BrainMind
Internship at the Intersection of Neuroscience and Entrepreneurship
The BrainMind Ecosystem is a collective of top brain scientists, entrepreneurs, investors, philanthropists, and other doers and thinkers who aim to advance ideas in neuroscience, psychology, brain health and vibrancy, optimized learning, and other cutting-edge BrainMind topics. Members of this unique group are patient, risk-tolerant, and passionate about the brain and the mystery of human consciousness, in addition to being individually at the top of their respective fields.
The Internship - Cambridge, MA
Each summer, 10-12 carefully selected undergraduate students from top schools around the country come together in Cambridge to learn, grow, and be immersed in the nexus of brain science and entrepreneurship. The BrainMind Internship Program gives students the unique opportunity to get involved with BrainMind programs through summits and discussions, as well as networking opportunities and personal projects. As students learn to manage special projects, they develop both hard skills (market research, data analysis, etc.) and soft skills (critical problem solving, collaboration). Students will grow their networks and develop their personal and professional skills through mentorship with experts in neurotechnology, investing, startups, and more, continuing even after the summer.
Students are not only encouraged but also empowered to explore and develop their unique ideas within the program's framework. As a result, numerous participants have extended their concepts, establishing successful companies or impactful non-profits.
BrainMind interns come from a variety of backgrounds and interests. What unites them all is a passion for the brain, entrepreneurship, and social impact. These topics are at the heart of the internship.
Best of BrainMind
Summer 2024 Key Intern Activities
Ethics and Brain Science Gathering with UNESCO and MIT Media Lab
Take a look at our Summer 2024 Neuroethics Event, featuring:
Dr. Karen Rommelfanger, UNESCO representative
Dr. Nataliya Kosmyna, MIT Media Lab researcher
BrainMind Leadership and Intern Team
This event was an engaging session, allowing participants to contribute to the creation of International Policies and Guidelines on Neuroethics.
BrainMind + Your Brain on Art: How Art Transforms Us
Inspired by the groundbreaking insights of our cohosts, Susan Magsamen and Ivy Ross, in their best selling book "Your Brain on Art: How the Arts Transform Us", this day was dedicated to exploring how the arts and aesthetic experiences measurably change the body, brain, and behavior. Participants were able to awaken their senses through the perfect blend of theory and practice, immersing themselves in live artistic experiences where they not only witnessed but could actively participate in creative expression.
BrainMind Special Forum: Neuromodulation + BCI + AI
This past June, BrainMind invited world-renowned experts to explore the forefront of cognitive innovation. These two days delved into the rapidly evolving landscapes of neuromodulation, brain-computer interfaces (BCIs), and the interaction of artificial and biological intelligence. These cutting-edge technologies are transforming lives — enabling people to walk again, talk again, see again, and hear again. Not only are these scientific breakthroughs restoring function, they are offering transformative potential for mental health and human performance.
Mentorship Sessions with Leading Professionals in Neuroscience and Business Development
Pitch Competitions
Retreat in Cape Cod
“The BrainMind Internship is the perfect starter course on how to be a student entrepreneur. While BrainMind provides incredible exposure to myriad fields within neuroscience, the BrainMind internship also offers many opportunities to get involved in companies addressing the social determinants of health, impact investing, philanthropy, AI, and social entrepreneurship. ”
“You get the opportunity to be more than just an “intern”; you’ll have the chance to take on projects of your own and really learn how to manage real-world issues and how to work with teams of like-minded people. I got to explore many of my interests (and find completely new ones) while learning and meeting the best people”
Projects that interns can engage with:
Building connections between brilliant neuroscientists and tech entrepreneurs
Writing and fact finding about the current landscape of neuroscience startups and research topics
Organising and participating in scientific salons in Boston, Menlo Park, LA, NYC
Preparing for BrainMind's national scientific summits
Strategic planning for BrainMind’s Global Neuroethics Initiative
Gaining experience in cutting edge knowledge on the neuroscience of meditation and other mental-wellness initiatives
Within this internship, participants can expect to cultivate a range of valuable skills, including:
Entrepreneurial Skills
Creative Problem Solving
Project and Team Management
Marketing and Design
Professional Communication
Introspection and Self Development
Outreach Skills
Presentation Skills
Conscious Leadership Skills
Business, Scientific, & Tech Writing
Previous BrainMind Interns and where are they now:
Chloe Duckworth, USC (‘23)
CEO, Valence Vibrations
Vinh Tonm, Stanford (‘20)
Software Engineer, Google
Abe Dada, Harvard (‘21)
M.D. Candidate, UCSF
Anna Peters, Harvard (‘23)
Analyst, NeurotechX
Ranya Belmaachi, NYU (‘23)
Consultant, OpenBCI
Sophie Ishiwari, UPenn (‘23)
Co-founder, Sonura
Shreya Singhvi, Berkeley (‘22)
Product Manager, Flourish Labs
Isaac Schaider, Stanford (‘22)
Investor, D. E. Shaw
Isaiah Nawaz, Brown University (‘25)
Summer Analyst at Clearview Healthcare Partners
Brandon Palacios, Harvard (‘21)
Assistant Clinical Research Coordinator, UCSF
“This internship was the most valuable experience I have had in my academic life. I gained skills that will carry throughout my career and discovered more about myself than I thought possible. I can’t recommend this internship enough. ”
“BrainMind is filled with bright and hardworking students, as well as a management team whose number one priority is to help you grow as an entrepreneur, a teammate, and someone with the ability to make a lasting impact on the world. ”
This program is strategically crafted to empower students in their career journey, providing them with a robust foundation to excel in their chosen paths.
Former interns have transitioned from our programs to achieve remarkable and varied accomplishments. They have effectively translated the skills acquired during this program into gratifying and influential careers. Many even used connections or mentors fostered during the internship to launch their careers.