UMass Chan Medical School Summer Undergraduate Research Program

Abstract The University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School seeks funding to continue its summer undergraduate research program for undergraduates from groups traditionally underrepresented – by race, ethnicity, economic and education disadvantage and disability status – in the biomedical sciences. The research training opportunities available through this short-term training experience span the range from basic to translational to clinical/epidemiologic research. Therefore, the program is very well suited to support the research interests of a broad range of trainees. Many of these research training experiences are in areas supported within the research portfolio of the National Heart Lung and Blood Institute. Importantly, UMass Chan Medical School provides a very intensive research environment attracting almost $300 million in research funding in 2021. The NIH funded program will support 16 trainees annually, a number readily justified by the large number of high caliber applications received by the program each year. The program also benefits from sustained and significant investment by UMass Chan in the form of personnel and direct financial support. This financial support provides funds each year for an additional 10 trainees, most of whom do not meet NIH eligibility criteria. This support additionally allows the program to provide critical activities and materials for the trainees, the costs of which are not allowable under the NIH award. The UMass Chan summer undergraduate research program is a highly structured residential program. Students perform research in a group aligned with their interests. Students are introduced to critical tenets of Responsible Conduct of Research that support rigor and reproducibility and ethical research conduct. Students enhance their scientific communication skills through a series of small group sessions led by junior faculty and postdocs, culminating in a poster presentation at the end of the program. A research lecture series and luncheon research discussions expose participants to a broad range of research areas, potentially expanding the range of their scientific interests, while also expanding their professional networks. Networking sessions with key leaders and program directors at UMass Chan demystify the application process for doctoral degree programs and provide additional opportunities for network growth. Program-organized social activities, to which former program participants are invited, support social and professional networks. Program participants are also included in institution-wide social activities at which current UMass Chan students are present, to enhance their sense of belonging at the institution. Participant outcomes indicate the impact of the program. Of 550 unique NIH-funded participants, 249 (45%) have completed or are enrolled in a doctoral degree program - 185 in MD or DO programs, 54 in PhD programs, and 10 in combined MD/PhD programs. Continued NIH funding will allow this successful program to continue for an additional five year period.