University of Michigan UM-SMART Summer Undergraduate Research Program - Application open now

UM-SMART is designed for undergraduate students who have an interest in obtaining a combined MD/PhD degree leading to a career in academic medicine as a physician-scientist performing basic research relevant to human health and disease. As a UM-SMART summer research fellow, students work full-time in a basic research laboratory under the mentorship of a research faculty member. 

This 10-week program is aimed at students who have some amount of basic and mechanistic research experience related to medicine and are interested in gaining more experience to advance their career goals. UM-SMART is not intended for students seeking clinical research experience on human subjects. 

 

Application opens: November 1, 2021

Application deadline: January 31, 2022

Tentative Program dates: May 31, 2022 - August 5, 2022

 

Program Highlights: (visit the website or view the brochure for more information)

Students participating in a lab receive a stipend of $4,400 plus dormitory housing and a meal allowance.

 

The main scientific focus of the summer program is to provide full-time laboratory biomedical research, as well as

·          Two half day clinical shadowing experiences
·          Online MCAT preparation accessible for 12 months
·          Oral and Poster presentation and relevant seminars
·          “Big Sib” Mentoring Program
·          Attend 3-day MSTP annual scientific retreat

Eligibility: (see the website or brochure for more information)

Applicants belonging to groups that have been traditionally underrepresented in biomedical research are strongly encouraged to apply. This includes: Individuals from underrepresented racial or ethnic groups, individuals with disabilities, such as those with a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activities, and individuals from disadvantaged backgrounds such as family annual income below established low-income thresholds, or an educational environment that has inhibited the individual from obtaining the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to develop and participate in a research career.

In addition, applicants must

• Be a US Citizen or permanent resident of the US
• Complete sophomore year by June 1, 2021
• Maintain a minimum 3.2 grade point average
• Complete 50 hours of research lab experience by June 1, 2022
• Submit two letters of recommendation, one of which must be from a research mentor or instructor

To apply to the UM-SMART program, follow this link:  https://umms-omse.smapply.io/prog/um-smart_summer_undergraduate_research_program_2022

 

Should you have any questions about the program please feel free to contact the University of Michigan MSTP office mstp@umich.edu

Event: Mentor-In-Residence Rebecca Nejat, Psychiatrist at Private Practice

Register to meet with alumna Rebecca Nejat, Psychiatrist at Private Practice. In addition to Rebecca operating her private practice, she also practices clinical psychiatry and psychotherapy and teaches/supervises in the Cornell psychiatry residency program. Rebecca graduated from New York University School of Medicine.

For more information about Rebecca, please use the below link to reference her LinkedIn profile: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rebeccanejat/ After you register for the event, you will be redirected to the site where you can schedule a 30-minute appointment. Please note, the meetings will be via Zoom for the fall 2021 semester and you may be meeting with up to two other students at the same time. Space is limited and scheduling is on a first come, first serve basis. The Mentor-in-Residence program provides students with an opportunity to learn more about the industry, gain insights about possible career paths, and ask questions only an industry-expert can answer. If you have any questions about the Mentor-in-Residence program, please email ahammel@barnard.edu

Weill Cornell Students for Equal Opportunity in Medicine Annual Regional Pre-Medical Conference

Registration

 

Barnard Biological Sciences Department Event: Seminar & Coffee Hour with Dr. Bianca Jones Marlin

The last fall Seminar & Coffee Hour that aim to bring diverse scientists to Barnard will take place next Monday, November 8th at 12 pm! RSVP if you'd like to join us in person -- we'll have coffee and pastries to go. 

Dr. Bianca Jones Marlin, one of the newest faculty members at the Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, opened her own lab as an assistant professor of psychology and neuroscience in January, 2021, at the Jerome L.Greene Science Center, the home of the Zuckerman Institute. Since beginning as a postdoc with Richard Axel, MD, in 2016, Dr. Marlin has been working to answer one of biology’s most perplexing questions: How does stressor trauma get passed down to children and even grandchildren? The Marlin Lab uses a mouse model to uncover the biological mechanisms. She aims to utilize neurobiology and the science of learning to better inform both the scientific and educational community on how positive experiences dictate brain health, academic performance, and social well-being. The attached flyer includes the abstract for her seminar, Bridging the Gap Between Innate and Learned: A Parent's Role in Promoting Survival.

RSVP to attend either in person or virtually by no later than 5 pm THIS Friday! A recording of the seminar will be available by request. 

Questions can be sent to Melissa Flores.

Job Opportunity: Research Associate, THANC Foundation

 Job Posting: THANC Foundation Research Associate Position

Description: The THANC (Thyroid, Head and Neck Cancer) Foundation is a non-profit organization located in New York City. THANC is committed to supporting research and education in the early detection and treatment of thyroid and head and neck cancer, to advancing new therapies, and to alleviating the suffering and functional impairment of patients who undergo treatment.  

Role: Research Associates collaborate with an interdisciplinary group of physicians and researchers affiliated with Mount Sinai Medical Center to conduct and publish clinical research. In addition, Research Associates play key roles in the development of an educational website for patients and their families (https://thancguide.org/), and share the experiences of cancer patients through the 30 Stories in 30 Days awareness campaign. They also help coordinate and oversee a weekly virtual journal club, which features international leaders in thyroid cancer research, and will aid in the development of a comprehensive thyroid cancer care resource for physicians and trainees worldwide. Finally, Research Associates have the opportunity to spend time observing thyroid and head and neck surgery in the operating room and shadowing at an Ear, Nose and Throat (ENT) clinic.

Qualifications/Required Documents: This is a full-time position with a required one-year commitment. Applicants must hold a Bachelor’s degree (in any field) and must have a strong interest in pursuing a career in medicine. Applicants must have completed the MCAT before their start date. Research Associates should have a robust scientific background and excellent writing abilities. Previous experience in a clinical environment is preferred.  

To apply, please submit a cover letter (addressed to Dr. Urken) and an updated CV (including GPA) through the application portal on the THANC Foundation website (https://thancfoundation.org/join-our-team/research-associates/). Additionally, please have two letters of recommendation sent to recruitment@thancfoundation.org. Recommenders should email their letters directly. Please note that all letters should include letterhead and the recommender’s signature. The application deadline is February 1st, 2022, but priority will be given to early applicants. Interviews will begin in late February and will be offered on a rolling basis. If selected for an interview, you will be required to complete a writing assignment.

For more information, please visit our website (www.thancfoundation.org). Feel free to email recruitment@thancfoundation.org with any questions you may have!

SHPEP Application Open!

The Summer Health Professions Education Program (SHPEP) is a free summer enrichment program focused on improving access to information and resources for college students interested in the health professions. SHPEP’s goal is to strengthen the academic proficiency and career development of students underrepresented in the health professions and prepare them for a successful application and matriculation to health professions schools. These students include, but are not limited to, individuals who identify as African American/Black, American Indian and Alaska Native and Hispanic/Latino, and who are from communities of socioeconomic and educational disadvantage. SHPEP, formerly known as the Summer Medical and Dental Education Program (SMDEP), expanded in 2016 to include a broader array of health professions.

Important Dates:
Application Opens: November 1
Application Deadline: February 5, at 11:59 p.m. (Eastern Time)
Application Decisions are released: March 15

Eligibility Requirements:
All students who meet the Summer Health Professions Education Program eligibility requirements are encouraged to apply. Applicants must meet the following requirements:

• Must be a high school graduate and currently enrolled as a freshman or sophomore in college.
• Have a minimum overall college GPA of 2.5.
• Be a U.S. citizen, a permanent resident, or an individual granted deferred action for childhood arrivals (DACA) status by the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services.
• Must not have previously participated in the program.

Other factors for consideration include that a student:

• Identifies with a group that is racially/ethnically underrepresented in the health professions;
• Comes from an economically or educationally disadvantaged background; and/or
• Has demonstrated an interest in issues affecting underserved populations.
• Submits a compelling personal statement and a strong letter of recommendation.

More information on how to apply is available here. 

Service Opportunity: Project Horseshoe Farm Community Health Fellowship

By partnering and helping to extend relationship-based service to vulnerable neighbors, Horseshoe Farm provides an opportunity to contribute to the social fabric in local communities in a way that cuts across differences between us that can sometimes divide us.
Our approach includes an educational grant-supported “gap year” Service Fellowship that is mobilizing a generation of top recent college graduates from across the nation to serve others as they learn about Horseshoe Farm’s approach to helping others and strengthening community health. Accepted Fellows receive free housing, an educational grant of $700-$1000/month (site dependent), and valuable experience through:

• Mentored relationship focused service to seniors, adults living with mental illness, and children.
• Work supporting health providers and teachers and extending their capacity to provide relationship focused care and support to adults living with mental illness, seniors, and children in local communities.
• Direct service to individuals as a way of positively impacting the psychological and social determinants of health and learning about Horseshoe Farm’s approach to biopsychosocial community health.
• Close work and collaboration with a team of other talented Fellows and ongoing teaching and mentorship from top notch Site Directors.
• First hand exposure to and learning about health systems, health policy, and Horseshoe Farm’s approach to reinforcing and strengthening health and education systems.
• Experience with and learning about operations in a community based non-profit organization.
• Community Engagement work and other opportunities to get to know your local community.
• Weekly reading and discussion series

More information about the fellowship and how to apply is available here.

Cambridge Coaching MCAT Webinar: Renal System (Part 2)

It's a weekly live webinar about a high yield MCAT topic. It's short, sweet, and packed with valuable insight into both the topic at hand and how it's tested on the MCAT. While we are in the process of developing these materials, we are offering the webinar for free. Consider yourself a pilot student for a future Cambridge Coaching MCAT course, or textbook, or self-study platform (only the future can tell). All we ask in exchange is that you keep coming, participate in Q & A, share your feedback, and let friends know about this resource. This webinar's topic will be Renal System (Part 1), and will take place Friday October 29 at 1pm EST. 

Register for this week's webinar here.

SUNY Optometry CSTEP Winter Internship Opportunity

 Application is available here. 

Job Opportunity: Research Technician B, CUIMC Pathogenesis Lab

The technician will be responsible for, but not limited to, performing a wide variety of histological and molecular biology procedures on human postmortem brain tissue samples for several projects in the lab. Techniques include vibratoming, immunohistochemistry, Western blots, post-mortem brain catalog/organizing and extensive microscopy work. The technician will perform quantitative morphologic analyses, including collecting microscopic images and characterizing axonal and synaptic changes and a variety of other neuropathologic parameters. Further duties will include organizing the storage of formalin fixed brain samples and histology slides, data management, and performing other related tasks that are necessary to the functioning of the laboratory. Technician will work in concert with other lab personnel to both perform experiments and analyze data from experiments essential for grant objectives, while also organizing and cataloging formalin fixed brain samples. Responsibilities include, but are not limited to, preparing samples for histology core, prepare samples for cutting via vibratome or cryostat, perform immunnohistochemical staining, perform protein extractions and western blot analysis, image-stained brain sections, analyze stained brain sections with quantitative microscopic methods, and organize data from experiments for manuscript preparation.

Learn more and apply here.