UAMS Summer Undergraduate Research Program to Increase Diversity in Research

U.S. institutions of higher education have failed to successfully attract, enroll, and graduate students with disadvantaged personal histories from rural, low income and high poverty areas who later pursue research and health professional careers. The University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (UAMS) has a number of faculty who engage in research that fulfills the NHLBI mission, with more than $20 million in total research funding from NIH and $5 million in research funding from other agencies. Thus, UAMS is well positioned to help address the shortfall of researchers in cardiovascular, pulmonary, or hematologic areas by providing an active pool of potential research mentors for undergraduate students from rural, low-income areas who have disadvantaged personal histories. The UAMS Summer Undergraduate Research Program (SURP) was implemented in 2012 to increase the number of students from rural, low income and high poverty areas entering NHLBI sponsored research fields; program funding was renewed in 2016 and 2020. The overall goal of the SURP is to provide students with research, mentoring, and networking experiences; real-life surgical observations; and simulated cardiovascular demonstrations to increase their interest in careers in cardiovascular, pulmonary, and hematologic research. During the first funding period, approximately 95% of participants were expected to complete a bachelor’s degree, with 75% continuing education in a graduate or health profession program. During the second funding period, several SURP participants obtained their bachelor’s degrees and enrolled in graduate or medical school. Since the program started in 2012, 78% of all participants have completed a bachelor’s degree program; 54% are currently enrolled or have completed graduate or medical school programs. Most program participants who have not continued in a health-related or graduate degree program are either preparing to apply to a graduate/health profession program or still actively engaged in research. The SURP has been successful at providing students with positive summer research experiences and long-term mentor-mentee relationships. To continue to build on the program’s success, we propose the following aims: 1) recruit a heterogenous group of academically talented and enthusiastic undergraduate students interested in pursuing careers in cardiovascular, pulmonary, or hematologic research; 2) support and cultivate successful and rewarding mentor-mentee relationships; 3) develop and promote student leadership and communication skills; 4) stimulate low income, disadvantaged, and rural students’ interest in research and health-related careers; and 5) evaluate the program and its activities annually to ensure student satisfaction and program success. Exposing rural, low-income and disadvantaged students to basic, clinical, and/or translational research will provide a firm introduction and foundation to foster interest in research and health-related careers.