Bruins-In-Genomics (B.I.G.) Summer Program

DO YOU
HAVE A PASSION FOR
COMPUTING, BIOLOGY, MATH, AND SCIENCE?

Bruins-In-Genomics (B.I.G.) Summer Research Program is an 8-week full-time immersion program for undergraduates interested in learning how to read and analyze genes and genomes. Through this program students will have the opportunity to experience graduate-level coursework, and learn the latest cutting-edge research, tools and methods used by leading scientists to solve real-world problems.

JUNE 23 TO AUGUST 15, 2025

ROLLING ADMISSIONS: LAST APPLICATION DEADLINE FOR NON-UCLA STUDENTS: March 3, 2025 at 8:00AM PST

ROLLING ADMISSIONS: LAST APPLICATION DEADLINE FOR UCLA STUDENTS: May 1, 2025 at 8:00AM PST

(FIRST APPLICATION DEADLINE: January 3, 2025 at 5:00PM PST)

Click here and APPLY TO BIG SUMMER 2025 today! (UCLA Students)

Click here and APPLY TO BIG SUMMER 2025 today! (non-UCLA Students)

INTERACTIVE LEARNING

Workshops introduce students to next generation sequencing data and statistical analysis methods. Research lunch talks led by workshop instructors explore in-depth application of skills. Journal clubs led by UCLA faculty mentors show how methods, data, and ideas translate in real time.

HANDS-ON TRAINING

Students apply what they’ve learned to an original research project in a laboratory, guided by UCLA faculty mentors. Students learn how to be a scientist in weekly lab meetings. B.I.G. Summer ends with students presenting their findings at a scientific poster session and award ceremony.

CAREER BUILDING

B.I.G. Summer experiences show students what a science career can look like. UCLA faculty mentors guide students in creating an Individual Development Plan to identify goals. Social activities promote networking with faculty.

WHAT DO B.I.G. SUMMER STUDENTS DO?

Bruins-in-Genomics (B.I.G.) Summer offers a comprehensive program of interactive learning, hands-on training, and career building opportunities for undergraduates interested in quantitative and computational biology. Our program’s unique integration of computer science and life science material models how real scientists collaborate with each other in today’s increasingly interdisciplinary world of biomedical and life science research.

WORKSHOPS

Hands-on bioinformatics workshopsintroduce students to next generation sequencing data and statistical analysis methods–and show how to expand upon existing skills. Postdoctoral scholars at the QCB Collaboratory cover a variety of topics, including the Unix command line, NGS data analysis, R Programming, RNA-Seq, and BS-Seq.

RESEARCH TALKS

Research lunch talks led by QCB Collaboratory workshop instructors explore in-depth application of skills. Held each Friday at 4pm, these events give students a chance to learn about the ways that research methods are used in the real world to solve real problems in science.

JOURNAL CLUBS

Weekly journal clubs led by UCLA faculty mentors show how methods, data, and ideas translate in real time. Each meeting walks students through a peer-reviewed journal article.

RESEARCH PROJECTS

SOCIAL ACTIVITIES

B.I.G. Summer social activities promote networking with faculty. The program kicks off with a Welcome BBQ where UCLA faculty, postdocs, and grad students meet-and-greet B.I.G. Summer participants. Get to know Los Angeles on weekend trips to the Getty Museum, LACMA, Santa Monica Pier, and the Griffith Park Observatory in Hollywood. Each Friday afternoon, a different UCLA research lab hosts a Happy Hour gathering.

CAREER DEVELOPMENT

B.I.G. Summer inspires science careers–but that’s just the beginning. UCLA faculty mentors guide each student in creating an Individual Development Plan to identify goals. Partner program UCLA Summer Programs for Undergraduate Research (SPUR) offers GRE prep courses and shares strategies for enhancing success in applying to graduate school through professional development workshops.

POSTER SESSION

B.I.G. Summer ends with a grande finale–a scientific poster session and award ceremony. Here students present the culmination of their research projects to the UCLA community, receive feedback from faculty and other experienced scholars, and vie for one of several Best Poster Awards.

ARE YOU ELIGIBLE FOR B.I.G. SUMMER?

We will be accepting applications for B.I.G. Summer 2025 starting October 21st! Admission is competitive and early applications are strongly encouraged.

APPLICATION DEADLINE FOR EARLY REVIEW: January 3, 2025 at 5:00PM PST

FIRST REVIEW DEADLINE: January 3, 2025 at 5:00PM PST

SUBSEQUENT REVIEWS / rolling admissions until March 1. 2025

Applicants must be:

a U.S. citizen or permanent resident;
preference will be given to students planning to apply to graduate school in Fall 2025 or Fall 2026;
have a GPA of 3.0 or higher;
have some familiarity with at least one programming language (e.g. python, pearl, R, Java, MAT-LAB, C++, etc.);
preferably have taken bioinformatics or biostatistics courses.

For non-UCLA students, a finalized application will include:

a complete online application form;
one letter of recommendation from a faculty member;
one copy of your unofficial transcript;
one copy of your resume.

For UCLA students, a finalized application will include:

a complete online application form;
one sponsorship letter from your UCLA PI;
one copy of your unofficial transcript;
one copy of your resume.

Any UCLA faculty member, regardless of departmental affiliation, is eligible to sponsor their undergraduate students. Admission to the program is determined by the student’s academic and research readiness, as demonstrated in their transcript and application. This decision is made by the admissions committee.

Visit the B.I.G. Summer Application for complete information. Questions? Contact BIGSummer@ucla.edu.

We welcome applications from students with disabilities. Please send us your questions or if you prefer, you may privately discuss accommodations for a disability by completing this form: https://www.cae.ucla.edu/contact-the-cae-department. Please mention BIG Summer in the text box provided.

STIPEND AND SUPPORT

Selected non-UCLA participants receive a $4,800 stipend ($600/week for 8 weeks). Federal and state taxes may apply. Additional funds are also available for housing, travel, and conference attendance.

UCLA students must be sponsored by their research mentor faculty. The letter of recommendation must indicate that the faculty is sponsoring the student and commits to providing a $3,200 stipend ($400/week for 8 weeks). Participation in BIG Summer is free of charge as tuition and refreshments are provided by program funds.

ON-CAMPUS HOUSING

B.I.G. Summer provides on-campus housing for non-local, non-UCLA students.

DIVERSITY STATEMENT

UCLA QCBio is committed to attracting exceptional students who will contribute to the University’s diversity. We especially encourage women, minorities, and individuals with disabilities to apply.

PARTICIPATING LABS

Faculty mentors from across the UCLA campus will host B.I.G. Summer scholars. Please visit the websites of our partner programs to learn about relevant research:

WHAT DO B.I.G. SUMMER ALUMNI SAY?

“I participated in the B.I.G. Summer program in the summer of 2016. I loved my experience in the program. Participating in B.I.G. Summer gave me a wonderful opportunity for a hands-on bioinformatics research experience at an exceptional university. Not only did this experience grow my resume and skill set, but it increased my confidence in my ability to do research on my own. B.I.G. Summer also gave me the opportunity to form relationships with many wonderful students and professors at UCLA, as well as students from various other schools who were attending the program. B.I.G. Summer was a great way to prepare for applying to and attending graduate school, and gave me the opportunity to observe first-hand what graduate school at UCLA would be like, especially in the Bioinformatics PhD program. Now I am a first-year graduate student in that program, and the relationships I developed because of B.I.G. Summer have continued to help me as I transition into being a graduate student. I am glad I was able to participate in this great program, and would encourage undergraduates to get involved in summer research experiences as soon as possible. It’s really fun and will help prepare you for what’s ahead!”

Sarah SpendloveB.I.G. Summer ’16 & UCLA Bioinformatics IDP, Ph.D.

“The BIG summer program exposed me to next generation sequencing analysis, and at the end of the program I had learned so much that I started answering really interesting biomedical questions using next-generation sequencing data at my home institution. In addition to the world class research, the mentoring during BIG summer was amazing in that I was able to work independently given the necessary resources and support from graduate students and faculty members. My experience during BIG summer was a key factor in deciding to come back to UCLA for graduate studies in Bioinformatics. There is no place I would rather be!”

Kofi AmoahB.I.G. Summer ’16 & UCLA Bioinformatics IDP, Ph.D.

“Through the BIG Summer program, I made some great friends and had the chance to work with people who are pioneering the work in the computational biology field. Coming from a school that does not have a bioinformatics program, it was nice to be able to work alongside people who have similar interests and career goals. BIG Summer solidified my plans to pursue a graduate degree in computational biology, and it gave me the chance to see what life as a graduate student in this field would be like.”

Toni BoltzB.I.G. Summer ’17 & Biochemistry/Molecular Biology and Computer Science major at University of Miami

“This program influenced me so much and I would recommend it for so many reasons. I feel really lucky to have been exposed to the expertise of the QC Bio fellows and the insights they shared with me are so valuable. The program inspired me to minor in Bioinformatics and gave me a clear direction to pursue my PhD. The mentorship of the faculty was incredible not only because of their knowledge but because they welcomed me in and made me feel like I belonged there. I’m excited to be presenting my research project from the summer at the ABRCMS conference this fall and I’m also looking forward to reconnecting with my mentors from UCLA when I apply to the PhD program.”

Garrett J. ParkerB.I.G. Summer ’17 & Computer Science major at Santa Monica Community College

“The BIG Summer program was an excellent opportunity for an aspiring scientist. I truly enjoyed my time in this program. I thought it provided great opportunities for professional and personal development. This summer I learned a new set of skills and knowledge that I can take back to my home institution and share. I have gained so many new exceptional friends that I will cherish. Thank you BIG Summer – It’s been real!”

Brieanna HollisB.I.G. Summer ’17 & Biology and Pre-Med major at Florida A&M University

“The UCLA BIG Summer program was truly all I believed it would be and even more! From the very first day, I got great guidance for my research project, had access to supplemental workshops and got relevant career navigation advice. Throughout the program, every person I met had something impactful to tell me and I know by participating in this program, I have made positive relationships with students, faculty and facilitators which would transcend into bigger things in the nearest future. Go Bruins!”

Laurel EzeB.I.G. Summer ’20 & Biomedical Engineering major at Alcorn State University

“I’m so grateful for the mentorships I got throughout the summer. Not only was I able to deepen my passion in computational bio, but also received many valuable advices for my academic career.”

Karl LeeB.I.G. Summer ’20 & Neuroscience and Computer Science major at Johns Hopkins University

“I had a fantastic virtual BIG summer 2020 experience. I have learned so much about RNA sequencing through the workshops provided, computational modeling through my project, and reading and discussing articles through the weekly journal club. I also built so many great relationships both with my research mentor and with the other students in my journal club. We still have a social hour once a month! I am so glad I spent my summer with the QCBio team; it was a truly valuable experience.”

Madison WahlstenB.I.G. Summer ’20 & Biomedical Engineering major at University of Michigan Ann Arbor

“BIG Summer was organized incredibly well–even as the pandemic hit soon after we got our acceptance letters! The movement to an online summer program was expected to be tumultuous, but thankfully went smoothly. Throughout the program, there was an emphasis on discussion, critical thinking, and learning a wide variety of computational and statistical techniques for success in bioinformatics. We also received some incredible networking opportunities, such as dedicated one-on-one calls with professors regarding career advice and performing research in cutting-edge bioinformatics labs. The program does everything it can to elevate its students into the next batch of PhD students in computational biology. It was a fantastic summer!”

Humza KhanB.I.G. Summer ’20 & Microbiology, Immunology, and Molecular Genetics major at UCLA

“I had a great time participating in BIG 2020! Even though we were remote, I still felt like I was able to make friends and build a sense of community. My mentors were super supportive and encouraging and worked with me to learn more about my project and to tackle every step of the process. I was unsure of my career goals coming in to BIG, but my experiences with the workshops and my project have helped me solidify my interests in the field. I know the skills I’ve learned and the people I’ve met through BIG will stay with me forever

Shruti GuptaB.I.G. Summer ’20 & Data Analytics and Molecular Genetics major at The Ohio State University

“My BIG Summer experience was quite unique as it was my first time truly stepping into the world of bioinformatics. I began my experience with knowing little about coding and algorithms, but by the end of the summer I was able to successfully create my own scripts for my project. My mentors were very supportive along this journey, and were there with my partner and I every step of the way. From this experience, I am more confident now to conduct research on projects that are heavily bioinformatics based.”

Tori ConcepcionB.I.G. Summer ’20 & Biology major at Spelman College

B.I.G. SUMMER OVER THE YEARS

B.I.G. Summer scholars come to UCLA from a variety of undergraduate institutions. Please visit the webpages of past programs in order to learn more about research projects and alumni outcomes: