The purpose of this proposal is to provide opportunities for undergraduate students from minority or disadvantaged backgrounds to pursue short-term summer research training in the Department of Molecular &Integrative Physiology at the University of Michigan Medical School. The long-term goal is to increase diversity of future scientists with a special emphasis on preparing students to pursue research careers related to the NHLBI mission.
Our specific aims are to: (i) Recruit 10 underrepresented undergraduate students from colleges around the country to the University of Michigan for a summer research experience;(ii) Engage student trainees in hands-on research in our well-equipped laboratories focused on mechanisms of cardiovascular, respiratory, and sleep disorders;(iii) Provide an academic program that includes didactic and interactive sessions to complement the students research experiences;(iv) Foster an environment of excitement that highlights the rewards of being a scientist;and (v) Establish evaluation plans which will monitor and improve the program's effectiveness. The 10 students will participate in a 3-month research project mentored by 1 of 16 Program Training Faculty. All Program Faculty are funded by the NIH and have an excellent mentoring track record, with 8 of the 16 Program Faculty being supported by NHLBI. Oversight of the program will be provided by a highly qualified Internal Advisory Committee, and student selection and progress monitoring will be provided by a Student Selection and Mentoring Committee. Participating students will be required to carry out a research project that is culminated by a 1/2 day symposium that includes oral presentations given by the students which summarizes their research project. Students will also attend a seminar program that will introduce them to different aspects of physiology-related research including the use of different model organisms, ethical issues in laboratory research and career opportunities in biomedical sciences. The Program will recruit students from a large pool of candidates within and outside the University of Michigan. Anticipated outcomes for the students include: (1) Develop an increased understanding of the principles and importance of cardiovascular, pulmonary and sleep research;(2) Improving critical problem-solving skills;(3) Begin to establish the credentials necessary to advance into a competitive PhD or MD program;and (4) Consider a research career which will diversify our limited pipeline of future research investigators and role models.
The goal of our program is to provide undergraduate students from minority or disadvantaged backgrounds an exciting research experience in cardiovascular, pulmonary or sleep-related physiology. Our goal is that this research experience will stimulate the career development of young talented students from diverse backgrounds who are presently underrepresented in the biomedical research workforce.
