2025 Summer Internships
Applications for our 2025 summer internships are now open, and will close on March 21st, 2025. Learn more about our available projects below. To apply, please email your CV and cover letter to westernspace@uwo.ca with the subject:"Summer Internship with Dr. (insert name)." For projects with Dr. Wong, please specify "Project 1 or 2" in your subject line.
This year's internships
Stratospheric balloon testing of a new infrared camera for astronomy
Professor:
Department:
Physics & Astronomy
Project Description:
Students would join a project funded by the Canadian Space Agency to test the performance of commercial near-infrared cameras for astronomical observations from a stratospheric balloon. Testing and observations will be performed in the lab or on 50 cm telescopes at Western’s Elginfield Observatory (25 km north of London, Ontario). The equipment will then be assembled and readied for a late-August launch on a stratospheric balloon. The tests will inform the potential use of such near-infrared cameras for future astronomy space missions.
Required qualifications:
Experience with electronics in lab settings and/or knowledge of python would be advantageous.
Additional Notes:
The position may entail late-night astronomical observations at Elginfield Observatory, 25 km north of London. There will be an opportunity to join the stratospheric balloon launch from Timmins, ON in late August.
Project 1: Development of an Organoids-on-Chip Model for Radiation Exposure Experiments
Professor:
Co-supervisors:
Tamie Poepping; Chris Pin; Marcel Vazquez; Antonella Bertucci
Departments:
Department of Physics & Astronomy, Physiology & Pharmacology; Canadian Nuclear Laboratories
Project Description:
Understanding the effects of radiation exposure on human tissues is crucial for applications in space exploration, radiation safety, and more. Microfluidic chips have been and can be sent to space to understand the impact of space radiation on organoids cultured on the chips. This project is part of collaborative effort to develop and test organoids responses to radiation exposure, with this project’s goal to specifically design and fabricate a microfluidic chip that supports organoid growth and dynamic perfusion.
The student will use soft lithography to create microfluidic channels with multiple chambers for different organoids, optimize extracellular matrix conditions for organoid culture, and integrate biosensors for real-time monitoring. The expected outcome of the project is a functional organoids-on-chip platform that mimics physiological microenvironments for radiation studies.
Required qualifications:
Applicants should demonstrate a background suitable for one of the selected projects (#1 or #2); a complementary background for the other project may serve as an advantage. A background in physics, biophysics, or engineering is required. Design experience will be an asset.
Project 2: The testing of organoids responses to radiation exposure
Professor:
Co-supervisors:
Tamie Poepping; Chris Pin; Marcel Vazquez; Antonella Bertucci
Departments:
Department of Physics & Astronomy, Physiology & Pharmacology; Canadian Nuclear Laboratories
Project Description:
Understanding the effects of radiation exposure on human tissues is crucial for applications in space exploration, radiation safety, and more. Microfluidic chips have been and can be sent to space to understand the impact of space radiation onorganoids cultured on the chips. This project is part of collaborative effort to develop and test organoids responses to radiation exposure, with this project’s goal to compare cultured organoids on chips against conventional methods, and exposing them to controlled radiation doses to analyze biological responses.
The student will use culture organoids on-chips and via conventional methods and compare the two with and without X-ray and neutron irradiation by assessing DNA damage, oxidative stress, apoptosis, and gene expression changes using molecular assays. The expected project outcome is the generation of pilot data on radiation-induced effects in independent organoid models.
Required Qualifications:
Applicants should demonstrate a background suitable for one of the selected projects (#1 or #2); a complementary background for the other project may serve as an advantage. A background in cell-culture techniques is required.
Western Skylark CubeSat project
Professor:
Department:
Electrical and Computer Engineering
Project description:
The Western Skylark CubeSat project aims to enhance wildlife tracking by collecting space-based data on migratory birds particularly from remote northern parts of Canada. The project involves hands-on training for students in CubeSat design, construction and operation and when launched into orbit will contribute to a better understanding of animal movements and supports conservation efforts. The CubeSat is a 3U (i.e. 10x10x30cm) micro-satellite, funded by Canadian Space Agency as part of the CUBICS project. It is scheduled to be launched into a Sun Synchronous Orbit (SSO) in 2026. During the summer internship, the student will mainly be involved in final design and/or AIT (Assembly, Integration and Testing) phase of the CubeSat, payload subsystems and be part of a large multi-disciplinary team. The student may also be working on software/hardware of our CubeSat Antenna Ground Station depending on their interest and expertise.
Required Qualifications:
Enrolled in a degree in Engineering, Physics, or a related field with interest in space instrumentation. • Prior experience on design projects involving either hardware or software components • Strong communication and collaboration abilities on multi-disciplinary team.
Beneficial but not required qualifications: • Systems engineering or space systems design knowledge or experience • Experience in subsystem, payload, or system integration • Understanding of spacecraft subsystems and their functions • Past experience with CubeSats
Additional Notes:
The intern will get to interact with an multi-disciplinary team of engineers and scientists. •Exact sub-system role will be determined based on specific expertise and interests of the applicant and available team role.
