Virtual Internship Program

VIP 2023 has concluded.
The NRI concluded our fourth annual Virtual Internship Program (VIP) in July 2023 with 21 high school students from around the country. This 4-week, online-only program allowed students the opportunity to learn from NRI principal investigators and other research staff, participate in group mentoring sessions, and complete an independent nutrition research project and presentation.
In the fourth week, students presented their papers to their peers and NRI scientists and staff. You’re invited to read their papers in the VIP student journal.
Applications for VIP 2024 will open in February 2024.
The table below reflects 2023’s schedule.
VIP Schedule 2023
Week One | ||
Tuesday, June 20 1 PM - 2:30 PM | Welcome and Orientation Nutrition 101 | Stephen Hursting, PhD, MPH Institute Director, Professor of Nutrition Jenna Baker VIP Coordinator Delisha Stewart, PhD Assistant Professor of Nutrition |
Thursday, June 22 1 PM - 2 PM | Research Methods | Madison Schroder Research Technician, Sumner Lab |
Week Two | ||
Tuesday, June 27 1 PM - 2 PM | Why Nutrition is important to health and wellness across the lifespan | Carol Cheatham, PhD Associate Professor of Psychology & Neuroscience |
Thursday, June 29 1 PM - 2 PM | Mentoring fundamentals and personal experiences | Angela Clontz, Graduate Student, Voruganti/Hursting Labs |
Week Three | ||
Tuesday, July 11 1 PM - 2 PM | Healthy Hydration: Promote Health and Prevent Chronic Disease | Saroja Voruganti, PhD Associate Professor of Nutrition Baba Mass Research Associate, Voruganti Lab |
Thursday, July 13 1 PM - 2 PM | The Importance of Folate in Promoting Health and Preventing Disease | Natalia Krupenko, PhD Associate Professor of Nutrition |
Week Four | ||
Tuesday, July 18 1 PM - 2 PM | Career Paths in Nutrition | Hursting Lab Ximena Bustamante-Marin, Assistant Professor Melissa VerHague, Lab Manager Ariana Reid, Research Technician Walter Friday, Research Specialist |
Thursday, July 20 TBD | Student Presentations | Students |