Block I logo
University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
  • My.Medicine
  • Give Now
Carle Illinois College of Medicine
Search
  • News
  • About

    About

    • Strategic Plan
    • Overview
    • Mission & Vision
    • Events
    • Partnerships
    • Reengineering Medicine with The Grainger College of Engineering
    • Global Consortium of Innovation and Engineering in Medicine
      • Global Summit 2025
      • Global Health Innovation Grand Challenge Awards
    • Directory
      • Leadership
      • Faculty
        • Biomedical and Translational Sciences
        • Clinical Sciences
        • Health Innovation Professors
        • Medical Education Facilitators
      • Administration
    • Office of Faculty Affairs and Development
      • Professional Development for Current Faculty
    • Policies
      • Mistreatment
    • 2024 Annual Report
    • LCME Accreditation
    • AI in Medicine Certificate
    • Employment
    • Carle Illinois Merch Store
  • Admissions

    We Are Physician Innovators

    Admissions

    • Before You Apply
    • Application Timelines & Deadlines
    • Tuition, Fees + Scholarships
    • Admissions Policies
    • Visit Us Virtually
    • FAQ
    • License Disclosure
    • MD/PhD Medical Scholars Program
    • Contact Us
  • Academics

    Academics

    • Learning Environment
    • Faculty Course and Clerkship Directors
    • Faculty Medical Education Facilitators
    • Faculty Health Innovation Professors
    • Departments
      • Biomedical and Translational Sciences
      • Clinical Sciences
    • Threads
      • Bioethics and Medical Humanities
      • Engineering + Innovation
      • Health Systems
      • Lifespan Health
      • Social and Structural Determinants of Health
    • Curriculum
      • Paradigm-Shifting Curriculum
      • Program Schedule
      • General Competencies and Medical Education Program Objectives
      • Active Learning Environment
      • Innovation Opportunities
      • Tutoring at Carle Illinois
      • Discovery Learning
  • Innovation

    Innovation

    • Capstone Innovations
    • Facilities
    • AxisMED
    • Health Maker Lab
    • Jump Simulation Center
      • Simulation Equipment
      • Simulation Spaces & Suites
      • Why Simulation?
    • Technology Transfer
    • Funding Opportunities
    • Response to COVID-19
  • Research

    Research

    • Medical Research Themes
      • Acute & Critical Care & Trauma
      • Cancer & Oncology
      • Dermatology
      • Heart & Vascular
      • Internal Medicine
      • Medical Education
      • Neurosciences
      • Obstetrics & Gynecology
      • Ophthalmology
      • Orthopedics
      • Pathology
      • Pediatrics
      • Plastic Surgery
      • Radiology
      • Surgery
    • Cross-Cutting Research Themes
      • Data Science & Machine Learning
      • Genetics, Genomics, & Metabolimics
      • Global Health
      • Health Disparities
      • Health Innovation Professors
      • Image Analysis & Photonics (MRI)
      • IUCRC (Virtual & Mixed Reality)
      • Medical Devices, Applications, & Healthcare Systems
      • Public Health/Epidemiology
      • Robotics & Simulation
  • Diversity

    Diversity

    • Diversity News
    • Carle Health DEI
    • Student Interest Groups
    • Student Events for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
    • Campus Calendar of Events
    • Reflections on Heritage and Pride
    • Pathway Programs and Partnerships
      • Doctor for a Day
      • REACH Program
      • SpHERES High School Research Program
  • Student Life

    Student Life

    • Wellness Program
    • Innovation Pods
    • Health + Wellness Resources
    • Financial Education
    • Life in Champaign-Urbana
    • Student Handbook
    • Student Interest Groups
    • Student Blog
    • Alumni Voices
  • Giving

    Giving

    • How to Give
    • Professorships, Awards, and Endowments
    • Giving Stories
    • Alumni Stories
    • Contact Us
    • Impact Report
    • Summer '22 Newsletter
    • Fall '22 Newsletter
    • Spring '23 Newsletter
  • My.Medicine
  • Give Now
  • Home
  • Diversity
  • Pathway Programs and Partnerships
  • SpHERES High School Research Program
In This Section
  • Diversity Overview
  • Diversity News
  • Carle Health DEI
  • Student Interest Groups
  • Student Events for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
  • Campus Calendar of Events
  • Reflections on Heritage and Pride
  • Pathway Programs and Partnerships
    • Doctor for a Day
    • REACH Program
    • SpHERES High School Research Program

SpHERES High School Research Program

Sparking High Schoolers' Excitement for Research in Engineering & Science (SpHERES)

SpHERES Scholars will work together with a research faculty member and mentors to complete a research project. In addition to this research experience, SpHERES Scholars will also gain more information about preparing for a career in medicine.

Applications for the 2025 period are now closed. 

SpHERES is part of the Young Scholars Summer STEMM Research Programs through the Worldwide Youth in Science and Engineering Program | UIUC (illinois.edu).

The SpHERES Program

Please note the following Summer 2025 Young Scholars Dates:

  • In-person Orientation: June 17-18, 2025
  • In-person Research Begins: June 20, 2025
  • In-person Final Symposium: August 1, 2025

Program Goals

  • Introduce students to clinically-focused research and promote health career opportunities
  • Help students gain knowledge in a variety of STEM applications, innovation, entrepreneurship and holistic inclusive care
  • Help students gain an understanding of the intersection of medicine, science, and engineering

Student Benefits

  • Exposure to health career related research, clinical skills, innovation and entrepreneurship
  • Pursue higher education goals
  • Build your resume
  • Get a taste of college life
  • Gain professional development skills
  • $2,400 summer stipend!  

As a SpHERES student, you will:

  • Participate in an authentic research experience at a world-class research university using methods to make learning virtually come to life.
  • Participate in weekly seminars on various topics including research projects, college readiness, innovation, entrepreneurship, holistic inclusive care and clinical skills.
  • Become acclimated to a university setting and gain confidence in attending college.
  • Receive multiple layers of mentorship, through faculty, staff, graduate and undergraduate students as well as medical students and physicians.

What is the difference between the various summer high school programs? (SpHERES, GEnYuS)

All programs have the same goals and program structure. The difference is the research you will be doing in each program.

  • SpHERES: If you are interested in a future healthcare career and engineering, innovation and or entrepreneurship, then the SPHERES program may be right for you!  You will be able to participate in research from departments across campus that include but are not limited to: Sociology, Molecular and Integrative Physiology, Neuroscience, Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Bioengineering, Human Development and Family studies, Kinesiology,  and Micro & Nanotechnology Laboratory.
  • GEnYuS – This program focuses on physics research. If you are interested in dark matter, lasers, or materials, then the GEnYuS program may be right for you.

Regardless of the program in which you are interested, you will be applying through the same application system. In your essay, you can discuss which program you prefer to attend. Be sure to mention “SpHERES” if you would like to be considered for our summer high school program.

Questions?

Contact us to learn more:
uiuc-spheres@illinois.edu

Program Sponsors

Carle Illinois College of Medicine

Carle Illinois College of Medicine

  • Twitter
  • Instagram
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn
  • YouTube

506 South Mathews Ave

Urbana, IL 61801

Phone: 217-300-5700

Fax:

Email: medicine@illinois.edu

Get in Touch Make a Gift

Connect

  • Admissions
  • Carle Health
  • University of Illinois College of Medicine at Urbana-Champaign
  • Intranet
  • Submit an event
  • Report Mistreatment of Students
  • Professionalism Compliments or Concerns within the CI MED Community
  • Submit Recognition

Around Campus

  • Campus Map
  • University Admissions
  • Careers at Illinois
  • University News
  • Giving at Illinois
  • University Alumni
  • Athletics
  • University Library

Universitywide Resources

  • Emergency Services
  • University Calendars
  • University Directory
  • Student Assistance Center
  • Health and Wellness
  • Parents and Families
  • University COVID-19 Information

About Illinois

  • VC of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion
  • Land Acknowledgement
  • University Research and Innovation
  • Technology Services
  • Illinois International
  • University Strategic Plan
  • University of Illinois System
  • Privacy Policy
  • Copyright © 2025
  • Accessibility
  • Webmaster
  • Login