Research and Summer Opportunities

1. Research and Summer Opportunities

2. I don’t think I want to do research, so what’s the point of it? Here are some potential benefits: Exposure to the scientific process Mechanistic/technical background as to understanding the "why" Mentorship-Personal interactions and potential long lasting networking Longer term projects help you learn the research question/issue better Added credential (If you do well ask for a letter of recommendation) $$$

3. Not every research project has to involve running gels (bench research). Here are some other types: Epidemiology Clinical research Health policy Anthropology Health disparities Global health Or perhaps you might be able to choose another research focus which interests you! Glance through the contents of a prominent medical journal to get an idea of the vast array of interests and “kinds” of research represented (i.e. New England Journal of Medicine) But what if I HATE pipetting?

4. How to find Research Opportunities Local Contacts made through college or post-graduate resources Classes/Professors Network, Network, Network Internet! Be Proactive! When you are looking for a project AND when you are working on it

5. Where we found sources for research opportunities… National Institutes of Health http://www.training.nih.gov/student/index.asp National Center on Minority Health and Health Disparities http://www.ncmhd.nih.gov Association of American Medical Colleges, Tomorrow’s Doctors, Enrichment Programs on the Web http://www.aamc.org/members/great/summerlinks.htm

6. Explore Health Careers.org http://www.explorehealthcareers.org/en/Index.aspx#                  (Search:  “summer research”) http://www.explorehealthcareers.com/en/ProgramSearch.aspx Minority Health and Health Disparities International Research Training (MHIRT) Program (Currently there are 24 colleges and universities with programs. Each program has different eligibility and application procedures which means you must contact them to learn if you qualify) http://www.ncmhd.nih.gov/our_programs/mhirt.asp Travelers Summer Research Fellowship Program http://www.med.cornell.edu/education/programs/tra_sum_res.html Where we found sources for research opportunities…

7. Why should I do a summer program? Quality Experience: Personal interactions with other pre-health students, medical students and medical faculty resulting in potential long lasting networking Exposure to the medical field (and often MCAT preparation) $$$ Added credential (If you do well, ask for a letter of recommendation)

8. Summer Experiences AAMC Summer Medical and Dental Education Program (11 sites) http://www.smdep.org/ Summer Programs Web Database http://services.aamc.org/summerprograms/getprogs.cfm Health Management and Policy Summer Enrichment Program http://www.sph.umich.edu/sep/ Summer Research with NIDA http://www.nida.nih.gov/PDF/SPOSummer.pdf Health Career Connection http://www.healthcareers.org/main/index.htm Service Organizational or Church – sponsored mission trips

9. Suggestions Investigate potential research opportunities and summer programs but… Don’t globetrot at the expense of your grades Plan ahead in the fall semester to explore possibilities for your summer! Be proactive and apply to a variety of programs in which you might like to participate

10. Questions: Contact us: 2008 Presenters Crystal Agi, MS3 – uagi@mail.med.upenn.edu Juron Foreman, MS3 – juronsf@mail.med.upenn.edu Kendrick Gwynn, MS3 – kgwynn@mail.med.upenn.edu 2009 Presenters Lauren Banks, MS2 –lbanks@mail.med.upenn.edu Abi Orisamolu, MS1 – abi.orisamolu@gmail.com DavidLong, MS3 - davlong@mail.med.upenn.edu