The Iowa Institute of Human Genetics (IIHG) offers an internship for individuals interested in a career in genetic counseling. The IIHG Summer Internship Program, intended for undergraduate students and recent college graduates, is an excellent opportunity for individuals to gain hands-on experience working under the direction of genetic counselors at University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics. The purpose of the internship program is to help individuals gain real world experience to assist in their preparation to become a genetic counselor. The IIHG Summer Internship is open to anyone interested in genetic counseling and is especially beneficial for students with limited access to human genetics opportunities at their home institution.

Prior human genetics experience is not a requirement, however applicants should have successfully completed undergraduate genetics coursework prior to the internship. Please note this is a competitive internship, therefore preference will be given to upper-level undergraduate students and recent college graduates.

Individuals from a disadvantaged background as defined by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services are encouraged to apply, (https://www.era.nih.gov/commons/disadvantaged_def.htm).

classroom

The IIHG Summer Internship provides students with:

  • Full-time, hands-on projects in genetic counseling and personalized genomic medicine
  • Enrichment activities, including seminars and workshops on graduate school and careers
  • A cost-of-living stipend to help cover room and board
Mental health

The IIHG will provide assistance with the following:

  • Stipend, Payments, and Reimbursements
  • Orientation
  • Off-campus housing suggestions

    ***International students are welcome to apply, however the IIHG is not able to assist financially with moving or Visa expenses.

Interns will have the opportunity to shadow genetic counselors in multiple specialty clinics which may include,but are not limited to, Huntington disease, Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease, general neurogenetics, genetic renal disease, Holden Comprehensive Cancer Center, maternal fetal medicine, prenatal, perinatal care, cardiogenetics clinic, pediatrics genetics, and personalized genomic medicine clinics.

Interns will receive a cost of living stipend of $5600.

Selected interns will present two 15-20 minute talks during their summer experience, focusing on an interesting case or diagnosis and including a literature review of the chosen topic. Interns will also be assigned projects such as development of disease-specific education materials. All interns are required to attend and participate in orientation, intern presentations, and selected seminars.

The 2025 internship dates are to be determined. Interns are required to work Monday through Friday, from 8:00am-5:00pm. If absent, interns will be required to make up hours with the approval of the internship director. This includes vacation days. If selected for the internship, interns must request any vacation days at the time of acceptance into the internship.

A complete IIHG Summer Internship application includes:

  • The electronic application form - this will be made available when the application window opens

The electronic application form will automatically email two persons you have identified to provide letters of recommendation. If your letter writers are not able to upload their LOR to the application portal, they can send it to iihg@uiowa.edu.

  • Official college academic transcript(s) - These should be sent directly to us from your most recent college or university. Transcripts sent by applicants are not accepted.
    • Request transcripts be sent electronically to iihg@uiowa.edu (preferred) or by regular mail.
    • IIHG Summer Internship Program
      431 Newton Road, 117 EMRB
      Iowa City, IA, 52242-1078

The application window for summer 2025 will open in January or February 2025. Interviews will be hosted via zoom in late March/early April.

This program seeks to improve diversity in the biological sciences. Disabled students, minority students, and disadvantaged students (economically or first in family to attend college) are especially encouraged to apply.

The IIHG is a statewide resource to promote clinical care, research, and education that focuses on the medical and scientific advances around the human genome. Established in August 2012, the IIHG seeks to integrate activities in human genetics through multi-disciplinary research, education, and clinical care that is focused on the medical and scientific significance of variations in the human genome. Selected interns will be exposed to all aspects of the IIHG by participating in IIHG conferences and rotating in the IIHG Research and Clinical Diagnostic Service.

Iowa City gets consistently high ratings from national indexes of great places to live, combining the community atmosphere with a cosmopolitan flair. It offers an abundance of cultural, historical and recreational opportunities similar to those in a large city. The downtown area has a pedestrian mall with unique shops, restaurants and live music, and hosts the popular Summer of the Arts events. In addition, Iowa City is an active community with many hiking/biking trails and parks to explore. The IIHG Summer Internship program encourages students to take advantage of the many opportunities Iowa City has to offer in the summer.

Anyone interested in the field of genetic counseling is encouraged to attend at least one of our education events (they are free of charge), either Careers in Human Genetics Information Day, Topics in Genetic Counseling Series, or Applying to Graduate Programs in Genetic Counseling. To learn more about the field on your own, we encourage you to go to www.nsgc.org.

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