15 Pathology Internships for Undergraduates
- Stephen Turban
- 3 hours ago
- 11 min read
Internships are a valuable way for college students to translate academic knowledge into practical experience while strengthening their resumes. Through project work, internships can help you develop technical and professional skills, gain exposure to workflows, and build meaningful connections with mentors and peers. If you are planning a career in pathology, internships offer direct pathways into medical research, diagnostics, and healthcare systems.
Why should I do a pathology internship in college?
Pathology internships typically place you in real laboratories, hospitals, or research institutions, where you can build skills in tissue analysis, diagnostic testing, data collection, and disease detection and treatment. They allow you to engage directly with the scientific and clinical processes that underpin disease diagnosis and research. These experiences not only strengthen your technical foundation but also demonstrate initiative and commitment, qualities that are valued by graduate programs and recruiters. Internships also provide access to mentorship from experienced professionals, helping you explore roles and pathways and refine your academic and career goals. During the internship, you may develop transferable skills such as critical thinking, scientific communication, and collaboration in interdisciplinary teams.
To help you choose the right option for you, we have curated a list of 15 pathology internships for undergraduates.
If you are looking for remote internships, check out our blog here.
Location: Remote; you can participate from anywhere in the world!
Cost: Varies depending on the cohort; financial aid available
Acceptance rate/Cohort size: Selective
Dates: Multiple cohorts throughout the year (Spring, Summer, Fall, and Winter)
Application deadline: Varies by cohort (January, May, September, and November cycles)
Eligibility: Undergraduate and gap year students who are able to commit 10–20 hours per week for 8–12 weeks
Ladder University Internship Program is a selective, virtual program where you work with startups and non-profits from around the world. During the internship, you will work directly with a startup team and contribute to a real-world project that addresses a specific need for the organization. Projects span various areas, including biomedicine and health tech. Throughout the program, you will work closely with a manager or mentor at the startup who guides your progress and provides feedback on your work. This structure allows you to gain professional experience in a fast-paced entrepreneurial environment while developing skills in communication, collaboration, and problem-solving. At the end of the internship, you will present your project and outcomes, demonstrating the impact of your work and the insights you gained during the program. Apply now!
Location: Multiple NIH campuses in the U.S., including the main campus in Bethesda, MD
Stipend: Paid; amount varies based on educational level (check updated details here)
Acceptance rate/Cohort size: Selective
Dates: May 11 – August 31
Application deadline: February 18
Eligibility: U.S. citizens/permanent residents enrolled at least half-time in undergraduate, graduate, or professional programs
The NIH SIP is a selective research opportunity for undergraduates interested in pathology and biomedical sciences. During this full-time internship, you will work directly under a Principal Investigator within the NIH Intramural Research Program, contributing to ongoing research in areas such as disease pathogenesis, diagnostics, and translational medicine. Many projects closely align with pathology, offering exposure to real-world work focused on tissue analysis, molecular biology, and disease investigations in clinical and laboratory settings. In addition to hands-on research, the program offers structured professional development, including workshops, career seminars, and networking events with leading scientists and clinicians. You will also present your work at NIH’s Summer Poster Day, gaining experience in scientific communication.
Location: University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, AR
Stipend: $6,000 + on-campus housing provided
Acceptance rate/Cohort size: Selective
Dates: May 14 – July 24
Application deadline: Not specified
Eligibility: Upper-level undergraduate students (typically with 90+ credit hours completed) who are in the top 25% of their classes
The Adair-Bollenbacher REU program at the University of Arkansas offers a focused research experience in plant pathology and related biological sciences. During this program, you will conduct an independent research project under the mentorship of faculty in the Department of Entomology and Plant Pathology, gaining exposure to the mechanisms of disease affecting crops and broader biological systems. While centered on plant pathology, the research methodologies, such as disease analysis, lab experimentation, and data interpretation, are relevant to pathology as a whole. This internship emphasizes academic rigor, requiring participants to enroll for credit and produce substantive research outcomes. You will develop skills in experimental design, scientific analysis, and research communication while working closely with a faculty mentor.
Location: Michigan Medicine, Ann Arbor, MI
Stipend: Unpaid; paid employment may be available for working 10 hours/week in labs
Acceptance rate/Cohort size: Limited; based on affiliated university placements
Dates: January – May | July – November (16 – 20 weeks); dates vary
Application deadline: Varies by affiliated program
Eligibility: Students enrolled in NAACLS-accredited Medical Laboratory Science programs at partner universities
The Medical Laboratory Scientist (MLS) Internship Program at Michigan Medicine provides in-depth clinical training within one of the leading academic medical centers in the U.S. Designed to fulfill degree requirements for MLS certification (ASCP), this internship offers structured rotations across multiple pathology disciplines, including hematology, microbiology, transfusion medicine, molecular diagnostics, and immunology. During the program, you will gain hands-on experience working in clinical laboratories, performing diagnostic tests, analyzing patient samples, and understanding laboratory workflows that directly support disease diagnosis and treatment. The rotational structure ensures broad exposure to different areas of pathology, helping you build both technical proficiency and clinical awareness.
Location: UC Davis Health, Sacramento, CA
Stipend: $2,000
Acceptance rate/Cohort size: 4 – 6 students/year
Dates: June 22 – August 14
Application deadline: February 9; applications open on November 21.
Eligibility: Undergraduate students in the U.S. with a GPA of over 2.8
The Hugh Edmondson Summer Research Internship at UC Davis is a paid, eight-week research experience within the Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine. You will work under the mentorship of pathology faculty in specialized laboratories, contributing to projects that may involve disease diagnostics, microbiology, or clinical data analysis. The program is designed to bridge laboratory research with clinical application, giving you exposure to how pathology informs patient care and medical decision-making. Alongside hands-on research, the internship includes weekly lectures and problem-based learning sessions that emphasize critical thinking and scientific inquiry. At the end, you will present your work at a concluding poster session.
Location: Multiple host institutions across the U.S.
Stipend: Paid; amount varies by placement
Acceptance rate/Cohort size: Selective; ~15 – 21 students annually
Dates: Summer internships; dates not specified
Application deadline: Not specified
Eligibility: Undergraduate students interested in pathology and biomedical research
SROPP, offered by the American Society for Investigative Pathology (ASIP), is a nationally recognized initiative that places undergraduate students in pathology research laboratories across leading institutions. You will work under the mentorship of faculty members on projects related to disease mechanisms, diagnostics, and experimental pathology, gaining hands-on experience in laboratory techniques and data analysis. The program emphasizes exposure to real research environments, often in labs led by early-career investigators, offering a dynamic, mentorship-focused experience. In addition to technical training, SROPP offers strong networking opportunities within the pathology community, connecting you with researchers, clinicians, and peers from diverse academic backgrounds. The program can help you build a foundation for advanced training in pathology or biomedical sciences.
Location: U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Agricultural Research Service (ARS), Aberdeen, ID
Stipend: $4,800 – $5,600/month
Acceptance rate/Cohort size: Selective
Dates: May start (flexible); ~3 months
Application deadline: May 8
Eligibility: Students pursuing bachelor’s, master’s, or doctoral degrees in biology, agricultural sciences, or related fields; applicants must be U.S. citizens.
The USDA-ARS Plant Pathology Internship offers a hands-on research experience within a federal research lab focused on crop disease and agricultural health. You will work on projects related to plant pathology, including studying bacterial infections in crops such as barley, oats, and wheat. Your responsibilities may include preparing microbial cultures, evaluating disease resistance in plant germplasm, conducting molecular biology experiments, and analyzing DNA from infected tissues. This internship provides exposure to a combination of laboratory, greenhouse, and field-based research, allowing you to understand how plant diseases are studied and managed at a systems level. You will also gain experience in experimental design, data collection, and scientific reporting while working under the guidance of experienced researchers.
Location: Research Triangle Park, NC
Cost/Stipend: Not specified
Acceptance rate/Cohort size: Selective
Dates: Summer (varies)
Application deadline: Rolling
Eligibility: Students pursuing a Bachelor of Science degree and recent B.S. graduates in plant pathology, biology, soil science, or related fields who are able to work in the U.S. without sponsorship
The UPL Plant Pathology Internship offers hands-on research experience within an industry R&D setting focused on crop health and disease management. You will work alongside scientists in the Plant and Seed Pathology team, contributing to experiments involving plant–pathogen interactions and supporting ongoing research projects. Responsibilities include maintaining pathogen cultures, assisting with laboratory and greenhouse experiments, and collecting and analyzing experimental data. This internship provides exposure to applied pathology in an agricultural context, where research directly contributes to developing solutions for crop protection and sustainability. You will gain practical experience in laboratory techniques, experimental design, and data interpretation while working in both controlled lab environments and greenhouse settings.
Location: Mayo Clinic campuses in Jacksonville, FL, Scottsdale, AZ, and Rochester, MN
Stipend: $6,000
Acceptance rate/cohort size: 180 students/year
Dates: May 26 – July 31
Application deadline: February 3
Eligibility: Undergraduate students who have completed their sophomore year at accredited U.S. colleges or universities and have a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 (4.0 scale)
SURF at Mayo Clinic is a paid 10-week summer research experience that allows you to conduct research in a laboratory environment. You will work closely with a Mayo Clinic faculty mentor on ongoing research or a small independent project in fields such as pathogenesis, neuroscience, biomedical engineering, immunology, or regenerative medicine. You will spend the summer conducting lab work, analyzing data, preparing posters, and working under the guidance of experienced scientists. The program also features seminars, networking events, and optional sessions with graduate students and healthcare professionals. At the end, you will deliver a formal presentation of your findings.
Location: Roche facilities in the U.S. and abroad
Stipend: Paid
Acceptance rate/Cohort size: Not specified
Dates: Typically, 12 weeks in the summer (May/June start date)
Application deadline: Rolling
Eligibility: Undergraduate, master’s, or Ph.D. students in chemistry or biochemistry
Roche, a multinational biotech company, offers various internships to students each year, including opportunities within its Pathology Chemistry & Integrated Analytics (PCIA) division, which focuses on developing diagnostic reagents used in cancer detection. As a pathology intern, you will work in a lab with chemists to design, synthesize, and test novel compounds such as dyes, linkers, and bioconjugates used in tissue diagnostics. The role may also involve troubleshooting reagent performance, validating analytical results using techniques like HPLC and UV-Vis spectroscopy, and documenting findings in electronic lab notebooks. The program can offer exposure to diagnostic technologies, including immunohistochemistry (IHC) and in situ hybridization (ISH), which are central to modern pathology workflows. You will gain hands-on experience with automated tissue staining systems and contribute to projects that directly impact cancer diagnostics and personalized medicine.
Location: VA Palo Alto Healthcare, Palo Alto, CA
Cost: Free (lunch provided)
Acceptance rate/Cohort size: Selective; small cohort
Dates: June 8 or June 17 (depends on your school calendar) – July 31
Application deadline: Rolling; applications open in February
Eligibility: College students, ages 18 and up
VAMPP is a summer internship that provides direct exposure to clinical pathology within a hospital setting. You will engage in hands-on learning experiences such as observing and assisting with autopsy procedures, including evisceration, specimen handling, and case evaluations under professional supervision. The program also offers neuropathology exposure through brain sectioning and participation in autopsy case conferences, offering insight into diagnostic processes and disease analysis. In addition to pathology-specific training, you will participate in clinical rotations in multiple hospital departments, gaining a broader understanding of clinical workflows and interdisciplinary care. A key component of the program is its focus on narrative medicine, with opportunities available to work directly with patients and document their stories, strengthening your communication and patient-centered care skills.
Location: University of Minnesota Medical School’s Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology, Minneapolis, MN
Stipend: Unpaid
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified.
Dates: June – August (10 weeks)
Application deadline: March 16; application period opens January 26.
Eligibility: Current undergraduate and graduate-level students
This 10-week summer internship places you inside the Clinical Cytogenetics Laboratory at the University of Minnesota to work under the mentorship of faculty and alongside a team of 40 professionals. Your main project is to help prepare, organize, and document genomic and clinical data from multiple testing platforms so it can be integrated into a unified database and genome visualization system used in real clinical and research settings. Day-to-day work may include structuring data from chromosome analysis, genomic arrays, and whole-genome sequencing, helping design data collection processes, and performing limited scripting in Python or R with support from programmers. You will build practical skills in data organization, clinical informatics, and interdisciplinary collaboration while working directly with geneticists, genetic counselors, and laboratory scientists.
13. Harris County Institute of Forensic Sciences (HCIFS) Internship Program: Forensic Pathology Track
Location: Harris County Institute of Forensic Sciences at the Texas Medical Center, Houston, TX
Cost/Stipend: None
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: Last week in May – second week in August (exact dates vary); commitment of 10 weeks
Application deadline: March 31
Eligibility: Undergraduate students majoring in pre-medical degree tracks, forensic science, criminal justice, or other related fields with a GPA of 3.0 or higher
HCIFS’s internship program is designed to offer students work experience in disciplines within forensic science and investigation. You can apply for a placement in the forensic pathology division, where you will learn about establishing cause, manner, and mechanism of death, as well as maintaining proper documentation of injuries and disease. Through observation, you will learn about performing autopsies and death scene investigations. You will attend daily meetings and regular discussions, and work on examining and presenting key data for forensic pathology casework. You will also work on a forensic pathology-focused project and present your work to the HCIFS staff at the end of the program.
Location: Feinstein Institutes for Medical Research (Northwell Health), New York, NY
Stipend: $2,000
Acceptance rate/Cohort size: Selective; ~25 students/year
Dates: Late May – July (eight weeks)
Application deadline: January 23
Eligibility: Current undergraduate students; international applicants need to be enrolled in a U.S.-based college.
The Feinstein Summer Research Internship Program is a structured, mentored research experience designed for undergraduates interested in disease-oriented biomedical research. During the eight-week program, you are matched with a faculty mentor and contribute to ongoing projects across specialized research areas, including cancer research, molecular medicine, bioelectronic medicine, and translational science. You can indicate your preference for a pathology-focused placement. Your work may involve data collection, literature review, and assisting with experimental or clinical research efforts. Beyond lab work, the program integrates professional development through workshops, seminars, and networking opportunities with researchers and clinicians. The experience ends with a final poster presentation, where you will share your findings with faculty and peers.
Location: Virtual or George Mason University, Fairfax, VA
Cost: $25 application fee + $1,299 tuition for three course credits; fee waivers available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: June 18 – August 12
Application deadline: February 15
Eligibility: High school students and undergraduates, ages 15 and up
Every summer, ASSIP offers on-campus and virtual research internships in various STEM fields, including pathology, medicine, and biology. Over eight weeks, you will work with your mentor on pathology-focused research, collecting and analyzing data, examining specimens, and learning lab techniques. During the program, you will also learn about potential career paths while connecting with professors and STEM professionals. At the end, you will present your work to peers and researchers and earn three college credits from George Mason University.
One other option—the Lumiere Research Scholar Program
If you’re interested in pursuing independent research, consider applying to one of the Lumiere Research Scholar Programs, selective online high school programs for students founded with researchers at Harvard and Oxford. Last year, we had over 4,000 students apply for 500 spots in the program! You can find the application form here, check out students’ reviews of the program here and here.
Also check out the Lumiere Research Inclusion Foundation, a non-profit research program for talented, low-income students. Last year, we had 150 students on full need-based financial aid!
Stephen is one of the founders of Lumiere and a graduate of Harvard College, where he earned an A.B. in Statistics. He founded Lumiere as a PhD student at Harvard Business School. Lumiere is a selective research program where students work 1-1 with a research mentor to develop an independent research paper.