Each summer, Sewanee students have the opportunity to conduct research alongside Yale faculty associated with the Yale Child Study Center. This summer undergraduate research experience builds core competencies and career readiness, including analytic and scientific thinking, an understanding of rigorous and responsible conduct of research, communication skills, professionalism, and leadership.


2024 interns

Undergraduate Developmental Science Summer Internship:

Each year, the Yale Child Study Center (YCSC) in partnership with the Department of Pediatrics offers an 8-week summer internship for rising junior and senior undergraduate students, spanning all areas of child health, both physical and behavioral. This research-intensive internship embeds students in projects ranging from basic and applied science to community-based research projects to clinical settings, and incorporating methods including analysis of archived data sets, wet lab techniques, and clinical observations. Fields of study include and cut across neuroscience, developmental, and clinical areas integral to YCSC and Pediatrics. Internships are 40 hours/week, and in addition to their research, interns are required to attend lectures and seminars where they are exposed to other areas of child health beyond the scope of their lab as well as skills and careers sessions and journal clubs.

At the end of the summer, interns present their research project as a conference poster to YCSC and Pediatrics faculty, staff, and students. Past research areas have included the neuroscience of parenting, adolescent risk-taking, interventions for vulnerable families, addiction, and social-emotional learning. The career pathways for our interns are generally to master’s and PhD programs, medical school, or research employment across the U.S. Many interns have their summer mentors provide letters of recommendation for their next career steps.

Sewanee interns can apply for a two-month stipend to support living costs while in New Haven, CT. Advice on summer housing will be provided upon acceptance to the internship.

Applications are typically due at the end of January. Please see the internship website for application details.

For a list of recent Sewanee-at-Yale students, click here.

See what our students have to say

Moon Gomes, C’25
Neuroscience Major

SAY Summer 2024
Mentor: Sarah Lichenstein, PhD

“My internship at Yale was an incredible opportunity that widened my understanding of research and various fields, shaping my academic and career interests. With the guidance of my mentor, Sarah Lichenstein, I gained valuable skills and was able to shadow her and her team during intakes, which deepened my appreciation for the research process. I am very grateful for the support and resources Yale provided that made my experience at Yale so wonderful and impactful.”

Ashlyn Richards, C’25
Neuroscience Major

SAY Summer 2024
Mentor: Michael J. Crowley

“I learned how to work in a professional research environment which helped me understand all that happens behind the scenes of so many different research projects. I took away so much knowledge from this experience that translated into future classes and upcoming research projects”

Caroline Alessio, C’25
Psychology Major

SAY Summer 2024
Mentor: Dylan Gee, PhD

“I learned that I am capable of keeping up and excelling in an academic environment, and learned more about the process of Psychology and Neuroscience research!”

Addison Cassada, C’25
Psychology Major

SAY Summer 2024
Mentor: Dr. Erin Warnick

“As a developmental science research intern, I had the opportunity to learn about the ongoing research at the Yale Child Study Center and how that inspires their interventions and patient interactions within the clinic. The internship directors were supportive throughout my eight weeks there and made everything as accessible as possible. This was an amazing internship and I would do it again if I had the opportunity!”

Josh Fairhead, C’26
Neuroscience Major

SAY Summer 2024
Mentor: Ellen Hoffman

“My time at Yale was literally life-altering! I finally found a research field I was passionate about and decided to redirect my career path toward a new goal.”