APPLY NOW!!!

What is SOAR?

SOAR (Summer Opportunities in Academic Research) is a summer program for high school students in Charlottesville and Albemarle County seeking to immerse themselves in an exciting Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) research environment. SOAR aims to provide hands-on research and academic experience to high school-level students in STEM. Participating students are paired with research mentors at the University of Virginia (UVA) and introduced to numerous topics and career avenues in science and medicine during morning didactic sessions and afternoon research in mentor labs. Through these experiences, SOAR encourages high school students to pursue careers in science through education and mentoring in biomedical research.

​

Read more about our highly successful inaugural year at the following link. 

​

The SOAR Daily Structure:

The SOAR program consists of a structured 8 day learning intensive divided into AM lectures and PM mentored research.

 

Collaborative morning sessions and weekend sessions will focus on topics such as:

• Data Science

• Clinical Research Methods

• Implicit Bias

• The Role of AI in Healthcare

• Cancer Center Seminars

• Professional Development

 

Afternoon laboratory time involves:

• Garnering research lab experience

• Designing and executing research protocols 

• Experience in a pathology lab

• Surgery lab simulation

 

At the end of the program, SOAR scholars are encouraged to deliver a presentation to their research mentors summarizing their summer research experience.

​

Click Here to Apply for the Summer of 2025

​

To learn more about SOAR, please contact Marquita Taylor, PhD ksm3rt@virginia.edu

 

Program Director: 

Marquita Taylor, PhD

SOAR Program Director