FEATURE

2008 Summer Student Scholar Program a Success for Both Students and Mentors

The 2008 Summer Student Scholar Program, sponsored by the Collaborative Biomedical Research (CBR) Program, culminated its 10-week session on August 8th with a presentation of the scholars' research. Research projects from the 13 undergraduate students and 1 medical student who participated in this year's program ranged from the mapping of genetics modifiers to studying the process of patient identifiers.

2008 Student Summer Scholars Final Presentation of Research Back: Jennifer Villemaire, Ngoc Ho, Tomy Perez, Michael Faibish, Dr. Barry Braun, Tan Tan Chen, Allie Paquette, Ashley Bono, Alena Prusinowski, Jack Steele, Brittany Rahmberg Front: Kelly Smith, Sara Sawka, Jaqueline Walsh, Megan Campbell

The scholars represented 7 undergraduate institutions and 1 medical school. Their mentors, who helped design individualized research experiences and provided guidance throughout their learning process, were faculty from Baystate, PVLSI and UMass Amherst.

Yvonne Paris MD, Chief of Pediatric Cardiology, who mentored Kelly Smith in her research on hypertension in children, commended the program, remarking, “I enjoyed participating in the program and found it very worthwhile for all involved. I was very impressed with the presentations from the students.”

For a complete list of the 2008 scholars and their mentors and research projects, visit the Student Scholar Projects page of the CBR website.

A Unique Program for Rising Scholars Considering Biomedical Research Careers

Medical Student Tan Tan Chen Presents Her Research on Ethnoracial Differences in Exercise Response

The Summer Student Scholar program, which offers the students formal classroom training and personalized application in research design, implementation, and publication, provides an outstanding opportunity for college seniors or first-year medical students who are considering a career in medical, biomedical, public health, or behavioral health research. The scholars each recieve a $3,500 stipend.

This collaborative program is jointly directed by Dr. Hal Jenson, Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs at Baystate Medical Center and Dr. Barry Braun, Associate Professor and Director of the Energy Metabolism laboratory at UMass Amherst.

If you would like to volunteer as a mentor in next year's program, please email Kristi McLeod in Academic Affairs. Faculty mentors need to provide a summary of the projects. Students apply January through March, and faculty mentors and students are matched based on their common interests. More information is available on the Summer Student Scholar Program website.