Indigo Research
Innovator Global Lab
A selective, intensive high school research program featuring hands-on, wet-lab biotechnology research, where students conduct independent projects and create publication-ready research papers. Available in Pasadena, New York, and Singapore.
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Global Research Locations
Study and conduct research across three world-class hubs –Singapore, Pasadena, and New York, gaining first-hand exposure to biotechnology innovation in leading academic and lab environments.
Publication-Ready Biotechnology Paper
Produce a polished, empirical research paper based on your own laboratory data, prepared for submission to peer-reviewed academic journals and guided by expert mentorship.
Personalised Group Mentorship
Learn in a small, selective cohort of up to 20 students with personalised guidance from experienced faculty throughout the program.
Core Research Methodology Training
Build essential research skills – literature review, methodology, analysis – through interactive tutorials and hands-on practicums designed for biotechnology students.
Academic and Cultural Exploration
Enrich your learning with university visits, cultural excursions, and social activities tailored to each program location, fostering academic growth and a strong sense of community.
Your Global Lab Experience
Academics
- World-Class TeachingLearn from top academics, including Dr. Jorge Avila from UCLA, Dr. Xavier Portillo from Harvard, Dr. Yi Han Ng from Stanford, and elite graduate students.
- Research Method TrainingBuild strong foundations in research methods through engaging practicums and guided sessions.
- Biology-Focused ProjectsExplore topics in Biotechnology, Molecular biology, Cell biology, Biochemistry, Genetics, Microbiology, Neuroscience, and Biomedical research.
- Primary Data CollectionGather and analyze your own original data through hands-on laboratory experiments.
- Publication-Ready PaperComplete a rigorous research paper, ready for submission to an academic journal.
Residential Life
- Live the Researcher ExperienceStay in program accommodation near your research hub and work in professional-grade laboratory environments using cutting-edge biotechnology equipment.
- Cultural ExcursionsExplore each host city through curated outings, university visits, and cultural experiences designed to complement your academic journey.
- Social EventsBuild lifelong friendships during activity nights with students from around the world.
Online Support
- Pre-Arrival Academic OrientationGet confident with an online bootcamp covering research foundations and methodology before arriving at your selected program location for the lab experience.
- Ongoing Publication SupportContinue working with our team in online office hours to polish and complete your research paper (additional 1:1 hours available as add-on).
- Fast-Track to PublicationEligible students will be fast-tracked for
inclusion in the upcoming issues of Convergence and IJHSR academic journals.
What You'll Achieve
- Immerse yourself in the life of a researcher• Experience a renowned wet lab incubator and gain insider knowledge of how biology and biotechnology research is conducted, using cutting-edge equipment.
• Engage with experienced faculty on-site, working alongside researchers who will guide you through high-quality research projects. - Create a publication-ready research paper• Set yourself up to be eligible for two credits while still in high school through the UCSB Extension School via the Indigo Academic Conference.
• Earn a competitive edge for college/university applications.
- Build your network & Cultural experience• Join an international community of ambitious students, building friendships and connections that last well beyond the program.
• Discover the cultural and academic richness of each global research hub through location-specific experiences designed to complement your learning.
Meet Your Mentors
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Dr. Jorge Avila
Assistant Director, Undergraduate Research Center-Sciences and Instructor of Research Practice, UCLA
✔ Ph.D. in Behavioral Neuroscience/Psychology, City University of New York
✔ Postdoctoral Researcher at Rutgers University under Dr. Gary Aston-Jones
✔ B.S. in Psychology, Penn State University
✔ Faculty Advisor: Undergraduate Science Journal & Undergraduate Interdisciplinary Research Association
✔ Program Director: UCLA URC Research Endowment Programs (URFP, URSP, Summer Programs)
✔ Created new pipelines for immunofluorescent labeling, RNA–protein co-detection, and quantitative analysis
✔ Skilled in stereotaxic surgery, IV catheter implantation, cryosectioning, western blotting, behavioral testing, and advanced statistical analysis
✔ Experienced in scientific writing, grant writing, and publication development
✔ Postdoctoral Researcher at Rutgers University under Dr. Gary Aston-Jones
✔ B.S. in Psychology, Penn State University
✔ Faculty Advisor: Undergraduate Science Journal & Undergraduate Interdisciplinary Research Association
✔ Program Director: UCLA URC Research Endowment Programs (URFP, URSP, Summer Programs)
✔ Created new pipelines for immunofluorescent labeling, RNA–protein co-detection, and quantitative analysis
✔ Skilled in stereotaxic surgery, IV catheter implantation, cryosectioning, western blotting, behavioral testing, and advanced statistical analysis
✔ Experienced in scientific writing, grant writing, and publication development
Dr. Xavier Portillo
Kavli–Laukien Postdoctoral Fellow, Origins of Life Initiative, Department of Genetics, Harvard Medical School
✔ Ph.D. in Biological and Biomedical Sciences (Molecular Cell Biology, Genetics, and Development), Yale University.
✔ M.S. in Molecular, Cellular, and Developmental Biology, Yale University.
✔ Awarded NSF Graduate Research Fellowship and NASA Graduate Fellowship during graduate studies.
✔ Specializes in next-generation sequencing, bioinformatics, and machine learning to catalog and track RNA evolution.
✔ Leads projects on engineering regulatory RNAs to enhance existing functions or generate novel biological functions.
✔ Over 10 years of mentorship experience, supporting students from diverse backgrounds and identities.
✔ Recipient of Yale’s Prize Teaching Fellowship, one of the university’s highest teaching honors.
✔ M.S. in Molecular, Cellular, and Developmental Biology, Yale University.
✔ Awarded NSF Graduate Research Fellowship and NASA Graduate Fellowship during graduate studies.
✔ Specializes in next-generation sequencing, bioinformatics, and machine learning to catalog and track RNA evolution.
✔ Leads projects on engineering regulatory RNAs to enhance existing functions or generate novel biological functions.
✔ Over 10 years of mentorship experience, supporting students from diverse backgrounds and identities.
✔ Recipient of Yale’s Prize Teaching Fellowship, one of the university’s highest teaching honors.
Dr. Yi Han Ng
Researcher at Stanford University
✔ Ph.D. in Microbiology and Immunology – Stanford.
✔ Research focus: synapse formation and organization using human-induced neurons.
✔ Uses CRISPR-knockout models to study the roles of specific synaptic proteins in neural connectivity.
✔ Developed novel delivery systems to reprogram human embryonic stem cells into functional midbrain dopamine neurons.
✔ Recipient of the National Science Scholarship (PhD) and a Young Investigator Research Grant.
✔ Presented research at international scientific conferences.
✔ Expertise in stem cell biology, molecular biology, and advanced reprogramming technologies.
✔ Research focus: synapse formation and organization using human-induced neurons.
✔ Uses CRISPR-knockout models to study the roles of specific synaptic proteins in neural connectivity.
✔ Developed novel delivery systems to reprogram human embryonic stem cells into functional midbrain dopamine neurons.
✔ Recipient of the National Science Scholarship (PhD) and a Young Investigator Research Grant.
✔ Presented research at international scientific conferences.
✔ Expertise in stem cell biology, molecular biology, and advanced reprogramming technologies.
Check Out Our Programme Schedule
Check Out Our Programme Schedule
Your Global Lab Journey
Your Global Lab experience will consist of 3 phases that take you from research novice to published author.
Phase 1: VIRTUAL
Complete an academic orientation and bootcamp, choose your research question, learn research methodology foundations, and prepare for the in-person lab experience.
Phase 2 (IN-PERSON: PASADENA, NEW YORK OR SINGAPORE)
Conduct hands-on research in a high-tech wet lab, attend lectures, collect and analyze your own data and present your findings.
Phase 3: VIRTUAL
Receive individual publishing support through 1:1 and group sessions to complete and refine your research paper for publication in academic journals.
Phase 1: VIRTUAL
Complete an academic orientation and bootcamp, choose your research question, learn research methodology foundations, and prepare for the in-person lab experience.
Phase 2 (IN-PERSON: PASADENA, NEW YORK OR SINGAPORE)
Conduct hands-on research in a high-tech wet lab, attend lectures, collect and analyze your own data and present your findings.
Phase 3: VIRTUAL
Receive individual publishing support through 1:1 and group sessions to complete and refine your research paper for publication in academic journals.
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Want the full breakdown?
Click here to view an example of the full schedule.
Tuition Fee
$13,600
Tuition Fee consists of Non-refundable deposit ($1,500 USD) and Program cost.
Program Cost Includes:
- In-person and online sessions
- Lab materials fee
- Lunch*
- Virtual sessions before and after residential experience
- Location-specific program access at your selected research hub
Residential options are limited and vary by location*
Does Not Include:
- International transportation
- Local transportation (to and from school)
- Health insurance
- Visa support
- Meal expenditures
- Pocket money
How to Apply
Step 1. Declare Your Interest
Complete the form on this page, and you’ll be able to select a convenient time for an intro call with our team.
Step 2. Submit Your Application & Complete the Interview
After the intro call, submit your application and complete an interview with our Admissions Committee. During the interview, we’ll review your application, discuss your candidacy, and share more details about the program.
Step 3. Secure Your Place
If you’re successful in the interview, we’ll send you an offer. To confirm your spot, simply pay a $1,500 deposit within 7 days. The remaining balance must be paid no later than 45 days before the program starts.
Frequently Asked Questions
What if I miss a class session?
In the off chance you're not able to attend one of the virtual class sessions, you can let the course administrator know, and she will send you a recording of the class you missed, as well as any homework or other instructions you may need. Be sure to give the Professor a heads up that you won't be able to attend!
Do you guarantee letters of recommendation?
We encourage all students to ask for recommendation letters that might help showcase their initiative and passion. While we cannot guarantee letters of recommendation – it would be unethical to do so –, Indigo mentors have been known to write excellent letters for students who complete their papers and are highly engaged during sessions.
What if I need more time to finish my paper?
The IRIS program has been designed to allow the vast majority of students to complete a 3-6 page paper in the time allotted. If you decide to write a longer paper, or you need more time to complete the 3-6 page paper, please contact your course administrator. She will help you assess whether or not you need more 1:1 sessions, or if offline support would be sufficient.
How do I get my paper published?
We teach students all the ins and outs of publishing research and offer a comprehensive database of journal and competition options for high school researchers. On top of that, Indigo also offers detailed guidelines and streamlined processes to submit to some of our partner journals. If you would like to get 1:1 guidance on getting published, you may purchase this separately, and a mentor will help you choose a target journal and complete all necessary steps for publication.
What is included in the program fee?
- In-person and online sessions
- Lunch*
- Lab materials fee
- Virtual sessions before and after residential experience
- Residential accommodation and meals are included only where offered*
Residential options are limited and vary by location*
What is not included in the program fee?
- International transportation
- Local transportation
- Health insurance
- Visa support
- Meals expenditures
- Pocket money
Who is this program suitable for?
This program is best suited for motivated high school students (ages 15–19) with a strong interest in biotechnology and life sciences who want to gain real research experience and complete a high-quality academic paper. With expert mentorship and hands-on lab training, students build the research foundations, methodology, and academic depth that top universities look for.
How to enrol in the program?
Ensure you will be between 15 and 19 years old at the start of the program. Your English language proficiency will be assessed during the interview process. Declare your interest by completing the form on this page, and you’ll be able to select a convenient time for an intro call with our team. After the intro call, submit your application and complete an interview with our Admissions Committee. During the interview, we’ll review your application, discuss your candidacy, and share more details about the program. If you’re successful in the interview, we’ll send you an offer. To confirm your spot, simply pay a $1,500 deposit within 7 days. The remaining balance must be paid no later than 45 days before the program starts.
What English level do I need to attend the program?
To successfully participate in the Indigo Global Lab program, you will need an Upper-Intermediate level of English. This ensures you can fully engage with the course materials and effectively communicate with our expert tutors and your classmates.
What are the benefits of attending the Indigo Global Lab program?
- Complete a university-level review paper, ready for submission to an academic journal.
- Experience a renowned wet lab incubator that gives you insider knowledge of how biology and biotechnology research is conducted.
- Stand out with a unique academic achievement that showcases your intellectual curiosity and commitment.
- Become eligible for two university credits through the Indigo Academic Conference and UCSB Extension School — while still in school!
- Collaborate with ambitious students from around the world — form friendships, expand your worldview, and join a truly international community.
What will I receive after the program?
Upon successful completion of the Indigo Global Lab program, you will be celebrated at a formal award ceremony. As a testament to your achievements, you will receive a certificate recognizing your participation and accomplishments.
What type of research paper will I produce?
You'll produce an empirical research paper based on your own original laboratory research conducted in the wet lab. This means you'll be gathering and analyzing your own primary data through hands-on experiments.
When is the enrollment deadline?
Places are filled on a first-come, first-served basis. Applications close when we reach capacity of 20 students per cohort.
Will you help with a visa to attend the program?
Indigo Research does not provide visa assistance. All students are responsible for obtaining the necessary passport and visa for their chosen destination.
If I have to cancel, will I get my money back?
Indigo Cancellation Protection is available upon enrollment and charged as a one-time, non-refundable fee of $1,500 USD. This covers cancellations due to illness before departure. A doctor’s documentation is needed within 10 days of the claim.
