 6-8 weeks. For both undergraduate and high school students, the internship program involves students in laboratory-based Plant Genome Research Projects (PGRP). By participating in PGRP summer internships, students gain a broader knowledge of plant genetics, take away a better understanding of genuine scientific research and connect with others that are interested in careers in science and research.

Throughout the summer, interns work closely with graduate students, postdoctoral fellows and scientists to investigate current topics in plant science including plant defense against pathogens and insects, biosynthesis of primary and secondary metabolites, nutrient uptake, metal tolerance, light perception, seed dormancy, and chloroplast function. These projects incorporate important crops such as maize, wheat, rice, tomato, melon, and pepper, as well as genetic model plants such as single-celled alga, and the small crucifer Arabidopsis thaliana. Interns join one of the participating labs according to preference and availability and will be mentored by a graduate student or postdoctoral fellow. In the labs, they learn the latest in molecular biology techniques, and depending on the lab, may also participate in fieldwork. Each intern works on a supervised independent project within the framework of the mentor's research program. They also attend lab meetings, read and discuss recent literature related to their project, and attend a weekly plant science seminar with scientists from BTI, Cornell and the USDA.

Student Symposium

The PGRP summer internship culminates in a Summer Student Symposium, known at BTI as the Colonel’s Cup Challenge. This is a full day event at which interns give either a presentation or a poster communicating their independent research projects along with what they have learned and accomplished during the summer to other students, mentors and scientists that make up the PGRP community. The posters and presentations are judged by a panel, which determines the winner of the Colonel’s Cup for Best Presentation and the PGRP Award for Best Poster. Please see the previous years' internship pages for lists of presentation titles, names of awardees, and photos from the event.

With these new skills and experiences, we trust that our summer interns will be even more prepared for the challenges of schoolwork and their future career paths when they return from their time at BTI and Cornell.

Extracurricular Activities

During the summer, the PGRP sponsors several events, such as our Welcome Barbecue, for the summer interns. Undergraduate summer interns are housed together near the Cornell Campus and Collegetown. In Collegetown, students will find many affordable restaurants, café, and shops as well as access to the Cascadilla Gorge trail which leads to the downtown Ithaca Commons. The Ithaca Commons are home to many community events throughout the summer. Public transportation is readily available and there is a great deal to do in and around Ithaca itself.

On-campus Internship Opportunities

Cornell students interested in research internships in plant biology during the school year are encouraged to visit the Office of Undergraduate Biology in 216 Stimson Hall.