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Chapman School of Pharmacy

»Pharmacy Summer Research Program for High School Students

The Summer Research Program is carefully designed to give participants an edge when applying to college. It provides hands-on experience in the pharmacy research arena while still in high school, with unique exposure to research methods, lab equipment, and technology that real pharmaceutical scientists use. 

In the program, you will:

  • Get familiar with all the latest policies and practices in pharmacy
  • Practice evidence-based medicine
  • Join a small-cohort group to get personalized guidance 
  • Work with a faculty advisor to complete a research project
  • Meet current Chapman Pharmacy students to learn about their journeys in pharmacy
  • Learn how to write a research report and evaluate scientific literature critically
  • Practice presenting your findings in a professional setting
  • Receive a certificate of completion
  • Letter of reference from the Chapman faculty (upon request)

This program is suggested for students with a 3.0+ GPA who are genuinely interested in research and/or health sciences. Participants are expected to actively participate in both online and in-person activities. 

Yes, there are still spots available! Secure your spot using this link.


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Program Schedule

The 2025 program will run from July 7 to July 25.

This is a sample of what type of programming to expect during the 3-week session. The final schedule may vary slightly:

  • Rinker and Orange campus tours, including lab and research spaces, collaboration spaces, and libraries
  • Seminars on the difference between bench, clinical, and translational research
  • How to use Chapman's one-of-a-kind digital infrastructure to access the latest pharmacy research
  • Specialty access to "Pharmacy Day", an exclusive event highlighting what a career in pharmacy entails 
  • Sessions with your group's faculty advisor to discuss and prepare your research project
  • Interactive student panel of current Chapman Pharmacy students for real answers on the student research experience
  • Seminar on the pharmaceutical degree programs Chapman offers 
  • Interactive presentations on the faculty's latest research
  • Workshops to hone presentation and communication skills necessary for success

Ready to register? Secure your spot using this link!  

FAQ & Participation Requirements

When is the 2025 program?

The program will run weekdays from July 7 to July 25, 2025.

Who are the 2025 faculty advisors? 

We are thrilled to have a strong team of advisors this year. Dr. Aftab Ahmed, Dr. Laressa Bethishou, Dr. Cintia Citterio, Dr. Amy Kang, Dr. Jennifer Ko, Dr. Jelena Lewis, Dr. Hamid Montazeri, Dr. Moom Roosan, Dr. Ajay Sharma, and Dr. Sherry Wang have generously volunteered their time to advise the next generation of healthcare leaders for this summer's program. 

Do participants need to be in high school to participate?

Participants must enter grades 9-12 in the fall following the summer program.

What do I need to prepare?

Participants should wear appropriate clothing during in-person sessions, such as closed-toe shoes, and have access to a computer or laptop for hybrid activities. Lunch is provided on days with in-person activities.

 

For questions or assistance, please contact program director Dr. Montazeri at montazeri@chapman.edu

 

Ready to register? Secure your spot using this link!  

Cost & Registration

Deadline: 11:59 p.m. on Monday, 6/23/25, or until participation has reached capacity. Yes, there is still space to enroll!

Total Cost: $1503

Cost includes:

  • Access to all facilities, including pharmacy labs 
  • Food for in-person sessions
  • End-of-program presentation materials, including a reception for your guests
  • Virtual learning sessions
  • All learning materials for hands-on research
  • Letter of recommendation from a participating faculty of your choice (upon request)
  • Certificate of Completion 

Ready to register?Secure your spot using this link!  

Cancellation and Refund Policy:

The cancellation deadline is June 23, 2025. In the event you must cancel your registration, please refer to the following:

  • Notice of cancellation must be submitted in writing to montazeri@chapman.edu.
  • Cancellations on or before the deadline will receive a full refund, with a $50 cancellation fee. Refunds after the deadline will be determined on a case-by-case basis at the discretion of the Program Director. Please allow 4–6 weeks to receive your refund.
Participant
 
"I had the chance to observe numerous aspects of research and pharmacy practices, from utilizing boolean search operators on databases to comprehending the essentiality of pharmacists in travel health services... Chapman Faculty participating in this program were extremely welcoming and helpful and offered me terrific career and research advice."
Secure your spot using this link!  
Participant
 
"This program showed me that pharmacy is a very wide field and is not limited to retail pharmacy, there is academia, research, industry, and so much more that I learned when I was there. This program has provided me with valuable knowledge and a direction in my life”.
Secure your spot using this link!  
Participant
 
"I felt comfortable asking questions and making comments. It was a welcoming environment, I genuinely enjoyed learning and putting effort into the presentation. This program taught me a lot of things I had never heard of before. Everyone, the students and the faculty advisors, were all very nice. The program's pacing was perfect."
Secure your spot using this link!  
Participant
 
“The program was very informative, every staff and advisor were all friendly. This program helped me open up to new path ways. This is a really good program for those who want a career in the field of pharmacy”.
Secure your spot using this link!  
Participant
 
"This has been such an informative, fun, and collaborative program to do over the summer... I am so grateful to have completed it. I really appreciate all the accommodations Chapman and Dr. Montazeri have arranged for me, you have really helped me encapsulate the essence and purpose behind pharmacy and given me the most of this experience."
Secure your spot using this link!  

 

Research Projects

Dr. Laressa Bethishou with participant
Dr. Laressa Bethishou with her student
Dr. Reza Taheri with participant
Dr. Reza Taheri with his student
Dr. Karl Hess with participant
Dr. Karl Hess with his student

 

Students with Plaque of Distinction

Dr. Jelena Lewis with her student
Dr. Jelena Lewis with her student
Dr. Moom Roosan with her student
Dr. Moom Roosan with her student
Dr. Rachita Sumbria with her student
Dr. Rachita Sumbria with her student
 
Get In Contact With Us
Dr. Hamid Montazeri
Director of Summer Program and Associate Professor

Dr. Montazeri’s research is focused on delivery systems and RNA interference via small interfering RNAs (siRNAs) and CRISPR/Cas9. Regarding delivery systems, recent efforts in his project have shown efficient silencing of specific proteins in different human breast cancer cell lines. For further background, visit Dr. Montazeri's faculty profile.