🌍 Join Us in Shaping the Future of
Pandemic Prediction and Prevention
Are you ready to help build a future where we can
foresee and minimize the impact of pandemics?
*Applications are now CLOSED for the 2026 Undergraduate Summer Program. Offers to be released March 30, 2026.*
The NSF COMPASS Center—a collaboration of scientists and engineers across Virginia Tech, Cornell University, the University of Michigan, Wake Forest University, Meharry Medical College, and Northern Arizona University—is seeking undergraduates from across the country to join our 2026 Summer Internship Program. Each summer, COMPASS interns bring new ideas, creativity, and energy to our interdisciplinary community. We hope you’ll consider applying to help advance the science—and the workforce—needed to prepare for tomorrow’s pandemics.
Funded by the U.S. National Science Foundation, this program offers undergraduates a hands‑on, interdisciplinary research experience at the forefront of pandemic prediction and prevention.
🎓 About the Undergraduate Summer Internship Program
From May–July 2026, COMPASS interns will work alongside leading researchers on high‑impact pandemic research. Projects may include:
- Conduct mentored research in cutting‑edge areas of pandemic science
- Join virtual lectures and skill-building workshops
- Collaborate with peers across multiple universities
- Build a national network of mentors, collaborators, and fellow interns
🔍 What You’ll Work On:
These five projects illustrate the range of opportunities available. Final placement will depend on interests, skills, and project match. Please also read full descriptions of each project.
🧠 1. Machine Learning for Predicting Properties of Pathogens
Host: Dr. T. M. Murali — Virginia Tech
How can we predict whether a virus can infect a new host species? This project tackles core questions in computational pandemic prediction by applying advanced machine learning to viral sequence data. Students will learn to:
- Develop and evaluate ML and graph algorithms for biological prediction
- Analyze how viral protein sequences determine host range
- Train models on new data types and assess their generalizability
- Contribute to open-source scientific software
Desired skills/background/expertise: Substantial experience in Python. Knowledge of machine learning packages such as PyTorch will be very useful.
🧬 2. Evolution of Influenza Virus Polymerase & Host Adaptation
Host: Dr. Adam Lauring — University of Michigan
Influenza viruses frequently spill over from animals into humans. This project explores how mutations in the viral polymerase drive adaptation and influence mutation rates. Interns will gain exposure to:
- Laboratory assays for viral fitness and mutation rate measurement
- Mutations like PB2 E627K, critical for host adaptation
- Deep mutational scanning to study thousands of mutations in parallel
This work informs antiviral strategies and helps explain mechanisms of viral emergence.
🧪 3. Building an Immune‑Integrated Microphysiological Chip
Host: Dr. Colin Bishop — Wake Forest Institute for Regenerative Medicine
This engineering‑driven project aims to build an organ‑on‑chip system that incorporates a functional human immune compartment. Such a platform would enable:
- Real‑time study of immune signaling, pathogen interactions, and inflammation
- More accurate modeling of immune‑mediated pathology and drug responses
- Improved prediction of vaccine, biologic, and immunomodulator performance
Desired skills/background/expertise: Tissue culture expertise
💬 4. Understanding Public Perceptions of AI in Pandemic Prediction
Host: Dr. Julie Gerdes — Virginia Tech (Arlington Research Center)
As AI becomes more widely used in science and society, understanding public trust is critical. This project investigates how people perceive the use of AI/ML for predicting viral emergence and how concerns vary across communities. Intern responsibilities include:
- Reviewing literature in public health, communication, and ethics
- Assisting with study design for survey research
- Conducting statistical analysis (SPSS/R)
- Drafting communication materials and research briefs
Desired skills/background/expertise: This student should be an upperclassman (senior preferred) in public health, statistics, computer science, communication, bioethics, or a related field. They must have experience analyzing survey data in SPSS and/or R and/or completed courses in statistics or quantitative research. They should possess an interest in the ethics of pandemic research and/or pandemic risk communication, particularly in social perceptions of the use of machine learning/AI with a focus on health equity.
🦁 5. What’s in a Vector? Ticks as Emerging Carriers of Mosquito‑Borne Viruses
Host: Dr. Laura Goodman — Cornell University, Baker Institute for Animal Health
Are ticks potential carriers of traditionally mosquito‑borne viruses? This project examines new vectors and their role in West Nile Virus transmission, integrating field ecology, genomics, and virus discovery. Students will:
- Conduct molecular screening of ticks for known and novel viruses
- Use mitochondrial DNA to identify bloodmeal sources
- Compare pathogen genomes to strains circulating in humans
- Participate in analysis of two newly discovered viruses, including a hybrid flavivirus
Desired skills/background/expertise: We are looking for someone who is detail-oriented, organized, and eager to learn new skills in a teamwork-centered environment. Prior wet lab experience outside of class is a plus but not required.
📍 Internship Locations for 2026
COMPASS will place at least five interns, with potential for more. Planned host sites include:
- Virginia Tech (2 interns)
- Cornell University (1 intern)
- University of Michigan (1 intern)
- Wake Forest University (1 intern)
💼 Compensation
Each selected intern will receive:
- Approximately $10,500 including
- Summer stipend
- Housing + living support
- Travel
- Final amount based on location
📅 Important Dates
Applications Open: February 17, 2026
Applications Close: March 12, 2026 – Please note that applications are now closed for 2026.
Application Review: March 13 – March 20, 2026
Offers Released: March 30, 2026
⭐ Who Should Apply?
We welcome applications from undergraduates nationwide who are:
- Curious about computer science, AI/ML, virology, tissue engineering, biology, public health, or related fields
- Excited to contribute to interdisciplinary, socially responsible research
- Motivated to learn new skills and work with interdisciplinary research teams
- Seeking an immersive summer research experience with national impact
❌ Applications are now CLOSED for the 2026 Undergraduate Summer Program
Applicants will submit:
- A short statement of interest with academic background and description of relevant experience or skills
- Resume/CV
- Unofficial transcript
- Names and contact information for two references
Questions? Contact Leslie Thornton‑O’Brien (lthornto@vt.edu) and Thanigaivelan Kanagasabai (tkanagasabai@mmc.edu).