The UCSF Fresno Summer Biomedical Research Internship Program was established in 1988 to provide a quality biomedical research experience for high school students—the first of its kind in the Central San Joaquin Valley. The program matches high school students, in the summer between their junior and senior year of high school, with faculty members who have or are developing a research project. In the last seventeen years, over one hundred and fifty two students have participated in the SBI program and many of them are finishing their medical residencies, are working in the biomedicine or biotechnical industries, or are in medical school or doctorate programs at various universities.

Students are chosen each year based on their scholastic abilities. Applications are accepted from a six county area: Merced, Mariposa, Madera, Fresno, Tulare and Kings. The number of students coincides with the number of faculty willing to work with a student. The faculty member, his or her staff and the SBI student work daily on this project for 6 - 8 weeks. Additionally, every Friday is devoted to field trips for the group to visit each other's project, tour hospitals, medical facilities, listen to various speakers, participate in discussions with residents, and prepare for the college application process. Students also may view surgery and shadow in an emergency room. This program is designed to enhance the opportunity for students to develop an understanding of the biomedical sciences while introducing them to a possible career in the health care professions.

This is an opportunity for students to participate in basic and clinical research in such fields as surgical reconstruction, radiology, basic bench science, and epidemiology to name a few of the fields available.