Research Opportunities

CANHEART Summer Studentship Award

CANHEART strives to a) improve the community-based care provided to patients with cardiovascular risk factors and/or chronic conditions, and b) stimulate health system changes and quality improvement activities, resulting in better patient outcomes. This studentship is open to health sciences, epidemiology, biostatistics, and public health students, medical students and students enrolled in course-based (i.e. non-research-based) graduate programs.  All successful students will be expected to present their research protocol and end of project results in a summer student seminar.

Research Organization: 

Summer Research Studentships

Pharmacology and Toxicology

Research Project

PCL297H1 Research Experience in Pharmacology & Toxicology

A formal opportunity to gain hands-on experience and develop their skills within a research laboratory setting. Students will have a chance to become familiar and efficient at good lab practices, develop critical thinking and evaluation skills while applying their knowledge and developing trouble shooting skills to practical research questions. Students are required to participate in active research for the equivalent of a minimum of 60 hours of laboratory time. This course is Pass/Fail. Not eligible for CR/NCR option. NOTE: students are required to secure their own supervisor for the course.

Permission of Faculty Supervisor and Department required.

Additional student information resources and enrollment form for the course can be found on the Pharmacology & Toxicology website here: https://pharmtox.utoronto.ca/undergraduate-courses

Prerequisite
Completion of at least 4.0 credits.
Recommended Preparation: Completion of at least first year of Life Sciences program.
Distribution Requirements: Science
Breadth Requirements: Living Things and Their Environment (4)
Mode of Delivery: In Class

PCL397Y0 Research Abroad in Pharmacology and Toxicology
An independent research project in a pharmacology and/or toxicology laboratory in an approved partner university. This international research experience will be supervised by a faculty member at the partner institution and will allow students to develop critical thinking and evaluation skills while applying their knowledge and trouble shooting skills to practical research questions. Information regarding eligibility, application process and upcoming information session dates can be found on the Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology website here: PCL397Y0 Website. Not eligible for CR/NCR option. Contact undergrad.pharmtox@utoronto.ca for more information.

Prerequisite
PCL201H1 (65%), PSL300H1 (65%), PSL301H1 (65%); permission from the Undergraduate Coordinator
Recommended Preparation: PCL302H1 (65%)
Distribution Requirements: Science
Breadth Requirements: Living Things and Their Environment (4)
Mode of Delivery: In Class

PCL472Y1 Project in Pharmacology
This course affords students an opportunity for hands-on research experience in a laboratory or applied pharmacology setting. Students will work under the supervision of a faculty member and will submit a final written report and oral presentation. Enrollment is limited to students in ASSPE2340/ASSPE2082 programs and requires permission from the Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology. It is the student’s responsibility to secure a placement with an approved supervisor before the course begins (a list of potential supervisors will be provided by the Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology). Students will be registered in the course once their ballot form (obtained from the Department) is signed by an approved supervisor and approved by the Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology. Eligible students will be contacted by the Department during the Winter term, occurring prior to their final year of study (i.e. 3rd year of study for most), with details and instructions to apply. Students are expected to spend approximately 200 hours towards this project but this will be project/supervisor dependent. Not eligible for CR/NCR option.

Prerequisite: PCL201H1, PCL302H1, PCL366H1/ PCL367H1/ PCL368H1, STA288H1/ PCL376H1/ STA220H1/ PSY201H1
Exclusion: PCL474Y1
Distribution Requirements: Science
Breadth Requirements: Living Things and Their Environment (4)
Mode of Delivery: In Class

PCL474Y1 Project in Toxicology 
This course affords students an opportunity for hands-on research experience in a laboratory or applied toxicology setting. Students will work under the supervision of a staff member and will submit a final written report and oral presentation. Enrollment is limited to students in ASSPE2340/ASSPE2573/ASSPE0605 programs and requires permission from the Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology. It is the student’s responsibility to secure a placement with an approved supervisor before the course begins (a list of potential supervisors will be provided by the Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology). Students will be registered in the course once their ballot form (obtained from the Department) is signed by an approved supervisor and approved by the Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology. Eligible students will be contacted by the Department during the Winter term, occurring prior to their final year of study (i.e. 3rd year of study for most), with details and instructions to apply. Students are expected to spend approximately 200 hours towards this project but this will be project/supervisor dependent. Not eligible for CR/NCR option.

Prerequisite: PCL201H1, PCL302H1, PCL366H1/ PCL367H1/ PCL368H1, STA288H1/ PCL376H1/ STA220H1/ PSY201H1
Exclusion: PCL472Y1
Distribution Requirements: Science
Breadth Requirements: Living Things and Their Environment (4)
Mode of Delivery: In Class

Summer Research Opportunities

Undergraduate Research Opportunity Program (UROP)
The Undergraduate Research Opportunity Program (UROP) provides UofT and non-UofT undergraduate students with an opportunity to gain valuable research experience during the summer session. There is a specific application form which will be sent to program students and posted on the website when available (February).  Please contact the department for more information.

GLSE Undergraduate Summer Research Project Studentship
This studentship is open to both UofT and non-UofT students going into 3rd and 4th year of basic medical sciences programs with an interest in pursuing graduate training. There is a specific application form which will be sent to program students and posted on the website when available (February).  Please contact the department for more information.

Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology Summer Student Research Award
This award is open to students in any Pharmacology or Biomedical Toxicology program offered by the department at UofT. There is a specific application form which will be sent to program students and posted on the website when available (February).  Please contact the department for more information.

Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC)
The department participates in the Undergraduate Student Research Award (USRA) and the University of Toronto Excellence Award (UTEA) programs sponsored by NSERC.  Award allocations to departments are made via a quota system. There is a specific application form which will be sent to program students and posted on the website when available (February).  Please contact the department for more information.  

Research Opportunity Program

PCL299Y1 Research Opportunity Program
Credit course for supervised participation in faculty research project.
Details at ROP
Distribution Requirement Status: Science
Breadth Requirement: None

Please note:  Students should approach faculty directly regarding available research positions in their labs.  A list of Faculty members and their research interests can be found on the Pharmacology and Toxicology Faculty Directory. 

Please check departmental website for up to date information and application deadlines.

University Health Network, Office of Research Trainees

KITE/Toronto Rehabilitation Institute
550 University Ave
Toronto, ON M5G 2A2

Krembil Research Institute
399 Bathurst St.
Toronto, ON M5T 2S8

McEwen Stem Cell Institute
101 College Street
Toronto, ON M5G 1L7

Princess Margaret Cancer Centre
610 University Avenue
Toronto, ON M5G 2M9

TECHNA Institute
R. Fraser Elliott Building
190 Elizabeth Street
Toronto, ON M5G 2C4

The Institute for Education Research
222 St. Patrick Street
Toronto, ON M5T 1V4

Toronto General Hospital Research Institute
200 Elizabeth St.
Toronto, ON M5G 2C

The University Health Network (UHN) is Canada’s largest hospital network, encompassing 4 hospital sites and 7 research institutes with each specializing in different areas of expertise. At UHN, trainees will find outstanding patient care, partnered with cutting edge health research and multi-disciplinary collaboration. UHN provides an unparalleled opportunity for a trainee to develop and fully realize their potential as a scientist.  Each year UHN hosts over 500 summer students.

UHN does not have a formal summer student placement program, rather each prospective student establishes their own connections with UHN Principal Investigators (PIs). We recommend that students familiarize themselves with the types of research happening within our organization. Searches can be done by PI name, research institute or by research interest by visiting our website here and scrolling down to click on “view a list of UHN researchers with profiles”. Once you have determined a few PIs that are conducting research that aligns with your interests, you should contact them directly to inquire whether there is an opportunity for you in their lab. It is up to the PI whether the participation in a summer research project is on a volunteer or paid basis.

We also suggest reviewing the various summer research programs offered through departments at the University of Toronto as many of our PIs have appointments there. Within their websites you can find a listing of researchers and select those conducting research at UHN. PI websites will also specify the U of T Department(s) with which they are affiliated.

Women’s College Research Institute

The Summer Student Research Program

AMERICAN PHYSIOLOGICAL SOCIETY (APS)
Undergraduate Summer Research Fellowships

The program funds up to 24 full-time undergraduate students with little or no laboratory research experience to work for 10 weeks during the summer in the laboratory of an established APS investigator. Each student has his/her own research question to work on during the summer. The intent of this program is to excite and encourage students to pursue a career as a basic research scientist.

In addition, Fellows receive a travel grant to allow them to attend and present their research data at the following year's APS annual meeting (Experimental Biology), which is a broad-based scientific meeting of five to seven diverse biological scientific societies that are members of the Federation of American Societies for Experimental Biology (FASEB). There are many opportunities for the students to mingle with other undergraduate students, graduate students, and researchers at the meeting, in addition to all the scientific presentations and posters they can attend.

The laboratory host must be an APS member in good standing.

Hannah Studentship

Hanna Studentship - Additional Information

The studentship funds up to four students per year and offers undergraduate students an opportunity to study and learn the techniques of historical research and to encourage future serious study of medical history. Students must be registered in a recognized undergraduate program at a Canadian university. Any full time undergraduate student is eligible to apply provided the proposed project and supervisor meet the criteria. Funding is in the form of a stipend only, to a maximum of $5,500. The award may be held for a period of three consecutive months during the academic summer recess (May-August). Payment is made to the institution where the student is registered.

Application Deadline: February 20, 2017

Banting and Best Diabetes Centre
Charles Hollenberg Summer Studentship Program

Summer studentships are available to qualified undergraduate and/or medical students to carry out full-time summer research in diabetes under the supervision of a member of the Banting & Best Diabetes Centre.  Students will be required to work full-time for a minimum of 12 weeks between May 1 and August 31.  See the BBDC website for full details.

Biochemistry

Research Project

BCH374Y1 Research Project in Biochemistry
This course provides opportunities to pursue an original individual research project in a particular area of biochemistry, under the direct supervision of a Biochemistry Department faculty member. Students are responsible for arranging for supervision by a Biochemistry Department faculty member. To apply for enrolment, students are required to complete the application form by contacting the Course Coordinator before the end of August. Not eligible for CR/NCR option.
Prerequisite: For Specialist: BCH242Y1 (75% or higher); BIO230H1; CHM247H1/ CHM249H1. For Major: BCH210H1 (80% or higher); BIO230H1; CHM247H1/ CHM249H1.
Distribution Requirements: Science
Breadth Requirements: Living Things and Their Environment (4)
Mode of Delivery: In Class

BCH473Y1 Advanced Research Project in Biochemistry
This course provides opportunities to pursue an original individual research project in a particular area of biochemistry, under the direct supervision of a Biochemistry Department faculty member. Students are responsible for arranging for supervision by a Biochemistry Department faculty member. To apply for enrolment, students are required to complete the application form by contacting the Course Coordinator before the end of August. Not eligible for CR/NCR option.
Prerequisite: For Specialist: BCH340H1; BCH377H1; 75% or higher in MGY311Y1. For Major: BCH370H1; 80% or higher in BCH311H1.
Corequisite: BCH478H1
Distribution Requirements: Science
Breadth Requirements: Living Things and Their Environment (4)
Mode of Delivery: In Class

Summer Research Opportunities

BCH372Y1 - Summer Research in Biochemistry
This course provides opportunities to pursue an original individual research project in a particular area of biochemistry, under the direct supervision of a Biochemistry Department faculty member. Students are responsible for arranging for supervision by a Biochemistry Department faculty member. To apply for enrolment, students are required to complete the application form by contacting the Course Coordinator by the end of April. Not eligible for CR/NCR option.
Prerequisite: A final grade of 75% or higher in BCH242Y1.
Distribution Requirements: Science
Breadth Requirements: Living Things and Their Environment (4)
Mode of Delivery: In Class

BCH472Y1 - Advanced Summer Research Project in Biochemistry
This course provides opportunities to pursue an original individual research project in a particular area of biochemistry, under the direct supervision of a Biochemistry Department faculty member. Students are responsible for arranging for supervision by a Biochemistry Department faculty member. To apply for enrolment, students are required to complete the application form by contacting the Course Coordinator by the end of April. Not eligible for CR/NCR option.
Prerequisite: A final grade of 75% or higher in each of BCH340H1; BCH377H1.
Distribution Requirements: Science
Breadth Requirements: Living Things and Their Environment (4)
Mode of Delivery: In Class

University of Toronto Excellence Award (UTEA)
Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC)
Please contact the department for more information.

Undergraduate Research Opportunity Program (UROP)
Students are invited to submit their applications to the department for summer research experience. Please see the department website for more information.

GLSE Undergraduate Summer Research Project Studentship
This studentship is open to 3rd and 4th year students in Life Sciences with an interest in pursuing graduate training. Please contact the department for more information

Research Opportunity Program

BCH299Y1 Research Opportunity Program
Credit course for supervised participation in faculty research project. Details at https://www.artsci.utoronto.ca/current/academics/research-opportunities/research-opportunities-program. Not eligible for CR/NCR option.
Distribution Requirements: Science
Mode of Delivery: In Class

BCH399Y1 Research Opportunity Program
Credit course for supervised participation in faculty research project. Details at https://www.artsci.utoronto.ca/current/academics/research-opportunities/research-opportunities-program. Not eligible for CR/NCR option.
Mode of Delivery: In Class

Summer Internship Program (SIP)

The aim of the SIP is to attract and support students at Canada’s post-secondary institutions to contribute to, and experience from, working on projects within any division of CBS.  Preference will be given to applicants who have not previously been supported by the program. Support is offered directly to the student to a maximum of $7,500 for up to 4 months. Applicants who will work with blood or blood products must provide evidence of a Hepatitis B vaccination before the award commences.