About Us
The UNC Karen M. Gil Internship in Psychology & Neuroscience
The Karen M. Gil Internship Program offers UNC undergraduate psychology and neuroscience majors an opportunity to deepen their understanding of the field and develop professional skills. The Gil Internship Program places students at a worksite in the Triangle area, offers a monthly stipend, and a 3-hour course credit towards the psychology or neuroscience major. The program is funded by a generous gift from an anonymous donor.
This prestigious, highly-competitive program accepts 10-13 applicants per semester based on qualifications and achievement. Please meet our current cohort of Gil interns and learn about their internship experiences by reading their blog posts on our Intern Blog. Follow our LinkedIn Page for updates. Interested in applying to the program? Applications for the Spring 2027 Gil Intern Cohort are due by Thursday, October 15th by 11:59pm. Learn about our requirements for eligibility and apply now!
Our Story
The Karen M. Gil Internship Program in Psychology & Neuroscience was anonymously funded by an alumna of the department in 2014. This donor realized that there were a lack of paid internship opportunities for students in the fields of psychology and neuroscience, and they wanted to be part of the solution to fill that gap.
Since its founding, the program has grown to span all corners of the Triangle across over 60 different worksites. Our alumni network has grown rapidly, and now includes hundreds of professionals in the field, including clinical psychologists, psychiatrists, mental health therapists, social workers, researchers, lawyers, medical doctors, professors, and more.
If you are interested in gaining hands-on experience in the field and becoming part of our robust network, we strongly encourage you to apply for the Karen M. Gil Internship Program!
Meet The Team
Dr. Steven G. Buzinski
Karen M. Gil Internship Program Director
Dr. Steven Buzinski, a social psychologist by training, received his Ph.D. from the University of Maryland in 2011. An award-winning graduate teaching assistant and Lilly teaching fellow at the University of Maryland, Dr. Buzinski joined the University of North Carolina’s Department of Psychology and Neuroscience as a Lecturer in 2012.
Richie W. Gray
Karen M. Gil Internship Program Manager
Richie Gray is a graduate of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, where he earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Psychology with minors in Neuroscience and History. As a Gil intern in Spring 2024, he worked at the UNC Community Clinic helping to update clinician assessment materials. Richie is passionate about helping students explore their scientific interests and is always eager to provide mentorship and guidance as they navigate the early stages of their careers.
Dr. Karen M. Gil
Namesake of the Karen M. Gil Internship Program
Karen M. Gil, Ph.D. is a clinical health psychologist and Professor in the Department of Psychology. She joined the faculty at UNC in 1995, after spending 10 years on the faculty in the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences at Duke University Medical Center. She served as Chair of the Department of Psychology at UNC from 2004-2007, as Senior Associate Dean of the Social Sciences and Global Programs from 2007-2009, and as Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences from 2009-2015.
Dr. Gil was instrumental in the founding of our program due to her long-standing connection with our donor.