The Undergraduate Pipeline Network summer research experience seeks to cultivate students' interest in research while helping them attain skills needed to apply for and succeed in post-baccalaureate education. The program provides the opportunity for students to choose from several areas of research at the University of New Mexico's Health Sciences Center. Each scholar is mentored during the program by a faculty member. In addition, scholars will have regular contact with a graduate student, post-doctoral fellow, medical resident, clinical fellow, or research staff member during the entire period of their program. Each scholar has a research project that provides the student with sufficient opportunity to demonstrate his/her ability to conduct independent research. Scholars will present their research projects to the scientific community during the program’s competitive poster symposium. The program includes elements that strive to increase students' competency in presentation skills, preparing applications to graduate programs (writing the essay, interviewing skills), working with mentors, professional skills and research etiquette, responsible conduct of research, being a member of a multi-disciplinary team, and understanding career options in the research arena. The students have the opportunity to observe research activities in different settings, such as within core facilities and within clinical and community-based settings, and are exposed to other facets of research that are different than the one to which they are assigned.

Eligibility:

Students must:

• Have a minimum 3.0 GPA.
• Be an enrolled undergraduate at the time of the program and have a graduation date no earlier than the December following the program.
• Currently attend a college or university in the United States.
• Be a US Citizen or Permanent Resident (green card holder).

While there are no definitive quantitative requirements, we are looking for highly-qualified students with an interest in:

• Infectious Disease & Immunity
• Brain & Behavioral Neurosciences
• Cancer Biology
• Environmental Toxicology & Pharmacology
• Cardiovascular & Metabolic Disease
• Community-Based/Health Disparities

Students who are from an underrepresented group in the sciences (as defined by NIH) are highly encouraged to apply to this opportunity.