NSF REU Summer Training Program
Sponsoring Institution
University of Massachusetts Medical CenterApplication Deadline
February 29, 2004.Dates of Internship
May 31- August 6, 2004Stipend
$4,000; Participants are charged a weekly housing fee of about $50.Synopsis
The Worcester Foundation Summer Training Program is a non-credit research course for undergraduate students. It consists of an intensive "hands-on" laboratory research experience individualized for each student and performed under the guidance of working scientists expert in many of the traditional and modern areas of biological sciences. The Program is designed to provide students with an in-depth exposure to the actual practice of scientific research in the hopes that the excitement, challenge and creativity of the enterprise will convince them to consider basic research in the sciences as a viable career choice.In the spring, each student admitted to the Program is matched with a basic research project - initially proposed in the student application form - by a preceptor with an active research program in the student's selected area of interest. The current training opportunities are focussed on topics in physiology, cell and molecular biology, and neuroscience, but are not limited to these areas. Upon acceptance, each student is provided with a reading list of current publications in the selected area to provide the background required for the proposed summer research project. During the Program we: 1) provide initial training in laboratory safety and standard practice; 2) acquaint each student with current issues in biological research; 3) guide them in shaping the specific research questions to be asked in each project; 4) provide them with the opportunity to learn and practice valuable scientific techniques and skills, many of which can be utilized in their future endeavors; 5) require each student to work independently toward these research goals; 6) encourage cross disciplinary approaches to their projects by providing them opportunities for interaction with other students and the whole of the research staff at the School; and 7) maintain an educational setting which is maximally challenging and, thus, fosters each student's exploration of future career choices in science.
Further information and an on-line application are available at the program's website: http://www.umassmed.edu/summer
Contacts
Edward Ginns M.D. Ph.D.
NSF Summer Research Program Director
Brudnick Neuropsychiatric Research Institute
Worcester, MA 01655
E-mail: summer.research@umassmed.edu
ORKaren J. Zirpola
Combined Summer Research Programs Coordinator
UMass Medical School
55 Lake Avenue North
Worcester, MA 01655
Telephone: (508) 856-5033
E-mail: summer.research@umassmed.edu
Return to Eastern Internships Last modified 16 March 2004