Summer Research Experiences in Neuroscience (SREN), developed and led by the Science & Health Education Partnership (SEP) at UC San Francisco (UCSF), will annually support 10 public high school students, the majority from backgrounds underrepresented in the biomedical sciences, in neuroscience research internships. Interns? research projects will focus on deepening our understanding of the brain and nervous system in order to reduce the burden of neurological disease. UCSF?s world-renowned departments of Neurology, Neurological Surgery, and Institute for Neurodegenerative Diseases offer an ideal backdrop to develop interns? ability to conduct rigorous scientific research.
The specific aims for this project are to:1) develop students? science skills, 2) build students? awareness of neuroscience careers and identity as neuroscience researchers, 3) foster college readiness, and 4) disseminate our efforts broadly. This project leverages UCSF SEP?s experience coupling authentic research experiences with co-curricular supports to prepare students to matriculate to and thrive in college, ultimately to increase participation in neuroscience careers among students from backgrounds defined by the NIH as underrepresented in biomedical research. The short- and long-term impacts of SREN on its student cohort will be documented through surveys to track high school graduation, college matriculation, major selection and degree completion, as well as students? self-reported gains in science confidence and researcher identity. Over the lifetime of the project, 50 students will be engaged in authentic neuroscience research projects and have the chance to leverage the support structures within SREN to propel themselves into a neuroscience career.
Through UCSF Summer Research Experiences in Neuroscience, high school students from backgrounds underrepresented in the sciences will further their educational and scientific careers, while deepening their knowledge and understanding of cutting-edge neuroscience research. This project will also help research scientists learn how to mentor students from backgrounds different from their own; thereby equipping these researchers to be more effective mentors throughout their careers. Ultimately, these efforts will help diversify the health science field, which has been repeatedly cited as a mechanism for addressing disparities in health and healthcare.
