M.D./PH.D. SUMMER  UNDERGRADUATE RESEARCH PROGRAM FOR STUDENTS  UNIVERSITY OF NEBRASKA MEDICAL CENTER

GOALS OF THE SUMMER RESEARCH PROGRAM

The University of Nebraska Medical Center strongly believes that the training of physician-scientists is critical to the future of medicine. Physician-scientists play a unique role in biomedicine by studying patients and their diseases.

To accomplish this, we wish to recruit highly qualified students into medical and research programs at the University of Nebraska Medical Center. The summer research program described here will provide appropriate experience and training to enable students to become competitive for admission into our M.D./Ph.D. Scholars Program.

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This summer research program is for individuals that are motivated for success in careers combining medicine and research.  Although we are especially interested in undergraduate students who are currently in their sophomore year of college, current freshman and juniors are also encouraged to apply.  Applicants selected for this program that are currently in their freshman or sophomore year of college, should be willing to commit to two summers of research at the University of Nebraska Medical Center.  Some research background may be useful in order to maximize your laboratory experience.

This is a great opportunity for students to discover first-hand the broad spectrum of research activities being performed at the University of Nebraska Medical Center.  Not only will students be doing research, but successful applicants will also have the opportunity to shadow physicians.  This gives students a chance to not only experience great science but to also experience the doctor/patient relationship side of medicine.  We can provide a summer of challenges and exceptional learning experiences.

A wide variety of exciting research projects are available, from studies at the molecular level to patient oriented clinical research and healthcare outcomes research.  Cancer Biology, Cardiovascular Biology, Cell and Developmental Biology Cell Signaling, Genetics, Immunology, Molecular Biology, and Neuroscience are some of the programs available to students for their summer research projects. 

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WHY SHOULD YOU PARTICIPATE?

Benefits include:

• Gaining research training and experience that will make you more competitive for medical school, graduate school, other summer research programs, and M.D./Ph.D. Programs
• Becoming familiar with UNMC and its faculty, students and programs
• The UNMC faculty will get to know you and your potential
• Exploring your personal motivation for a career in medicine and biomedical research
• Discovering all of the exciting research going on at UNMC
• Participating in a student poster session
• Understanding how discoveries made in the laboratory are translated into new methods of prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of human disease
• Research is fun and rewarding
• AND, we will PAY you to do it. A stipend of $3,000 for approximately 10 weeks of participation.

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APPLICATION

The Summer Research Program, like the M.D./Ph.D. Scholars Program, is highly competitive, and candidates that are successful in securing a slot in the summer program will have outstanding academic records.

You can apply online to participate in this program. In addition to the application, the student must send the following information to the address below:

• A one- to two-page essay describing their interest in medicine and research. Be sure to indicate your general (or specific) area of research interest in your essay.
• A current transcript (also include a high school transcript if currently a freshman).
• SAT or ACT scores (required for all applicants).
• At least one letter of reference from a faculty member at your current college or university.

Any student selected to participate in the program for two summers would be required to submit a new transcript prior to beginning research the second summer.

After an initial review and prioritization of all applications, an interview at UNMC may be required. The goal would be to place students in the areas that interest them the most.

Once the summer research session has begun, successful applicants will be required to attend a weekly presentation.  These presentations give the student an overview of the research opportunities at UNMC.  A Summer Undergraduate Research Poster Session will also be required.  Students, with the help of their faculty advisor, will develop a poster for the session

The deadline for receipt of applications is March 1.

Additional information may be obtained by calling (800) 642-1095, or e-mail at sacox@unmc.edu

Application materials should be sent to:

Sonja Cox
University of Nebraska Medical Center
985301 Nebraska Medical Center
Omaha, NE 68198-5301
fax: (402) 559-8266

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