70 Years of Fleming Scholars: OMRF's Paid Summer Research Program Is Taking Applications

The Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation just closed out the 70th summer of its Sir Alexander Fleming Scholar Program, and the numbers tell the story better than any plaque could. Fifteen students. Eight weeks. Roughly 40 hours a week in working research labs in Oklahoma City, at $15.50 an hour.

This year’s class came from OU, UCO, Stanford, Johns Hopkins, Brown, UC Berkeley and Tulsa. Two of them, Mallory Forsgren and London Lawrence, found their way to UCO on nontraditional paths, and both finished the summer with part-time jobs at OMRF and a clearer picture of where they’re headed. That’s the whole point: a paid, mentored trial run at being a scientist before you commit your life to it.

Here’s what matters for southwest Oklahoma families. The 2027 program runs June 1 through July 23, applications close at 11:59 p.m. on Feb. 1, and free housing is now included for students living at least 40 miles away. That covers Lawton and most of Comanche County. Do you know a student who’d thrive in a lab? Tag them or send them the link.