In order for the research activities in the U.S. to continue to excel, a new generation of scientists must be recruited and trained. This is especially true in environmental health sciences that require broad interdisciplinary training. However, graduate education and the expectations of active scientific research remain unclear, even to undergraduates already majoring in a scientific field. This project aims to immerse a small cohort each summer of talented undergraduate science students from colleges and universities in the U.S. in active research laboratories in the Center for Environmental Health Sciences (CEHS) for 10 weeks at the University of Montana in order to meet three specific aims: 1) To provide research training and exposure to environmental health sciences for undergraduate students. 2) To provide background training to improve the participants' preparedness for graduate school and encourage their graduate study in environmental health sciences, as well as expose students to various career options. 3) To increase the diversity of the pool of students progressing to graduate study in environmental health sciences. The CEHS has established a proven track record of success and careful assessment of the attitudes of participants upon completion of each year of the program in the first five years of this program at the University of Montana. This project will build upon these successes and to continue the work in order to expose more students to the opportunities found in research, and specifically in environmental health research.

Public Health Relevance

This project will recruit six undergraduates each summer to spend 10-weeks conducting intensive research in active environmental health science laboratories to prepare for graduate education. In addition, the students will be prepared for successful careers in graduate education and careers in research.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS)
Type
Education Projects (R25)
Project #
5R25ES022866-03
Application #
8810245
Study Section
Environmental Health Sciences Review Committee (EHS)
Program Officer
Humble, Michael C
Project Start
2013-05-15
Project End
2018-01-31
Budget Start
2015-02-01
Budget End
2016-01-31
Support Year
3
Fiscal Year
2015
Total Cost
$46,810
Indirect Cost
$3,467
Name
University of Montana
Department
Other Health Professions
Type
Schools of Pharmacy
DUNS #
010379790
City
Missoula
State
MT
Country
United States
Zip Code
59812