Diversity Summer Internship Program for Undergraduates
DSIP 2024 Cohort and Program Staff
The Bloomberg School is committed to expanding the talent pool for the public health field and to nurturing interest in public health professions by students from underrepresented groups and diverse backgrounds, including individuals with disabilities, individuals from economically disadvantaged backgrounds, and women.
We are committed to developing culturally competent future leaders, researchers, and public health practitioners. The Diversity Summer Internship Program (DSIP) is an 8-week summer program that provides highly qualified undergraduates with a graduate-level research experience in the biomedical or public health field. Additionally, Interns engage in professional leadership development focused on developing critical thinking, collaboration, and communication skills.
Interns are mentored by accomplished Johns Hopkins researchers and gain valuable experience in a collaborative, challenging, and fun environment.
Students from underrepresented groups and those from economically disadvantaged backgrounds who are interested in careers in public health, science, and medicine are encouraged to apply.
Apply for Summer 2025. Deadline: February 1, 2025 at 11:59pm ET.
FAQs
Who can apply?
Undergraduate students (U.S. citizens or permanent residents) enrolled in a degree-seeking program within a U.S. college or university are eligible to apply. Applicants should have completed two years of study prior to beginning the program. Preference is given to students who have one or two years of undergraduate study remaining and seniors who have applied to a graduate program at the Bloomberg School.
When does the program take place?
DSIP is an 8-week program that runs from June 1st-July 27th, 2025. All interns must be present in Baltimore, MD to start the internship program on move-in day.
How do I apply?
Apply for Summer 2025 here. The application for Summer 2025 will close on February 1, 2025 at 11:59pm ET.
What are the program requirements?
DSIP provides a graduate-level research experience to undergraduate students. Interns will be required to work on a research project with their assigned mentors, complete weekly assignments along with a research paper, deliver a formal oral presentation, and participate in a culminating poster session. In addition, interns will participate in professional development seminars each week that focus on deepening their understanding of identity & values-based leadership.
Can Leadership Alliance applicants apply?
Leadership Alliance students must meet all internship eligibility requirements but are not required to complete a separate DSIP application. Students interested specifically in DSIP should indicate so in the Leadership Alliance essay.
Are graduate students eligible?
The program is only open to currently enrolled undergraduate students with one or two years remaining in their programs or recent graduates (those who have completed a bachelors degree within the last two years) who have not yet been accepted or enrolled in a graduate program).
How many hours/week do interns work?
Interns are advised not to be enrolled in any coursework or committed to other employment/internship obligations during the program as the DSIP experience is similar to that of a full-time job. Participants typically dedicate 35-40 hours/week to their biomedical or public health research.
Where do participants live during the program? Do I need a car?
Housing is provided for most students by the Diversity Summer Internship Program. Housing is typically located on or near the Homewood campus. There is a free shuttle service that runs regularly between the Homewood campus and the Bloomberg School. Participants are advised not to bring their vehicles because parking is very limited. The cost for parking on a JHU campus for the summer is typically between $300-$400.
How much is the stipend?
The program stipend is $3,000. Applicants are encouraged to seek sponsorship from their undergraduate institutions or from other funding sources.
Does DSIP cover the cost of transportation and meals?
Transportation to/from the program and meals are the responsibility of the intern. DSIP provides a stipend and covers the cost of housing for the summer.
Can international students apply?
The program is open to U.S. citizens and permanent residents only.
Does your program accept high school students?
DSIP is open to undergraduate students enrolled in a degree-seeking program within a U.S. college or university. JHU offers other opportunities for high school students including APL's ASPIRE, CTY, and Summer at Hopkins.
When will a decision be made about my application?
Applicants will be notified by late March.
Who can I contact for more information?
Contact DSIP Program Director, Mahnoor Ahmed at dsip@jhu.edu.
What kinds of projects are available?
Some of the centers and departments that have supported interns in the past include:
- Autoimmune Disease Research Center
- Center for Adolescent Health
- Center for American Indian Health
- Environmental Health Sciences
- Health, Behavior and Society
- Health, Policy and Management
Below are examples of poster titles from past projects:
- Smokeless Tobacco Use Among Bar and Nightclub Employees
- Optimization of Recombinant Soluble HLA-DR1 Protein Production for In Vitro Studies
- A New Mouse Model of Chronic Interstitial Pulmonary Fibrosis
- The Association between Neighborhood Disorder and Hypertension Mediated through Stress
Comments from Alumni
"DSIP was one of the most amazing and challenging experiences of my life."
-Treasure Ramirez, DSIP 2019
"DSIP was more than an internship. It was an experience geared towards building future public health practitioners. Not only was I exposed to the world of molecular microbiology and immunology, but I was also constantly supported and challenged to find my voice and figure out the next step in my professional development."
-Austin Castellanos, DSIP 2018
Program Alumni From the Bloomberg School
DSIP alumni are encouraged to apply for graduate studies at the Bloomberg School of Public Health. Congratulations to the following DSIP alumni who are now graduates from the Bloomberg School of Public Health:
Class of 2023
- Stephanie Kenyon, MSPH, International Health, DSIP 2020/2021
- Jada Raphael, MSPH, Health Policy and Management, DSIP 2020/2021
- Roberto Rojas, MHS, Environmental Health and Engineering, DSIP 2019
- Andrea Rodriguez Villafane, MSPH, Population, Family and Reproductive Health, DSIP 2020/2021
- Emily Sanchez, MSPH, Population, Family and Reproductive Health, DSIP 2020/2021
- Foujan Moghimi, MSPH, Population, Family and Reproductive Health, DSIP 2018
Class of 2022
- Kathryn Kaye Catamura, MHS, Mental Health, DSIP 2020
Class of 2020
- Paul Delgado, ScM, Microbiology and Immunology, DSIP 2017
Class of 2019
- Brooke Gipson, MHS, Environmental Health Engineering, DSIP 2017
- Keana Kaleikini, MHS, Environmental Health Engineering, DSIP 2016
Class of 2018
- Yarelix Estrada, MSPH, Health Policy and Management, DSIP 2015
- Pola Olczak, ScM, Biochemistry Molecular Biology, DSIP 2009
- Summer Rak, MSPH, Health Policy and Management DSIP 2015/2016
- Alexandria Schmall, MSPH, International Health DSIP 2016
- Raquel Serruya, MHS, Environmental Health Engineering, DSIP 2017
Class of 2017
- Yinka Bode George, MHS, Environmental Health Engineering, DSIP 2016
- Tichelle Porch, MHS, Health, Behavior & Society, DSIP 2013
- Annu Sharma, MHS, Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, DSIP 2013/2016
- Chynae Vicks, MSPH, Health, Behavior & Society, DSIP 2012
Class of 2016
- Daisy Colon Lopez, PhD, Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, DSIP 2008
- Aqsa Jamil, ScM, W. Harry Feinstone Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, DSIP 2012
Class of 2015
- Amanda Belknap, MSPH, Population Family and Reproductive Health, DSIP 2012
- Christina Bischoff, MHS, Health, Behavior & Society, DSIP 2012
- Ben Schanker, MPH, DSIP 2008
- Xiayou Wang, MPP, Health Policy and Management, DSIP 2012
Class of 2014
- Cynthia Gallardo, MHS, Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, DSIP 2008/2009
- Jelani Harvey, MHS, Health, Policy and Management, DSIP 2012
- Miranda Jones, PhD , Epidemiology, DSIP 2007/2008
Class of 2013
- Jackie Ferguson, MHS, Environmental Health Sciences, DSIP 2012
- Nekeshia McInnis, MSPH, Health Policy and Management, DSIP 2010
Class of 2012
- Jessica Brandt, MHS, Environmental Health Sciences, DSIP 2011
- Tamandra Morgan, ScM, Genetic Counseling, DSIP 2009
- Oscar Nnoli, MHS, W. Harry Feinstone Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, DSIP 2008/2009
- Robert Shin, MHS, Environmental Health Sciences, DSIP 2009
- Jennifer White, MHS, Population Family and Reproductive Health, DSIP 2009