ACS Summer School in Nuclear and Radiochemistry
(San Jose, CA or Stony Brook, NY):

This is a six week program in nuclear and radiochemistry. Applications are normally due in early February. Applicants who are accepted into the program receive a fellowship that covers tuition, transportation, housing, some food, and all class material. This program is great for midshipmen interested in the nuclear Navy. Visit the website for application specifics. Prerequisites: Rising 1/C or 2/C Midn, two years of chemistry (one year must be physical chemistry), one year of physics, and one year of calculus.

POC: Prof. McClean (mcclean@usna.edu)

Armed Forces Radiobiology Research Institute (AFRRI)
(Bethesda, MD):

Midshipmen will work with military and federal civilian scientists on projects related to AFRRI's research portfolio in radiation biology, which includes biochemical and physiologic mechanisms, countermeasure development, radiation injury/dose assessment and prognostication, the effects of combined injury involving radiation, and delayed or late effects such as fibrosis and cancer. Specifics of each project will be determined after interaction between the midshipman and the mentor. Each intern will be required to make a presentation on his or her work to select AFRRI scientists and staff during the last week. Prerequisites: Rising 1/C or 2/C. One year of general chemistry and one semester of biology (two semesters preferred) are required.

POC: Prof. McClean (mcclean@usna.edu)

DoD High Performance Computing
(Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, OH):

Midshipmen will engage in research using computational chemistry (molecular modeling) methods on DoD High Performance Supercomputers located at the Air Force Research Lab, Wright-Patterson AFB, OH. The computational methods used will primarily be quantum chemistry-based methods such as ab initio molecular orbital and density functional theories. These molecular modeling methods are applicable to a wide range of scientific research problems in chemistry and related disciplines such as the material and life sciences.

POC: Prof. Urban (urban@usna.edu)

Forensics Research at the U.S Army Criminal Investigation Laboratory (USACIL)
(Fort Gillem, Forest Park, GA)

This summer research program is an opportunity for students to conduct leading edge research in the forensic science field with practicing forensic scientists. Midshipmen will perform hands-on research and learn about various disciplines of forensic investigation that are conducted at USACIL. At the end of the program, midshipmen will present their data to the Director of the Laboratory, the chief scientists, branch chiefs, and other laboratory personnel. Prerequisites: Rising 1/C or 2/C. It is open to chem, math, CS, IT, and engineering majors.

POC: CDR Calhoun (calhoun@usna.edu)

Hepatitis B Research
(Pennsylvania Biotechnology Center, Buck County, PA)

Midshipmen will work with scientists on projects that center around the early detection of hepatitis B, experimental therapeutics, and molecular pathogenesis. Prerequisites: Rising 1/C or 2/C Midn. Knowledge of microbiology, molecular modeling, and basic analytical techniques are desired but not required.

POC: Prof. McClean (mcclean@usna.edu)

This internship is sponsored by the physics department but allows many chemistry opportunities.

POC: Prof. Huddle (huddle@usna.edu)

Los Alamos National Lab
(Los Alamos, NM):

This internship is sponsored by the physics department but allows many chemistry opportunities.

POC: Prof. Correll (correll@usna.edu)

Microphysiometry and MALDI Mass Spectrometry of Leukocytes
(Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN)

The objective of this project is to develop microfluidic lab-on-a-chip devices that can measure the metabolic responses of living cells to the exposure to toxins, and couple the solution outflow from these devices into a mass spectrometer for corresponding metabolomic and proteomic analysis. Midshipmen will work on designing new microfluidic devices and learn to make live cell assays using biosensors and mass spectrometry. Prerequisites: Rising 1/C chem major who has completed analytical chemistry course(s) (or equivalent).

POC: CDR Calhoun (calhoun@usna.edu)

Nanostructured Sensor Designs
(Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN)

The objective of the project is to develop a novel approach to nanostructured sensor designs in which contaminants on a surface are detected by the enthalpy released in a species-selective decomposition reaction, which in turn alters the optical response of the surface. Midshipman will work on the synthesis of mixed gold and vanadium dioxide nanoparticles that can act as sensors that detect toxic gases and as catalysts for decomposition of those gases after detection. Prerequisites: Rising 1/C or 2/C midn who has completed analytical chemistry course(s) (or equivalent).

POC: CDR Calhoun (calhoun@usna.edu)

National Human Genome Research Institute (NHGRI)
(Bethesda, MD)

Midshipmen will work with civilian scientists and clinicians on research projects that center around genetics and genomics. They will assist the scientists in experiments that are aimed at developing better approaches for detecting, diagnosing, and managing genetic disorders. Possible research areas are: a study of genetic changes that lead to the initiation and progression of cancer; the identification of genetic abnormalities responsible for human disease; the use of molecular genetics to identify disease-associated gene defects. The midshipman may be required to give a presentation on his or her work to select scientists at the completion of the internship. Midshipmen must apply online. Prerequisites: Rising 1/C, 2/C, or 3/C Midn.

POC: Prof. McClean (mcclean@usna.edu)

National Naval Medical Center (NNMC)
(Bethesda, MD)

NNMC, Bethesda agrees to host a total of 18 midshipmen over the three summer cruise blocks. During the month-long rotation at NNMC, the interns will have the opportunity to work closely with various Navy doctors and health care professionals in a variety of specialty areas. As the interns "shadow" physicians they will observe and participate in hospital rounds, examinations, and surgical procedures. Additionally, they will have the opportunity to talk to doctors and medical students about medical school admissions and a career in Navy medicine. The internship experience at NNMC should provide valuable clinical experience that is required for gaining admissions to medical school as well as help the participating midshipmen make a better, more informed, career choice about entry into the Navy Medical Corps.

POC: Prof. Kinter (kinter@usna.edu)

Naval Surface Warfare Center (NSWC) – Indian Head
(Indian Head, MD)

Midshipmen will work with military and civilian scientists on projects that typically center on energetic materials. The research projects are geared towards Division I and Division II majors. The exact list of projects will be posted at a later date. Housing and food are provided on site.

POC: Prof. McClean (mcclean@usna.edu)

Navy Drug Screening Lab
(Great Lakes, IL)

In this internship, midshipmen will be involved in the method development and optimization of drugs and drug metabolite detection using various techniques, including immunoassay, GC/MS, and LC/MS/MS. Prerequisites: Rising 1/C or 2/C chemistry major.

POC: Prof. McClean (mcclean@usna.edu)

Peptide Binding
(University of Massachusetts Dartmouth, Dartmouth, MA)

This research centers on gaining an understanding of the relationship between peptide structure and the peptide's ability to bind to and subsequently kill various species of bacteria. The research will focus specifically on establishing reproducible procedures for quantitative peptide binding to cell surface molecules (e.g. lipopolysaccharides) using a quartz crystal microbalance. Prerequisites: An analytical or quantitative analysis course. Knowledge of microbiology is desired but not required.

POC: Prof. McClean (mcclean@usna.edu)

Protein Crystallography
(Brookhaven National Laboratory)

This internship is concerned with protein structure determination through protein crystallization and x-ray diffraction. A midshipman participating in this internship will learn key analytical techniques that lead to the identification and characterization of proteins. The midshipman will be exposed to all stages of protein crystallography. Prerequisites: Rising 1/C or 2/C Midn. Modeling experience and exposure to bioanalytical techniques are desired but not required.

POC: Prof. McClean (mcclean@usna.edu)

Need additional information?
Are you considering an internship at a location not listed above?
See the chemistry department internship coordinator (Prof. McClean).

USNA Instructions on Internships can be found at:
http://www.usna.edu/AcResearch/MidshipmanInternships.html