Mentored research with investigators at the frontiers of contemporary research is an essential component of the Vagelos Molecular Life Sciences Program. Students learn to apply knowledge learned from course work toward discovery based research across a wide range of disciplines. Students identify a host laboratory or research group and work alongside principal investigators, postdoctoral fellows, graduate students, and research scientists.
Research as part of the undergraduate experience is facilitated by Penn’s wealth of research opportunities and geographical layout. The University of Pennsylvania is unusual in that a wide range of research schools, departments and centers are present on one compact, contiguous campus.
At the University of Pennsylvania, these include:
- School of Arts and Sciences (SAS): Departments of Chemistry, Physics, Mathematics, Biology, Earth & Environmental Sciences
- School of Engineering and Applied Sciences (SEAS)
- Perelman School of Medicine (PSoM), its Biomedical Graduate Programs, and the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania (HUP)
- School of Dental Medicine
- School of Veterinary Medicine
In addition, there are leading health and research institutions on or near the Penn campus.
- Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia
- Monell Chemical Senses Center
- University City Science Center
- Veterans Administration Hospital
- Wistar Institute for Anatomy and Biology
All together there are hundreds of faculty-led laboratories to choose from that are a short walk from classrooms and student dormitories.
“The MLS program is unique in making sure that the research we do as undergraduates is not just technician work, but really pushes us to drive experimental design and answer difficult questions. I’m really thankful for my experience! Because of my strong research background through MLS, I was able to join a highly independent lab as a graduate student.”
— Rebecca Gelfer (MLS’19)
“MLS undeniably built my confidence and resilience as a scientist. The support of my research journey and opportunities for career development made me feel as though I was a capable researcher and scientific thinker. The decision of doing my PhD in Biophysics came largely because of experiences I had during the MLS program.”
— Liam Theveny (MLS’22)
“The experience with research that I gained through the Vagelos Program helped me develop scientific investigational skills that I continued to improve throughout medical school and now as a cardiothoracic surgery resident and postdoctoral research fellow.”
—Matthew Duda (MLS’15)