The international internship is part of the Internationalization Program . The Program selected two students to undertake a one-year research internship at Harvard University in the United States.

The initiative aims to broaden the scientific training of students and encourage the production of research with global reach. In this edition, the program selected two medical students to develop research projects at Harvard Medical School. 

Before the final selection, the students participated in a Research and Internationalization Mentorship Program promoted by the São Leopoldo Mandic Faculty. During the mentorship, the students participated in bi-weekly meetings on topics such as the analysis of scientific articles, the use of databases, and the application of artificial intelligence in medicine. The program began with ten students from the Campinas, Araras, and Limeira campuses, and four reached the final stage.

At the end of the process, two students were selected: Lucas Viola and Matheus Prado, from the Medicine course at São Leopoldo Mandic. In November 2025, both presented their research during a visit by Professor and researcher Dr. Masanori Aikawa from Harvard Medical School. The presentation of the projects, combined with monitoring the development of the research in the laboratory, was one of the decisive factors for the selection.

After the presentations, the participants underwent individual interviews conducted by the researcher. Initially, the PhD intended to choose only one student. However, the candidates' performance led the professor to select two students for the international internship.

“The opportunity to spend a year at Harvard represents a major step in my academic training. In addition to scientific learning, I also hope to strengthen my network with researchers and professionals from different countries, creating connections that can generate future collaborations and, above all, an impact on Medicine,” explains Lucas Viola, a selected student from the Campinas campus. 

According to Dr. Masanori Aikawa, the students will be welcomed in a research environment at Harvard Medical School. In this context, they will be exposed to different academic cultures and new scientific methodologies. Furthermore, the experience coincides with an important moment of integration between Brigham and Women's Hospital and Massachusetts General Hospital, which will form the Mass General Brigham system. 

According to the researcher, this partnership aims to develop one of the largest academic medical centers in the United States, leading in excellence in health and innovative research. Thus, students at São Leopoldo Mandic will have their learning opportunities expanded, in addition to contributing to the development of a new global vision on research and innovation in health.