Hosted by the Global Health Institute (GHI) in partnership with the Environment, Exposure Science, and Risk Assessment Center (ESRAC), the Young Global Leaders Program is an immersive summer experience for high school students interested in Public Health and the Health Sciences.

Each summer, the program centers on a timely public health theme and invites students to explore real-world health challenges through hands-on research, interactive learning, and collaboration with University of Arizona faculty and researchers. Participants work in teams to investigate public health questions, design and conduct small-scale research projects, analyze data, and connect science to community impact.

Young Global Leaders Program – Summer 2026
📅 Program theme, dates, and application details coming soon.
📝 Applications open in February.

Program Highlights

Exploration of Public Health & the Health Sciences

• Engage in thought-provoking discussions led by University of Arizona experts across public health, epidemiology, environmental health, and biomedical sciences
• Learn how scientific evidence informs public health practice and how misinformation can spread
• Develop critical thinking skills to evaluate health claims and data

Hands-On Lab Experience & Research Investigations

• Step into real labs and participate in interactive experiments
• Explore everyday public health questions through a scientific lens (topics vary by year)
• Learn how to design a research study, collect data, and analyze findings

University of Arizona Campus Exploration

• Experience campus life through guided tours of labs, classrooms, and research spaces
• Meet and interact with University of Arizona faculty, researchers, and public health professionals
• Explore how arts, culture, and community engagement intersect with public health

Collaborative Learning & Team-Based Projects

• Work in small teams to investigate a public health topic aligned with the program’s annual theme
• Collaborate with peers and faculty mentors in an inclusive, supportive learning environment
• Build communication, teamwork, and leadership skills

Degree Program & Career Exploration

• Learn about undergraduate pathways across the health sciences—including Public Health, Medicine, Pharmacy, Nursing, Veterinary Medicine, and related fields
• Explore a wide range of health careers in clinical care, public health practice, research, policy, community health, and more

Final Showcase

• Present team-based research findings during a culminating showcase
• Share evidence-based conclusions through creative and engaging presentations.

Questions? Contact Us at ghi@arizona.edu