Internship Provides Yearlong Research Experience for High School Seniors
Enrollment is now open for the 2025-2026 Bobbie Cates Hicks Science and Medicine Academic Research Training (SMART) program, offering high school seniors an immersive yearlong research experience with faculty investigators at LSU Health Shreveport. The deadline to apply is 4:00 p.m. on February 28.
SMART is designed for academically advanced students with a strong interest in medicine, biomedical research, or biomedical engineering. The program accepts eight to 12 students each year and is a collaboration among BRF, LSU Health Shreveport, and the Caddo, Bossier, and DeSoto parish school boards. Since its inception in 1997, BRF has funded and coordinated the program, making it one of the most prestigious STEM opportunities for high school students in the region.
Program Success and Impact
Over 28 years, the SMART program has graduated 257 students, many of whom have gone on to pursue careers in science and medicine. According to a recent survey of SMART graduates:
- 100% of respondents reported attending or having attended college.
- Over 80% majored in science or health-related fields.
- 81% plan to attend or have attended postgraduate institutions.
“After almost three decades, SMART continues to be a wonderful way for our region’s students to get a leg up on their careers,” said John F. George Jr., M.D., BRF President and CEO. “The lab experience students gain through SMART provides invaluable knowledge that many of their college peers may not have.”
Dr. Jason Bodily, Ph.D., Dean of the School of Graduate Studies at LSU Health Shreveport, emphasized the program’s benefits:
“We highly encourage high school seniors to apply to the SMART program. This research experience has helped students gain admission into their college of choice while also giving them firsthand exposure to careers in biomedical research.”
Eligibility and Application Information
Students interested in applying for the 2025-26 SMART program can find eligibility requirements and application details at www.lsuhs.edu/research/smart-program.
Program Funding and Support
The SMART program is made possible through the generosity of donors, including:
- The late Bobbie Cates Hicks
- The Bruce J. Heim Foundation
- The Community Foundation of North Louisiana’s Give for Good donors
- The Community Foundation of North Louisiana’s William C. Woolf Fund
- The Magale Foundation
BRF’s Commitment to STEM Education
In addition to SMART, BRF and its donors support STEM education and workforce development through several programs, including:
- Biotechnology Magnet Academy (BTA) – Nearly 200 participants at Southwood High School
- BioStart – Senior research laboratory internships at LSU Health Shreveport
- College Navigator at BTA
- Southwood’s Clinical Lab course
- FIRST Robotics program
BRF launched BTA and BioStart in partnership with Caddo Parish School Board, LSU Health Shreveport, LSU Shreveport, local biotech companies, and Southwood High School.
For more information about BRF’s STEM initiatives, visit www.brfla.org/edventures.