The UNMC Department of Anesthesiology marked the fifth year of the Summer Training in Anesthesia Research (STAR) Fellowship with a poster session Aug. 6, where fellows presented their summer research findings to close out the 10-week program.
Program director Sowmya Yelamanchili, PhD, said the fifth year of STAR is a milestone worth celebrating.
“Five years in, this program has grown from a handful of students into a real pipeline of future scientists,” Dr. Yelamanchili said. “Every summer, I’m struck by how much these students accomplish in just 10 weeks, and how much curiosity and drive they bring to the lab.”
The STAR fellowship gives high school (HSTAR), undergraduate (USTAR) and medical (MSTAR) students the chance to conduct graduate-level research under the guidance of a faculty mentor. Over the course of the program, fellows build scientific knowledge across basic, preclinical and clinical research, gain hands-on laboratory experience and sharpen their presentation skills through weekly seminars — all culminating in a final research poster and presentation.
This year’s fellows explored a wide range of topics, from muscle physiology to the effects of chronic HIV infection.
Lie Gao, MD, PhD, program co-director, said the program gives students a genuine introduction to research.
“Working alongside a student like Auspy reminds me why this program matters,” Dr. Gao said. “These students aren’t just observing research, they’re doing it, and that hands-on experience is what helps them decide if a career in science is right for them.”