Neurobiology at Berkeley

Explore neurobiology through discovery and hands-on learning.

Summer program for teens to unravel the mysteries of the brain and nervous system.

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Program Highlights

Comprehend the fundamental structure and function of the mammalian nervous system.

Learn how neurobiological research has advanced our understanding of the complexities of the brain.

Explore disruptions in the brain caused by injury or neurological disease.

Analyze how the nervous system adapts throughout life in response to experiences

Residential Tuition:
$5,998

Commuter Tuition:
$3,298

Session 2:
June 22, 2025 July 4, 2025

Session 4:
July 6, 2025 July 18, 2025

Session 6:
July 20, 2025 August 1, 2025

Berkeley
Berkeley, CA

Testimonials

"Summer Springboard was a great time, the connections i’ve made and the exposure to college life that i’ve garnered are extremely valuable. It is also just a fun escape from the trials and tribulations of boring day-to-day life in the summer. I loved this program and would do it again in a heartbeat."

Pranay M.
"I felt so welcomed by my peers and staff at this program, and I am so excited for a real college experience!"

Carter G.

Course Overview

This course offers students a comprehensive introduction to neurobiology and the fascinating interdisciplinary study of neuroscience, the brain, and nervous system. Students will explore “normal behavior” by examining the precise mechanisms through which the nervous system orchestrates thought, action, and emotion. Through a combination of lectures, interactive discussions, and hands-on activities, students will delve into the intricate world of molecules, cells, and circuits that shape human behavior. From understanding developmental processes to examining the impacts of brain injury and disease, students will gain a holistic understanding of neurobiological principles while fostering a broader perspective on this fascinating field of research. Students will also explore the wide range of job prospects in neurobiology across many sectors, including academic research, biotechnology, drug discovery, clinical and medical settings, biomedical engineering, neuroinformatics, and more.

Meet your instructor

Isabelle Gonzalez Montalvo

Session: 4

Isabelle is a Neuroscience Ph.D. candidate in the Berke Lab at UCSF. She holds her B.S. in Molecular Biology from the University of Puerto Rico, Rio Piedras. Her research focuses on understanding how the basal ganglia contribute to movement control and decision-making. Beyond her research, Isabelle is dedicated to mentorship and increasing access to research opportunities. She has served as a graduate student advisor in UCSF-founded research programs, such as the Summer Research Training Program, mentoring undergraduate students. She has also been an advisor for the UCSF PITCH program, another UCSF-founded initiative that provides exposure and hands-on experience in the health sciences to students from underrepresented backgrounds and first-generation college students.

Lucas Encarnacion-Riviera

Sessions: 2 & 6

Lucas is a PhD candidate and an emerging leader in computational neuroscience at Stanford University, where he combines cutting-edge dynamical systems modeling with computational ethology to unlock new insights into motivation and movement disorders. As a National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellow working under pioneering neuroscientists Dr. Karl Deisseroth and Dr. Liqun Luo, he is working on innovative approaches to understanding complex brain functions. He also holds his BS in neuroscience from Emory University.

Topics you'll explore

Hands-on Learning

Hands-on experiments in this course are carefully designed to expose students to a broad range of molecular, microbiological, and cell biological techniques currently used in research laboratories.

Career Exploration

Last year, students had the opportunity to visit a variety of neuroscience research institutions such as, Neuroscape and Gladstone Institute, as well as Bay Area research companies like Denali Therapeutics. The students also had the chance to visit the Henry J. Wheeler, Jr Brain Imaging Center where they were shown a live fMRI and given a tour of the fascinating technology at Berkeley's state-of-the-art research facility.