Short Term Research Experiences Advancing Medical Students (STREAMS)

PROJECT SUMMARY The diminishing pipeline of physician scientists is a well-established concern, and the National Institutes of Health has established that medical students not pursuing a dual degree were more likely to choose a research career as a result of exposure to research during medical school. By providing mentored short-term research experiences for medical students, and aligning students with a physician/surgeon-scientist role model, we can influence the career choices of medical students to address the deficit in the number of physician/surgeon-scientists entering the workforce. The overall program goal of the Short-Term Research Experiences Advancing Medical Students (STREAMS) at the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) remains to provide summer research fellowships with the aim of encouraging medical students to pursue research careers, particularly in research areas related to the mission of NIDDK. STREAMS provides 8-12 week mentored research experiences that encourage students to pursue careers in academic medicine and aims to enhance the pipeline of physicians and surgeons with potential to pursue academic careers with NIDDK-related research interests. The program boasts outstanding leadership, an environment that promotes engagement of medical students in research, a well-funded group of trainers with extensive commitment to medical student mentorship, a diverse pool of potential trainees, a wide breadth of research opportunities including health disparities research, and matching institutional support. STREAMS is currently the only NIDDK-funded T35 in the Deep South. With 5 NIDDK-funded research centers, UAB provides excellent resources to support this program. The program has been tremendously successful during its initial funding period. 32 trainees have completed the program, and an additional 8 will complete the program in summer 2023. More than 40% of trainees have been women, and 28% from underrepresented racial and ethnic groups. Trainees have been extremely productive with excellent success in submitting abstracts, publishing, and receiving awards for their research. All trainees submitted and presented at local conferences, and 97% had abstracts accepted and presented at national meetings. 75% of trainees from the initial 2 years have published journal articles, while several from years -03 and -04 have already published or are in the process of preparing and submitting manuscripts. Nearly half of trainees received awards at local meetings, and three won national awards. 75% of trainees who completed the program more than 1 year ago have pursued additional research experience. An overwhelming majority of trainees reported that participation in STREAMS increased their interest to include research in future career goals. These early markers of success are clear indicators of the program’s future ability to achieve the long-term goals of encouraging medical students to pursue research careers.