Summer Research Scholars (SRS)

Summer Research Scholars is a virtual, two week research program for high school students. During this program, students complete their own independent research projects in collaboration with mentors and fellow scholars – all online! Scholars join our team from across the United States.

Applications for 2024 are open through Sunday, April 7 at 11:59 p.m. CT. Current high school students who can commit to afternoon virtual learning activities (Noon to 4:30 p.m. CT) on Monday through Friday, July 22–26 and July 29–August 2 are encouraged to apply.


At the end of the program Scholars participate in a virtual poster presentation. They present their research findings in the field of social media and adolescent health. Go to the poster archive below to learn more about the research of past scholars!


Hear from past scholars

“I’m so grateful for SRS for providing me with the opportunity to learn research skills in a judgement-free, positive, encouraging space. I truly felt like every mentor was there to help me succeed, and the other scholars were there to support me in any way they could.”

Siena Perna

“I really enjoyed both the connections I was able to make, the incredible support from the SMAHRTeam in learning the research process, and maybe most of all, the extensive opportunities that I have been lucky enough to get, such as the JMIR article submission.”

Owen Tsao

“Summer Research Scholars introduced me to the world of online learning, and how research is done at a professional level. Being able to go through the research process has been better informed me on future opportunities I may encounter and careers in research.”

Kelly Janssens

Josh Plasterer

“SRS 2020 was a rare and incredible experience. The ability to research the implications of social media on mental health, in a pandemic that renders it some people’s main mode of communication, was a unique opportunity I won’t soon forget.”

Josh Plasterer

Josh Jerisha

“The opportunity to participate in the Summer Research Scholars program has shown me just how accessible research can be. Despite the stay-at-home orders of 2020, I was able to dive into a really interesting project examining COVID-19, social media, and adolescent mental health. Research is not exclusive to the lab, but rather where we are most curious.”

Josh Jerisha

“My favorite part about the Summer Research Scholars program was the collaboration aspect of meeting with a small group of people that I could bounce off ideas with. It was also helpful to be provided a lot of time to focus on choosing a topic of interest and completing each step of the research process to the best of my abilities. I loved that I was able to find a topic I really felt passionate about and could feel engaged during each step of the research process.”

Anjali Mathur

Ethan Kaji - Summer Research Scholar 2020

“The best part of SRS was learning how to run my own research project with the help and support of a mentor. I know I’m new to the research process, but SRS gave me the opportunity to dive deep into a new field, and build a foundation for something I definitely want to pursue in the future.”

Ethan Kaji