2021 SUMMER UNDERGRADUATE RESEARCH OPPORTUNTIES: BEYOND STEM
←
→
Page content transcription
If your browser does not render page correctly, please read the page content below
2021 SUMMER
UNDERGRADUATE
RESEARCH
OPPORTUNTIES:
BEYOND STEM
A SAMPLING OF SUMMER RESEARCH PROGRAMS
FOR A DIVERSITY OF MAJORS
October 14, 2020
Greetings All!
As a companion to the 4th Annual Undergraduate Research Information Session
on October 19th 2020, we compiled a number of research opportunities for you to
explore. Many of these programs are not targeted for science, engineering,
mathematics, and technology (STEM) majors as we wanted to highlight the
possibilities of all majors to become involved in summer research. There are SO
many STEM-programs, we wanted to give non-STEM students a chance to explore
the great opportunities available for the summer.
The programs featured during the 4th Annual Undergraduate Research
Information Session on October 19, 2020 are highlighted here as well.
Please check the respective websites for the programs as the year 2020 sessions
were cancelled due to the COVID-10 pandemic, so plans may be tentative for
summer 2021.
Best of success to you!
Susan Frazier-Kouassi, PhD Grace Abolaji, PhD
Texas Juvenile Crime Prevention Center Office of Undergraduate Research
WHY ENGAGE IN UNDERGRADUATE
RESEARCH?
By participating in undergraduate research
you can...
improve your communication skills
have opportunities to present and
publish your ideas
test your determination and
perseverance
develop creativity, problem-solving, and
intellectual independence
understand the research process
understand how scientists work on
problems
learn lab techniques
develop skills in the interpretation of
results
learn how to analyze data
learn how to integrate theory and
practice
develop tolerance for obstacles
learn to work independently
understand how knowledge is
constructed
build self confidence
build transferable skills and enhancing
resumes
explore career directions
learn to publicly advocate for and defend
your work
get a leg up on graduate or professional
school
contribute knowledge and impact the
world. page 1
Reuse Water Quality Research and Extension Experiences for
Undergrads (REEU) at PVAMU
https://reeu.baen.tamu.edu/
Featured program
The goal of the Reuse Water Quality Research and Extension Experiences for
Undergrads (REEU) program is to provide students with: 1) hands-on learning
experiences in reuse water quality, 2) exposure to careers in agricultural
research and extension, and 3) a pathway to graduate school. Participants will
have the chance to interact with a multidisciplinary team of extension specialists,
agricultural engineers, and soil and water microbiologists, from the TAMU and
PVAMU campuses. A mentoring program will pair students with faculty members
who will introduce the students to the program, cultivate the student’s interests,
and help the students to set individual educational and research goals for the
experience.
Summer Undergraduate Research Program at MD Anderson
Cancer Center
https://www.mdanderson.org/education-training/degrees-programs/summer-
Featured program research-programs/summer-undergraduate-research-program.html
The Summer Undergraduate Research Program (SURP) is a 10-week program
that offers hands-on experience in biomedical, translational or clinical research.
Students who have completed at least two years of college-level courses in one
or more science programs (biology, chemistry, physics, mathematics or
computer science) and are in good academic standing are eligible to apply.
Students who are considering pursuing an advanced degree (Ph.D., M.D. or
both) and are interested in scientific investigation would benefit most from the
program. Students are matched with a mentor from MD Anderson’s research or
clinical faculty. Participants work alongside the mentor in a lab or clinic on
projects designed by faculty to reflect current research. Workshops and lectures
provide opportunities to connect with faculty, residents, postdoctoral and clinical
fellows, and other participants. Through the program, students assess goals
related to careers in oncology research and patient care. The program
culminates with a symposium in which participants present talks and posters on
their research projects to peers and faculty. The program includes the following
activities:
Hands-on investigative scientific research directed by MD Anderson faculty
Clinical observation in interventional radiology, radiation oncology, breast
and melanoma medical oncology, nuclear medicine, and IPCT (Institute for
Personalized Cancer Therapy)
Lectures and workshops designed to expand students' knowledge of
scientific fields and medical disciplines
End-of-program presentation of research projects.
page 2
Michigan State University Committee on Institutional Cooperation
(CIC) Summer Research Opportunities Program
https://grad.msu.edu/srop
Featured program
The Summer Research Opportunities Program (SROP) is a gateway to graduate
education at Big Ten Academic Alliance universities. The goal of the program is to
increase the number of underrepresented students who pursue graduate study and
research careers. SROP helps prepare undergraduates for graduate study through
intensive research experiences with faculty mentors and enrichment activities. The
program provides an opportunity to combine professional development with applied
work experience in your career field. This is also an opportunity for Michigan State
University faculty to evaluate you as a potential graduate student. MSU SROP
typically convenes the third weekend of May and ends the last weekend of July.
Sample activities include:
MSU SROP Statistics Camp: This statistics camp is offered in collaboration with
the MSU Center for Statistical Training and Consulting. This workshop is
designed to assess students’ ability and background in statistics and provide
them with the statistical tools that will be necessary to complete MSU SROP as
well as benefit them in their future careers.
MSU SROP Talks: MSU SROP Talks are designed to help students stay on
track to complete quality research projects. Each week, the cohort will convene
and present the weekly findings of their research. This activity not only helps
students stay on track to complete their project, but also engages them in the act
of presenting their findings across disciplinary lines. These weekly meetings are
in “chalk talk” format, where students are only allowed to use a chalk board to
explain their findings (no electronic aids or supplemental materials allowed).
University of Michigan Future Public Health Leaders
sph.umich.edu/fphlp
Featured program
The University of Michigan School of Public Health in cooperation with the Centers for
Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Office of Minority Health and Health Equity
(OMHHE) offers a public health pipeline program for college students. The University
of Michigan Future Public Health Leaders Program (Michigan FPHLP) provides
students with field placements, skill building workshops, and mentorship. FPHLP is
designed to offer stimulating opportunities for awareness, learning, and growth in
public health. The ultimate goal of the 10-week program is to increase the diversity of
the public health workforce and the people committed to reducing health disparities.
page 3
Summer Health Professions Education Program
http://www.shpep.org/site/the-university-of-texas-school-of-dentistry-and-medical-
school-at-houston/
Featured program
The UTHealth SHPEP is grounded in collaborative relationships between the
UTHealth McGovern Medical School, School of Dentistry and Cizik School of Nursing,
which are the three health professions of interest for our program. The curriculum
focuses on Basic Sciences, Academic Enrichment and Professional Development.
The Basic Sciences core curriculum is structured around courses relevant to health
professionals, including Anatomy and Physiology, Physics, Statistics, Organic
Chemistry as well as an additional appropriate entry level course for students
interested in nursing. Students will have the opportunity to explore their own wellness.
Multiple activities are scheduled throughout the program to engage the scholars in
wellness activities. Our Fitness Center staff will provide weekly wellness events that
utilize yoga, Tai Chi, Zumba, and other physical activities to challenge both mind and
body.
Summer Research Program at Texas A&M School of Medicine
https://medicine.tamu.edu/research/summer-research.html
Featured program The purpose of the program is to give undergraduate students from any institution who
have an interest in pursuing a future career in biomedical research the opportunity to
work in a laboratory and perform a research project during the summer. The 10-week
program consists of students working closely with Texas A&M University College of
Medicine faculty on research projects in basic or clinical science disciplines. Selected
participants are matched with a faculty mentor in their area of interest and will assist
with a research project gaining insight into the development and implementation of
biomedical research. The program also features group activities including weekly
meetings in which principles of scientific investigation, ethical aspects of human and
animal experimentation, and career development will be discussed. Students will also
attend scientific seminars and workshops. Faculty mentors are located on the College of
Medicine campuses in Bryan-College Station and Houston.
page 4Mongtomery Summer Research Diversity Fellowship Program
For further information, please contact Breck Radulovic at bradulovic@abfn.org
The American Bar Foundation (ABF) is among the world’s leading research institutes for the empirical and
interdisciplinary study of law. An independent, nonprofit organization for more than 65 years, the ABF seeks to
advance the understanding and improvement of law through research projects on the most pressing issues
facing the legal system in the United States and in the world. Summer Undergraduate Research Fellows will
work in ABF’s office in Chicago during the Summer of 2020. We are particularly impressed by students who
demonstrate a strong work ethic and intellectual curiosity, and who take initiative with mentors by asking
questions and expressing a genuine interest in the subject matter. Preference will be given to candidates who
aspire to be a first-generation law student. This fellowship is designed to introduce undergraduate students to
the rewards and demands of a research-oriented career in the field of law and/or social science, as well as to
provide guidance about the many career options under the umbrella of the legal profession.
Public Policy and International Affairs (PPIA) Junior Summer Institutes for
Undergraduates
https://jsiawards.ppiaprogram.org/
The PPIA Junior Summer Institute is an intensive seven-week summer program that focuses on preparing
diverse undergraduate students from all over the United States for graduate programs in public policy and
international affairs. Courses focus on improving students’ communication and quantitative reasoning skills,
which are vital to their success in graduate programs. Students participate in meetings with guest speakers
and attend professional development workshops focused on preparing for graduate school, understanding the
graduate school admissions process, writing a statement of purpose, and creating a professional resume.
Minority International Research Training at Harvard University
http://www.hsphmirt.com/
Multidisciplinary International Research Training (MIRT/MHIRT) program is a national program designed to
encourage predoctoral and postdoctoral trainees who are from health disparities populations to pursue
research, teaching and leadership careers in biomedical, clinical and behavioral sciences. The program
provides support for predoctoral (predoctoral graduate students and undergraduate students) and
postdoctoral trainees to do research work in global settings. MIRT is funded by The National Institute on
Minority Health and Health Disparities (NIMHD) of the National Institutes of Health as part of the Minority
Health and Health Disparities International Research Training (MIRT/MHIRT) Program. The Harvard T. H.
Chan School of Public Health MIRT Program (formerly the University of Washington MIRT Program) builds
on established linkages with academic institutions throughout the world including in Ethiopia, Mexico, Peru,
Thailand, India, South Africa, and the USA.
page 5NSF Research Experiences for Undergraduates (REU) Site: Examining the
intersection of Food, Housing & Healthcare
https://www.jcsucres.com/reu
Students will collaborate with mentors and community partners to develop hypothesis-driven projects that will
address differential access to food, housing, and healthcare as part of an ongoing research project about
social inequalities in Charlotte, NC. As a collaboration among Davidson College, Johnson C. Smith University,
and the University of North Carolina at Charlotte, this project places students in research settings alongside
faculty members and key community players to define and creatively address social problems in the
neighborhoods that surround Beatties Ford Road in Charlotte. Students who participate will enhance their
research skills to identify the sources and mechanisms that reproduce social inequities. This REU will focus on
the methods of studying differential access to food, housing, and healthcare as important indicators of
historically and socially rooted inequalities.
NSF REU Site: Social Network Analysis for Solving Minority Health Disparities
https://mhdi.unl.edu/mhdi-srp
The University of Nebraska-Lincoln’s Minority Health Disparities Initiative (MHDI) administers the Minority
Health Disparities REU, which is an interdisciplinary program aimed at conducting cutting edge social and
behavioral research into understanding and reducing health disparities and in diversifying minority health
researchers. This project takes place under support of a Summer REU grant from the National Science
Foundation for research in using novel methods to study health disparities with a focus on understanding
social context. As part of that program, participating students will learn about the application of the relevant
methods, such as social network analyses, community-engaged methodologies, and social context
assessment tools. Based on these trainings, participants will develop hypotheses and learn how to design and
conduct health disparities related research studies in order to employ these skills where possible in their
summer research projects. Instruction will take place during a 2-week intensive class led by MHDI Core
Faculty, scheduled for the first two weeks of the program. Training will be used to enrich the students
experience during the subsequent 8 weeks. At the conclusion of the program, participants will present their
research at the Summer Research Symposium poster session.
NSF REU Site: Disparities in the Criminal Justice System
https://sc.edu/study/colleges_schools/artsandsciences/criminology_and_criminal_justice/beyond_the_classro
om/reu/index.php
The Research Experiences for Undergraduates (REU) in the study of Disparities in the Criminal Justice
System (DCJS) is a 10-week summer program that engages 9 selected undergraduate students with faculty
and graduate students from the department in research addressing the role of race/ethncity, class, and
gender in explaining criminal behavior and understanding criminal justice practices. The DCJS-REU site is
funded by the National Science Foundation with a goal of advancing undergraduate student interest in
research (Award #: 1851955). The program aims to introduce students to the prospect of graduate school
and foster evidence-based practices among the next generation of academics, lawyers, policymakers, and
practitioners within criminal justice.
page 6NSF REU Site: Undergraduate Research in Race, Ethnicity, and Family Demography
https://liberalarts.utexas.edu/prc/training/nsf_reu_site.php
The Population Research Center of the University of Texas at Austin, in collaboration with the Department of
Sociology and with funding from the National Science Foundation, is pleased to announce the Research
Experience for Undergraduates (REU) Program. The REU program offers talented undergraduates the
opportunity for classroom training and hands-on research experience during an 8-week session on The
University of Texas at Austin campus. This program is supported by a grant from the National Science
Foundation SMA-1852556. Shannon Cavanagh is the Training Director that oversees the REU program.
Students will have the opportunity to work directly with faculty, policy analysts, and senior graduate students
on issues related to race, ethnicity, and American families. Students will also participate in coursework, data
analysis, training experiences in the ‘real’ world and the academy.
Diverse Voices in Science Journalism Internship
https://www.aaas.org/programs/diverse-voices-science-journalism-internship/apply
The American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) is proud to offer a summer internship
program for minority students interested in journalism as a career and who want to learn about science writing.
Experience what it's like to cover the scientific and technological issues that shape our global community. This
summer program is designed for undergraduate students who are deeply committed to diversity and interested
in pursuing journalism as a career. Interns spend 10 weeks working in the news room at Science magazine,
covering the scientific and technological issues that shape our global community. The Internship takes place at
the Washington, D.C. headquarters of AAAS's Science magazine, the largest interdisciplinary journal in the
world. The program is a paid, 10-week experience under the guidance of the weekly magazine's award-
winning staff of professional science writers and editors.
Ralph Bunche Summer Institute Program (RBSI)
https://www.apsanet.org/rbsi
The Ralph Bunche Summer Institute Program (RBSI) is an annual, intensive five-week program held at Duke
University. It is designed to introduce to the world of doctoral study in political science those undergraduate
students from under-represented racial and ethnic groups or those interested in broadening participation in
political science and pursuing scholarship on issues affecting underrepresented groups or issues of tribal
sovereignty and governance. Participants in the RBSI are drawn from a competitive national applicant pool.
Named in honor of the 1950 Nobel Peace Prize winner, former APSA President, and the first African American
to receive a PhD in political science, Dr. Ralph J. Bunche, the Ralph Bunche Summer Institute (RBSI)
encourages students to pursue academic careers in political science.The RBSI does this by:
Enhancing writing, research, and analytical skills to increase competitiveness in the application and
financial aid process for graduate school;
Developing statistical skills for data analysis used in political science;
Exposing participants to the significant questions in the discipline and profession of political science;
Introducing participants to leading political scientists; and
Educating participants about political science career opportunities and encouraging their application to
doctoral programs in political science.
page 7Sustainable Urban Water Transdisciplinary Research Program for Undergraduates
https://erams.com/UWIN/urp/
The Urban Water Innovation Network (UWIN) offers its fifth, and final, Undergraduate Research Program
(URP) for the summer of 2020. Participants will be given the opportunity to perform cutting edge,
transdisciplinary research of immediate relevance to people in urban areas. Students with different research
interests – social sciences, natural sciences, engineering – will be placed with a team of mentors at institutions
in urban areas across the nation. The program will start and end at Colorado State University, Fort Collins, Co.
Students in the 2020 program will receive a participation stipend of $4,500, on-campus or nearby housing, and
up to $400 to help defray the cost of food. Students also will receive a travel allowance up to $900 towards
travel expenses associated with participating in the program, including travel to and from Colorado State
University in Fort Collins, CO, for the kick off and wrap up meetings, and travel to their research site.
Summer Research - Early Identification Program (SR-EIP)
http://www.theleadershipalliance.org/programs/summer-research
SR-EIP is a fully paid summer internship that provides undergraduates with training and mentoring in the
principles underlying the conduct of research and prepares them to pursue competitive applications to PhD or
MD-PhD programs. SR-EIP offers closely mentored research experiences in the life and physical sciences,
social and behavioral sciences, and the humanities at 20 research institutions across the country. SR-EIP
Participants:
Spend 8-10 weeks at a Leadership Alliance institution
Receive a stipend, and travel and housing expenses from the research institution
Work under the guidance of a faculty or research mentor
Gain theoretical knowledge and practical training in academic research and scientific experimentation
Make oral or poster presentations at the Leadership Alliance National Symposium
Gain access to ongoing resources, mentoring and professional networks to support their chosen career
path.
Biostatistics Epidemiology Summer Training
https://www.publichealth.columbia.edu/best-diversity-program/apply
The BEST Diversity Program is funded to serve undergraduate students who come from backgrounds
currently underrepresented in Biomedical and Public Health research. All eligible students are encouraged to
apply. Eligibility criteria:
Applicants must represent one of the following groups:
Racial/ethnic minorities (African-Americans, Hispanic/Latino-Americans, Native Americans or Alaskan
Natives)
Economically disadvantaged; these include:
Students currently receiving or who in the past have received: federal disadvantaged assistance, Health
Profession Student loans (HPSL) for Disadvantaged Student Program, or scholarships from the U.S.
DHHS under the Scholarship for Individuals with Exceptional Financial Need.
Students from social, cultural, or educational environments that have demonstrably and recently directly
inhibited the individual from obtaining the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to develop and
participate in a research career.
Physically or mentally disabled
page 8Summer Program for Interdisciplinary Research and Education – Emerging Interface
Technologies (SPIRE-EIT)
https://projects.vrac.iastate.edu/REU2020/
SPIRE-EIT is a 10-week research experiences for undergraduates program that combines classroom training
with hands-on research projects. Iowa State University‘s Virtual Reality Applications Center (VRAC) and
Human Computer Interaction (HCI) program are the hosts for this program. The SPIRE-EIT undergrads will
form research teams, each team is led by a VRAC faculty member and assigned a graduate student mentor.
Over the course of the summer, SPIRE-EIT undergrads will create new technological solutions to challenges in
human computer interaction and present their results at a year-end symposium. During their stay students will
tour local attractions and participate in a variety of team building and social activities that will give them a
better understanding of life in Iowa. The REU teams are partnered with local teachers participating in the NSF
Research Experience for Teachers program. The goal is to help build long-term collaborative partnerships
between K-12 STEM teachers, community college faculty, and the NSF university research community by
involving the teachers and community college faculty in engineering and computer science research and
helping them translate their research experiences and new knowledge into classroom activities.
DART Summer Research Fellowship Program
https://medicine.musc.edu/departments/psychiatry/divisions-and-programs/divisions/addiction-
sciences/education-and-training/predoctoral/dart/summer-program
The Medical University of South Carolina (MUSC) DART program offers a summer research fellowship for
students interested in learning more about research. The goal of the DART Summer Fellowship Program is to
introduce promising students to research, both basic science and clinical in nature, and afford them the
opportunity to work closely with a research mentor and his/her investigative team.
The program is open to undergraduate, graduate, and medical students. During the fellowship, students spend
10 weeks working full-time (40 hours per week) in their research mentor’s lab. Students can gain experience
collecting data, running analyses, training through weekly didactic seminars, scientific writing, and presenting
their work at the annual Summer Research Day.
Project Imhotep
https://www.morehouse.edu/phsi/imhotep.html
Project Imhotep is an eleven-week summer internship program designed to increase the knowledge and skills
of underrepresented minority students in biostatistics, epidemiology, and occupational safety and health. The
program begins with two weeks of intense educational training in public health courses such as Public Health
& Health Disparities, Epidemiology, Biostatistics and Scientific Writing. The purpose of this training is to equip
interns with the academic information necessary to complete the program. During the following nine weeks,
interns are paired in a one-on-one mentored relationship with experts at CDC, academic institutions, local and
state agencies, or community based organizations to complete a public health research project. In addition,
interns participate in a variety of seminars, workshops, educational initiaives and are required to complete 16
hours of community service. Interns will culminate their experience by giving an oral poster presentation to
their peers, mentors and public health professionals and develop a research manuscript suitable for
publication in a scientific journal. Interns will receive a stipend, lodging on the campus of Morehouse College,
course credit and travel expenses to and from their city of origin.
page 9The Translational Research in Psychological Sciences: Human Factors at Rice
University
http://pd28.blogs.rice.edu/
The Translational Research in Psychological Sciences: Human Factors at Rice University (2019) is funded by
the National Science Foundation, Award #1853936. This REU Site is an 8-week summer research program
located at Rice University, Houston, Texas. Primary aims of this REU Site are to: (a) engage undergraduates
in behavioral research that shows the value of such research in solving real-world problems; (b) develop
research, teamwork, and communication skills applicable to any career in social and behavioral sciences; (c)
increase the number of undergraduates who pursue graduate education and Human Factors (HF) careers; and
(d) increase the number of underrepresented groups in HF, and in social and behavioral sciences more
generally. Undergraduates will engage in research on topics such as patient safety, hiring and personnel
selection, discrimination, driving, health psychology, human-computer interaction, election ballots, workplace
conditions, leadership, language comprehension and production, education, usability, teamwork and training.
The REU includes faculty mentors from underrepresented groups, and uses intensive faculty mentoring and
collaborative research activities, which will enhance the research experience and student outcomes.
Summer Public Health Scholars Program (SPHSP)
https://www.ps.columbia.edu/sphsp
SPHSP is designed for undergraduate students and its goal is to increase interest in and knowledge of public
health and biomedical science careers. SPHSP is a partnership of the Columbia University Vagelos College of
Physicians and Surgeons, College of Dental Medicine, School of Nursing, and the Mailman School of Public
Health. Together, they represent the broad spectrum of public health practice. SPHSP was awarded by the
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Office of Minority Health, and Health Equity (OMHHE),
under the CDC Undergraduate Public Health Scholars Program (CUPS)(link is external and opens in a new
window). The program is designed for undergraduates entering their junior or senior year and recent
baccalaureate degree students who are undecided about their career goals. This is a rigorous program which
includes Public Health coursework at Columbia University; hands-on field experience and immersion in a
diverse, economically disadvantaged urban environment; seminars and lectures with public health leaders;
and mentoring by faculty members, ensuring students' exposure to the breadth and importance of public
health as a career option.
Research Training for Under-Represented Populations in Science
https://irp.drugabuse.gov/organization/diversity/recruitment-under-represented-populations/
The Intramural Research Program (IRP) is the in-house research program of the National Institute on Drug
Abuse (NIDA), and is located on the Johns Hopkins Bayview Campus, in Baltimore, Maryland. For nearly 60
years, NIDA has been the primary source of scientific knowledge concerning addiction and has served as a
training facility for researchers with an interest in drug abuse research. The Recruitment & Training Program
for Under-Represented Populations is an intramural program that provides paid training opportunities for
students who are interested in the scientific basis of drug abuse. A limited number of positions are available
each summer. Selection is very competitive.
page 10UCLA Public Health Scholars Training Program
https://ph.ucla.edu/prospective-students/ucla-public-health-scholars-training-program
The UCLA Public Health Scholars Training Program provides undergraduate students the opportunity to
explore the field of public health through hands-on training, structured workshops, group events, volunteering
opportunities, and leadership and professional development. Located in Los Angeles, the program offers
scholars the opportunity to train at UCLA, to explore public health in one of the most diverse counties in the
US, and to experience the city’s vibrant culture. We work with community-based organizations, health
systems, and government agencies to offer field placement opportunities for scholars that focus on health
equity. Scholars are placed at these partnering organizations throughout Los Angeles where they are exposed
to the spectrum of public health practice and provided with professional mentors. To supplement field work,
scholars attend workshops, develop leadership and professional skills, and receive mentoring from graduate
students and faculty. Scholars become a part of a motivated community invested in creating healthy futures for
all. How COVID-19 has impacted the Public Health Scholars Training Program: Unfortunately, due to the
ongoing COVID-19 global pandemic, our regular UCLA Public Health Scholars programming has been halted
for the summer of 2020. Despite this, we look forward to accepting new applications next year and will hold a
program that has both virtual and in person options (as long as in person options are safe and allowed by
UCLA and CDC).
University of Michigan Summer Research Opportunity Program (SROP)
https://rackham.umich.edu/rackham-life/diversity-equity-and-inclusion/srop/
Entering its 34th year, the SROP is designed for outstanding undergraduate students who are
underrepresented in their field of study. In support of Rackham Graduate School’s mission, SROP expands
access and opportunity to diverse students and facilitates their preparation as a pathway to doctoral studies at
U-M, resulting in increased representation. SROP at U-M strives to increase the number of diverse students
with unique experiences by supporting their preparation for graduate studies. Through intensive mentorship,
active learning, and enrichment activities, SROP fosters a community of scholars who increase social and
cultural capital and networking while mastering research skills and knowledge that advances their preparation
as candidates for successful graduate study at U-M and success in future careers, increasing representation in
professional fields.
University of Michgan Summer Enrichment Program (SEP)
https://sph.umich.edu/sep/overview/index.html
The UM SEP is an 8-week comprehensive experience for undergraduate students who are committed to
eliminating health inequalities. The program provides students with work experience, graduate-level lectures,
site visits to health organizations, community outreach projects, networking opportunities, and preparation for
graduate school, including a GRE course. Please read through the pages in this section to learn more about
the components of the UM SEP.
page 11Summer Research Initiative (SRI)
https://bsos.umd.edu/diversity/summer-research-initiative
The Summer Research Initiative (SRI) was created in 1999 by the Office of the Dean in the College of
Behavioral and Social Sciences (BSOS) and is supported by the Office of the Provost, the Graduate School,
the Office of the Vice President for Research and the College. The program is designed to encourage and
enhance the diversity of scholars working in the social and behavioral science fields. In that spirit, we are
interested in receiving applications to the program from a broad spectrum of students, including African
Americans, Latino/Hispanics, American Indian/Alaskan Natives, Native Hawaiians or other Pacific Islanders,
as well as students with research interests related to diverse communities.
The goals of the SRI are to:
Increase the knowledge of, and interest in, doctoral-level training in the social, behavioral, and economic
sciences;
Provide rising juniors and seniors an opportunity to learn about graduate studies and the range of research
and scholarship in the social, behavioral and economic sciences at the University of Maryland;
Provide a laboratory experience that enhances basic research knowledge and skills;
Provide lectures, workshops, didactic exchanges, and other programming to enhance students' knowledge
of the graduate application process, negotiating the academic rigors and professional and personal
challenges encountered in graduate school, and developing career paths in social, behavioral and
economic sciences; and
Provide mentoring and networking opportunities for students to advance their training in the social,
behavioral and economic sciences.
Transforming Analytical Learning in the Era of Big Data: A Summer Institute in
Biostatistics (SIBS) Program
https://sph.umich.edu/bdsi/
The Big Data Summer Institute, a SIBS program, is a six-week interdisciplinary training and research program
in biostatistics that introduces undergraduate students to the intersection of big data and human health — a
rapidly growing field that uses quantitative analysis to help solve scientific problems and improve people’s
lives. Drawing from the expertise and experience of outstanding faculty of several departments at the
University of Michigan — biostatistics, statistics, and electrical engineering and computer science — the
institute exposes undergraduate students to diverse experiences and techniques that distinguishes it from any
other undergraduate summer program in biostatistics in the country. This Summer Institute in Biostatistics
(SIBS) program is sponsored by the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI), grant R25HL147207,
with the intent to introduce undergrad students to the field of biostatistics. Courses will include data collected in
studies of heart, lung, blood, and sleep disorders.
Summer Multicultural Advancement Research Training (SMART)
https://www.unthsc.edu/cdip/summer-multicultural-advancement-research-training-smart/
SMART, sponsored by the National Institutes of Health and the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute,
addresses the significant gap in the number of underrepresented minority groups, disadvantaged populations
and individuals with disabilities that enter biomedical and behavioral science careers. This program will provide
undergraduate students interested in pursuing biomedical sciences related research, a 10-week summer
research experience in a mentor-guided laboratory and workshops to enhance their academic and career
development.
page 12Michigan Health Sciences Undergraduate Research Academy
https://ohei.med.umich.edu/educational-programs/michigan-health-sciences-summer-institute/michigan-health-
sciences
The Institute is deigned to develop the Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC Core Competencies.
The URA curricula are aligned to the core competencies that are fundamental to preparing students to be
future healthcare professionals. Diversity is essential in addressing today’s health disparities - from the
students who train to become tomorrow’s scientists and physicians, to the patients who will benefit from their
research and care. The Michigan Health Sciences Undergraduate Research Academy (MHSURA) is designed
for undergraduate students who want to explore biomedical research and health professional career pathways
in a stimulating and inclusive environment.
As a URA Fellow, you will have the opportunity to:
Experience working with medical professionals
Be matched with a faculty mentor which considers you unique interests and attributes
Experience collaborating with a research team
Gain additional insight and understanding of health equity
Learn about a broad spectrum of career options in health sciences
Participate in leadership and professional development seminars
Exhibit your research or clinical experience at a University of Michigan symposium attended by faculty,
staff and students at the end of the program
UM-SMART Undergrad Summer Program
https://medicine.umich.edu/medschool/education/md-phd-program/um-smart-undergrad-summer-program
UM-SMART is designed for undergraduate students who have an interest in obtaining a combined MD/PhD
degree leading to a career in academic medicine as a physician-scientist performing basic research relevant to
human health and disease. As a UM-SMART summer research fellow, students work full-time in a basic
research laboratory under the mentorship of a research faculty member. The goal of the UM-SMART program
is to help students decide if a career as a physician-scientist is right for them, and to enhance competitiveness
when applying to MD/PhD programs. The UM-SMART has helped 87 undergraduate participants learn about
MD/PhD training since 2008. After graduation, 76% of past participants entered MD/PhD, PhD, or MD
programs. This 10-week program is aimed at students who have some amount of basic and mechanistic
research experience related to medicine and are interested in gaining more experience to advance their career
goals. UM-SMART is not intended for students seeking clinical research experience on human subjects.
Additionally, we do not offer opportunities in public health, the social sciences, or humanities. The 2021 UM-
SMART Program dates are TBD. Please check for updates on this website later this fall.
page 13ADDITIONAL RESOURCES
https://www.aamc.org/professional-development/affinity-groups/great/summer-
undergrad-research-programs
https://www.pathwaystoscience.org/undergrads.aspx
https://www.mdanderson.org/education-training/degrees-programs/summer-
research-programs.html
https://www.nsf.gov/crssprgm/reu/reu_search.jsp
https://www.cdc.gov/Fellowships/
https://www.training.nih.gov/programs/sip
https://www.abrcms.org/
https://www.pvamu.edu/pursue/
page 14CONTACT INFORMATION
Susan Frazier-Kouassi, PhD
Director, Texas Juvenile Crime Prevention Center
(936) 261-5209
sfkouassi@pvamu.edu
Grace Abolaji, PhD
Program Manager, Office of Undergraduate Research
Research and Innovation
(936) 261-1565
gtabolaji@pvamu.edu
page 15You can also read
