The goal of this summer program is to introduce highly qualified undergraduates from diverse and underrepresented minority backgrounds to the concept of scientific research, the principles of scientific experimentation, the proper methods of data analysis, the interpretation, presentation, and translational applications of research results and to clinicians who practice at academic medical centers. Each student will work in the laboratory of a faculty mentor who has a proven track record in the mentoring of students and who has an actively funded biomedical research program focusing on cardiovascular, pulmonary or sleep medicine to accomplish this goal. In addition, all students will learn about careers in academic medical centers (AMCs) by shadowing clinician-investigators both in an office setting, as well as on in-patient rounds. At the end of the first summer in the program, the students will write an abstract and participate in both a local and national poster presentation of their research results. After the second summer in the program, students will give a 5-7 minute chalk-talk to other students in the training program, and will again present their research locally and nationally. The students will also receive instruction in essay writing, MCAT preparation, and critical career skills. The ultimate goal of the program is to provide undergraduate students with an understanding and appreciation of the biomedical research process so as to encourage them to pursue careers studying patients and their diseases after further postgraduate training in graduate and medical education.

Public Health Relevance

Preparation for Graduate and Medical Education (PreGAME) Program This summer program gives rising junior and senior undergraduate students from diverse backgrounds the opportunity to optimally prepare for a career in academic medicine. We will recruit students who would like to explore combining a career in clinical medicine with basic science or translational research relevant to human cardiovascular and pulmonary diseases.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI)
Type
Education Projects (R25)
Project #
5R25HL120883-03
Application #
9033141
Study Section
Special Emphasis Panel (ZHL1)
Program Officer
Wang, Wayne C
Project Start
2014-04-01
Project End
2019-03-31
Budget Start
2016-04-01
Budget End
2017-03-31
Support Year
3
Fiscal Year
2016
Total Cost
Indirect Cost
Name
University of Alabama Birmingham
Department
Pathology
Type
Schools of Medicine
DUNS #
063690705
City
Birmingham
State
AL
Country
United States
Zip Code
35294
Hyndman, Kelly Anne; Dugas, Courtney; Arguello, Alexandra M et al. (2016) High salt induces autocrine actions of ET-1 on inner medullary collecting duct NO production via upregulated ETB receptor expression. Am J Physiol Regul Integr Comp Physiol 311:R263-71