NIH Summer Handbook 2021 - NIH Office of Intramural Training ...
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NIH Summer Handbook 2021
Don’t Miss A Thing! MAKE CERTAIN YOU ARE INCLUDED ON A SUMMER Internship Program (Sip) Listserv Summer Email List The OITE-SIP and OITE-HS-SIP email Lists were created to promote a sense of community among student researchers at the NIH and to provide a forum for the exchange of educational, scientific, and employment information during the months you spend at the NIH. Check your email frequently for important information on summer opportunities! If you are not receiving emails from the appropriate summer listserv, please contact us at OITE- LoginHelp OITE-LoginHelp@od.nih.gov Create A Myoite Account If you have an activated NIH email account, create a MyOITE account with user type “NIH Trainee/Fellow” and trainee type “Summer Intern” for yourself on the OITE website so that you can register for events, make appointments with career counselors, participate in Summer Research Presentation Week, and access the Alumni Database. If you would like to register for events before you arrive at the NIH or have your NIH email address, you can do so by selecting user type “Guest.” For more information about summer intern accounts go to: https://www.training.nih.gov/oite_accounts To create an account: http://www.training.nih.gov/register TO REQUEST SIGN LANGUAGE INTERPRETERS OR CART SERVICES Contact NIH Interpreting Services by phone at 301-402-8180, by using the Federal Relay Service at 1-800-877-8339, or by submitting a request online. If you have other, disability-related accommodation requests for an event, please email OITE-EventServices@od.nih.gov. Requests should be made at least 5 days in advance of the event.
Public Health Service
Office of Intramural Training & Education • 2 Center Drive • Building 2, Second Floor • Bethesda, MD 20892-0240 • 301 496 2427
May 2021
A Message to All Summer Research Program Participants:
On behalf of all the members of our scientific community, I would like to welcome you to the National
Institutes of Health (NIH). It is my sincere hope that your experience with us this summer will enhance your
knowledge, understanding, and appreciation of the world of biomedical research and will contribute to the
development of your academic and career goals. Over the years, participation in this program has motivated
many individuals like you to pursue careers in the biomedical sciences.
While you will undoubtedly be spending most of your time this summer in your research group, I highly
encourage you to take advantage of the many special opportunities we have to offer. The NIH Office
of Intramural Training & Education has organized several activities designed to enrich your summer
experience. One of these is the very popular Summer Lecture Series. At these lectures, leading NIH
scientists will discuss their current research in presentations designed just for you. Be sure to login early to
make certain you can access the online event.
Summer Research Presentation Week, held this year on August 3rd through 5th, provides you the
opportunity to present your summer research findings to the broader NIH scientific community. I
encourage all summer students to take part in this NIH-wide event, which recognized the work of more
than 915 students in 2019 (In 2020, the summer program was cancelled.). You will find a description of the
registration procedure and guidelines for creating your presentation in this handbook.
You are likely to notice, through the Lecture Series, Presentation Week, or your discussions with other
summer interns, that NIH investigators use a wide array of techniques and approaches. This reflects the
NIH conviction that, in the twenty-first century, important biomedical problems will be solved by combining
the knowledge and skills of engineers, mathematicians, chemists, pharmaceutical scientists, physicists, and
experts in computer science and bioinformatics, as well as biologists. Working in teams, investigators with
diverse scientific, educational, and cultural backgrounds represent the key to the progress on which our
nation’s health depends.
We will be offering sessions called “Planning a Successful NIH Summer Internship” for SIP participants and
a HS-SIP Summer Orientation that will help you hit the ground running; please be certain to attend. I also
highly recommend that you take advantage of OITE workshops and talks that will assist you with planning
your career AND that you consider taking advantage of one of our Summer Bootcamps, each of which will
focus on a particular current scientific issue, such as health disparities or clinical trials. Finally, as the media
report on an almost daily basis, the coronavirus pandemic is stressing all of us. Take the time to get involved
in the wellness and resilience training the OITE has developed to provide summer interns with support.
Congratulations on your selection for an internship and best wishes for a rewarding virtual summer at the NIH!
Sincerely yours,
/ Michael M. Gottesman, MD / / Yewon Cheon, PhD /
Deputy Director for Intramural Research Director, Postbac and Summer Research Program
National Institutes of Health
NIH Summer Handbook 2020 | itAbLE of ContEnts
oitE – thE offiCE of intRAMURAL spECiAL sUMMER EvEnts .......................... 15
tRAining & EDUCAtion ................................ 1 NIH 2021 Virtual Graduate & Professional School Fair..15
Who’s Who in the OITE? ....................................................... 2 2021 Summer Lecture Series ............................................15
Planning A Successful NIH Summer Internship! ............ 2
sUMMER REsEARCh pREsEntAtion
Using the Summer Handbook ............................................. 2 WEEK 2021 ..................................................... 16
The OITE Website .................................................................. 2
Overview ................................................................................16
OITE Online Resources .................................................... 2
Registration ...........................................................................16
The OITE Career Services Center ...................................... 2
Creating a Slide for Your 3-Minute Talk ...........................16
The OITE Careers Blog........................................................... 3
Creating Your Poster............................................................ 17
Getting Off to a Good Start: Settling in to Your New
Virtual Poster Requirements: Content and Design ... 17
Research Group ...................................................................... 3
If Problems Arise ................................................................... 3 viRtUAL DEsKtop infRAstRUCtURE: hoW
sUMMER intERns WiLL gEt things DonE18
WhAt is thE nih? ...........................................4
What IS Virtual Desktop Infrastructure? ........................18
NIH Overview ......................................................................... 4
How Do I Get Access to VDI? ..............................................18
Institutes and centers (ICs) of the NIH ............................ 4
Getting an Active Directory (AD) Account in NED,
Acronyms ................................................................................ 5 the NIH Enterprise Directory........................................ 18
NIH Campuses ........................................................................ 6 Multi-factor Authentication (MFA) Downloading/
Understanding Institute/Center Organization and Logging into VDI ............................................................. 18
Administration ....................................................................... 6 What will I need to Make this Work? ................................18
Who Conducts Research at the NIH? ................................. 7
foLLoWing nih RULEs ................................ 19
Meeting the Important People in Your Institute or
Center (IC) ................................................................................ 7 Paying Taxes on Your Summer Income ............................19
NIH Anti-Harassment Guidelines and Resources ..........19
WELLnEss “At” thE nih ................................ 8
OITE Summer Wellness Resources .................................... 8
thinK AboUt thE fUtURE.......................... 21
Summer Wellness Workshop Series ............................. 8 Important Paperwork ..........................................................21
Summer Small Group Discussion Opportunities ....... 8 Join the Alumni Database ..................................................21
NIH Wellness Resources ...................................................... 9 After Your Internship: Coming “Back” to the NIH ..........21
Other NIH Offices That Support Wellness .................. 9 NIH Undergraduate Scholarship Program (UGSP) ..21
Resources to Support the Distressed Trainee .......... 10 Postbaccalaureate Intramural Research Training
Award (IRTA) ....................................................................21
What if I Need Help? ........................................................... 10
Graduate Partnerships Program (GPP) ...................... 22
thE Virtual 2021 sUMMER intERnship Programs for Medical, Dental, and Veterinary
pRogRAM ........................................................ 11 Students ........................................................................... 22
Summer Internship Program Activities .......................... 11
ContACts ..................................................... 23
Virtual Project .................................................................. 11
Central Summer Internship Program (SIP)
Summer Internship Curriculum .................................... 11
Coordinator ........................................................................... 23
Summer Bootcamps .......................................................12
Summer Internship Program (SIP) Coordinators .......... 23
Summer Journal Clubs .................................................. 13
NIH Summer Internship Program (SIP)
Opportunities to Explore Data Science for Summer Subprogram Coordinators ................................................. 25
Interns............................................................................... 13
NIH Science at Home .................................................... 14
UsEfUL WEbsitEs........................................ 26
In Their Own Words ........................................................ 14 NIH Resources ...................................................................... 26
The NIH Library ....................................................................14 NIH Research & Training Resources ................................ 26
ACKnoWLEDgEMEnts.................................. 27
ii | National Institutes of HealthoitE – thE offiCE of intRAMURAL
tRAining & EDUCAtion
The Office of Intramural Training & Education is • visit the OITE website, https://www.training.nih.gov,
responsible for ensuring that your experience in the NIH regularly to check for new opportunities; remember that
Intramural Research Program is as rewarding as possible. if you cannot attend a workshop, you will find video-
We are here to help all NIH trainees become creative and pod-casts of many of them on the OITE YouTube
leaders in the biomedical research community, but you channel at https://www.youtube.com/c/NIHOITE;
must take the initiative to make the most of your time at • check out our online resources (https://www.training.
the NIH. You need to make certain that, when you leave nih.gov/nih_resources) for help with things like keeping
the NIH, you take with you the technical, communication, a lab notebook, reading a scientific article, attending
problem solving, and interpersonal skills you will need as a scientific meeting, writing professional emails, and
you move forward in your career. mastering lab math;
• participate in appropriate career and professional
Research should be your highest priority while you are
development workshops;
at the NIH. OITE aims to ensure that you also take part
• attend the Summer Lecture Series, presented by some
in relevant career development activities, learn all you
of the most respected investigators at the NIH;
can from the scientific staff at the NIH and your fellow
• share your research with the NIH community at
trainees, and have a good time. In addition, OITE staff
Summer Research Presentation Week;
members are available to help you resolve any problems
• sign up with our Career Services Center for pre-
that might arise during your time at the NIH.
professional and graduate school advising or help
Specifically, we encourage you to exploring careers;
• create a LinkedIn account and join the NIH Intramural
• if you are participating in the High School Summer
Research Program group to network and share ideas;
Internship Program (HS-SIP), join the staff of the OITE
• follow the OITE Careers Blog, https://oitecareersblog.
for a required orientation prior to joining your research
od.nih.gov/; and
group (or attend the required orientation presented by
• explore and contribute to the community around you.
your Institute/Center);
• if you are participating in SIP, attend one of four OITE programs complement the training activities of
sessions of Planning a Successful Summer Internship the NIH Institutes and Centers (ICs). Under normal
instead; circumstances, OITE is located on the second floor of
• attend orientation in your Institute/Center; Building 2. Our hours are Monday-Friday 8:00 am-5:00 pm.
• make certain that you are included on one of the We maintain an open-door policy and encourage you to drop
official OITE summer mailing lists, OITE-SIP or by anytime during open hours.
OITE-HS-SIP;
• if you have an activated NIH email account, create
an “NIH Trainee/Fellow” account for yourself on the
OITE website so that you can make appointments
with career counselors, participate in Summer
Presentation Week, and access the Alumni Database
(see https://www.training.nih.gov/oite_accounts);
NIH Summer Handbook 2021 | 1Who’s Who in the OITE? Using the Summer Handbook
The OITE encompasses several biomedical research This handbook is a useful guide to the summer internship
training programs: the Postbaccalaureate and Summer experience at NIH. Because the NIH summer programs are
Research Program (PSRP), the Graduate Partnerships virtual in 2021, this handbook will be a useful guide for all
Program (GPP), and the Office of Postdoctoral Services interns.
(OPS). You will likely interact primarily with staff
Please direct comments for improving this handbook to
members in the office who are involved with your
Dr. Yewon Cheon at cheony@mail.nih.gov.
particular appointment.
To ask a question about a particular training program The OITE Website
or OITE function, please refer to: https://www. https://www.training.nih.gov
training.nih.gov/contact
The OITE website can provide you with valuable information
To find the current contact information of specific staff during your stay at the NIH. Notices of important events are
members visit: https://www.training.nih.gov/staff posted on the homepage under “What’s New” and “Calendar
of Events”. You will also go to this site to register for career
Planning A Successful NIH development activities and complete program evaluations.
Summer Internship! OITE publications, recordings of past workshops, and
informational videos are also available on the site.
Your research project should be your number one
priority this summer. But, to make certain that you
take full advantage of all the NIH has to offer, plan to
OITE Online Resources
join the staff of the OITE for an orientation. The OITE website contains YouTube videos and other
training materials designed to help with your professional
If you are participating in the High School Summer
development. New materials are being added all the time.
Internship Program (HS-SIP), you must attend
Resources include videos on keeping a good lab notebook,
one of the two required orientations (June 21st
reading a scientific article, lab math, attending a scientific
or June 28th) or the required orientation in your
meeting, and choosing a research mentor. Recently we
Institute/Center (IC) prior to joining your research
have added a host of videos designed to help you cultivate
group. This virtual half-day orientation will familiarize
wellbeing and resilience. Online resources include guides to
summer interns with the NIH and its research
writing professional emails and cover letters and creating
culture, introduce resources, and provide tips
CVs and resumes. Check out these resources and others at
on how to be successful.
https://www.training.nih.gov/nih_resources and on the
If you will be participating in SIP, we strongly OITE YouTube channel at https://www.youtube.com/c/
recommend attending one of four Planning a NIHOITE.
Successful NIH Summer Internship sessions,
scheduled for all Fridays in June. The OITE Career Services Center
It is never too soon to begin thinking about your long-term
Planning a Successful NIH Summer Internship 2021
(OITE Orientation for SIP Participants) goals and future career plans. The OITE houses a career
counseling center to help you plan for a satisfying career
June 4 10:30 am – 12:00 pm ET once you complete your training at NIH. The OITE Career
Services Center was established in 2007 to serve all the
June 11 10:30 am – 12:00 pm ET trainees in the NIH intramural community. Our goal is
to ensure that NIH trainees are aware of the many jobs
June 18 10:30 am – 12:00 pm ET available, both at and away from “the bench,” and to provide
the resources to help trainees identify good personal
June 25 10:30 am – 12:00 pm ET options. Our career counselors run workshops, lead small
group discussions, and schedule individual appointments
High School Summer Intern Orientation
(Mandatory) open to all. These are designed to assist trainees in self-
assessment, career exploration, goal setting, and finding
June 21 10:30 am – 2:30 pm ET positions. Staffing includes
• career counselors, who can assist you with analyzing
June 28 10:30 am – 2:30 pm ET
your strengths, weaknesses, and values; help you
write resumes and CVs; provide information on career
options; and coach you through the job search process;
2 | National Institutes of Health• counselors and wellness advisors who can aid you in if pRobLEMs ARisE
developing a more assertive presence, dealing with
Where there are people, there can be conflict. Some
interpersonal conflicts that might arise in your group,
conflicts are minor irritations that are quickly forgotten.
managing time and/or stress, and handling more
Others are more serious, requiring you to talk to and
personal issues; and
negotiate outcomes with your co-workers and/or mentor.
• pre-professional advisors, who can talk with you about
We hope that any conflicts or tensions you experience
the decision to go to graduate or medical school, choosing
will be minor and that you view them as opportunities to
schools and programs, strategies for taking the MCAT or
improve your interpersonal skills. However, even with the
GRE successfully, filling in gaps in your credentials, writing
best of intentions, some group dynamics are poor; you may
personal statements, and interviewing.
find yourself embroiled in serious or complicated situations.
You can use the OITE website to make one-on-one Remember: You are not alone! The NIH has resources to
appointments with these individuals. help you deal with any interpersonal issues that may arise.
If you are experiencing conflict with someone in your
thE oitE CAREERs bLog research group, speak with him or her directly. If that does
The OITE Careers Blog was established by the OITE Career not resolve the issue, speak with your principal investigator
Services Center to (PI). If you are not comfortable doing that, or if the situation
• increase awareness of OITE services among trainees; is not easily resolved, seek advice from other mentors
• respond to frequently asked questions about and (i.e., your IC training director, OITE staff, other colleagues)
offer guidance with the career planning and job search who can help you consider the issues from different
process; and perspectives as you attempt a reasonable resolution.
• share new and updated career information and If you have concerns about your interactions with your
resources with all NIH trainees. PI, it is important to talk with someone you trust. Hopefully
you will have developed relationships with your training
Go to https://oitecareersblog.od.nih.gov/ and subscribe to
director or with more senior students or postdocs in
be notified when new posts are published.
the group. Also, feel free to contact Dr. Milgram or
Dr. Sokolove in the OITE to confidentially discuss any
gEtting off to A gooD stARt: issues that develop.
sEttLing in to YoUR nEW
REsEARCh gRoUp Some reasons to immediately contact the training
director in your IC, or Dr. Milgram or Dr. Sokolove in
Fitting comfortably into your research group and developing
the OITE, are issues of possible scientific misconduct,
good relationships with your coworkers should be your first
harassment of any type, and safety concerns. If we are
priorities. Each research unit has its own ways of doing
not able to assist you, we will help you access other
things. You will have to determine for yourself what the
campus resources, such as the Office of the Ombudsman
unwritten “rules” are for yours. What hours do most people
Center for Cooperative Resolution, the Employee
work? Is there a standard for maintaining notebooks? When
Assistance Program, and Civil, a program that
and on what platform are group meetings held? What
promotes civil behavior in the NIH workplace.
training courses do you need to complete? What computer
programs are used? What is the dress code? How much
chatting goes on?
You can learn some things by being a careful observer.
Others you will have to ask about explicitly. In all cases,
be courteous and enthusiastic. Write down any and all
directions. Make certain to do more than your share to
keep the lab or office running smoothly.
NIH Summer Handbook 2021 | 3What Is The nih?
NIH Overview Institutes and centers (ICs)
Founded in 1887, the National Institutes of Health is one
of thE nih
of the world’s foremost medical research centers and the The NIH is one of the eleven agencies of the US Department
Federal focal point for medical research in the United of Health and Human Services (DHHS), along with the Food
States. NIH is the steward of medical and behavioral and Drug Administration (FDA), the Centers for Disease
research for the Nation. Its mission is the pursuit of Control and Prevention (CDC), and the Centers for Medicare
fundamental knowledge about the nature and behavior and Medicaid Services (CMS). The NIH is composed of 27
of living systems and the application of that knowledge separate Institutes and Centers (ICs) and the Office of the
to extend healthy life and reduce the burdens of illness Director (OD). Each IC has its own mission of supporting
and disability. biomedical research and training, in the intramural (here
at the NIH) and/or extramural (at universities and research
The goals of the NIH are to
institutes worldwide) research communities. All but three ICs
• foster fundamental creative discoveries, innovative receive their funding directly from Congress and administer
research strategies, and their applications as a basis for their own budgets. The 27 ICs are listed below. Those shown
ultimately protecting and improving health. in bold type participate in the Intramural Research Program.
• develop, maintain, and renew scientific human and
CC—NIH Clinical Center
physical resources that will assure the Nation’s
capability to prevent disease. CIT—Center for Information Technology
• expand the knowledge base in medical and associated
CSR—Center for Scientific Review
sciences in order to enhance the Nation’s economic
wellbeing and ensure a continued high return on the FIC—John E. Fogarty International Center
public investment in research.
NCATS—National Center for Advancing Translational
• exemplify and promote the highest level of scientific
Sciences
integrity, public accountability, and social responsibility
in the conduct of science. NCCIH—National Center for Complementary and
Integrative Health
In realizing these goals, the NIH provides leadership and
NCI—National Cancer Institute
direction to programs designed to improve the health of
the Nation by conducting and supporting research in the NEI—National Eye Institute
• causes, diagnosis, prevention, and cure of human NHGRI—National Human Genome Research Institute
diseases;
NHLBI—National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute
• processes of human growth and development;
• biological effects of environmental contaminants; and NIA—National Institute on Aging
• understanding of mental, addictive, and physical disorders.
NIAAA—National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism
The NIH directs programs for the collection, dissemination, NIAID—National Institute of Allergy and
and exchange of information in medicine and health, Infectious Diseases
including the development and support of medical libraries
NIAMS—National Institute of Arthritis and
and the training of medical librarians and other health
Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases
information specialists.
4 | National Institutes of HealthNIBIB—National Institute of Biomedical Imaging and EEO—Equal Employment Opportunity
Bioengineering
FAES—Foundation for Advanced Education in the Sciences
NICHD—Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute
FNIH—Foundation for NIH
of Child Health and Human Development
FTE—Full-Time Equivalent
NIDA—National Institute on Drug Abuse
FY—Fiscal Year
NIDCD—National Institute on Deafness and
Other Communication Disorders GDSSP–Graduate Data Science Summer Program
NIDCR—National Institute of Dental and GPP–Graduate Partnerships Program
Craniofacial Research
G-SOAR–Graduate Summer Opportunity to Advance
NIDDK—National Institute of Diabetes and Research
Digestive and Kidney Diseases
HiSTEP–High School Scientific Training & Enrichment
NIEHS—National Institute of Environmental Program
Health Sciences
IC—Institute/Center
NIGMS—National Institute of General Medical Sciences
IRP–Intramural Research Program
NIMH—National Institute of Mental Health
IRTA—Intramural Research Training Award
NIMHD—National Institute on Minority Health
NED—NIH Enterprise Directory
and Health Disparities
NSF—National Science Foundation
NINDS—National Institute of Neurological Disorders
and Stroke OAR—Office of AIDS Research
NINR—National Institute of Nursing Research OHRM—Office of Human Resources Management
NLM—National Library of Medicine OHSR—Office of Human Subjects Research
OD—Office of the Director OIR—Office of Intramural Research, OD, NIH
OITE—Office of Intramural Training & Education
Acronyms
OMS—Occupational Medical Service
The previous list of IC names should have convinced you
that we at NIH speak in acronyms; here is a list of other OPM—Office of Personnel Management
common abbreviations to help you communicate in your
ORF—Office of Research Facilities
new surroundings.
ORS—Office of Research Services
ACUC—Animal Care and Use Committee
ORWH—Office of Research on Women’s Health
AO—Administrative Officer
PI—Principal Investigator
CAN—Common Accounting Number
PIV–Personal Identity Verification
CCSEP—Community College Summer Enrichment Program
SD—Scientific Director
CIT—Center for Information Technology
SEEP—Student Educational Employment Program
CRTA—Cancer Research Training Award
SIP—Summer Internship Program
C-SOAR–College Summer Opportunity to Advance
Research TD—Training Director
CV—Curriculum Vitae TSP—Thrift Savings Plan
DDIR—Deputy Director for Intramural Research UGSP–Undergraduate Scholarship Program
DHHS—Department of Health and Human Services VF—Visiting Fellow
EAP—Employee Assistance Program WALS—Wednesday Afternoon Lecture Series
EDI—Office of Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion For a comprehensive list, see:
http://employees.nih.gov/pages/acronyms.aspx
NIH Summer Handbook 2021 | 5NIH Campuses
The main NIH campus is located in Bethesda, Maryland,
just 10 miles from the center of Washington, DC. Important
offices located on the Bethesda campus include the Office of
the Director, the Office of Intramural Research, and the Office
of Intramural Training & Education, which oversees NIH-wide
training. A large number of research facilities, offices, and
institutional resources are spread across more than 300
acres, in over 75 buildings, on the Bethesda campus.
Many NIH scientists conduct their research in laboratories
located on the main campus in Bethesda, but others work on
NIH campuses across the country. Other NIH facilities where
students may train include
• the Framingham Heart Study of the NHLBI in
Framingham, MA;
• the Rocky Mountain Laboratories of the NIAID
in Hamilton, MT;
• the Perinatology Research Branch of the
Eunice Kennedy Shriver NICHD in Detroit, MI;
• the NIA and NIDA in the Biomedical Research
Center, in Baltimore, MD;
• the Phoenix Epidemiology and Clinical
Research Branch (PECRB) of NIDDK in Phoenix, AZ;
• the NIH Animal Center in Poolesville, MD;
• the Twinbrook Cluster, Executive Plaza, and
Shady Grove in Rockville, MD, less than 8 miles
from the NIH Bethesda campus;
• NCI Frederick Cancer Research and Development
Center (FCRDC) at Fort Detrick in Frederick, MD; and
• the NIEHS facility in Research Triangle Park (RTP), NC.
UnDERstAnDing institUtE/CEntER
oRgAnizAtion AnD ADMinistRAtion IC intramural research programs are organized as follows:
The organizational structure of the NIH is both similar to • Individual tenure-track or senior investigators (also known
and different from that of most universities. Universities are as principal investigators or PIs) head their own units/
typically organized around schools and colleges (e.g., School labs/research groups, which include trainees, technicians,
of Medicine, School of Public Health) that are subdivided staff scientists, and administrative support personnel.
into departments and units. The NIH consists of Institutes
• Multiple units form a Section, which is headed by a
and Centers (ICs), similar to the schools/colleges found in
Section Chief.
many academic institutions. All NIH faculty have a primary
appointment in one IC; this IC provides laboratory and office • A Lab or Branch, headed by a Lab or Branch Chief,
space, funding, and administrative support for the research consists of two or more Sections and possibly one or
group and is the “intellectual home” for all personnel there. more additional units. Large Labs and Branches may
Like faculty at universities, NIH faculty can have adjunct/ include 10 to 12 PIs, but in general, a Lab or Branch
joint appointments in other ICs. In addition, mechanisms to consists of 4 to 8 PIs. Originally, the distinction was that
facilitate interaction across ICs have been formalized so that Branches had at least one clinical investigator, while
scientists and clinicians with common interests can easily Labs housed basic scientists only; this distinction has
interact and collaborate. somewhat fallen by the wayside.
6 | National Institutes of HealthWhen you join a lab/group, you become a member of your Graduate Students: The NIH is the research home of more
PI’s IC. You have access to the scientific resources of this IC, than 425 graduate students. They complete their coursework
including core facilities, scientific seminars, retreats, and at and receive their degrees from their universities and
professional development activities organized by the IC. conduct all or part of their dissertation research at the NIH.
Administrators in your IC will handle many day-to-day details
Medical/Dental Students: Medical/dental students who
of your NIH experience (i.e., ID badge procurement, building
have a strong research interest and the permission of their
access, travel, computer support, email, etc.), so it is important
academic institution can spend 1 or 2 years conducting
that you meet these individuals as soon as possible.
research in the NIH Medical Research Scholars Program.
The program is designed for students who have completed
Who Conducts Research at the NIH? their core clinical rotations but does not exclude students
Labs/research groups at the NIH vary greatly in size. A with strong research interests from applying prior to
small lab may have only a half dozen staff members, while having completed their core rotations. A total of about
a large group may include 30. Regardless of size, fitting in 50 students participate in this program each year. Medical
with this team and contributing to its productivity should students can also complete clinical electives at the NIH.
be one of your major goals. Take cues from your coworkers.
Postbaccalaureate (Postbac) Trainees: A group of
What is the dress code? How do individuals contribute to
more than 1600 students who have completed their
the success of the group? Is cooperation or competition
undergraduate work, postbacs conduct research at the NIH
stressed? How much chatting goes on? Are headphones
for 1 to 3 years before continuing on to graduate school.
and cell phones in use? You are going to spend a lot of time
with these people. Take the time to consider seriously the Summer Interns: This group includes you! Each summer,
best ways to interact with them. about 1300 high school, college, graduate, and professional
students spend 8 to 10 weeks working in the Intramural
Your group may include some or all of the following:
Research Program. These individuals must be at least 17
Principal Investigators: Principal investigators hold a years of age and US citizens or permanent residents. Of
doctoral degree. They can be either tenured or tenure-track course, in 2021, all of these summer interns will be virtual.
investigators. These individuals run their own labs/groups
and have the authority to hire all of the remaining groups of Meeting the Important People in
scientists. About 1100 PIs work in the NIH IRP. Your Institute or Center (IC)
Staff Scientists: Staff scientists generally hold a doctoral When you join the NIH as a summer intern, you are actually
degree. Although they are not principal investigators, joining your PI’s Institute or Center (IC). Staff members in
they are accomplished scientists. They often fulfill key the IC are going to make certain you get paid, get answers
functions such as managing the laboratory of a very to administrative questions, have access to the virtual
busy PI or running a core facility that provides services to resources you need to complete your work, and find the
many investigators. The ≈1300 staff scientists frequently IT support you need. Be certain to “meet” and get to know
supervise/mentor trainees like you. the following:
Clinical Fellows: Clinical Fellows are individuals who hold • Your Summer Coordinator (SC), who will probably be
a professional doctoral degree (e.g., MD or DDS), have the first person to reach out to you. Your SC has been
recently completed their internships and residencies, working with the OITE to iron out summer program
and are at the NIH both to provide clinical services and to details and will be able help you with questions about
conduct research. The NIH hosts approximately 300 Clinical how your IC works, summer resources, and activities
Fellows at any one time. sponsored by your IC and/or the OITE.
• Your Administrative Officer (AO), who will complete
Postdoctoral Fellows: Approximately 2,900 individuals who
your appointment paperwork and enter you into the NIH
have recently received a doctoral degree are continuing
Enterprise Directory (NED), which makes you “official”
their research training at the NIH. They are generally called
• The IT support team in your IC, who will help you master
Postdoctoral IRTAs (CRTAs if they are working in the NCI)
multi-factor authentication (MFA) so that you can use
if they are US citizens or permanent residents and Visiting
your personal computer and our Virtual Desktop Infra-
Fellows if they are citizens of another nation. An individual
structure (VDI) to access NIH resources (Don’t worry
can spend no more than 5 years as a postdoctoral fellow
if this sounds confusing, you will find more information
at the NIH. In order to stay longer, they must be promoted
later in this handbook.), answer your IT questions, help
either to a permanent position or to Research Fellow, a move
you resolve technical issues, and, if necessary, help you
that allows them to remain for up to an additional 3 years.
contact central IT support services (provided by the
Center for Information Technology, CIT).
NIH Summer Handbook 2021 | 7WELLnEss “At” thE nih
Life in a research group, and life in general, can be stressful. Remember: A summer research experience will have its
It’s important to find time for yourself and your family, even challenging moments – trainees who take advantage of all
when balancing work and life seems challenging. Recently, the resources available to them deal more effectively with
the virtual workplace, the turmoil in our country, and the these challenges.
stresses produced by the coronavirus pandemic have
increased the stress we are all experiencing. The NIH has oitE sUMMER WELLnEss REsoURCEs
developed a collection of activities to help you manage
your stress and cultivate mental health and well-being.
sUMMER WELLnEss WoRKshop sERiEs
Over the summer watch for workshop series on resilience, Becoming a Resilient Scientist.
mental health and well-being with a focus on scientists, The OITE will offer this series on Tuesdays (with a related
and diversity and inclusion. In addition, consider small group discussion on Thursday) twice in summer 2021,
participating in small group discussions, facilitated by once for SIP (June 8-29) and once for HS-SIP (July 8-27).
wellness advisors, that address situations you may be Each series will consist of 4 workshops:
facing. Finally, remember that a large part of feeling
• Introduction to Resilience and Wellness
comfortable in your work environment is having a
• Exploring Our Self-talk: Cognitive Distortions and
community with whom to share the experience. The OITE
Imposter Fears
supports several affinity groups that meet for lunch
• Self-advocacy and Assertiveness
and other activities. Please read more about all these
• Feedback Resilience
opportunities below.
These workshops are included in the complete summer
The OITE is happy to speak with you about your career
intern schedule at https://www.training.nih.gov/2021_
progression, applications to graduate or professional
nih_virtual_summer_internship_curriculum.
school, and issues that are affecting your work while
here for the summer.
sUMMER sMALL gRoUp DisCUssion oppoRtUnitiEs
• OITE Career Counselors are available for 1:1 meetings
Check your email for upcoming topics, dates, times, and
to discuss career decision making, resume reviews,
event links.
and more; make an appointment here: https://www.
training.nih.gov/career_services/appointments Discussion Groups for Building Resilience
• If you are interested in advice regarding medical or The summer is an exciting and busy time for trainees,
graduate school applications, please attend our weekly but it can also be challenging. Discussion groups are
drop-in Q&A sessions; they are listed on the OITE events facilitated by trained wellness advisors and offer a
page: https://www.training.nih.gov/events/upcoming welcoming and confidential space to explore life’s ups
• Our Wellness team offers opportunities to connect and downs and work in a positive and proactive way to
including resilience discussion groups, weekly wellness build resilience. Groups are offered weekly throughout the
check-ins, mindfulness meditation, and opportunities summer and take place via Zoom. You will find the Zoom
to journal. If you need additional help, please email links in the morning wellness email.
OITE-Wellness@nih.gov
• OITE can also refer you to other NIH wellness resources
and, when appropriate, we will offer to help you speak
with your mentors.
8 | National Institutes of HealthWeekly Wellness Check-in Additional Resources
The OITE will host a general wellness drop-in discussion The OITE Wellness webpage, https://www.training.
each week. We all experience a wide range of stressors in nih.gov/wellness summarizes OITE wellness resources,
our work and personal lives, but we don’t always have the including listing wellness-related blog posts. You will
tools or resources to manage those stressors well. This find YouTube videos of prior OITE resilience and wellness
group offers a space to learn to deal with stress in healthy workshops on the OITE YouTube channel (https://www.
and effective ways to help bolster your resilience. This youtube.com/c/NIHOITE). Some of them are collected in
group is facilitated by an OITE wellness advisor. the following playlists.
Mindfulness Meditation Groups • Mental Health and Well-being of Biomedical Researches:
Would you like at least one time a week when you could https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=
slow down and connect with yourself? OITE drop-in PLxnpU66KqCch9kL_e1m0D93yclRQhIQLW
meditation groups are offered to trainees/fellows as • Becoming a Resilient Scientist:
a support for self-care and enhanced wellbeing. Each https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=
30-minute session involves a few minutes of instruction PLxnpU66KqCcj7jaeO7nzPNeZUJ0obXK-j
followed by approximately 20-25 minutes of meditation
practice. The facilitator will be available after the session
for questions and brief discussions. These groups are
nih WELLnEss REsoURCEs
open to both beginners and experienced meditators; othER nih offiCEs thAt sUppoRt WELLnEss
attendance is on a drop-in basis - come as much as
Civil
you like! Please arrive a few minutes prior to the start
301-402-4845
time to check in and get settled for practice. All trainees
https://hr.nih.gov/working-nih/civil
are welcome!
The mission of Civil is to foster civility throughout the NIH
Thriving Thursdays
community. Contact Civil if you experience or observe any
Sessions cover specific aspects of physical, mental,
of the following:
emotional, and spiritual self-care with weekly topics
announced in advance. Join us virtually on Thursdays • harassment
at noon. The Zoom link will be provided in the morning • sexual harassment
wellness email. Feel free to bring your lunch. • inappropriate conduct
• intimidation
Journaling for Career Development and Personal Growth
• bullying or
Journaling is a great way to tune into your thoughts and
• other unproductive, disruptive, and/or violent
emotions, work through challenges, and support your goals.
behaviors.
Research shows that it has both physical and mental health
benefits, including better immune functioning, decrease NIH Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
in blood pressure, better sleep, decrease in depression 301-496-3164
and anxiety, and improved working memory. It can be https://www.ors.od.nih.gov/sr/dohs/HealthAndWellness/
particularly helpful in this challenging time of COVID-19. EAP/Pages/index.aspx
Please bring a journal/paper and pen!
The NIH EAP is a confidential service available to NIH
NIH Communities trainees and their families. You can “visit” the EAP to
A large part of feeling comfortable in your work environment discuss work or life concerns including life transitions, work-
is having a community with whom to share the experience. life balance, career progression, substance abuse, family
The NIH is a big place; we can almost guarantee that you dynamics, or any other issues that might affect your ability
will be able to find a community that will make you feel at to succeed as a trainee. EAP is open 9:00 am to 5:00 pm,
home. Communities at the NIH include an NIH chapter of Monday through Friday; you can also call for immediate
SACNAS (the Society for the Advancement of Chicanos/ assistance or email to set up a virtual appointment.
Hispanics and Native Americans in Science), LGBT Fellows
and Friends, the Network of African American Fellows
(NAAF), and Fellows of All Abilities (FAAb). You will find
a list and contact information at https://www.training.
nih.gov/you_are_not_alone. The schedule of community
lunches during the summer is posted at https://www.
training.nih.gov/community_group_meeting_schedule.
NIH Summer Handbook 2021 | 9Office of the Ombudsman, Center for Cooperative WhAt if i nEED hELp?
Resolution (CCR) https://www.ors.od.nih.gov/sr/dohs/
301-594-7231 HealthAndWellness/EAP/Pages/index.aspx
https://ombudsman.nih.gov
Sometimes things happen: a parent passes away, you
The NIH Office of the Ombudsman, CCR is a neutral, suspect a child is being abused, you have been abused,
independent, and confidential resource providing assistance you want help stopping smoking, you are experiencing
to NIH scientists, administrators, trainees, and support a mental health crisis. The NIH Employee Assistance
staff in addressing work-related issues such as authorship Program (EAP) is available to assist summer interns with
and other scientific disputes, employee-supervisor conflict, difficult transitions and situations that are negatively
racial and ethnic tensions, and conflicts between peers. The influencing their ability to work. You can call 301-
CCR is open Monday through Friday, 8:00 am to 5:00 pm. 496-3164 to inquire about their services or make an
appointment. EAP is located in Building 31, Room B2B57.
REsoURCEs to sUppoRt thE DistREssED It also maintains a list of helpful phone numbers that
tRAinEE will connect you with Crisis Centers, smoking cessation
https://www.training.nih.gov/assets/Bookmark__ centers, and self-help groups. You can also call 211 to
Resources_to_Support_the_Distressed_Trainees_ find out about state resources.
revised_2021.pdf
10 | National Institutes of HealththE Virtual 2021
sUMMER intERnship pRogRAM
sUMMER intERnship pRogRAM Tuesday
ACtivitiEs Becoming a Resilient Scientist: A series of workshops
(4 weeks) that will cover wellness and resilience; self-talk
The summer program plan will consist of multiple elements.
(cognitive distortions and imposter fears); self-advocacy
Each intern will work with his/her mentor to create a
and assertiveness; and feedback resilience. Workshops on
summer plan that supplements the intern’s virtual project
June 8, 15, 22, and 29 will be for students in college and
with other career and scientific development activities
beyond; the workshops on July 6, 13, 20, and 27 will be for
to help the intern explore his/her interests and create
high school students. Each workshop will be followed by a
a meaningful full-time experience. Here is a brief list of
small group discussion on Thursday.
your summer options with links that will connect you to
additional information. Wednesday
[HS-SIP] NIH Career Development Series for High School
viRtUAL pRojECt Students and Recent Graduates (5 weeks in July), topics
include Applying to College, Leadership and Self-awareness,
Most important: Each intern will focus a significant part
Career Exploration, Effective Communication in Research
of his/her effort and time on a virtual summer project.
Environments, and Success in College. Students who
You will work on you project under the supervision of your
attend at least four workshops (or watch the recordings
summer mentor.
BY AUGUST 14th) will be eligible to receive a certificate
of completion. To watch the recordings, you will need to
sUMMER intERnship CURRiCULUM register using the original link. If you missed a session and
The summer intern curriculum, provided by OITE, will you click on the link from your email, you will get a message
include orientations for both HS-SIP and SIP interns in that the webinar has ended; please re-register using the
addition to series of workshops addressing becoming a same name and email address.
resilient scientist (with associated discussion sessions),
[SIP] Graduate & Professional School Preparation: Much
career development for high school students and graduate
of what you need to know to get into graduate school or
and/or professional school preparation for college students,
professional (e.g., medical, dental, veterinary, pharmacy)
and career development and science skills.
school and do well.
These workshops are scheduled for Tuesday, Wednesday,
Thursday
and Thursday afternoons to permit interns in the western
Career Development and Science Skills: Sessions will
time zones to participate. The workshops (but not the
cover topics such as creating CVs and resumes, leadership
orientations or discussion groups) will also be available
skills for scientists, the responsible conduct of research,
to interested students in the extramural community, as
and creating and presenting virtual posters.
they were last year. You will find the detailed schedule
for HS-SIP at https://www.training.nih.gov/nih_career_ Remember: If you miss a workshop, you can watch the
development_activities/resources_for_high_school_ recording later using the original registration/viewing link.
students and a table summarizing the complete summer All workshops will be available as recordings on the OITE
schedule at https://www.training.nih.gov/2021_nih_ YouTube Channel after they have been captioned (NOTE: In
virtual_summer_internship_curriculum. Watch for the cases where the workshop was presented in essentially the
following: same form in 2020, that recording may be available instead
of a 2021 recording).
NIH Summer Handbook 2021 | 11sUMMER bootCAMps Clinical Trials are research studies in which human subjects
are prospectively assigned to one or more interventions
The Summer Bootcamps are described below; be certain
(which may include placebo or other control) to evaluate the
to note the intended audience for each. Check the
effects of new treatments and therapies. This boot camp
Bootcamp webpage for dates and times.
will offer information about clinical trial design, analysis,
Note: Registration for Summer Bootcamp Series and ethics, as well as the presentation of clinical protocols
will be open to interns in the 2021 Virtual Summer currently taking place at the NIH Clinical Center.
Internship Programs only. Before registering for
(This five-week bootcamp is for undergraduate, graduate,
any of these courses, please discuss your summer
and professional school students.)
schedule and commitment to your research group
with your supervisor. You will need permission from Health Disparities
your supervisor to participate in the OITE bootcamps This summer series will offer summer interns the
and curriculum. opportunity to learn about health disparities, enhance
their knowledge of gaps in health outcomes, explore the
Principles of Scientific Thinking
relationship between biomedical science and society
‘Principles of Scientific Thinking’ is a general introduction
in addressing the elimination of health disparities, and
to the cognitive processes underlying scientific discovery
highlight the important role science communications play.
and day-to-day scientific thinking.
The series will begin with an introduction to health
• Week 1. Provides a general overview of the Scientific
disparities, which will provide an overview of the behavioral,
Method and how to systematically evaluate
social, and cultural factors related to individual and
information before accepting or rejecting it, enabling
population health and health disparities throughout life.
individuals to move beyond memorization of facts to
Weekly speaker-led seminars followed by journal club
learn about the world through critical thinking.
discussions in small groups will focus on health disparities
• Week 2. Focuses on the importance of a priori set-
in addiction, mental health, and sexual and gender minority
up (experimental design), covering key concepts
health. We will also discuss how precision medicine
like ‘variable’, ‘reproducibility’ and ‘control’ that allow
can address health disparities. Students will have the
investigators to draw scientifically valid conclusions.
opportunity to discuss their questions with topic experts
• Week 3. Applies the concepts from the two previous
in breakout rooms. Throughout the series, students will
modules (scientific method and experimental design)
be expected to participate in group projects, which will be
to real data and explores what makes a scientific
presented at the end of the series.
study valid.
(This five-week bootcamp is for undergraduate, graduate,
(This bootcamp will be offered twice, once for SIP and
and professional school students.)
once for HS-SIP.)
Common Misconceptions about the Human Mind and
Social (In)Justice in Research and Medicine
Behavior
Throughout history, marginalized populations have been
Is it true that we only use 10% of our brains? Can subliminal
abused and mistreated in medicine and research. In this
messages persuade us? Do dreams possess symbolic
introductory workshop, we will discuss social justice using
meaning? Do opposites attract? People often use their
case studies of breaches in ethical and humane treatment
personal experiences and common sense to develop beliefs
in research and medicine. We will approach these studies
about the human mind and our behaviors, yet many of
using key concepts in diversity and inclusion such as bias,
these beliefs are not supported by scientific evidence.
othering, and allyship to help us think about and discuss
In this seminar, we will debunk the most common myths
these atrocities and what has been done to ensure such
regarding human cognition and behaviors and examine why
wrongs do not continue. We will also explore what we can
people believe in such falsehoods. We will analyze these
contribute to the quest for equity and justice in medicine
myths in the context of research and scientific evidence. In
and research.
the end, we might realize that truth can be even stranger
(This intensive one-week bootcamp is for undergraduate, than myth!
graduate, and professional school students.)
(This six-week bootcamp is for undergraduate, and early
Clinical Trials graduate students.)
12 | National Institutes of HealthThe Therapeutic Development Process The goal is for interns to take their new skills back to their
The Therapeutic Development Process bootcamp offers campuses to lead student organizations and/or assume
an exciting opportunity for NIH Summer Interns to learn more responsibility within these organizations.
more about the bench-to-bedside process. The course,
(This bootcamp, which extends throughout the summer,
in one program, intertwines interdisciplinary scientific
ending with an intensive capstone experience, is for
content, understanding of the drug development process,
undergraduate, graduate, and professional school
professional skills development, and career exploration.
students.)
Developing a therapeutic is time-consuming and expensive.
Understanding why this is can help us get more treatments
to more people more quickly and affordably.
Summer Journal Clubs
Journal clubs are small groups that get together to
This bootcamp will cover the following topics over the
read scientific papers on a topic of joint interest. By
course of four days:
participating, you can meet other summer interns, learn
• Day 1. Development Process Overview: The Good, the about new techniques and discoveries, and develop the
Bad, and Everything in Between ability to read papers critically. As in past years, we have
• Day 2. Preclinical Development: High-throughput offered more advanced NIH trainees the opportunity,
Screens, Medicinal Chemistry, and Finding the Perfect working in pairs, to run a 4- to 6-week journal club during
Compound the period between June 14th and July 30.
• Day 3. Intellectual Property and FDA Regulation and
You can read more about the 2021 journal clubs and sign
Approval: A Tale of Trade-offs
up at https://www.training.nih.gov/summer_intern_
• Day 4. Clinical Development and Marketing: Innovations
journal_clubs.
in the Development Process - Approaching the Process
as if It Were a Scientific Problem
Opportunities to Explore Data Science
(This intensive one-week bootcamp is for undergraduate, for Summer Interns
graduate, and professional school students.)
In the future, biomedical research, and research in general,
Learn to Code: Python for Beginners will depend increasingly on data science, computation,
Computational skills are an essential part of many careers and related disciplines. The large amounts of data
in biomedical research. Learning programming skills investigators can now generate will require secure storage
is rapidly becoming one the best career development and mechanisms for sharing datasets; standardization
moves you can make. This course will teach students of data elements; creation, support, and sharing of new
key programming skills needed for success in biomedical tools and workflows; involvement of data scientists in
research. Topics covered include: variables, conditionals, most research projects; and the training of a data science
loops, functions, data structures, and basic scientific workforce. In short, we can predict that ALL scientists will
applications. To learn these concepts, students will have to understand and use data science in the future.
complete projects using the Python programming
The Virtual Opportunities to Explore Data Science planned
language. Students will then use the language to apply
for summer 2021 will provide trainees at various levels
basic programming principles complete assignments that
with a variety of options to learn and improve their
reflect real-word tasks. Finally, students will put together a
computational skills as applied to biomedical research.
plan for further programming education.
The material will range from the basics of learning to
(This three-week course is for summer interns at all levels.) code, to using Supercomputers and Cloud-based services
to mine, analyze, and visualize data. The offerings listed
Leadership Academy
below were planned in collaboration with the NIH Office of
Summer interns will become the next generation of
Data Science Strategy. They are open to summer interns
biomedical research leaders. This intensive program seeks
at all levels.
to help these developing leaders understand themselves
and to improve their interactions with others. The program • Introduction to Supercomputing and NIH Biowulf
consists of an overview lecture; three workshops on self- • ANVIL
awareness, conflict, and teams; and a capstone program • Introduction to R’ and R’ Studio
that will allow interns to connect concepts, practice • Finding Information in NCBI Databases: Tools to Help
conversations, and take ownership of the leadership skills You Do What You Need to Do
they have learned about. • Introduction to R’ Data Types
• NCBI Blast and Sequence Alignment Analysis Tools
NIH Summer Handbook 2021 | 13You can also read
