Supporting Undergraduate Research Experiences in Environmental Health (SURE-EH)

PROJECT SUMMARY We propose to continue our highly successful undergraduate training program – Supporting Undergraduate Research Experiences in Environmental Health (SURE-EH) – specifically geared to the National Institute of the Environmental Health Science's (NIEHS’s) strategic goal of increasing the diversity of the environmental health science workforce. SURE-EH provides environmental health science research experiences and educational opportunities to at least four undergraduate students from diverse backgrounds per year from across the University of Washington (UW). The UW is a world-class research institution that holds diversity as a core value. As a leader in environmental health science research, UW is well-positioned to ensure there are numerous well- qualified applicants to the program. Participants are typically selected at the end of their sophomore year and remain in the program for two years, including two summers. They conduct hands-on environmental health science-related research in one of the wide range of disciplines encouraged by NIEHS’ Strategic Plan. SURE- EH facilitates academic opportunities to complement the research experience, including course recommendations, seminars, workshops, and research symposia. These educational opportunities enhance the breadth and depth of SURE-EH participants’ environmental health science training. SURE-EH trainees will learn responsible conduct of research by participating in SURE-EH-sponsored summer training sessions and will be directed to courses where they can learn about the ethical conduct of science. These educational opportunities complement the research experience, and in combination with the outstanding and broad-based environmental health science expertise of UW faculty, ensure the SURE-EH participants are well-positioned to become future leaders in the field of environmental health sciences.