Summer Program Increases Diversity of Student Researchers

By ChaseYavondaC

Originally funded 2011-2016 with a $250,000 grant from the National Institutes of Health’s (NIH) National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute, the program has received an additional $335,000 to continue the program through 2021.

Since its inception, 56 undergraduates have completed the nine-week summer program of research, mentoring and networking experiences. The aim of the program is to increase the diversity of students in cardiovascular, pulmonary and hematology research.

In the first four years of the program, 100 percent of program participants completed or are still enrolled in a bachelor’s degree program. Of those who have graduated, 68 percent continued their education in a graduate or health profession program or are still actively engaged in research.

Student explaining research poster

Danica Ordonez, left, explains her research project to Camila Silva of the National Center for Toxicological Research.

“Diversity in any educational setting enhances the overall educational experience of individual members and the group as a whole,” said Billy Thomas, M.D., M.P.H., UAMS vice chancellor for diversity and inclusion. “As individual researchers, we all bring with us our past experiences and individual interests, which are usually linked to one’s geographical location, race, gender, ethnicity and socioeconomic status.

“The hope is that by creating a diverse research workforce, individuals from varied backgrounds will focus on research affecting underserved populations, eventually closing the health disparities gap.”

Thomas is principal investigator on the grant along with UAMS Graduate School Dean Robert E. McGehee Jr., Ph.D. Kristen Sterba, Ph.D., associate dean for graduate student recruiting and retention, is co-investigator.

“This diversity allows a richer and more comprehensive way of asking and addressing virtually every question we as a society encounter in biomedical research and health care,” McGehee said.

This summer’s participants conducted a research project with a UAMS faculty member and engaged in mentoring, networking, leadership skills development and real-life surgical observations. They learned about taking graduate school admissions exams and careers in research.

“The program has allowed us to bring students from across the U.S. to UAMS to experience what it is like to conduct research at an academic health center,” Sterba said. “They have had the opportunity to interact with our faculty and students, allowing us to showcase all UAMS has to offer.”

Danica Ordonez, a rising senior at the University of Central Arkansas, chose a research topic involving obesity because it is prevalent and she wanted to focus on an area where she could make a difference. Her favorite part of the program was the hands-on lab work. She said the whole experience helped her be more confident about her career plans.

“I’ve always wanted to go to medical school since I was a little girl, but since my sophomore year my professors have been encouraging me to consider research as well and that’s why I’m trying to see if I want to do a M.D.-Ph.D. program,” Ordonez said. “That’s why I tried to do research that’s medically relevant. So now I’m definitely going to apply for M.D.-Ph.D. programs and I’m definitely going to do research.”

Undergraduates interested in the program can contact Sterba at 501-526-7396 or kmsterba@uams.edu.