A career in biotechnology can take you to university laboratories, small technology start-ups or some of the biggest pharmaceutical or energy companies in the world. At the NSLC on Biotechnology, you will go behind-the-scenes at some of our country’s most advanced research labs and discover what it takes to have a successful career on the cutting-edge of science and technology.
College Credit is Available for This Program
The National Student Leadership Conference has a unique partnership with American University to offer college credit for our high school summer programs. The American University is distinguished as a premier global university and known for turning “ideas into action and action into service.” As a result of this NSLC/AU alliance, students attending the NSLC’s summer programs for high school students have the opportunity to take college credit classes taught by American University faculty at all NSLC locations. This credit option enhances your education within the framework of your program experience, without interrupting NSLC activities.
Read more about earning college credit through your NSLC program.
Program Highlights
Visit research labs
Learn from scientists, doctors and engineers working in advanced research labs during exclusive hands-on tours.
Hands-on experiments
Learn the basics of DNA manipulation during intensive biotech experiments.
Explore cutting-edge technologies
used in the fields of medicine, energy production, agriculture, and bioengineering.
Dates & Locations
Northwestern University
Chicago, IL
- August 3 – August 11
University of California, Berkeley
San Francisco, CA
- July 13 – July 21
- July 25 – August 2
American University
Washington, DC
- July 10 - July 18
- July 22 – July 30
Explore cutting-edge technologies
Hands-on Simulations
While at the NSLC, you will have the opportunity to step into the lab and learn hands-on the skills used in the field of biotechnology to manipulate DNA and create products like better medicines and cleaner fuels.
Lab experiences will include:
- Cut DNA with restriction enzymes
- Ligate or paste DNA fragments back together
- Run agarose gel electrophoresis
- Use the Nobel Prize-winning PCR technique
- Experiment with ELISA and Flow
Meet Biotechnology Professionals
While at the NSLC on Biotechnology program, you will meet with and learn from leaders in the biotechnology field. In past years, guest speakers have included:
Dr. Francis S. Collins
Director, National Institutes of Health
Dr. Ben Busby
Computational Biology Branch, National Center for Biotechnology Information
Dr. Eric D. Green
Director, National Human Genome Research Institute (NIH)
Dean Stephen Carr
Associate Dean of Undergraduate Engineering, Northwestern University
Dr. Jon R. Lorsch
Director, National Insitute of General Medical Sciences
Dr. Anthony S. Fauci
Director, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIH)
Mr. Terry Johnson
Associate Teaching Professor, UC Berkeley Department of Bioengineering
Dr. Hayley Lam
Lecturer, UC Berkeley Departement of Bioengineering
Mr. Ron Shigeta
Chief Science Officer, Indie Bio
Experience the biotech industry first-hand
Behind-the-Scenes Tours
An important part of the NSLC’s Biotechnology youth leadership program is seeing the sites around some of our nation’s greatest cities. These trips are designed as both sightseeing tours and exclusive educational trips specifically tailored to the area of Biotechnology:
- Northwestern University Prosthetics & Orthotics Center
- Simpson Querrey Institute for BioNanotechnology
- Abbvie Pharmaceuticals
- Illinois Science & Technology Park
- Magnificent Mile
- Navy Pier
- Joint BioEnergy Institute
- Gladstone Institutes at University of California, San Francisco
- Fisherman’s Wharf
- Ghiradelli Square
- Pier 39
- UMD/NIST Institute for Bioscience & Biotechnology Research
- National Institutes of Health (NIH)
- MedImmune
- QIAGEN
- GlaxoSmithKline (GSK)
- The Smithsonian Institution
- Historic D.C. Monuments at Night
- Historic Georgetown
- Capitol Hill
Leadership Training
At the heart of each of our youth leadership programs is a curriculum designed to build concrete leadership skills that will help you succeed. From the beginning of your program you will learn to work as a team during an exciting Ropes Challenge Course. Interactive lectures and small-group workshops will give you an opportunity to build upon your strengths and minimize your weaknesses.
Leadership topics tailored to the Biotechnology program include:
- Personality Styles and Group Dynamics
- Conflict Resolution
- Public Speaking
- Ethical Decision-Making
Your NSLC tuition is all-inclusive. Your tuition covers course materials, housing, on-campus meals, social events and transportation throughout your program.
We offer a comprehensive scholarship program to assist qualified students with the cost of NSLC tuition, based on financial need, academic merit and extracurriculars.
Fundraising is a great way to raise funds to contribute toward your NSLC program tuition while also forging relationships with leaders in your community.