First Time Summer Research Experience in Environmental Health Sciences

An R25 Summer Undergraduate Research Experience (SURE) for under-represented minority (URM) students
will be developed at Michigan State University (MSU). It will provide a 12 wk beginning research experience in
environmental toxicology and health, with emphasis on the mechanisms of action of environmental toxicants,
for 7/yr undergraduate students science majors after their 1st or 2nd yr of class work; 4 positions will be set
aside for these students. The remaining positions will be available to any student. A minimum of 5 positions/yr
will be allocated for URM students. The focus is on 1st time research experience on hypothesis-directed
projects related to environmental health. The ultimate goal is to encourage URM students to enroll in Ph.D.
programs in environmental health or allied biomedical sciences. There are three objectives. The first and
principal objective is to provide an intensive experience in hypothesis-directed research on projects relevant to
the NIEHS mission, as this is often the critical first step to launching a student into a successful graduate
career. A 2nd objective is to enhance students’ communication skills, especially with respect to scientific
presentations. The third objective is to develop a sense of mentored community. Students will supplement the
research experience with a series of social and professional development opportunities. A one-week long
“bootcamp” entitled “Introduction to Laboratory Research” will precede the student beginning their project. It
will serve as a foundation to provide a cohesive introduction to the fundamental aspects of working in a lab.
The proposed SURE program leverages partnerships developed by the PI with two undergraduate institutions
in the University of Puerto Rico (UPR) system - UPR-Cayey and UPR-Arecibo, as well as minority serving
institutions (MSIs) in the Southwest. Each of these institutions lacks significant research opportunities. These
partnerships have resulted in 17 Hispanic students entering Ph.D. programs in biomedical sciences over the
past 5 years. Recruiting will involve visits to the campuses by the PI, and will be coupled with a seminar
exposing the students to concepts in environmental health sciences. Summer research projects will be in
federally-funded labs of PIs with research interests in environmental toxicology and health. Enrichment
activities will include the weekly informal presentations on students research, discussion of career
opportunities and ethical aspects of research; a final oral and poster presentation will be required. These
activities will improve students’ presentation skills and help them focus on the “bigger picture” of translational
biomedical sciences. Students will be encouraged to attend national scientific meetings to present their
research. Ideally, these meetings will also have career development/educational activities for undergrads such
as those at the Society of Toxicology meeting. This will further students’ exposure to environmental toxicology
and health, allow them to network, and develop a sense of community with other URM undergrads. A long-
term outcome is increasing the number of URM scientists in the biomedical/environmental health sciences.