The Loma Linda University School of Medicine provides opportunities for undergraduate science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) majors to gain experience in biomedical research. This program is intended for students interested in working with PhD scientists or MD/PhD physician scientists who are conducting research in biomedical fields with the objective of advancing our knowledge and treatment of human disease.
Applications for SURF 2026 are now open
Program Documents
Program Information
Participating Research Faculty
Application Form
Please note the following as specified on the application form: the following documents must be emailed to [email protected]:
1) A scan of your current academic transcript (an unofficial copy is acceptable)
2) A 1 page essay (1 page max, 1 or 1.5 line spacing, not written by AI) that answers the following three questions:
- Why do you want to spend your summer performing research?
- What are your career goals?
- What scientific research questions interest you?
3) 1 or 2 references from an undergraduate professor or mentor who supervised you while performing undergraduate research and/or taught an undergraduate laboratory course in which you were enrolled. Please instruct the referee to email their letter of recommendation to [email protected].
Many School of Medicine faculty researchers are interested in mentoring undergraduate students during the summer of 2026. Applicants are encouraged to view the Basic Sciences Research faculty who have agreed to serve as research mentors. The participating faculty listed on the PDF has direct links to each faculty member on the Loma Linda University faculty directory.