Acceptances have been sent out for 2026 Summer period. Please visit site in early 2027 for next year’s submission dates.
The Young Researchers Program is a six-week summer program for motivated rising high school seniors, particularly those from schools and communities with limited access to STEM research opportunities. Participants conduct scientific research at the University of Southern California, engage in hands-on university-level research projects, and attend weekly workshops that provide foundational knowledge about college applications and pursuing careers in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics).
Our Mission
The Young Researchers Program is dedicated to serving the local USC neighborhood by providing rising high school seniors a unique summer research opportunity. Through mentored research experiences, YRP aims to increase interest in STEM fields among students who have had limited access to research opportunities and to encourage participants to attend college and pursue careers in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. By doing so, we hope to create a network for previous participants to support each other as they pursue their future careers.
Mentored Research Experience
Each student is paired with their own graduate mentor for the summer to complete a research project in the mentor’s specialty. At the end of the summer, students present their project results as a poster in a public symposium (open to friends and family!).
Weekly Lunch Seminars
Every week, students attend a seminar on different topics designed to help them apply to college, find scholarships, become a successful college student, and identify career options in STEM fields. (Lunch is provided.)
Field Trips
In previous years, our field trips have included a day at Catalina Island learning about Earth and environmental science, hiking, and snorkeling (no swimming experience was required), as well as a tour of NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory.
2026 Program Details
2026 Application period is closed
Application Open: 2/01/26
Application Deadline: April 5, 2026 at 11:59pm PST
Acceptance notifications will be updated by May 15 or earlier. Unfortunately, if you do not receive an acceptance by May 15 we have moved onto other candidates. We had much higher application submission this year than previous years and we are trying our best to accept mentees that display a clear need for STEM research opportunities, along with research fit with our committed mentors. Thank you to all those who applied, we appreciate the hard work you put into your applications and encourage you to keep thriving towards your future endeavors.
Student Orientation: June 12, 2026
Program Dates: June 15 – July 24, 2026
Poster Symposium: July 24, 2026
Our Team
We are a group of USC PhD students who work together to coordinate the Young Researchers Program.
Isabelle Young
Co-Director
PhD Student in Neuroscience
Alisha Cayce
Co-Director
PhD Student in Neuroscience
Nushka Remec
Vice Director
PhD Student in Neuroscience
Gaon Kim
Co-Seminar and Co-Finances Coordinator
PhD Student in Neuroscience
Karel Aceituno
Co-Seminar Coordinator
PhD Student in Neuroscience
Fabiola Amaya Reyes
High School Recruitment and Media Coordinator
PhD Student in Neuroscience
Matt Quinan
Mentor Recruitment
PhD Student in Earth Sciences
Sagar Parikh
Mentor Recruitment
PhD Student in Neuroscience
Emma Carpenter
Co-Field Trip Coordinator
PhD Student in Neuroscience
Oluchi Ofoegbu
Co-Field Trip Coordinator and Mentor Recruitment
PhD Student in Development, Stem Cells, and Regenerative Medicine
Cenk Akiz
Director of Finance
PhD Student in Neuroscience
Rita Barakat, PhD
Faculty Advisor
Dr. Rita Barakat (she/ her) is an Assistant Professor (Teaching) of Neurobiology in the Dornsife College of Letters, Arts & Sciences. She teaches a variety of undergraduate courses in cell biology, physiology, neuroscience and cognitive science, and also mentors students on independent research projects. Her prior and current research focuses on studying the neuroanatomical and behavioral correlates of language in the brain, with her more recent work examining the Bilingual Advantage Hypothesis.
Contact: rbarakat@usc.edu
