Biology Research Institute
Explore the dynamic world of biology through cutting-edge research.
The Wake Forest Summer Immersion Biology Research Institute offers high school students a rare opportunity to explore diverse biological research fields. From plant hormones and root development in tomato plants to the molecular study of viruses in the ocean, this program will immerse students in the many layers of biology research. Students will engage in hands-on labs and fieldwork, investigating topics like the biochemistry of malaria and mosquitoes and the ecological impact of African grasslands. Through expert-led research projects, participants will explore how biological studies connect on micro and macro levels, examining global change from the smallest organisms to vast ecosystems. This program offers a comprehensive look at biology, sustainability, molecular biology, and more.
At a Glance
2025 Dates: Week of July 13-18 or Week of July 20-25
Program Length: Overnight, Sunday – Friday
Tuition: $3,400
*Tuition is subject to change per year
Location: Winston-Salem, NC – Wake Forest University Reynolda Campus
Who Can Apply?: Current 9th – 12th grade students
*Courses carry no secondary school or college credit. Upon completion of the program, an official Wake Forest University Certificate of Completion will be awarded to all Biology Research Institute participants.
What You’ll Experience
Topics Covered:
- Plant Hormones and Root Development
- Molecular Biology of Viruses and Oceanic Impact
- Biochemistry of Malaria and Mosquitoes
- African Grassland Ecology
- Global Change Biology
- Sustainability Research
- Microbial Ecology and Cell Biology
Hands-On Experiences:
- Participate in labs focused on plant hormone and molecular research
- Explore the interaction between viruses and the ocean through lab-based experiments
- Study the biochemistry of mosquito-borne diseases like malaria
- Conduct ecological fieldwork, analyzing the biodiversity of African plains
- Work with PhD-level researchers on concrete studies examining global change
- Engage in sustainability projects, exploring the interconnectivity of biology and environmental impact
*Hands-on experiences are subject to change.
A Day in the Life
Typical Daily Schedule
- 8:00 am – Breakfast
- 9:00 am – Program Introduction
- 9:30 am – Session on ecology
- 10:30 am – Hands-on lab experiment
- 12:00 pm – Lunch
- 12:45 pm – Travel to Fieldwork
- 1:35 pm – Fieldwork and Lab
- 3:30 pm – Guest Speaker: Sustainability in Biology Research
- 4:10 pm – Team Research Challenge
- 4:30 pm – Debrief and Reflections
- 5:30 pm – Dinner
- 6:30 pm – Evening Activities
- 7:30 pm – Free Time
- 9:00 pm – Prepare for Bed
- 10:30 pm – Lights Out
*The “A Day in the Life” sample schedule is subject to change.
Meet the Academic Leader
Dr. Anna Parker
Academic Leader, Biology Research Institute
Dr. Parker is an Assistant Teaching Professor in the Biology Department at Wake Forest University, where she teaches Field Biology and Evolution. Dr. Parker received her PhD in Biology from UNC-Chapel Hill in 2023, her MS in Zoology from the University of Wyoming in 2019, and her BS in Biology and BA in Chemistry from the University of Rochester in 2016. Dr. Parker researches the effects of global change on plant-insect interactions, and her teaching centers evidenced-based practices that improve equity, inclusion, and access.
