2025 High School Bioinformatics Summer Camp

July 7 - August 1, 2025

 

Overview 

The RNA Institute High School Bioinformatics Summer Camp is a competitive summer training program held virtually for high school students. The camp delivers training in analyzing RNA sequencing data through live daily lectures, support by UAlbany-affiliated mentors, and completing an independent bioinformatics project based in neurodegenerative disease research. This unique camp will provide students with vital skillsets and tools for advanced degrees and careers in any STEM field.

Apply to the 2025 High School Bioinformatics Summer Camp here!

 

UAlbany Video

2025 Bioinformatics Summer Camp Information

Summary

Class of 2025

Below is a summary of the High School Bioinformatics Summer Camp:

  • 4 weeks in length, starts July 7 and ends August 1 

  • After being selected to the program, students will receive a welcome email with information, including some pre-course work and administrative paperwork, by the end of May

  • The pre-course work develops basic programming skills, and these short online courses should be completed prior to the start date of July 7 

  • Participants are expected to be available for lectures, small group sessions, and seminars (all virtual)

  • The camp will teach the basic skills of R coding, high performance computing via the command line, and RNA sequencing data interpretation and visualization as a project-based program analyzing various neurodegenerative disease datasets (such as Myotonic Dystrophy Type 1, ALS, Parkinson's disease, & more)

  • All participants will present their completed bioinformatics research project on August 1

  • Participants are invited to present their final project in-person as a research poster at the annual RNA Institute RNA Day on August 1

  • Participants unable to present their final project on RNA Day will submit a virtual poster presentation on August 1

  • Official Certificate of Completion and Introduction to Bioinformatics Skills digital badge will be awarded based on the successful completion of the program

  • Early Application Deadline: February 1, 2025 (for reduced price)

  • Application Deadline: March 31, 2025 (for full price)

Eligibility
  • No prior experience needed!
  • High school academic level only
  • Must have GPA above 3.0
  • Time commitment of 15-20 hours per week for four weeks
    • Includes daily lectures, daily small group sessions, weekly seminars, & independent work
  • At least one-year high school biology credit
  • Access to consistent high speed internet
Costs
  • Accepted trainees who apply prior to the Early Application Deadline of February 1, 2025:
    • Price: $1,100.00
  • Accepted trainees who apply after Early Application but prior to the final deadline of March 31, 2025:
    • Price: $1,200.00
  • Important note: payment waivers may be available based on financial need (details in application form)
  • Payments will be required after confirming acceptance into the High School Bioinformatics Summer Camp
2025 Schedule

Note: This is an example provided to give potential applicants an appreciation of the possible camp schedule. The actual schedule will be posted here closer to the program start date and also directly provided to accepted trainees. All times are listed in Eastern Standard Time (EST).

 

Week 1

Monday, July 7, 2025: 

  • Noon to 1 p.m.: Lecture 1
  • 3 to 4 p.m.: Small Group Session 1

Tuesday, July 8, 2025:

  • Noon to 1 p.m.: Lecture 2
  • 3 to 4 p.m.: Small Group Session 2

Wednesday, July 9, 2025:

  • Noon to 1 p.m.: Lecture 3
  • 3 to 4 p.m.: Small Group Session 3

Thursday, July 10, 2025:

  • Noon to 1 p.m.: Lecture 4
  • 3 to 4 p.m.: Small Group Session 4

Friday, July 11, 2025:

  • 9 to 10 a.m.: Seminar 1
  • Noon to 1 p.m.: Lecture 5
  • 3 to 4 p.m.: Small Group Session 5

 

Week 2

Monday, July 14, 2025: 

  • Noon to 1 p.m.: Lecture 6
  • 3 to 4 p.m.: Small Group Session 6

Tuesday, July 15, 2025:

  • Noon to 1 p.m.: Lecture 7
  • 3 to 4 p.m.: Small Group Session 7

Wednesday, July 16, 2025:

  • Noon to 1 p.m.: Lecture 8
  • 3 to 4 p.m.: Small Group Session 8

Thursday, July 17, 2025:

  • Noon to 1 p.m.: Lecture 9
  • 3 to 4 p.m.: Small Group Session 9

Friday, July 18, 2025:

  • 9 to 10 a.m.: Seminar 2
  • Noon to 1 p.m.: Lecture 10
  • 3 to 4 p.m.: Small Group Session 10

 

Week 3

Monday, July 21, 2025: 

  • Noon to 1 p.m.: Lecture 11
  • 3 to 4 p.m.: Small Group Session 11

Tuesday, July 22, 2025:

  • Noon to 1 p.m.: Lecture 12
  • 3 to 4 p.m.: Small Group Session 12

Wednesday, July 23, 2025:

  • Noon to 1 p.m.: Lecture 13
  • 3 to 4 p.m.: Small Group Session 13

Thursday, July 24, 2025:

  • 3 to 4 p.m.: Project check-in

Friday, July 25, 2025:

  • 9 to 10 a.m.: Seminar 3
  • 3 to 4 p.m.: Project check-in

 

Week 4

Monday, July 28, 2025: 

  • 3 to 4 p.m.: Project check-in

Tuesday, July 29, 2025:

  • 3 to 4 p.m.: Project check-in

Wednesday, July 30, 2025:

  • 3 to 4 p.m.: Project check-in

Thursday, July 31, 2025:

  • 3 to 4 p.m.: Project check-in

Friday, August 1, 2025:

  • 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.: Presentations
2025 Small Groups

Groups, group leaders, and trainees will be assigned and posted here closer to the program start date.